People hate it because so many bands *only* ever used the preset sounds that you demonstrated, and they used them absolutely to death. The DX is an utterly remarkable instrument if you sit down and program your own sounds into it. Capable of a hell of a lot more than the clichéd sounds used on 80s pop hits.
@@DerMensch1try listening to Brian Eno’s “Apollo” album. Majority of sounds were sculpted on the dx7 for it. Not to say the programming is and was atrocious, that much is very true.
@@DerMensch1 imho the Roland Jupiter 8 is one of the greats. I have a studio filled with analog synths. Nary a dx7 in sight, nor desire for one. There are however many much much better approaches to FM these days, including a 1:1 vst of the dx7 with a UI that makes it easier to program ‘Plogue OPS7’ but if tactile is important, Korg, Elektron and others have more interesting approaches
Oh man oh man. I'm 61 next week. I studied music in college in the mid 80s. Our keyboard lab had a number of DX7s. That sound is heaven to me and brings me back to those days. Thank you.
@@__Mr.White__ It can make many different types of sounds, but that electric piano preset was a go-to in the 80s and could be heard on every cheesy ballad.
So when you were asking every person you've met in your life about this, did you just ask if they hated the DX7 and DX21, or did you offer a vaguer 'sound of the 90s' option for the admittedly tiny subgroup of the general population who aren't well versed in vintage synths? Just want to make sure I have the methodology right. Hahaha
Absolutely no keyboardist or working musician hated the DX7. It’s the most beloved board of all time. There’s not even a close second - no board ever felt the irrefutable acclaim, adoration or secondary fan market that this board had.
I liked a few of the sounds; the EP, the jazz guitar... not much else though. I much prefered the Roland synths, like the Jupiter 6 and the D50. I just felt like the D50 tickled the ears more (so to speak) and was more diverse in its sounds. The DX7 and D50 were hitting heads for quite a while there... back in the day 😅
The Whitney tune was actually done on a real Rhodes with the Dyno-My-Piano mod as I recall, and the DX7 is an emulation of that. I far prefer the beefier more muscular tone of an unmodified Mark II or V.
You bring lots of memories to me. In the early 90's as a teen I wanted to learn how to play piano and I was so fascinated by these keyboards and how they sounded. Unfortunately, my parents could not afford to get me a keyboard or send me to a piano lesson. All I can do is clip pictures of these Synthesizers from magazines and hang them in my room. Now as an Adult I can afford this stuff, but I do not have the time and energy and the enthusiasm to play them. I bought a few Synthesizers, Stage Pianos, and Arrangers for my children as they can play. Thank you.
@@fretbuzz59 Micheal McDonald, Quincy Jones, David Foster and many other great composers and musicians of that time would indeed have been better off asking you for advice on how they could actually have done it better...
@@rialopib Oh bugger off. It's obviously my opinion, and as Pierre points out, it's one that many people share. Many musicians and producers gravitate toward what's new and what's popular; that doesn't mean that in hindsight they'd do the same. I disliked the DX sound back then, and I I don't think it's aged well at all. Is there no sound/instrument from popular music that you don't care for? BTW, most of MM's hits didn't use the DX; usually Rhodes.
Everything played in this video sounds like the music throughout the Doogie Howser MD show. It certainly wasn't just the main theme... the show was packed to the brim with DX7 jingles.
@@bartonhankle9484 Ha. I actually like the songwriting better in the 70s. There's just something about pop culture that ties into the music in the 80s though. The movie soundtrack definitely plays a huge part.
@@bartonhankle9484 You nailed it. Most of us appreciate the music from our coming of age years the most. For me that bridges both the late 70s and early 80s.
I have a wonderful story with the DX7... The first time I've heard a DX7 was from Yordano's (a very famous Venezuelan singer) keyboardist in a concert, I was seated right in front of him at the concert and I was so hook to his playing and the sound of his DX7 that I promised myself that night, that someday I will get one of that synth for me... In the mean time, I became OBSESSED with the DX7, Yamaha instruments, Yamaha HIFi sound systems, Yamaha Motorcycles, Yamaha Boat Engines, Yamaha F1 engines, Yamaha technology, Yamaha Design, Yamaha Shoes (yes, they make sport sneakers in Japan), Yamaha Enterprise Culture, literally, whatever thing that have a YAMAHA logo printed on it, I will spend hours, days months, years researching, reading about it, and literally became Yamaha's biggest FAN. The chance to buy my DX7 Mk 2 (Yeap, I've got and DX7 IID) came in February 1999 when on Internet, I've found a perfectly and almost brand new unit in a Recording studio in Seattle WA, BUUUUT I was living in Caracas, Venezuela🇻🇪, but after all the logistic, finally I traveled to Miami FL, grab my DX7 IID at one of my best friend's house and headed back to Caracas. In 2016 I fled from my country to the United States 🇺🇸 and since then I had lived in Miami and Orlando FL Manhattan NY, Chicago IL, Virginia Beach VA and finally settled in Haines City FL since 2022 and all over those places, my DX7 have been with us as one more member of our family. Since 2023, my 16 years old son is playing it as part of his high school music classes and literally love it as much as I still love it. One thing is for sure, the " sounds" that defined the 80's, came out from a Yamaha DX7 synthesizer, like it or not.
@luisquintero2992 - You got close, nearly missed mentioning the YAMAHA V8 in my 1997 Taurus SHO. Designed/engineered at Cosworth where the F1 engines are produced 👍.
