Yamaha DX21 - Factory Presets Demo (+ song at the end)

Hey everyone!
Decided to finally do a video on my DX21. It's a fantastic sounding synth, but at the state of mine, it's not the most fun to play without a MIDI keyboard. But, you're here to listen to the wondefully phat FM synth tones from 1985. So that's what I bring to you!
Don't be fooled by it only having 4 operators, this thing can be an absolute beast! Also loads of cool presets you can find online and load them in. The factory presets don't even slightly scratch the surface of possibilities with this synth.
Also the song at the end is, besides the drums, 100% the DX21. Had to do a classic, 80s ballad with it, of course... People would kill me if I didn't... :P
Anyways, hope you enjoy the vid!
||||||||||||||
Don't forget to leave a Like, comment and if you want to see more, please consider subscribing! Take care everyone! Cheers!
||||||||||||||
Listen to the song seperatly over here:
/ yamha-dx21-demosong-wav
Bandcamp:
xavierradix.ba...
Soundcloud:
/ xavier-radix
Come chat with me and others on the Woody Piano Shack Discord server:
/ discord

[@adamharris7775]

In the 1989 Kids Incorporated song She’s a Star, the Yamaha DX7 internal patch “Electric Piano 1” and Yamaha DX21 patch “High Tines” were heard.

[@drin_earthtales]

Nice to hear a DX21 again! I bought one back in 1986 - a friend still has it!

[@raybbj]

I still have my DX21 in the original gig bag sitting in my closet. Bought it in 1987. I should really pull it out and play with it again

[@funkmachine6420]

Sell it to me!

[@freestate6200]

Pulling something out in a closet and start to play is a bit dated, isn't it?

[@dee1380]

@@freestate6200 never..

[@freestate6200]

@@dee1380 What are U pulling out in a closet?

[@Taylor.Beachx83]

Love hearing other DX models other than the groundbreaking 7. I actually loved many of these patches! The ballad at the end was dope too. ;)

[@XavierRadix]

Thanks a bunch! Yeah, this a nice alternative to the DX7.

[@mr_floydst]

Good demo! As expected, nice EPs. :-) Great track in the end of the vid.

[@WoodyPianoShack]

fun little machine, great demo and fab song!

[@freestate6200]

Yes, it takes your ear to realize. And I do like that underlying noise, that is now so missing in the "Clean Machines".

[@htheman1971]

I picked one up at a thrift store for $50 and cant wait to learn all its hidden potential!

[@nandodolleman7819]

lucky you, going away for 200€ online :(

[@ivanalberto3547]

Cheking one more posted on offerup for $400 dollars 🙄

[@charlesincharge6512]

I picked one up for £30 today! The Lower F does not work but an excuse to open it up. Hell it needs a damn good clean anyway!

[@stefancelmaresitare]

30 CAD ( approx 20$) ... In Montreal ( Canada) today.

[@gullyfoyle6354]

I have a TX81Z and a DX7II and it's amazing how they shine when you put these thru some decent reverbs etc...instant 80s!!! ;) Cool vid. Cheerio.

[@XavierRadix]

Yes! These synths really come alive with some effects.

[@gullyfoyle6354]

@@XavierRadix So true. :)

[@Charleshowes23]

That ballad is sooooo damn smooth! Can you make an entire album of smooth AF DX21 ballads?

[@camulodunon]

In general the bass presets on this thing were really good. Flap Bass and Elec Bass are super underrated sounds!

[@MasterMainak]

Great presents dude! but damn that KotoKoto one is so cute, i repeat that part so many times :P

[@TranceJedi]

Big hello Xavier Radix , that's a pretty cool demo of the DX21 , sounds damn good to me , it does have some brilliant preset sounds that do sound as good as any of today's top end synths , nicely played ,by you too , with computers even cheap crap keyboards can sound good but I think you cant beat the sound from a real DX as you just proved here , well done , I enjoyed your demo and the end track , big like and big thumbs are way up too , enjoy your weekend !!! 😎AK☘ 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘

[@AndrewAHayes]

I thought I could hear some of the Miami Vice song patches in there, the songs in that show were bathed in DX tones!

