Hi there
 
Do any of you know if there exists a good Yamaha DX7 VSTi out there? Have been toying with the idea of getting a hardware one or a DX7IID.
 
However, my home is bursting at the seams with gear and I should really seek a software solution.
 
Any thoughts
 
Stewart

Sonar X1d Producer/Pro Tools 9 - Win7 64bit - i7 930 2.8GHz - 6GB DDR3 RAM - RME MultifaceII - RND Portico 5012 & 5016 - Sytek MPX-4Aii - UAD2 Duo/Solo - MoFET76 - API 2500 - Dbx 160x (x2) - Dbx 166 (old revision) - FMR RNC (x2)

The venerable Native Instruments FM8 copies the sound and functionality closely (but lacks the green buttons). It's a cool sound but hard to program...

http://www.soundclick.com/svenarneskarvik

FM7 and FM8 are great synths that will actually read DX7 patches but hey don't really sound the same.  Another option in the freebie category is a freebie called Hexter.  i doubt it's still being developed and the interface was hideous.  It did however give a decent emuklation for a freebie

I am someone who had a room full of hardware and slowly converted it all to VST's. (I do still have 6 external racks though) It can be done and it sounds excellent and not only that the VST's that are coming out now are very interesting compared to the older synths and can do a lot more and sound incredible in the process.

I had several DX's and the TX816 rack which has 8 DX7's installed and that believe me sounds pretty amazing. I have got Native FM7 but it is FM8 right now. It sounds excellent and it can open and read my existing DX library which has got over 7500 sounds in it. I am happy to give anyone the library. It took me 18 months to catalogue. The VST can go into unison mode and build a sound with 8 DX patches on the one note all detuned and panned. Very fat now. You can set a higher voice count for doing massive layers playing slow evolving patches with slow attack and long release times.

If you like the standard DX sounds you will love FM8 sounds because there are more possibilities with the FM programming and the sounds are bigger and better. If you have an understanding of DX programming you won't have any problems with FM8 but even if you are not into it, there are many presets to choose from and edit. And good news, FM8 makes it easy to edit a DX sound and make more broad overall changes like filter cutoff etc even thought there is no actual filter in a DX. Very easy access to ADSR settings in both amplitude and filter areas. All essential synth parameters are on the Easy Edit page. The Easy edit concept kills the original DX programming. Took much longer to change a few things, not now though.

FM8 will take the concept further than a standard DX. Most VST equivalent plugins of your hardware synths will. I had both the DX VST and the DX hardware along side for a while and believe me FM8 sounds fantastic and exactly like the real thing. (Sorry but I don't agree with dubdisciple above. They are exactly the same, I had no problems getting a perfect match and AB switching was very very difficult! Remember a DX is only software running around digitally and converted to an analog signal right at the end. The is no reason a computer can't do the same. With different D to A as well I find now I can get some Dx sounds to actaully sound nicer.) I have always been a DX fan and now you can continue to be if you want. My patches are amazing too. I got involved with Yamaha at one point and got the library from one of their demonstrators. Many DX sounds or patches that came out much later after the synth was born sound amazing and very lush!  Even for one DX sound at a time! It is an incredible instrument.

Poor minds talk about people, average minds talk about events, great minds talk about ideas -Eleanor Roosevelt
www.jemusic.com.au
www.myspace.com/jeffevansmusic

http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=2582136 ?

"good-sounding DX7", isn't that an oxymoron?

Jokes aside, the NI product mentioned earlier seems to be the standard to which all others are compared.

All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to.

My Stuff

fwrend


http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=2582136 ?

I tried this one, not bad.

What I wish for with all my little pea pickin heart is that all the synth, rompler makers would port everything to VST.  I'd dearly love to have a full Motif, for instance, like I do my beloved M1 and Wavestation.

http://www.myspace.com/doghouserileyhisownself

Where you come from is gone...where you thought you were goin to weren't never there...and where you are ain't no good unless you can get away from it.

