VINTAGE TUTORIAL - Yamaha DX1 - FM sound design

I went to MESS in Melbourne on my last day on my travels. I found myself in front of the iconic Yamaha DX1, and I'm actually quite amazed about how straight forward it was to use. So here's a vintage tutorial on the Yamaha DX1. The concept is the same with many FM synthesizers today too. Think about what impact these synths from the early 80's had. Epic!
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[@MelbourneElectronicSoundStudio]

Thanks for visiting us Cuckoo. We are very happy to hear you arrived home safely. Stay safe over there and we hope to see you again very soon!

[@b.c.slumber3694]

I am so blessed to live in Naarm/Melbourne, purely because of MESS.

[@BillVincent]

The year was 1983, and I was 20, just hanging out at the local music store that summer. Suddenly one fateful day, I come in and there is the Yamaha DX7, DX5, DX9, and this beast - the DX1, all but taking over the showroom floor. Up until this time there hadn't been a synth that really nailed certain sounds - i.e. specifically the sound of a tine-based Electric Piano, or percussive sounds such as marimba. When I put my hands on the DX7 (I was a bit intimidated by the DX1, plus they were a bit nervous about anyone playing it too much) I was hooked. Playing that velocity sensitive keyboard (also a first at the time) it felt like butter. Solo strings such as cello were unique - maybe not exactly like a cello, but unique, and very close. Close enough to be multi-tracked into an ensemble. The DX7 itself was nice - but when you added a Boss Chorus to it, it became lush and thick, and soon EVERY keyboard player had to have one. In fact, if you didn't get one, you weren't able to reproduce most of the pop music being made around that time. It was THAT popular. It became SO popular that it started getting over-ripe - everyone started getting really tired of that once revered Electric Piano sound. So tired, in fact, that I think the entire 90's was a revolt against the DX sound. I'm pretty sure Seattle grunge was an answer to the DX7's over-used tinks and donks. Ironically I couldn't afford one then. I can't tell you how inferior as a keyboardist I felt without one. In 1985 I made do with a 4-op version, the DX100, and an inexpensive sampler keyboard to control it with. By the time I could afford a bonafide DX7 in 1989, the DX had waned in popularity, and the new kid on the block was the Korg M1 - a complete workstation - and it began to take the place of the DX7 on stages across the globe. I bought an M1 and didn't look back. That is until 2013, when I picked up a used DX7IIFD. Basically the DX7II was similar in lots of ways to the DX1 and DX5 before it. It had two complete DX7 engines in it, and the interface had been updated somewhat and upgraded to 16-bit sound (something which DX7 purists balk at, but nevertheless, it was less noisy and sounded great). I finally got the full six-operator DX keyboard I had lusted after for so long. It does sound dated now, but with a bit of work and some effects it can still add some nice textures to a synth arsenal. But regardless of that, it cannot be understated what a nuclear bomb the DX series was to the synth industry. Digital had arrived - and nothing sounded quite like it that had come before. Until the M1, it was KING. There will never be another revolution like that in the synth industry - it could only happen once. And for those that lived through those times, it was kind of magical. So many things came together at the same time for the DX to really explode like it did. Digital sound, MIDI, touch sensitive keyboard beds, weighted keys - all were extremely new, and the DX series had all of it, if you had the cash. Thank you Cuckoo, for this wonderful trip down memory lane!!

[@pigknickers2975]

Mate, great post, not too different to my experiences. I've never even seen a DX1 though did hear of them. When FM arrived as a young synthesist with a CasioVLTone and a third of a Roland SH09 my mind was blown. I left school in 86 and worked the summer in a factory to buy a. . . . . . . DX21. I turned pro a year later and that has been my life. It was such a special time for musicians - money and all this amazing gear. I sold my DX21 to buy a M1 (natch) (still love the feel of the keyboard) but got a TX81Z to keep my FM patches alive. Although Fm can be a bit hard and thin I find that when layered with fairly boring analogue pads sometimes real magic can happen. That era of the late 80s made such an impression on me I can still sort of feel it. Cheers!