DX-7 E.Piano is probably the Comic Sans of the keyboard sounds. People loved it (and used it) so much that it took a turn on people's minds. And I say this with deep respect and love for this amazing machine 😅. Great video!
As a "child of the 80's" how could I not love the DX7? So unique when analog was starting to get taken over by digital. As a side note, it was hard to not see the similarity between the photo of David Foster and yourself. ;-)
I always have to smile at this, as pretty much every synth workstation today has a "that dx7 epiano", and those patches sound close to the actual DX7. While the DX7 patch sounded nothing like the Rhodes it meant to imitate. Which in turn sounded nothing like the acoustic pianos it meant to imitate. Advanced synth technology of today will keep us from experiencing more of those happy accidents I'm afraid.
Great video! I used to sell these; owned a couple back in the day. Loved this journey down memory lane you provided. It really is an extraordinary synth.
The DX7 sound was the soundtrack of my childhood. An absolute gorgeous instrument at the time and surprising how robust they were built and how many are still on the market. Thanks for that video reviving some great memories.
Thanks for taking my back to my younger days! Back in 1984 I didn't have my own keyboard, but when I heard the intro to Al Jarreau's "After All", I thought to myself, "I want to play something that sounds like THAT!"
DX7 Changed popular music forever. There's nothing like being in front of one with some killer sound reinforcement. It alters your mood. And I'm not a keyboard player. Thanks for sharing your talent.
Till this day I kick myself as I have a picture of my friend in my bedroom flipping me the finger while playing around on my DX7. I gave that thing away when I was around 19. I liked it back then but never had a true appreciation for it as I do today. And I've been wanting one again for the longest time. Thank you for this video!
I grew up in 80's with all of these pretty songs, and how familiar with the great preset sound of electric piano DX7 mk1, and as keyboardist I still keep it one of my collection in pristine condition.. thanks for the memories..
@@GCKelloch Starship were an AOR band that couldn 't care less about be revolutionary but just to play great songs with the incredible voice of one of the best singer EVER : MIckey Thomas (it's because of him that I used that word) I'd love to see the mainstream to embrace again this great Music rather than the junk it came out after grunge crap.
Sara is also one of my favorite DX FM songs. It is full of them. The intro sound however is the TX-816. Great video, Pierre. Bringing back lots of good memories. Thank you for that.
I graduated in '83 and was part of a band in the 82-83 years. As part of my graduation present, that I got early, was a Yamaha DX-9. I was going to Vocational-Technical school at the time & had a buddy that was in the wood working courses. I had him make me a case for my DX-9. He even did a burnt wood texture to it. Along with my '73 Fender Rhodes, and Baldwin C-30 amp, I was hauling around 300lbs of equipment. Was the best part of my life!
Hello! This is a great list! I love the sound of the DX-7, which is why I bought it 35 years ago. Although I haven't used it in about 20 years, I'm going to pick it up now. I loved the E. Piano timbre.
This is my first time here on this site, I am very impressed with the sensitivity and beauty of the video and the good taste. Congratulations, excellent. I identified myself a lot. God bless you!
I(born in 1975) totally love the sound of the DX7. My brother(born in 1963) who plays in a band together with me absolutely hates it...😅 I guess there is nothing in between. Thank you for the great video.
There is: theoretically I hate that cheesy sound but does 'it sound great in song like 'Hard habit to break' and would I be happy if it would be changed into some other sound? NO! Keep your hands off! :D
Pierre, you sound great! Thanks for playing those great songs that take us down memory lane! The GREAT David Foster played on several of those and the GREAT Robbie Buchanan played on Greatest Love Of All. Love the stacked sounds of the Rhodes and DX7 on Whitney’s! The GREAT Michael Omartian played on How Am I Supposed To Live Without You! The Rhodes and the DX7 are two of my favorites!!
The GREAT Robbie Buchanan played DX7 (mixed with MKS-20) on Greatest Love of All (Whitney Houston) AND After All (Al Jarreau) too. And much more (Luis Miguel, Sergio Mendes, Disney Themes...etc)
Beautifully put together, Pierre! The DX7 to me, is a time machine that instantly takes me back to that awesome era in synth pop music... The 80's! Thank you for your excellent video and your outstanding mastery of the keys! George,
The Yamaha DX-7 is a classic, just like the Fender Rhodes behind you. For people like me, the DX-7 is the soundtrack of the Eighties...........and many keyboarders I`ve played with, used The DX-7.......or The Roland Jupiter 8.........or The Emulator........all brilliant synthesizers/ keyboards.......👍 Thanks for a great video...................I`m strolling down Memory Lane right now..........with a tear in my eye.............take care Mate...........❤
...and today you can have it for free in your computer pretty much. Dexed is great! FM is in so many other freeware synths aswell. Too much candy for us today to play with. I've produced a silly ballad 'Stick it In' with FM/DX style sounds out of freeware. Turned out pretty good i must say. We are really spoiled these days with software and cheap gear.
Great Video and playing Pierre! I became a DX fan some years ago after snubbing it back in the 80's and 90's. I now have a TX-816, TX-806, DX-5 running through a DMP-7 and some parts sequenced with a QX-1. An elegant looking system, I dare say, and it sounds great!
Wonderfully done, and such a smooth player you are ! My keyboard road rig was for 80ies rock in a career band. But, the attack from the FM generator was needed with all the analog stuff midied to it. SO, when the record company sent us off to outfit our touring instruments, I made SURE, there were a PAIR of TX-81Z's in the 16 space shock rack! (needed TWO for stereo). They STILL sound great today!