[@monx]

Thank you for posting a video that actually demonstrates stereo chorus separation in factory presets Edit: no wait, this is a mono DX21 and it's hooked up to an effects pedal

[@____stu____]

Love the song at the end, it teleported me back to 1984😬

[@____stu____]

Just bought one of these for £120, it’s a minter, this video made my mind up!

[@freestate6200]

This is a part of DX heaven. THX so much

[@MrTheRalez]

This video is like hearing all action movies in '80s. First thought right now is Blood sport.

[@FaOut]

Good sounds!

[@GlenJDiamond]

Have you had a chance to show off the performance modes and the unique pitch bend possibilities of the DX21? Would be nice to see you using the A/B balance slider on a dual sound. The only bugbear with the unique pitch bend is that it becomes a universal parameter in dual mode (so I think sound A has the override for the universal parameters). Also a real pity that the polyphony limit would be 4 notes for dual. There should also be some mono sounds that make use of the glide feature but that might be a program only mode within the patch.

[@XavierRadix]

I have played around with those features indeed, but I haven't thought about filming them. Who knows, maybe I'll do a video showing off the more unique features of the DX21 in the future. Thanks for the suggestions!

[@padwhelan7698]

5:38 very nice 👌

[@Dr.Laberich]

Thanks for this video!! No talking, just presets. Perfect! Do you (or somebody else here) know if its possible to connect a expander with this modell? And did you tried, if its possible? Would be a dream to tweak the parameter of these wonderful presets while sending midi into the device :)

[@XavierRadix]

Thanks! I have not tried that, but I'm sure there is some type of software editor for this synth out there. So I think it's definitely possible. I don't know about any products that do that for the DX21 though.

[@2112jonr]

These things have started to rise in price the last six months. Loads around, only a few in good condition as the end caps tend to break easily. Good synth, stupidly good value for the money given the cheap parts availability.

[@clarenzlarka]

A very helpful demo by the way. Much appreciated.

[@TrazomGV]

I owned it back then, it is very useful machine. I created some great sounds on it. And in studio it was quite to satisfactory.

[@SamNiverba]

Great demo :)

[@nguyentrunghieu3890]

nice dx21.... i love your style music 80s!

[@davidosolo]

16:22 I had this synth back in 1989 and the preset I still remember until this day is the S/H Synth preset.

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

I do love the video footage after your camera stopped!

[@XavierRadix]

Yeah those are some shots I used for a music video a little while ago. Thanks!

[@immortalbomb]

I don’t even know how to switch the presets and I’ve had this for like a month now

[@XavierRadix]

The way I learned how to use it: just press buttons until it sounds good.

[@johnnydekock]

Great demo and song, well done!

[@EuroDJ]

0:08 - what is Dimension FX? All record thru that DSP? Or some presets? Sound DX21 not clean???? This distorts the understanding of how to actually sounds DX21!

[@XavierRadix]

The Dimension is just a chorus effect from my Line 6 M5 pedal. And I'm using it throughout the whole video, there's no distortion going on :). The reason why I put a chorus effect on is because the DX21 sounds pretty boring without it, to be honest. This goes for pretty much every DX synth. Putting some effects on it, really brings the synths to life.

[@EuroDJ]

@@XavierRadix I agree, effects make sounds of any synth better ... but this is misleading, video named "Factory Presets" ... not "Factory Presets + CHORUS from Line 6 M5 pedal" ... people who watch the video, want to know how it will sound of DX21, if they acquire it... as a result of listening to the sound already processed. Demos from other channels sound different, not so attractive. Original patches do not sound so good ... and from the name of the video is not manifestly clear that the signal is embellished ;) In any case, thanks for the video - interesting demo

[@XavierRadix]

@@EuroDJ Well, maybe it just was misleading to you, since you're the first person in the comments to point that out. Not that it's a problem, because you had questions and I got answers. That's the beauty of a comment section. The goal for this video was to show off the beautiful sounds you can achieve with the DX21. And I think using the effects really helped that for this synth. I tried making it clear at the start of the video that I was going to use effects for this demo. But I agree that I probably should've made that a little more clear by providing some more information in the description or during the video. That's something I'll keep in mind for the next video. Thanks for your critique nonetheless. :)

[@sirclip]

Wow, much better than I can do on mine. . . Great song!