[@gcoudert]

Bill Vincent My love for FM was a slower process. I had played a DX7 and DX9 in my local music shop and borrowed a DX7 for a gig after my Juno-60 and JX-3P were stolen (I got them back). I liked some of the presets but, particularly without effects, I felt that most sounded really naff and concluded it wasn't for me. It wasn't until 1995 that I had the opportunity to get my hands on a DX7S; I wanted to know what the fuss was (had been) about and , after getting into programming thanks to Howard Massey's 'The Complete DX7' book, I realised that I could modify presets to my liking and make them fit into my 'sound'. Over the years, I have owned a DX7S, a DX7 Mk 1, a TX7 and a TX802, the latter being my favourite. As I am obsessed with 80s New Wave among other genres from the same decade, I like to use a mix of (virtual) analogue, FM and sampling. I current use a Korg Kronos, which is DX7 sysex-compatible, as my FM source.

[@petel1201]

"it responds to much more physical input" .... I would say the same about the DX7's... since you can set operator sensitivities to both velocity and aftertouch. DX patches are so expressive and playable. I love that DX1's interface... so easy to see and control parameters. Thanks Cuckoo!

[@AndersEngerJensen]

You lucky bastard! You lucky, lucky bastard! They only hung me up the right way yesterday! 😂 I do have the TX816, but a DX1 would be so frikkin’ awesome! 💖😎

[@truecuckoo]

Haha.. yeah it was a sweet time I had with it. What an amazing instrument!

[@AndersEngerJensen]

True Cuckoo Hell to drag around on gigs and requires a lot of maintenance (but not of course as much as the CS-80 perhaps). Still, a very much sought after relic. How about all the other stuff, going to make some videos on those while you’re there?

[@truecuckoo]

That was the plan, but I had to go back earlier. Let’s save it for a next time.

[@dcashley303]

Having played with the Volca FM for many many hours this just makes me drool! 32 note polyphony, weighted keys, lots of information being displayed... droooooooool! Love it. Want it. Will never have it :(

[@noizekiller]

Buy DTronics DT7 and this thing will be needless.

[@dcashley303]

@@noizekiller That's just a controller though right? Looks okay for making patches but that's about it to be honest. And I don't have too much issue making patches. (I may be wrong of course, prove me wrong!)

[@noizekiller]

@@dcashley303 Yes, but I have issues and i don`t need such big synth. I rather buy some portable hw programmer for my volca fm.

[@georgeray3492]

Your FM tutorials are so good. I was surprised by your comment that you don't have much time on the DX-7. I'm glad that you had the opportunity to spend some time on the rarest of Yamaha's DX line. Thanks for documenting and sharing! Stay well.

[@JohanWave]

Yeah! Dx1 🎹 Love vintage tutorials. More of these please. Great video!

[@kgbinfo]

Thanks for doing this. Not very many quality demos of this machine on the internet, so it is really exciting to see one of my favorite synth KZbinrs doing a video on this legendary synth. You rock!!!

[@truecuckoo]

❤️🙏🏼

[@Toymizzle]

Just bought a Reface DX yesterday this is a dream tutorial. Understand FM so much more Thanks!

[@NicStage]

Wow. All those vintage units all cleaned up are so pretty.

[@rnedp760]

Stay safe Cuckoo, and thanks for this exploration of the fabulous DX1.

[@LittleRichard1988]

The Yamaha DX-1 and the Yamaha GX-1 "Dream machine" are certainly synthesizers for the elect especially as far as owning one. You are extremely lucky to have got a chance to be able to actually sit down and have a whirl on one. They are extremely rare, not sure how many units were produced but not very many were manufactured.

[@Jo-yb8cl]

Oh wow, the Yamaha DX1 looks feels and plays Gorgeous!

[@BlezzBeats]

Oh man ain't that a beauty. That looks like a piece of paradise on earth! Great tutorial per usual.

[@aSpeaker2BlocksAway]

Followed you on my DX7s... And it came alive for me for the first time. Untill today I just skipped the presets.... But Now Iam programming FM!!! Damn, Thank you!