I still have my DX7 II with grey matter addition that I bought in the 80s. I also still have my Roland MKS-20 piano module - both are vintage classics from the 80s.
I have a feeling a lot of these tracks were tracked with the Yamaha TX816, they were very prevalent in the big studios of the day. Much bigger sounds due to layering with other FM patches.
The 816s were in every studio. Toto, Howard Jones, Jay Graydon on the DeBarge productions. They were on every hit song. The TX816 not the DX-7 was the star. That sound was unmistakable but most people never realized the were listening to multiple DX-7s. Most of them used the DX-7s for live shows. Some of the studios I frequented back then also had DX-1s or DX-5s. The 80s was the best period for musicians...
Styx - 'Babe'... Also A-Ha's 'Take On Me' where the DX7 was used in the main melody AND the bass tracks.... Brian May used it for the orchestral intro of Queen's 'Who Wants To Live Forever'', using the patch 14-SYN-ORCH....
I have had many DX7s. two like new. I wore them out. Loved them. I heard most all keyboard players had one because if it fell off the truck or stage you set it up and keep playing. It was a tank. I sold my last one to my best friend right before he passed away. Now they're both gone but all my Yamaha keyboards have DX7 sounds onboard. Great Demo. I love it.
Great job, love your insight. In the 70's -80's I worked sound engineer for many bands, from rock to funk. Many had the standard, B-3/Leslie, Rhodes and Clavinet. By the late 80's, I was working as house sound/stage manager in a large entertainment complex with a 2,000 seat Nashville style room. The house 8-piece country band had he first DX7 that I got to know on a nightly basis and I loved it. It was solid like Yamaha sound equipment that I had used for years.
You're right. The Roland MKS-20 rack module have the same sounds as the RD1000, and it has also has been used on tons of recordings. It has a whole different synthesis than a DX7, and is also famous for it's warm chorus effect. I believe more of these songs may be an MKS/RD. Particularly the Greatest Love of All. Listen to the E-pianos in this video, from 7.46 and onwards: ua-cam.com/video/JWXqT8Wmb_Q/v-deo.htmlsi=Zt1yuBc6iwXyql3x
@@t-man78 I know what you're saying regarding The Greatest Love Of All, it sounds warmer than what you normally hear from a DX7. But it can't be the Roland rack, which was released in 1986 and according to Wikipedia the song was recorded in 1984. You can make the DX7 sound a little different than the stock version, via EQ or reprogramming the sound ever so slightly.
According to liner notes, Elton John played RD1000, but late Guy Babylon played Yamaha DX7 on that song. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacrifice_(Elton_John_song) Elton John - vocals, Roland RD-1000 digital piano Guy Babylon - Yamaha DX7 Fred Mandel - Roland Alpha Juno synthesizers Peter Iverson - Fairlight and Audiofile programming Davey Johnstone - electric guitar Romeo Williams - bass Jonathan Moffett - Linn LM-1 programming
No. I even think the real thing (Rhodes with Dyno-My-Piano mod as in Greatest Love of All) sounds ugly. On the other hand, I love a growly barky fat Rhodes sound. For example from the incomparable George Duke: ua-cam.com/video/UM_GznqPHXI/v-deo.html or Chick Corea: ua-cam.com/video/ru6E_OOX0NU/v-deo.html
You are riveting! Super Accurate recreating note to note on everything you play and stylistically on, too. I haven’t really run into any “haters” of FM synthesis and the DX7. The 12-bit “artifacty” sound of it is a little buzzy fuzzy but the sound is SO iconic. Electric piano, bells, even that bass patch so commonly used “Into the Danger Zone” Kenny Loggins and many many others. I employed MKS-20 to double/fatten up with those DX7 pianos. And the TX816 multiples of rack mount DX7s had some great multilayered FM sounds
For so long I've been trying to put my finger on what it is about (certain, not all of) 80's music that I really have a problem with. Now I know, so thank you :)
No! D-50! No! Synclavier! No! Fairlight CMI! No! Oberheim OBX! No! Jupiter 8! etc, etc. This is like saying "Which is better, a hammer or a saw?" They are all great tools, all unique in their own special way and all found their place in the 80s. And so many people just used the presets!
When the keyboard player of my band presented me his newly purchased DX-7 in '84, I said: "Wow, this sounds so much better than a Rhodes!" - Those words aged like fine milk 😀Great video!
What to hate about it? That's a beautiful sound, I'm totally 80's myself and what I hate it's what has been released nowadays. The DX 7 made its legacy with great music that empowered that great decade.
It’s gorgeous. And I literally have NEVER heard anyone say they hate the DX7?! 🤷🏽♂️🤣 But with R&B, Soul, New Jack Swing, Gospel in that era it’s praised almost in some circles. I know young Gen-Z musicians who weren’t even around when the DX7 originally reigned supreme and they’re trying to buy one (to collect) OR program it’s sound into their current rigs. The DX7, like the Roland TR-808,TR-909, Linn Drum, and other machines from the 80’s have been GOATED. You play beautifully too sir! Salute. I’m a child of the 80’s the 90’s raised me with the DX7 present in the music I grew up to. We also had a DX7 in my church as a kid so this video took me back.
Hi, beautiful video. I was pleased with the sound of the DX7, which is legendary for me. Great selected samples of 10 songs. I look forward to more videos. And I'm becoming a customer of this channel.
