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).

In depth.

The new FM synthesis

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 readers' synth sound page. Instruments featured this month include the Roland SH101, Yamaha DX7 and Korg Poly 61.

By popular demand, the readers’ synth patch page returns with a new look and a new approach. This month, sounds for the Casio CZs, Roland Juno 106 and Yamaha DX7, plus news of a Korg cassette that offers 165 sampled sounds for under a tenner.

Trish McGrath gets the lowdown on a whole stack of readers' own synth sounds, while Paul Wiffen gives an appraisal of a new library of samples for the Ensoniq Mirage.

More original patches plucked from the banks of readers' synths. This month the Ensoniq ESQ1 and Yamaha DX7 get the Patchwork treatment.

Readers send in their own synth sounds and details of how to programme them. Among the instruments featured this month are the Moog Source, the Roland SH101 and the same manufacturer's Juno 106.

The readers' synth sound page. Almost a Yamaha takeover this month, with CS01, CS60 and DX7 models all featured, plus a token Roland.

Casio's CZ101 joins the ranks of old favourites DX7, SH101 and Poly 800 as the subject of this month's readers' sound patches.