[@truecuckoo]

Yeah Way to go!! Keep it up!

[@Wil_Dsense]

Yay just got the volca fm on the go this is awesome! DX1 seems it has much more chunkiness to it, Such a lush depth and swirling richness in the pads/sounds.

[@jhowe5571]

Ohhhh!!!! A Prophet 10!!! Another EPIC synth!!! 😮🕺🎊👍 Way cool place of synth joy! 😁

[@256k_]

I've recently acquired a yamaha DX5 that's in great condition still. it's not as rare as the DX1 but it's still pretty rare from my understanding. very proud of that acquisition.

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

Wow this DX is definitly number 1 . Love or hate FM synthesis. It is verrrrrry powerful !!!

[@rexrathtar3893]

What an amazing looking instrument. I shouldn't be surprised there was a DX1, but the colossal fame of the DX7 meant I never really mused on whether it had direct precursors. Cool video, thanks.

[@rexrathtar3893]

Ah, after reading more about it, I realise the DX1 wasn't a precursor to the DX7, more like its big brother. Curious naming convention.

[@markQ08]

Always watching your video with headphones 🎧 Always best you are ❤❤

[@danilaplee]

great video! really inspiring :)

[@angelodomino]

Awesome Cuckoo, thank you!

[@0Fdigital]

Hope you enjoyed your brief time here. It's a shame the workshops got cancelled, I was really looking forward to saying hello. Hopefully you get a chance to come back someday :)

[@jamessisson3703]

I almost purchased on of these but didn't. Proper kicking myself! Nice demo man. I like the DX11 most.

[@norrin_sad2778]

Dope video!

[@sebonmac]

Le paradis ! Merci Cuckoo

[@gilwe]

This thing looks and feels like an 80s arcade game machine ;) I own a DX5 and it sounds exactly the same. Still exploring FM synthesis, interesting info!

[@dan1romero]

Yeahh interesting !!! I would love to play on of those some day 😊. I have a DX200

[@wrenkler]

YESYESYES! Thanks for this.

[@knopfler2006]

Hello from France!

[@FlockOfHawks]

Lovely video about this Beast , the Mother of 'em all , the Queen of the Hive :o) 👍

[@federicogoez]

Increíble!!!

[@silverqumera]

AWESOOOME CONTEEEENT!! LIKE LIKE LIKE LIKE

[@drstupid1]

Hope u had fun here in Australia!

[@adventureswithsteve2981]

Looks like you had fun with the DX1 , you should consider getting yourself a DX7 Mark 2 and you definitely need to have a look at the XFM2 , it’s a 64 voice 2 part 6 operator cheap diy FM synth with effects, probability this would be more of an interesting project content wise

[@xxii22222]

YES DX1 ❤️❤️❤️✨

[@lynnskaggs9356]

The Balance slider reminds me of the Operator Mix sliders on the DS-8.

[@IvarFritjofHansen]

Hello i have library of dx7 sounds in my dexed, but i have a bank with dx1 sounds too:) dx5 is a favourite , is hard to get also dx1.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

never occurred to me to split with bass on the right, but I think it could be a lot of fun!

[@lede-soudeur3937]

Hi i'm Eric from France I have the brother's DX 1 , the DX 5 . I know that the batery is very low (the original one ! 0.447 v !!!! ) but i think it is not my problem . It is that , when i play in single mode , i hear the sound on the 2 outputs (good...).When i'm in split mode , one on the left output , second on the right output (allaways good...) ,i can hear analog relay clearly. BUT , when i'm in dual mode only left voice works...hope you can help me thanks

[@TallyHoTech]

Some mad stuff Bruv. They should of let you keep it. Did you have to isolate in Australia? Did you make it home

[@MrMargaretScratcher]

Deckard's dream at 0:20 !

[@gheedough]

Yay, MESS! What else did you play with when you were there? I was on the Korg PS3300 and it's as such a beast!