[@XavierRadix]

Thanks for the kind words! Tip: external effects can do wonders with a DX :).

[@MariusVideoOfficial]

Nice song and beautiful video, thank you

[@Goku-el3lk]

great demo video and performance.

[@dpalaoro]

Nice ballad ❤

[@ДмитрийСуворкин-г6ъ]

Hi! It's cool video! But one question - is it pure DX21 sound, or some effects added?

[@XavierRadix]

Greetings! No I put on some chorus and reverb, subtely though. Didn't want to completely drown it with effects. Funnily enough, the DX21 has a built in chorus, but I didn't use that.

[@ДмитрийСуворкин-г6ъ]

Thanks! I thought so.

[@caseyroot3681]

how do i access the other presets besides the 32 that are currently loaded on there? I haven't been able to figure it out

[@XavierRadix]

It involves quite a bit of menu diving, and to be honest it's not fun or easy to do at all. Since I can't really remember how to do it at this point, I would highly suggest looking up the manual for the DX21 (or DX27) online. Because that's where I figured out how to do it. But since I haven't touched the DX since the making of this video, I can't tell you how I did it... Sorry :/

[@caseyroot3681]

@@XavierRadix Thanks for the info!

[@ЯрославКлиментьев-й5р]

В Доме культуры была Yamaha DX- 7.Мы хотели DX- 21 к ней в пару, но нам вместо неё приобрели KORG M -1 не новый, но в хорошем состоянии.

[@asormullet7176]

Is this good for church band? Thank you for an honest answer!

[@XavierRadix]

I don't play in church, so I don't really know to be honest! I would suggest getting something more modern, something that do more realistic sounds. Like a Yamaha MODX or YC. But those are quite a bit more expensive. My guess is that the music in church is very dynamic and expressive, which the DX21 really isn't.

[@davidbrantley6026]

Despite your message at 00:30 , I thought that was some really nice keyboard playing. :)

[@XavierRadix]

Well thanks! Appreciate that.

[@OhayashiCatdori]

Hello, I just bought this electronic synthesizer. Does it need to be connected to the stereo to make sound? After all, when I bought it, I found that it has no sound at all

[@XavierRadix]

Hi there! No, it does not have to be connected to stereo. I wish I could help you with your technical problem, but I'm far from being an expert on that part of this synthesizer. :)

[@its.stacygabriel]

do you remember what lead sound this is? nice track at the end!

[@XavierRadix]

Thanks! That's one of the factory saxophone presets :).

[@jsampson8088]

I’ve just picked one of these up. Any chance you could drop me some links to patches? Struggling to find decent ones

[@XavierRadix]

I'm not sure since I only used the factory presets for the DX21 so far. I guess the old Google is your friend :).

[@LB-pp7pu]

Hello Xavier, can you suggest me a practical way to load the sysex patches files in to my Dx21? I'm trying with Midi-Ox software but I don't know if it's the best method to do it

[@XavierRadix]

Greetings. To be totally honest, I have no idea how to even do that with a DX21. Never tried it before, so I can't help you with that. Sorry!

[@LB-pp7pu]

@@XavierRadix Alright, thanks anyway!

[@LB-pp7pu]

Hi, great demo! I've subscribed. There is a guy selling a DX21 in my city and I'm tempted to buy it, otherwise there is a DX7 in another city buty I can't try it before buying it. Do you think it's worth to wait to find a proper DX7 for a better "FM Experience"? Never had an FM synth :)

[@XavierRadix]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the sub! Well, if you know for certain that the DX7 is in good condition, go for it! The DX21 is a great "gateway" for a first FM synth though. In your situation, I'd probably get the DX21 to learn how to use FM synthesis and get some decent tones. And then after a while maybe upgrade to a DX7. This is probably what many keyboardists did back in the 80s :).

