The most famous synthesizer of the 1980s.

Its electric piano became a standard sound in ballads and "smooth jazz" genres.  Its bass was the standard bass sound, typically played in bouncy octaves.  Its crystalline timbres were such a departure from the world of analog, that this synth was a super-hit for Yamaha in 1983, and spanned a long family of FM-based products.

 The DX7 came out in 1983, sporting the new MIDI interface.  The high quality of its digital sounds, velocity + aftertouch, the expandability, the thoroughly professional look, and the complicated programming interface, made the DX7 and FM synthesis take off in a way the was unknown before for synthesizers.  Thousands of units were sold, and thousands of records have that distinct DX7 sound (especially for the electric piano, the bass, marimba and glassy, crystal-type sounds).

Key Features:

• 61-key layout
• 16-voice polyphony
• Six envelope generator in the VCA
• Foundational instrument in digital FM synthesis
• Used by renowned musicians
• Offers metallic sine-wave synthesis

The 32 Original Factory Internal Patches (ROM 1A)

1. Brass 1
2. Brass 2
3. Brass 3
4. Strings 1
5. Strings 2
6. Strings 3
7. Orchestra
8. Piano 1
9. Piano 2
10. Piano 3
11. E. Piano 1 (signature electric piano used in 1980s power ballads)
12. Guitar 1
13. Guitar 2
14. Syn-Lead 1
15. Bass 1 (used in tracks like A-ha’s "Take on Me")
16. Bass 2 (used in tracks like Berlin’s "Take My Breath Away")
17. E. Organ 1
18. Pipes 1
19. Harpsich 1
20. Clav 1
21. Vibe 1
22. Marimba
23. Koto
24. Flute 1
25. Orch-Chime
26. Tub Bells (tubular bells)
27. Steel Drum
28. Timpani
29. Refs Whisl (Referee Whistle)
30. Voice 1
31. Train (interactive steam engine effect controlled via aftertouch)
32. Take Off