Great list Pierre!! Love the DX7 :)
Thx Rick 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 me too!
its you!! :OO
Me too.
I have a DX7 in my basement. The classic EP sound is fantastic.
Thank you for this breakdown. Feeling nostalgic 🎹😃
I still use mine. I like the keyboard action. Good midi controller.
@@IntiOJ he cares lol
People hate it because so many bands *only* ever used the preset sounds that you demonstrated, and they used them absolutely to death. The DX is an utterly remarkable instrument if you sit down and program your own sounds into it. Capable of a hell of a lot more than the clichéd sounds used on 80s pop hits.
Aye sir 👏👏
@@DerMensch1try listening to Brian Eno’s “Apollo” album. Majority of sounds were sculpted on the dx7 for it. Not to say the programming is and was atrocious, that much is very true.
@@DerMensch1 imho the Roland Jupiter 8 is one of the greats. I have a studio filled with analog synths. Nary a dx7 in sight, nor desire for one. There are however many much much better approaches to FM these days, including a 1:1 vst of the dx7 with a UI that makes it easier to program ‘Plogue OPS7’ but if tactile is important, Korg, Elektron and others have more interesting approaches
Brian Eno... a lesson on how to tame the beast!
Beat me to it. Heard the weird alien sounding DX7 sampling CD by Jan Linton & Richard Barbieri ?
Oh man oh man. I'm 61 next week. I studied music in college in the mid 80s. Our keyboard lab had a number of DX7s. That sound is heaven to me and brings me back to those days. Thank you.
Can it only make this type of sound? Isn’t it digital? Why can’t you switch the type of sound it produces as you wish??
@@__Mr.White__ It can make many different types of sounds, but that electric piano preset was a go-to in the 80s and could be heard on every cheesy ballad.
As soon as you started playing, my brain went to a very happy place! Born mid-70s, so I grew up in the 80s 🙂
So, NOT the dentist's office?
Same here brother, '73 baby here. To me the DX EP will always be one of the most beautiful sounds ever created by a digital synth
'77 and I agree!!
1971 here😊
@@anthonycarado6313same). Same feelings. Such a happy flashback
I've never met a person in my life who hated the sound of a DX7 or DX21, it is what it is - Unique!
I love my DX7, but look through the comments section. It's very mixed....
Isn't the DX21 a big DX100?
It has been my goto synth in Ableton, but using the Deckards theme preset in the vst version, which ofcourse is the Blade Runner-esque sound.
So when you were asking every person you've met in your life about this, did you just ask if they hated the DX7 and DX21, or did you offer a vaguer 'sound of the 90s' option for the admittedly tiny subgroup of the general population who aren't well versed in vintage synths? Just want to make sure I have the methodology right. Hahaha
Trent Reznor hates it
It's got that "We'll be right back after these commercial messages." vibe.
😂
lol 😂… Exactly 😂… you nailed it 😮
I miss those commercial bumpers
😂😂😂
Didnt fellas refer to their tone or style as 'commercial sounding' in the 80s?
That “Sara” intro!! Love the DX7! Whenever you heard the DX7 in an intro you knew you were about to listen to a great song!
Absolutely no keyboardist or working musician hated the DX7. It’s the most beloved board of all time. There’s not even a close second - no board ever felt the irrefutable acclaim, adoration or secondary fan market that this board had.
But the stock sounds are iconic
I did..always did. It didn’t sound like any of the prog bands I was listening to at the time. Love it now though!
I liked a few of the sounds; the EP, the jazz guitar... not much else though. I much prefered the Roland synths, like the Jupiter 6 and the D50. I just felt like the D50 tickled the ears more (so to speak) and was more diverse in its sounds. The DX7 and D50 were hitting heads for quite a while there... back in the day 😅
Ah yes, the old 1980s time-to change-the-radio-station-a-cheesy-ballad-is-happening alert noise
None except the original fender Rhodes (with the Wurlie a close second) 😊
This sound does not make my skin crawl, but instead it gives me goosebumps ❤❤❤
The DX7, D50, and K250 defined a decade.
How about M1?
@@juliocaesarchua90s
I still have a dx module and a d50 module
i still have mine, from 1983... amazing midi has survived this long and it works with logic pro just fine.
So much classic R&B music has been made with that keyboard... Can never get tired of it.
Like michael jackson whitney houston luther vandross lionel richie stevie wonder etc
Tons of great Babyface songs
Learning to love the Yamaha DX7, it is the greatest love of all...
The Whitney tune was actually done on a real Rhodes with the Dyno-My-Piano mod as I recall, and the DX7 is an emulation of that. I far prefer the beefier more muscular tone of an unmodified Mark II or V.
@@christopheroliver148 Yes. Especially in person, the Rhodes sound AMAZING.
Countless 80's movies had music sequences using this device, it's totally unmistakable.
You bring lots of memories to me. In the early 90's as a teen I wanted to learn how to play piano and I was so fascinated by these keyboards and how they sounded. Unfortunately, my parents could not afford to get me a keyboard or send me to a piano lesson. All I can do is clip pictures of these Synthesizers from magazines and hang them in my room. Now as an Adult I can afford this stuff, but I do not have the time and energy and the enthusiasm to play them. I bought a few Synthesizers, Stage Pianos, and Arrangers for my children as they can play. Thank you.