Sonar X1D Expanded Producer Edition 64 bit running on a Studio Cat Pro System Win 7 64bit 2.8ghz Core i7 with 12 gigs ram. MOTU Audio Express.

Jeff Evans

Sorry but I don't agree with dubdisciple above. They are exactly the same,

+1


I have a DX7II and it matched my patches exactly or at least close enough so that with an A/B test you couldn't identify a difference.

"Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils" Loius-Hector Berlioz

www.AgitatedState.com MenuMagic - plug-in management powertools!

I have a non-working DX7 if'n you wanna buy it.

Soundclick 
http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/TimothyBowman  


Disclaimer: I listen on a laptop.

I have a non-working DX7 if'n you wanna buy it.

And it's the best-sounding DX7 on the planet! Sorry, but I never liked that instrument, even back when it was a required piece of gear for every top-40 band. Today it makes me think of big hair, leisure suits and legwarmers.

All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to.

My Stuff

Wow thanks everyone. You guys are ALL great.
 
I reckon I was sold the FM8 by Jeff and a few other. Great extended breakdown Jeff. FM8 it's gonna be! After watching some youtube clips, I'm even more sold by the idea.
 
I actually looked at Hexter by the way and you're right...it's off putting by sight. I though it was linux for some reason. I couldn't have read the page properly.
 
Laughs at Timidi and Bitflipper. 1980s tackiness is exactly the reason I want it. I want to stand playing my keyboard while wearing a polyester suit with the sleeves rolled up and a piano tie. Yikes !!!
 
Thanks again guys
 
Stewart
 
 

Sonar X1d Producer/Pro Tools 9 - Win7 64bit - i7 930 2.8GHz - 6GB DDR3 RAM - RME MultifaceII - RND Portico 5012 & 5016 - Sytek MPX-4Aii - UAD2 Duo/Solo - MoFET76 - API 2500 - Dbx 160x (x2) - Dbx 166 (old revision) - FMR RNC (x2)

I want to stand playing my keyboard while wearing a polyester suit with the sleeves rolled up and a piano tie.

Oh, well it makes perfect sense now!


Come to think of it, I have a couple piano ties in the closet...one of them is sparkly. I should wear one of those next time I play the VFW.

All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to.

My Stuff

getcha a prophet V instead!

Sonar 6 PE--Win XP 
Batsbrew at CDBaby 

I was into using the DX sounds more in a soundtrack capacity than creating 80's type sounds. It can sound very good in certain situations. I like the percussive quality it took on and if you spent time programming a lot of expression in terms of how your playing relates directly to the sound, it can sound incredibly real.

The TX 816 rack made a real difference too. Having 8 modules locked onto the one patch is pretty serious. You can pan and detune them and you end up with a very huge and lush sounding patch which was also very wide too. You really need a separate 8 channel mixer to mix the rack too. I had one with EQ and sends to a nice reverb for each module. The initial flaw with the synth was that it could not sound like that marvelous 2 oscillator slightly detuned sound that analog synths could. But the rack changes all that though.

Patches got better later and I have got some that even on one DX synth or module they sound amazingly detuned and very analog sounding. I have got some great Oberhiem sounds would you believe in DX format.

The black DX 7 II was meant to solve that issue . It had 2 DX engines on board and could be layered, detuned and panned. Live, I ran a single DX sound through a Boss Chorus Ensemble pedal. That adds a real analog and gentle chorus effect to the patches too. But I like it in its percussion mode. Like log drums etc. The amount of control over the tone and volume of a sound can be very precise from the velocity touch response and with a wide dynamic range. It can be a very expressive instrument. It can do deep complex textures too. The rack can go into multi timbral mode as well when in that mode. The rack sounds good doing a whole orchestral string section, ie violins, violas, cellos and double basses. Still got two modules per string section for a fat sound.

But the VST is every bit as good I believe anyway. And things get interesting too when you start layering original DX 7 patches with the newer FM8 patches. Some interesting sounds result that way too. There are more options with programming a DX type sound too in FM8 compared to the original instrument.