[@Super6Seven]

Hey brother would you consider doing one of these on the Juno-1 by chance?

[@porfiry]

Is their Novachord playable? Blows my mind seeing one of those just sitting in a place like that.

[@MelbourneElectronicSoundStudio]

Hello! Our Novachord has been fully restored and is available to everyone for bookings.

[@pacificbuildingcare]

I still have my Yamaha DX1 I bought from Nashville in November 2001, I just love my DX1 it was originally Herbie Hancocks DX1

[@constantinezh7156]

YEAH!

[@cubdukat]

Would the vibrato be coming from one of the modulating operators that hasn't been zeroed out?

[@juno6]

I was fortunate enough to find a DX5 for $1000 last month in almost new condition. A DX5 is basically a DX1 with the same audio engine, without the leds on the top, polyphonic aftertouch and wooded panels.

[@oblitafier]

juno6 You joker. What’s the point of this comment?

[@ddr4ig]

A rare beast...

[@auburnkit]

woo DX1

[@sotirisnikolaidis4835]

do you know how many dx5 exists?

[@eyesintheskies]

I heard cuckoo styles his hair by licking the back of a dx1 every morning 😜

[@joshgreer1468]

Ha ha. I have one and love it

[@driesanalog4187]

After making the best analog synth - Yamaha build the best digital one.

[@zotos7771]

U ok amigo?

[@meentaalmaan]

Vs Digitone!?

[@secourscatholique6931]

cool comme celui en suisse a fribourg..............rainbow technology

[@eyesintheskies]

Know we know what the Predator built his watch from 🤔

[@roasty80]

Sounds like a genesis

[@clivemathieu9386]

Fm 4 dayz

[@matszh]

Shouldn’t be a problem for Behringer to clone that one, or for Yamaha to make a bi-timbral ”Super Reface DX...”

[@PeteKowalsky]

Man you're really in a nuclear fallout shelter there, eh? :) Seems like it's not really ideal acoustically, but with all that amazing gear - who cares?!? :D Boy does that DX1 need some cleaning and some love.....

[@VIRGOLEGACY]

Sega genesis definetly uses a Yamaha chip

[@alphabeets]

Meh. So it is two DX7’s with a KX88 keyboard. Really not a big deal anymore.

[@marcpinion]

I hope Uri Behringer sees this. Better than the stock sounds

[@RobertMaxwellMediaCorp]

That thing must weigh a ton.

[@stocchinet]

I can't bring myself to love Fm synthesis, never liked how it sounds

[@Kung_Fu_Jesus]

stocchinet totally agree with you, to me it’s like finger nails down a blackboard. I really struggle to enjoy the sounds. However the Nord Lead 3 FM sounds great 🤷‍♂️

[@JX3D]

I totally agree too. Imho its only good for bell sounds and some deep basses - well "some", I mean very few.

[@grumpycomposer5658]

Then you need to check out Digitone...it’s quite incredible!

[@PeteKowalsky]

My first synth ever was a Mark I Yamaha DX7 in late 1985. Even then I thought it sounded pretty good but kinda cheesy in lots of ways...I mean jeez it wasn't even stereo! Remember, these instruments are based on FM using a crappy but state-of-the-art-35-years-ago 12-bit sine wave sample. When you layer it (ala TX816 with lots of modules), and add effects, it is unmistakable and pretty monstrous. I had a dedicated effects processor for my DX7 that transformed it completely and I guarantee with my patches and the effects, you'd never know it was 6-op FM. Newer FM instruments (physical and virtual) can achieve some astonishing new sounds using waves other than sine waves. FM is not an easy thing to get "right" but there's a reason it's still around - we still buy instruments based on it. :)

[@RobertMaxwellMediaCorp]

I agree, I find it hard to dial in sounds I like. I do enjoy squelchy FM bass and some high-end arpeggios for a sparkly background melody. On the other hand, with analog subtractive synthesis I find it hard to dial in sounds I DON'T like.

[@Kung_Fu_Jesus]

It’s such an impressive looking machine, just a shame it’s FM.