for the DX7, Version 2.0

The debate over whether to upgrade to a DX7II takes on a new dimension with the possibilities that this expansion board brings to the original. Jim Burgess is impressed.

Yamaha DX7 Digital Synthesizer

E&MM's resident FM expert, Jay Chapman, takes a critical flick through the pages of a new book intended to ease the programming on Yamaha's DX7 poly.

Synthcheck

Yamaha DX7, Casio CZ5000, Juno 106, Korg DW6000, 30 to 1 the field. Commentator, Tony Mills

FM isn't just for your radio. Yamaha take it to digital keyboards. Prof. Dave Crombie expounds (his case comes up next week).

The new FM synthesis

In depth.

Accessorycheck

More preset voices for FM fans. Curtis Schwartz takes his ROMs home

Software writer Jay Chapman introduces us to DX7ED, a patch editing program for Yamaha's FM poly, the BBC B, and E&MM's own BeeBMIDI interface.

Software listings that enable owners of our BBC Micro MIDI interface board to view the internal workings of the Yamaha DX7 on screen, with a cassette available from E&MM for the finger-sore.

A Yamaha DX7, a Simmons SDS8, a Fender Squier bass plus, plus, plus. Our biggest best competition ever!

Yamaha DX Keyboards

Dave Bristow, Yamaha’s keyboard consultant, explains how to play and programme these new FM synthesisers

Should You Upgrade from a DX7 to a DX7II?

If you already own a Mk1 DX7, you're now faced with an agonising dilemma: do you risk everything and chop it on for the MkII model? Howard Massey weighs up the pros and cons of taking the plunge.

the man who gave FM to the DX7

two programmes for the DX7

DX7 Patch

The ES&CM Voice patch for the DX7.

DX7 Patch

Exclusive violin patch for the DX7.

The section where MT readers submit their own synth sounds. Featured machines this month include the Korg Poly 800, Roland Alpha Juno 2 and Yamaha DX7.

Our monthly bring-and-buy sale for readers' synth sounds. January's models include the OSCar, the Moog Prodigy and Yamaha's ubiquitous DX7.

Another crop of readers' own synth sounds. This month's featured instruments: the original DX7, the Casio CZ, the Ensoniq ESQ1 and the venerable Korg MS20 monosynth.

Readers send in their own favourite synth sounds and how to generate them. Plenty of monosynths this month, including the Moog Prodigy, Transcendent 2000 and Roland SH-101.

The theme of this month's edition of Patchwork is decidedly traditional, as Casio's CZ101 joins the ubiquitous DX7 and D50 as the subjects for readers' programming dexterity.

Readers send in their own favourite synth sounds and details of how to generate them. This month sees, among other things, our first patch for a guitar synth, the Roland GR300.