[@LB-pp7pu]

@@XavierRadix Thanks for the answer! I hope the DX21 will sound sweet and also violent ,when desired, as the DX7

[@XavierRadix]

@@LB-pp7pu That's totally possible :). After a while, when you start to learn how to program it, you can achieve all sorts of sounds. There are some nice videos on KZbin on how to program the DX21.

[@LB-pp7pu]

@@XavierRadix Thanks for the infos!

[@LiamOwen1991]

Can you get just a simple keyboard sound or a piano sound on this ?

[@XavierRadix]

Sort of. Only cheesy 80s synthesized piano sounds :). There are no real sampled sounds on it or anything. It's purely an FM synthesizer that attempts to recreate realistic sounds, which is really the weak point of the DX synths. They sound very unique in their own way.

[@thompi8]

my first real synth i played on like a kid :D

[@marcelojozic902]

Please, play Bass sounds on low Octave........

[@____stu____]

What sound did you use for the main melody on the tune at the end of the video?

[@XavierRadix]

I think that's the Mono Sax sound found in the lead bank.

[@MariusVideoOfficial]

Very nice video and Song, I want one of this keyboard, I am looking for an occasion

[@Domingo95x]

the internet desperately needs a tutorial video for this synth

[@XavierRadix]

Well mister, then I just got the right thing for you! These tutorials helped me out a lot, learning the basics of how it works :). Highly recommend it! kzbin.info/aero/PLf4riISxCTIhWa-GAVV3up0AaKkCE19qS

[@dapper763]

Amazing demo, now considering getting one… What preset did you use for the main melody at 21:21 ? It sounded amazing

[@XavierRadix]

Thanks! I don't exactly remember which preset it was, but it was a factory saxophone patch if I recall correctly.

[@dapper763]

@@XavierRadix How did you get a Saxophone patch? I didn’t see it in this demo… also no other videos demoing the sounds have the saxophone patch

[@dapper763]

@@XavierRadix Actually just found a pdf of the manual, apparently there’s two saxophone patches; Mono Sax, and BC1 Sax (needs Breath Controller adapter to work). I still have no idea how to access either one

[@draj8590]

I too would like to know how to get the sax

[@EM-km8em]

Is this synth the same to program as the dx7 ? Is it complex ?

[@XavierRadix]

It's pretty much the same architecture, yes. The DX21 is a more stripped down version of the DX7, but it has a few small things that the DX7 can't do. Like for instance you can add a built-in chorus effect to the patch.

[@silashoutman7852]

How do you enter the brass sounds

[@XavierRadix]

In order to enter that preset bank you have to do a bit of menu diving. And since the last time I brought out the DX was for this video, I can't recall how to do that anymore... I'm going to give you the lame awnser and say you'll have to look in the manual for the DX21/DX27. Sorry! :/

[@freestate6200]

At 18.53 you should use your Breathalyzer to control volume

[@XavierRadix]

I sadly don't have a breath controller, I'd love to try that one day on the DX.

[@freestate6200]

@@XavierRadix You can plug a foot pedal with these headphone reducers for cellphones, and it works 100%

[@SanplerVarondaro]

muy buen video saludos desde Baja California

[@gatonegropeludon]

This was my first synth around 1987... and I loved it because it was my first real synth, but hated it because the keyboard feeling (although good synt, I had access to a DX7) and the very limited sounds. The sound for me was the worst part. Mostly useless, shameful pianos and very a few usable presets. I ended making three or four favorite patches on my own tha used constantly with my old RX21... Eight four-operator algorithms give you no much choices... Still I rememeber it with nostalgia...

[@XavierRadix]

I agree on both points. Bad keybed, 'meh' presets. But once you kind of learn how to program it a little, it starts opening up. Especially ones you start adding external effects.