How could anyone not like the DX7 sound???? It’s the sound of a lot of the best hits of the 80s 😮😮😮
Maybe because I hate the 80´s ehehehehehehehe
It ruined many of the best hits of the 80s. Hated it then; hate it now.
@@fretbuzz59 Micheal McDonald, Quincy Jones, David Foster and many other great composers and musicians of that time would indeed have been better off asking you for advice on how they could actually have done it better...
@@rialopib Oh bugger off. It's obviously my opinion, and as Pierre points out, it's one that many people share.
Many musicians and producers gravitate toward what's new and what's popular; that doesn't mean that in hindsight they'd do the same. I disliked the DX sound back then, and I I don't think it's aged well at all. Is there no sound/instrument from popular music that you don't care for?
BTW, most of MM's hits didn't use the DX; usually Rhodes.
Because it sounds fake and cheesy.
Honorable Mention: Doogie Howser's theme!
Don't people call that patch on here the Doogie? First thing I think of.
Totally underrated comment. Doogie is all I was thinking about during this entire video.
Everything played in this video sounds like the music throughout the Doogie Howser MD show. It certainly wasn't just the main theme... the show was packed to the brim with DX7 jingles.
Yes!
I wonder if the St. Elsewhere theme also used the same instrument. Same feelings.
I've always absolutely loved that sound, but then again I grew up in the 80s...the greatest pop culture decade ever!
This series of wishy washy wimpy noises expose exactly why the 80s was such a rubbish decade ... clattering drum machines and effing DX7s ... shite
@@weehudyy Exactly!
No no not the 80s. The 70s were way better. Why? I grew up in the seventies!
@@bartonhankle9484 Ha. I actually like the songwriting better in the 70s. There's just something about pop culture that ties into the music in the 80s though. The movie soundtrack definitely plays a huge part.
@@bartonhankle9484 You nailed it. Most of us appreciate the music from our coming of age years the most. For me that bridges both the late 70s and early 80s.
I have a wonderful story with the DX7... The first time I've heard a DX7 was from Yordano's (a very famous Venezuelan singer) keyboardist in a concert, I was seated right in front of him at the concert and I was so hook to his playing and the sound of his DX7 that I promised myself that night, that someday I will get one of that synth for me...
In the mean time, I became OBSESSED with the DX7, Yamaha instruments, Yamaha HIFi sound systems, Yamaha Motorcycles, Yamaha Boat Engines, Yamaha F1 engines, Yamaha technology, Yamaha Design, Yamaha Shoes (yes, they make sport sneakers in Japan), Yamaha Enterprise Culture, literally, whatever thing that have a YAMAHA logo printed on it, I will spend hours, days months, years researching, reading about it, and literally became Yamaha's biggest FAN.
The chance to buy my DX7 Mk 2 (Yeap, I've got and DX7 IID) came in February 1999 when on Internet, I've found a perfectly and almost brand new unit in a Recording studio in Seattle WA, BUUUUT I was living in Caracas, Venezuela🇻🇪, but after all the logistic, finally I traveled to Miami FL, grab my DX7 IID at one of my best friend's house and headed back to Caracas.
In 2016 I fled from my country to the United States 🇺🇸 and since then I had lived in Miami and Orlando FL Manhattan NY, Chicago IL, Virginia Beach VA and finally settled in Haines City FL since 2022 and all over those places, my DX7 have been with us as one more member of our family.
Since 2023, my 16 years old son is playing it as part of his high school music classes and literally love it as much as I still love it.
One thing is for sure, the " sounds" that defined the 80's, came out from a Yamaha DX7 synthesizer, like it or not.
@luisquintero2992 - You got close, nearly missed mentioning the YAMAHA V8 in my 1997 Taurus SHO. Designed/engineered at Cosworth where the F1 engines are produced 👍.
DX-7 E.Piano is probably the Comic Sans of the keyboard sounds. People loved it (and used it) so much that it took a turn on people's minds. And I say this with deep respect and love for this amazing machine 😅. Great video!
Which sound or instrument is the Helvetica then? (free to pick any instrument on earth)
@@WoodenKeys Grand Piano
Perfect description, definitely a comic sans sound
You forgot Luther's "Here and Now". Classic sound for sure.
I was about to write it. This should be number one. The most iconic DX7 intro of all times
As a "child of the 80's" how could I not love the DX7? So unique when analog was starting to get taken over by digital. As a side note, it was hard to not see the similarity between the photo of David Foster and yourself. ;-)
I always have to smile at this, as pretty much every synth workstation today has a "that dx7 epiano", and those patches sound close to the actual DX7. While the DX7 patch sounded nothing like the Rhodes it meant to imitate. Which in turn sounded nothing like the acoustic pianos it meant to imitate.
Advanced synth technology of today will keep us from experiencing more of those happy accidents I'm afraid.
Sounds almost exactly like a Rhodes to me.
It actually sounds a lot like a Dyno modded Rhodes. There are also a lot of variations on DX7 E Piano. Some are more like a real Rhodes.
Great video! I used to sell these; owned a couple back in the day. Loved this journey down memory lane you provided. It really is an extraordinary synth.
And this is why we're still in love with music from 40+ years ago, while most of today's songs will fade into the void. 80s forever!
Back in the day I HATED that sound. But having gotten older, I absolutely love it now. As you say, nostalgia! 😁 ♥ 🎶 🎹
When you first starting playing I immediately went to Somewhere Out There from American Tail
Yes this is my no.1 pick
Yessss!!! That song is engraved on my soul.
