The Yamaha DX1 is the top-level member of Yamaha's prolific DX series of FM synthesizers.

Background

The DX1 features two sets of the same synthesizer chipset used in the DX7, allowing either double the polyphony, split of two voices, or dual (layered) instrument voices. In addition, it contains twice the amount of voice memory as the DX7. It has an independent voice bank for each of two synth channels (engines). Each of 64 performance combinations can be assigned a single voice number, or a combination of two voice numbers - one from channel A and one from channel B.

Notable features

Case Keyboard Algorithms On the left side of the front panel, a printed algorithm chart provides an overview of the 32 selectable algorithms and their associated operator structuring. Displays Compared to both the DX5 and of course the DX7, accessibility and programmability are greatly enhanced by the sheer amount of displays: Performance section Algorithm panel Oscillator panel Envelope panel Keyboard scaling panel Sensitivity panel Buttons

Sales

Only 140 DX1 units were produced. It was used by artists including New Order, such as their tracks "True Faith" and "1963". It was also used for Dire Straits Brothers In Arms album.

Related models

The Yamaha DX5 is a derivative of the DX1, introduced in 1985 with a list price of US$3,495. It has the same synth engine, but lacks the DX1's fully weighted keys, polyphonic aftertouch, aesthetics (rosewood case and wooden keyboard), and user interface features (parameter displays). It includes 76 keys with channel aftertouch and slightly improved MIDI features. Programming on a DX1 is still a little easier than on a DX5 because of its extensive parameter displays, but in general both are easier to program than a DX7, because they have larger displays as well as dedicated buttons for some programming tasks.