[@gatonegropeludon]

@@XavierRadix Agree. Reverb, Chorus and Delay can make miracles to bad sounds... yet it was the most underwhelming synth I have ever played. It was build like a tank, for sure. The metal frame feels rugged almost like raw metal, but I think Yamaha could have made a far better synth in the sound respect, but they wanted to capitalize in FM at all levels... By the same time I had an Alpha Juno 1 that sounded infinite more versatile and pleasant... But being honest, the DX21 deserves it respect, it allowed people to have a cheap but good enough synth when a DX7 was out of cuestion...

[@BRANDONMUNROMUSIC]

A friend just gave me one that needs some work , any advice where to find sysex files to re update it once I change the battery ?

[@XavierRadix]

I have no idea where to find those, sorry. I'd love to know that as well.

[@BRANDONMUNROMUSIC]

@@XavierRadix no worries ! Thanks anyways

[@EvLoutonian]

I would be curious also, as i have just found a DX21, and replaced battery - but all patches seem to be "empty".. Do you have to "load" them in using the cassette multi-pin input in the back somehow ?

[@marioteclas]

Alguien tiene una muestra del high tines para kontakt

[@dee1380]

how do I get my sounds back? I have 2 of these & have to replace the batteries..

[@XavierRadix]

You mean your own presets? Or the factory presets? If the battery is dead, your sounds won't be saved unless you've backed them up via sysex.

[@dee1380]

@@XavierRadix I finally got one up, changed the battery like u suggested.. Had to learn to sysex, & program the patches...got it!

[@cedlopina9753]

any external fx in video?

[@XavierRadix]

Yes indeed. At the start of the video I kinda showed the effects I was using :). I was using a Line 6 M5 for the stereo "Dimension" chorus and a reverb plugin where I was using a impulse response from a Eventide H3500.

[@lofikorean7051]

is it need catridge for presets?

[@XavierRadix]

Nope, these presets are all accessable on-board, without a cartridge. :)

[@lofikorean7051]

@@XavierRadix thank you for reply. so you mean you can use 128 preset without catridge right?

[@XavierRadix]

@@lofikorean7051 I'm not sure exactly how many factory presets this synth has, but all of the presets you hear in my video are standard presets you find on every DX21 pretty much, without needing a cartridge. Short answer: yes.

[@lofikorean7051]

@@XavierRadix really thanks for kind reply. at first I was plan to buy dx7, but that needs catridge for presets( only 32 available on board). Now I'll pick this one. it has more presets and cheaper , easy to use. Thank you !

[@XavierRadix]

@@lofikorean7051 Just a tip: it's actually not very hard to import soundbanks on the DX7, using software to send sysex banks via MIDI. Then you can have thousands of preset banks stored on your computer. Changing out the banks on the DX21 is quite tedious to do actually. But there is probably a software program for it as well, haven't checked.

[@chriskeller3705]

10:31 every 80s movie ever

[@LittleRichard1988]

You can't beat the Yamaha DX21 with Roland TR-707 drums.

[@dugibower1923]

Great I just bought one on eBay thanx

[@SoggySandwich80]

What is the song at 5:28

[@XavierRadix]

One of my own ideas that I never worked out into a full song

[@SoggySandwich80]

@@XavierRadix hope you dont mind if i start playing it lol, its super catchy

[@EM-km8em]

Does it have reverb or chorus ?

[@XavierRadix]

It has a built-in, subtle sounding chorus but not reverb.

[@EM-km8em]

@@XavierRadix thank you. How would you compare this synth to Rolands D5 ?

[@XavierRadix]

It's a totally different synth. The Roland D-series is based on LA synthesis, which mixes PCM samples and digital waveforms to create the sounds. But the DX synths are completely FM and don't use any form of samples. Also maybe worth noting that the D-5 in particular, does not have any on board effects.

[@justlaz1444]

more than 30 years old but still nice synth

[@clarenzlarka]

What button changes the bank of sounds?

[@XavierRadix]

Well next to the presets you can select four different banks. But in order to change those banks you have to do some menu diving. I recommend checking the manual since I can't remember how to do that.

[@clarenzlarka]

@@XavierRadix thanks!

[@ymotechnopopfan]

19:05 19:49 20:19

[@aldoruiz2523]

Lo unico que vale la pena son los pianos que trae