I went to "Babe" by Styx.
Great song ❤️
So glad I’m not the only one. My childhood thanks you.
I could listen to this all day and never get tired of it. I always wanted to learn to play like that.
The DX7 sound was the soundtrack of my childhood. An absolute gorgeous instrument at the time and surprising how robust they were built and how many are still on the market. Thanks for that video reviving some great memories.
It was the romantic soundtrack to my life growing up in the 1980s. Love it, thank you for posting this great video.
Thanks for taking my back to my younger days! Back in 1984 I didn't have my own keyboard, but when I heard the intro to Al Jarreau's "After All", I thought to myself, "I want to play something that sounds like THAT!"
What about One More Night by Phil Collins?
So true about Hard Habit to break being an exceptional composition. The strings/symphonic arrangements from the final chorus are perfection.
Hard Habit... geniusss
This is the color of 80s pop music. I just love it.
DX7 Changed popular music forever. There's nothing like being in front of one with some killer sound reinforcement. It alters your mood. And I'm not a keyboard player. Thanks for sharing your talent.
Till this day I kick myself as I have a picture of my friend in my bedroom flipping me the finger while playing around on my DX7. I gave that thing away when I was around 19. I liked it back then but never had a true appreciation for it as I do today. And I've been wanting one again for the longest time. Thank you for this video!
I grew up in 80's with all of these pretty songs, and how familiar with the great preset sound of electric piano DX7 mk1, and as keyboardist I still keep it one of my collection in pristine condition.. thanks for the memories..
It gives me goosebumps, 'nuff said.
Oooh,my god I can't believe there are people out there that doesn't like this heavenly sound, i could listen for hours❤❤.
80s music fans like myself know and love this sound. For sure.
This is pure joy to my ears.
Fantastic video. DX7 was my first synth, followed by a D-50 and M1 - the 80's trifefta of synths.
This is a great legendary synth... These patches are still relevant today and come in vsti packages.
I like the stellar sounds of dx7
Legendary sounds! Sara from Starship is a MASTERPIECE!
That word is used far too often. Sara is nothing more than a cliche pop tune by a once revolutionary band that sold out to the vapid mainstream.
@@GCKelloch Starship were an AOR band that couldn 't care less about be revolutionary but just to play great songs with the incredible voice of one of the best singer EVER : MIckey Thomas (it's because of him that I used that word) I'd love to see the mainstream to embrace again this great Music rather than the junk it came out after grunge crap.
Sara is also one of my favorite DX FM songs. It is full of them. The intro sound however is the TX-816. Great video, Pierre. Bringing back lots of good memories. Thank you for that.
That shitty song came on the radio and when I turned it off, the rear window of my car exploded. I hate that song so much.
@@GCKelloch let us know when you release your big hit....oh wait 😂
I could listen to that preset for eternity and never bore of it i swear its the most comforting sound imaginable for me
I graduated in '83 and was part of a band in the 82-83 years. As part of my graduation present, that I got early, was a Yamaha DX-9. I was going to Vocational-Technical school at the time & had a buddy that was in the wood working courses. I had him make me a case for my DX-9. He even did a burnt wood texture to it. Along with my '73 Fender Rhodes, and Baldwin C-30 amp, I was hauling around 300lbs of equipment. Was the best part of my life!
This Dx-7 tone should still be used on every slow ballad today !!! Loved it then and still do ! Bravo !!! 🎹🎵🎶⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
DX7?! You mean….DX Heaven! My dad took out a second mortgage on his house to buy one when it came out. I remember playing with it as a kid.
Hell yeah!
I love the DX7 and lusted over one for years. Finally snagged a pretty clean one with the original box, manual and sustain/mod pedals last fall!
Curious? How much did it set you back? I’d love to have one.
@@MoscowPhotog $400!
@@takeasnapshot worth every penny. Congrats.
Hello! This is a great list! I love the sound of the DX-7, which is why I bought it 35 years ago. Although I haven't used it in about 20 years, I'm going to pick it up now. I loved the E. Piano timbre.
That was a beautiful moment in the video - love that song!
5 months later…did you use it now again?☺️
@@StudioBonn Yes. Sure. I took it out. I love it!
I find the sound very soothing and relaxing and pleasant
This is my first time here on this site, I am very impressed with the sensitivity and beauty of the video and the good taste. Congratulations, excellent. I identified myself a lot. God bless you!
The DX7 looks immaculate, immediately recognisable. A great looking synthesiser.
It looks great; it's an almighty pain to programme without a computer.
@@RebeccaTurner-ny1xx I had heard about the DX reputation when it came to programming it. I’d probably just stick to its presets. 😆
A big part of so many 80’s soundtracks.
I(born in 1975) totally love the sound of the DX7. My brother(born in 1963) who plays in a band together with me absolutely hates it...😅 I guess there is nothing in between. Thank you for the great video.
There is: theoretically I hate that cheesy sound but does 'it sound great in song like 'Hard habit to break' and would I be happy if it would be changed into some other sound? NO! Keep your hands off! :D
Metoo!
That keyboard blows my mind. I hear that sounds since always. DX7 change the history of music.
Thanks
Thanks!!!
Pierre, you sound great! Thanks for playing those great songs that take us down memory lane! The GREAT David Foster played on several of those and the GREAT Robbie Buchanan played on Greatest Love Of All. Love the stacked sounds of the Rhodes and DX7 on Whitney’s! The GREAT Michael Omartian played on How Am I Supposed To Live Without You! The Rhodes and the DX7 are two of my favorites!!