For those wanting a copy of my library yes I think just PM me with an email address and I can send it to you. I just need to zip it up and maybe include a list of the patches too. I have cut the library down to a more powerful set of sounds under my initial 7500 patches. But still plenty though. They will unzip to a bunch of sysex files. FM7 and FM8 can just import the banks in lots of 32 into the VST. You can then resave in its own native format if you want to. I have put all the sounds under 15 categories.

Poor minds talk about people, average minds talk about events, great minds talk about ideas -Eleanor Roosevelt
www.jemusic.com.au
www.myspace.com/jeffevansmusic

bitflipper

I have a non-working DX7 if'n you wanna buy it.

And it's the best-sounding DX7 on the planet! Sorry, but I never liked that instrument, even back when it was a required piece of gear for every top-40 band. Today it makes me think of big hair, leisure suits and legwarmers.

Yea, I tend to agree. Except for that ONE 'rhodesy' sound... You know the one:)
I never did get the hang of programming the dang thing. I have that and a Juno 106, and both are not faring too well.
I leave them leaned against walls when clients come over.

Soundclick 
http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/TimothyBowman  


Disclaimer: I listen on a laptop.

I'm going to chime in to agree with Jeff... the FM7 & FM8 are far closer to their hardware cousins than pretty much any emulation I've tried! I still have a pair of TX-81Zs in the rack, I like the way they react to guitar controllers. It requires some effort, but you can import the TX-81Z patches into FM7/8.
Some of the Korg digital emulations are pretty cool, Wavestation is one of my favorites.
I love the NI Prophet, but it does not sound like any P5 I played. Same goes for the Korg MS-20, I still have that hardware, and still use it. The thing about the software MS-20 is that it'll do things the hardware can't.
The Wayoutware Arp 2600 emulation comes as close as anything to the original hardware - and that's a much more difficult feat than emulating something that started out as software - Jeff's point about the DX7 being software is very important!
Bitflipper is right to a point, the poor DX7 was over-used, over-exposed even. It came along with a feature set that really was unbeatable. Thus everyone had to have one (I used to pride myself on never owning a 'real' DX7, right up until I bought a TX7, and later a TX816<G>). But in spite of the ubiquitous patches overrunning the airwaves, it can do a whole lot more.

And Jeff, that's a very generous offer, look for a PM!

-- Bill
Audio Enterprise
KB3KJF

I just wish they would come along with a real VST solution for the Yamaha FS1R, I've got one and LOVE the sound, but I refuse to go to the trouble of using outboard instruments anymore. Shoot, I really don't even like recording vocalists, lol

Mathew

Hip Hop
http://www.soundclick.com...ault.cfm?bandID=213418

BreakBeats
http://www.soundclick.com...ault.cfm?bandID=219099

i7 12 gb ram, Komplete 5, Izotope Ozone & Stutter, Symphonic Orchestra Plat.

bitflipper


And it's the best-sounding DX7 on the planet! Sorry, but I never liked that instrument, even back when it was a required piece of gear for every top-40 band. Today it makes me think of big hair, leisure suits and legwarmers.

and really bad power ballads.

Don't forget to tip the guy at the piano.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/3/mumpcake.htm

Thank guys

Jeff...Funny you should say that....Everytime I hear the DX7 on youtube clips, it reminds me of soundtracks of the era, among other things. The FM8 looks cooler in its functionality the more I research it. Oh...expect a PM from too regarding your generous offer   :)

Batsbrew...I already have a Prophet (Arturia). It's great. I just love tinkering away at all things synthy just now. It's like a new hobby.

Thanks to everyone who chimed in here. Much appreciated.


Stewart

Sonar X1d Producer/Pro Tools 9 - Win7 64bit - i7 930 2.8GHz - 6GB DDR3 RAM - RME MultifaceII - RND Portico 5012 & 5016 - Sytek MPX-4Aii - UAD2 Duo/Solo - MoFET76 - API 2500 - Dbx 160x (x2) - Dbx 166 (old revision) - FMR RNC (x2)

Hi to all who have PMed me. Please be patient. I am rather busy right now and also I use three computers here and one has lost its monitor. It is the one with the DX sounds on it. I need to get a new monitor first before I can do anything. But it will be pretty soon as I use it a fair bit.

