Yamaha TX81Z Tone Module: Why I Use It

Rackmount version of the popular DX11 keyboard, TX81Z represents a turning point for Yamaha FM synthesis in the late 1980s. With respect, we’ll do a sound demo and analyze the features, technical specifications and much more. Watch all of this presentation now to see why the TX81Z is big part of the Yamaha FM synthesis history and legend, and why I still use it. #YamahaTX81Z #TX81Z #SoundModules

[@PowercoatMusic]

Yamaha FM synthesizers and tone modules are legendary because their sound largely owns, and represents 1980s pop and new wave music. Nothing else sounds quite like these synths and tone modules, which is a major reason why the Yamaha TX81Z will always have a home in my rack. I wanted to share what makes this tone module special for anyone interested in the evolution of Yamaha FM synthesizers.

[@TheRiotousMind]

The TX81z has been a favorite of mine for a few years now. It sits in a mix nicely (maybe due to 4 operators) and doesn't lose its character with a ton of external effects applied.

[@piktormusic2538]

It is the TX81 Zed. Greetings from Canada!

[@leedavi271]

This brings back memories. In 1983 I bought a Yamaha DX9 synth. The cheaper little brother to the DX7, I paid some guy to come to my motel room (working out of town) and teach me how to program it. After 6 lessons he had taught all he knew, and I knew that I should have bought the DX7. Which I did a few months later. Then I found the TX81Z at my local music store and eventually bought two of them, a Kurzweil tone genarator and put together my little orchestra of 26 instruments. This became real popular for me as I could play outdoor weddings and other events. I loved the 81Z's 16 instruments, great sound, used them for precussion as I played live. Unfortunately in 2005 my house was broken into and all my Yamaha instruments (DX9, DX7, 2TX81Z's KX88 controler)/Kurzweil genarator were stolen.

[@PowercoatMusic]

I'm so sorry your gear was stolen. Some folks just don't understand or care that stealing a person's musical instrument is like stealing their way of communicating. I hope that you were able to at least replace some of it? Thanks so much for watching and sharing. Wishing you peace. 👍🏿

[@dailyraillive1492]

It's nice to know a guy who knows his stuff. FANTASTIC. Still got mine. SHARED. SUBSCRIBED London. England.

[@telantas]

A very nice overview of this wonderful vintage digital synth. Thanks!

[@PowercoatMusic]

Thanks for watching.

[@dailyraillive1492]

You are completely correct. This is the master of donk. Various software versions. Priceless.

[@sssyntax]

Excellent video and very clearly presented.

[@velonaut303]

Fantastic video. The TX81Z is an icon and nobody would challenge it's place in anyone's studio. The famous "LatelyBass" is alone worth the low price for this little box. Also, don't forget about SysEx over Midi to save/load sounds, instead of that cassette tape.

[@PowercoatMusic]

Definitely can't forget about the SYSEX. Thanks for watching and for your support. Much appreciated. 👍🏿

[@K.P.R.13]

Thank you. Excellent! Helped me decide to pick up a TX81Z!

[@PowercoatMusic]

You're most welcome. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿

[@nigelrhodes4330]

I have the Yamaha QT5, basically the pizza box version of this, I picked it up on a whim and have found it quickly became one of my favorite bits of kit.

[@kfirtsairi3986]

GREAT VIDEO Thank you sir. what about the yamaha Tx 802?

[@eeemaster]

Thank you for the instructional Video. I just got one of these as my first Analog synth. Lately Bass in Arturia didn't sound right.

[@PowercoatMusic]

You're most welcome. Enjoy your TX81Z and thanks for watching.

[@markchristopher2signal2]

Binge watching before I sleep

[@minecraftavatarofhunterbiden]

Wow thank you!

[@PowercoatMusic]

You're most welcome. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿

[@dailyraillive1492]

Brilliant

[@lars-fenin]

noice,... still like my "nitty gritty " tx 81z for some extra fm sounds to spice up the mix. but also the strings and organs are cool.

[@arthurallsopp9344]

Casdading 2 TX81Z's together will yield a 16 Voice Fm Synth.

[@PowercoatMusic]

Thanks for watching and sharing.

[@hermask815]

About myself: I came across the tx81z as a software called FM4. I know about the importance of the other waveforms. I didn’t want to buy an FM hardware synth with only sine waves. Which brought me to the Korg Opsix. Here is one major questions I have with the TX81Z: * With an only sine wave FM Synth you have to recreate other waveforms wasting Feedback or stacked operators. The Waveforms of the Tx81z, I guess are a solution to that problem. The W1 is sine, W5 is half width sine which I have on the Opsix. The other are a mystery to me. Although they are based on sine, I guess they’re represent other basic waveforms like saw and square which was the solution due to the shortcomings at the time. So what do W2, W3, W4, W6, W7, W8 represent ( representation means I could just use that waveform that it represents) or from what can they be recreated if you have saw, square, triangle and you can control the width?

[@chillack7762]

What is the modern equivalent of the Yamaha TX81Z? I know that the modern equivalents of the Yamaha DX7 include Yamaha reface DX, Yamaha MODX, Korg Volca FM, Arturia DX7 V, Yamaha Montage FM-X, Elektron Digitone, Korg Kronos or Nautilus MOD-7 Fm engine, Korg OP6, FSR1, & Native instruments FM8, Maybe Hydrasynth, the Twisted Electrons MEGAfm mkII, the Essence FM, FM engine on Kurzweil K2700, or the TE OP1 which may have an FM synth engine or Arturia Microfreak or mini freak.

[@sssyntax]

Are the demo presets in this video ones you have made or are they the factory ones?

[@PowercoatMusic]

These sounds were programmed by another person as part of an editor librarian application for demo. There are 1000s of custom sounds for this thing in editor librarians apps online. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿

[@sssyntax]

@@PowercoatMusic thanks for your reply :) Do you know which library its from or which auther made them? Man they arw awesome. I have a v50 and would like to have these sounds :)

[@guillenrossi]

Hey nice tut bro, could you please tell me how to find the patch for tx81z at minute 6:34 on this video?

[@PowercoatMusic]

I don't know which patch that was. TX81Z has been around so long and has many editor librarians with thousands of sounds of which most you can download for free. The unit is also fairly straightforward to program so you may want to have a go. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿

[@sssyntax]

Those demo sounds were amazing.

[@guillenrossi]

@@PowercoatMusic and which page you recommend ? any page where I can get all free patches like for the dx7 all web

[@johnvandenheuvel6952]

I have one. MIDI LEDS light but no sound output. Please help. I tried everything I could. Thank you.

[@PowercoatMusic]

You can route sound patches to various outputs on this device. Please check to see which outputs your patch is routed to. That may be your issue. Hope that helps, and thanks for watching.

[@TwinCitiesOxygen]

Can you load patches in from your computer?

[@PowercoatMusic]

If you have an editor librarian software application and a USB MIDI interface, then yes you can. This is done via MIDI SYSEX. Thanks for watching. 👍🏿

[@JuanManuel-il5qf]

Could you tell me the name of any of those apps ("editor librarian software application")? I can´t find them. Thanks!

[@TwinCitiesOxygen]

@@JuanManuel-il5qf maybe midi ox

[@SonicWalkerMix]

@@JuanManuel-il5qfsearch for TX81z editor. I am using kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqibmoirlpxknbcsi=dtd6CByp4l-ZFgPd.

[@dailyraillive1492]

7.12 onwards. Are you sure?