The GREAT Robbie Buchanan played DX7 (mixed with MKS-20) on Greatest Love of All (Whitney Houston) AND After All (Al Jarreau) too. And much more (Luis Miguel, Sergio Mendes, Disney Themes...etc)
Still own a DX7IID and always my favorite synth.
I bought one last year. Finally got to use the nice phat layered patches that I created in the 80s on a friend's DX5.
I have a DX7IIFD, we had one in high school, so I just had to have one. Bought it a few years back.
"Waiting for a Star to Fall" sounds very DX7 heavy (and fantastic too!)
5:43 Thank you for that! I played this on the radio back when it came out on WRHO-FM
Beautifully put together, Pierre! The DX7 to me, is a time machine that instantly takes me back to that awesome era in synth pop music... The 80's! Thank you for your excellent video and your outstanding mastery of the keys! George,
My pleasure, thanks for watching!
These all like sad, yet cheerful raindrops from heaven. Great job 👍
Never heard a better explanation of that sound. PERFECTLY said
The Yamaha DX-7 is a classic, just like the Fender Rhodes behind you. For people like me, the DX-7 is the soundtrack of the Eighties...........and many keyboarders I`ve played with, used The DX-7.......or The Roland Jupiter 8.........or The Emulator........all brilliant synthesizers/ keyboards.......👍
Thanks for a great video...................I`m strolling down Memory Lane right now..........with a tear in my eye.............take care Mate...........❤
Nothing like the DX7 sound. Thanks for this walk down memory lane.
The sound you love to hate..yet cannot be denied. Excellent presentation!
I love all these songs... DX7 and DX5 are awesome... old is gold.
I hear that tone and Robbie Buchanan and Tom Brooks comes first to mind!!!
I'm in awe of this tone since my childhood!!!!!❤❤
...and today you can have it for free in your computer pretty much. Dexed is great! FM is in so many other freeware synths aswell. Too much candy for us today to play with. I've produced a silly ballad 'Stick it In' with FM/DX style sounds out of freeware. Turned out pretty good i must say. We are really spoiled these days with software and cheap gear.
Dexed is amazing
What chorus and reverb do you use to get the authentic 80tees vibe with dexed?
Btw...most fm synth vsts can read the original patch files out of the box...sytrus, fm8, dexed,...
I love that classic DX7 tone!
Great Video and playing Pierre! I became a DX fan some years ago after snubbing it back in the 80's and 90's. I now have a TX-816, TX-806, DX-5 running through a DMP-7 and some parts sequenced with a QX-1. An elegant looking system, I dare say, and it sounds great!
Wonderfully done, and such a smooth player you are ! My keyboard road rig was for 80ies rock in a career band. But, the attack from the FM generator was needed with all the analog stuff midied to it. SO, when the record company sent us off to outfit our touring instruments, I made SURE, there were a PAIR of TX-81Z's in the 16 space shock rack! (needed TWO for stereo). They STILL sound great today!
This is just HIS top 10. I can think of so many more!
Please tell us more.
🤣
Yep, we need a part 2👍
Nicely done! Great looking back to the earlier days....
I still have my DX7 II with grey matter addition that I bought in the 80s. I also still have my Roland MKS-20 piano module - both are vintage classics from the 80s.
Check out Chick Corea and his use of the Yamaha TX816 in the 80s. Stunning! Essentially 8 DX7’s in a rack mount!
I was thinking the same thing. The intros for King Cockroach or Silver Temple from the first Elektric Band album are good examples
I have a feeling a lot of these tracks were tracked with the Yamaha TX816, they were very prevalent in the big studios of the day. Much bigger sounds due to layering with other FM patches.
The 816s were in every studio. Toto, Howard Jones, Jay Graydon on the DeBarge productions. They were on every hit song. The TX816 not the DX-7 was the star. That sound was unmistakable but most people never realized the were listening to multiple DX-7s. Most of them used the DX-7s for live shows. Some of the studios I frequented back then also had DX-1s or DX-5s. The 80s was the best period for musicians...
@@freddieward5860 It wasn't a good period for drummers, though.
You can spin up your own TX816 today inside a Raspberry pi. Perfect emulation.
Styx - 'Babe'...
Also A-Ha's 'Take On Me' where the DX7 was used in the main melody AND the bass tracks....
Brian May used it for the orchestral intro of Queen's 'Who Wants To Live Forever'', using the patch 14-SYN-ORCH....
You're right, but I think that the Styx song was a Rhodes with a phase shifter!
I have had many DX7s. two like new. I wore them out. Loved them. I heard most all keyboard players had one because if it fell off the truck or stage you set it up and keep playing. It was a tank. I sold my last one to my best friend right before he passed away. Now they're both gone but all my Yamaha keyboards have DX7 sounds onboard. Great Demo. I love it.
The 80s were the pinnacle of beautiful and very talented commercial music. And in my opinion, after this era there were no such beautiful songs.
Legendary Yamaha DX7.
So '80's!
❤
Where is Somewhere Out There??
It must be out there somewhere.
Beneath the pale moonlight ..where else?
Great job, love your insight. In the 70's -80's I worked sound engineer for many bands, from rock to funk. Many had the standard, B-3/Leslie, Rhodes and Clavinet. By the late 80's, I was working as house sound/stage manager in a large entertainment complex with a 2,000 seat Nashville style room. The house 8-piece country band had he first DX7 that I got to know on a nightly basis and I loved it. It was solid like Yamaha sound equipment that I had used for years.