I don't have any FM7/FM8 patches other than the standard factory sounds so I won't be including those.

But I do have a rather large TX 81Z library that I will track down and include in the zip file for those who are still using the 4 op synth. 

Poor minds talk about people, average minds talk about events, great minds talk about ideas -Eleanor Roosevelt
www.jemusic.com.au
www.myspace.com/jeffevansmusic

Thank you Jeff. Very nice of you to do this. Regards, Stewart

Sonar X1d Producer/Pro Tools 9 - Win7 64bit - i7 930 2.8GHz - 6GB DDR3 RAM - RME MultifaceII - RND Portico 5012 & 5016 - Sytek MPX-4Aii - UAD2 Duo/Solo - MoFET76 - API 2500 - Dbx 160x (x2) - Dbx 166 (old revision) - FMR RNC (x2)

Just as well I held off on my FM8 purchase. It went on sale for half price today. Offer lasts until 24th June. Whoooohoo. :)

Sonar X1d Producer/Pro Tools 9 - Win7 64bit - i7 930 2.8GHz - 6GB DDR3 RAM - RME MultifaceII - RND Portico 5012 & 5016 - Sytek MPX-4Aii - UAD2 Duo/Solo - MoFET76 - API 2500 - Dbx 160x (x2) - Dbx 166 (old revision) - FMR RNC (x2)

I got mine when I bought Komplete and really like it. FM synthesis is still a pain for me but I love the clean nature of the sounds in their keys and percussion. I don't use it for pads or really lush squishy sounds but it definately has a place. I could cover a lot of territory with the DX7 and Alpha Juno 1. If you like the real deal, you'll love FM8.

Regards, John 


WIN 7 Pro X64 sp1, I7-3770k 16 gigs, ASUS Z77 pro ATI 7950 3 gig,  Roland Quad Capture, A-Pro 500, X2a Producer 

 I'm Canadian Eh?

Cheers Ampfixer...I was going to have to wait until next month to buy it but the 50% off justified me getting it earlier. Therefore, I bought it 30 mins ago.

Sonar X1d Producer/Pro Tools 9 - Win7 64bit - i7 930 2.8GHz - 6GB DDR3 RAM - RME MultifaceII - RND Portico 5012 & 5016 - Sytek MPX-4Aii - UAD2 Duo/Solo - MoFET76 - API 2500 - Dbx 160x (x2) - Dbx 166 (old revision) - FMR RNC (x2)

Just a quick update. I have got a new monitor so I can see all my DX sounds now! Also I am finishing a very full teaching load. I tend to jump on the work when it comes. It has been hard to actually get in there and sit down and organise it.

I will track down a TX 81Z 4 op library and put that in as well. I have got most of your email addresses so I will just send you an email with a zip file attached. It should just unzip into everything.

Thanks all for being patient. I think I have a list of all the actual presets and if there is any way I can get that into a word doc or something I will try to do it because it has helped me a lot in terms of finding sounds by their names. There are many banks and they are just labelled Bass A, Bass B etc There are 32 sounds in every bank.

Poor minds talk about people, average minds talk about events, great minds talk about ideas -Eleanor Roosevelt
www.jemusic.com.au
www.myspace.com/jeffevansmusic

Thanks Jeff. Awfully nice of you mate. Stewart

Sonar X1d Producer/Pro Tools 9 - Win7 64bit - i7 930 2.8GHz - 6GB DDR3 RAM - RME MultifaceII - RND Portico 5012 & 5016 - Sytek MPX-4Aii - UAD2 Duo/Solo - MoFET76 - API 2500 - Dbx 160x (x2) - Dbx 166 (old revision) - FMR RNC (x2)