The Yamaha DX7 is one of the most consequential instruments in the history of popular music. Released in 1983, it brought genuine FM synthesis — invented by John Chowning and licensed exclusively by Yamaha — to a price point that put it within reach of working musicians for the first time, and the sound of the 1980s changed almost overnight as a result. The DX7's six-operator, 32-algorithm engine produces sounds that range from glassy, percussive electric pianos to bell tones, basses, and entirely synthetic textures that no analog synth of the era could touch. It shows up on an enormous number of recordings from the decade and remains a genuinely useful, characterful instrument rather than a museum piece.
This is the original Mark I DX7 — 61-key velocity and aftertouch-sensitive keyboard, 16-voice polyphony, and the distinctive dark chocolate-colored flat-panel casing with membrane switch controls that defined the instrument's look. All keys and buttons function correctly, the display is clean and reads well, and the synth powers on and operates as it should. Comes with a factory ROM voice cartridge loaded with original Yamaha factory sounds, ready to play out of the box.
The synth ships in a Calzone flight case — a genuinely useful inclusion for anyone gigging or transporting this instrument, given how desirable and increasingly hard to source these have become on their own.
- Make: Yamaha
- Model: DX7 (original Mark I)
- Year: 1983
- Synthesis type: 6-operator, 32-algorithm digital FM
- Polyphony: 16-voice
- Keyboard: 61-key, velocity and aftertouch sensitive
- Display: LCD, functioning well
- Controls: membrane switch panel, all functioning
- Cartridge included: factory ROM voice cartridge
- Power: hardwired AC cable
- MIDI: IN, OUT, THRU
- Additional inputs: sustain footswitch, portamento footswitch, volume and modulation foot controllers, breath controller
- Modifications: none
- Includes: factory ROM cartridge, Calzone flight case
Ships carefully packed and insured for full value.
International buyers are welcome — please contact us for a shipping quote before purchasing.
About Mill River Music
Mill River Music is an independent, human-powered music shop located in downtown Northampton, MA, run by a team of players, enthusiasts, and certified repair technicians. Every piece of used gear we sell is personally inspected, tested, and set up before it ships — we don't list it until we'd be happy to play it ourselves.
As Martin and Taylor certified techs, we hold our guitar work to a high standard, and we're committed to full transparency about the condition of everything we sell. No surprises.
When you buy from Mill River, you're supporting an independent local business that genuinely cares — about gear, about players, and about doing things right. We're here every step of the way. Reach out anytime.