I used to have one. Would love to get another one.
I still have mine, and it still gets used.
Must correct you on Elton John’s Sacrifice: that’s not a Yamaha DX7 but a Roland SA electric piano from the RD 1000. A warmer sound than the DX7
You're right. The Roland MKS-20 rack module have the same sounds as the RD1000, and it has also has been used on tons of recordings. It has a whole different synthesis than a DX7, and is also famous for it's warm chorus effect.
I believe more of these songs may be an MKS/RD. Particularly the Greatest Love of All. Listen to the E-pianos in this video, from 7.46 and onwards:
ua-cam.com/video/JWXqT8Wmb_Q/v-deo.htmlsi=Zt1yuBc6iwXyql3x
@@t-man78 I know what you're saying regarding The Greatest Love Of All, it sounds warmer than what you normally hear from a DX7. But it can't be the Roland rack, which was released in 1986 and according to Wikipedia the song was recorded in 1984.
You can make the DX7 sound a little different than the stock version, via EQ or reprogramming the sound ever so slightly.
@@bimbettocavallo
Ah, I was about to check the year the song was released, before posting, but I forgot. Thanks! 🙂
According to liner notes, Elton John played RD1000, but late Guy Babylon played Yamaha DX7 on that song.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacrifice_(Elton_John_song)
Elton John - vocals, Roland RD-1000 digital piano
Guy Babylon - Yamaha DX7
Fred Mandel - Roland Alpha Juno synthesizers
Peter Iverson - Fairlight and Audiofile programming
Davey Johnstone - electric guitar
Romeo Williams - bass
Jonathan Moffett - Linn LM-1 programming
As soon as he played it i started looking for this comment. Rd 1000.
YOUR KIDDING Right! Everyone loves this piano. I love it and always looking for DX7 piano patches.
No. I even think the real thing (Rhodes with Dyno-My-Piano mod as in Greatest Love of All) sounds ugly. On the other hand, I love a growly barky fat Rhodes sound. For example from the incomparable George Duke: ua-cam.com/video/UM_GznqPHXI/v-deo.html or Chick Corea: ua-cam.com/video/ru6E_OOX0NU/v-deo.html
You're*
You are riveting! Super
Accurate recreating note to note on everything you play and stylistically on, too. I haven’t really run into any “haters” of FM synthesis and the DX7. The 12-bit “artifacty” sound of it is a little buzzy fuzzy but the sound is SO iconic. Electric piano, bells, even that bass patch so commonly used “Into the Danger Zone” Kenny Loggins and many many others. I employed MKS-20 to double/fatten up with those DX7 pianos. And the TX816 multiples of rack mount DX7s had some great multilayered FM sounds
For so long I've been trying to put my finger on what it is about (certain, not all of) 80's music that I really have a problem with. Now I know, so thank you :)
Arguably the greatest synth of all time. The sound of the 80s.
No. Prophet-5
No! D-50!
No! Synclavier!
No! Fairlight CMI!
No! Oberheim OBX!
No! Jupiter 8!
etc, etc.
This is like saying "Which is better, a hammer or a saw?" They are all great tools, all unique in their own special way and all found their place in the 80s.
And so many people just used the presets!
Not everyone hates it!
Not everyone doesn’t!!
Haha
When the keyboard player of my band presented me his newly purchased DX-7 in '84, I said: "Wow, this sounds so much better than a Rhodes!" - Those words aged like fine milk 😀Great video!
Aaaarrghhh! I got goosebumps listening to all these. So nostalgic.
What to hate about it? That's a beautiful sound, I'm totally 80's myself and what I hate it's what has been released nowadays. The DX 7 made its legacy with great music that empowered that great decade.
It’s gorgeous. And I literally have NEVER heard anyone say they hate the DX7?! 🤷🏽♂️🤣
But with R&B, Soul, New Jack Swing, Gospel in that era it’s praised almost in some circles.
I know young Gen-Z musicians who weren’t even around when the DX7 originally reigned supreme and they’re trying to buy one (to collect) OR program it’s sound into their current rigs.
The DX7, like the Roland TR-808,TR-909, Linn Drum, and other machines from the 80’s have been GOATED.
You play beautifully too sir! Salute. I’m a child of the 80’s the 90’s raised me with the DX7 present in the music I grew up to. We also had a DX7 in my church as a kid so this video took me back.
Great list! I also loved bagdad Cafe song with a minimalist Dx7 arpeggio.
I like it when a topic is approached from a completely different angle and not just a walk through patches and quality review, nice job :)
Thanks!!
Bright, crisp and warm is the DX7 sound I still love 💘. Thanks Pierre for the walk down memory lane. 🏖🌞🎵
Such an iconic instrument. And your playing is sublime.
Had one dx7 back in 88, this was my favorite sound. Thanks so much Pierre!!
Hi, beautiful video. I was pleased with the sound of the DX7, which is legendary for me. Great selected samples of 10 songs. I look forward to more videos. And I'm becoming a customer of this channel.
Those intro's sound absolutely stunning! 🎉 I'm beginning to have a new appreciation for the synth after watching your wonderful videos!
Nice! I love this way of playing the DX-7, it has the sound of a lulaby to me, soothing and peaceful.
Good god, that intro music you played was just so incredibly beautiful and nostalgic.