Pricing and availability
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Description
Combining a 6-operator 16-note polyphonic FM synthesizer with over one hundred rhythm sounds and a 16-step analog-style sequencer, the DX200 is one of the most unique "groove boxes" available today. Thanks to its realtime control knobs, you can easily get inside this once-forbidden FM architecture and effortlessly tweak the voice parameters to come up with totally bizarre sounds that have never been heard before. Many hip-hop and techno producers are already hip to the punchy bass sounds and radical metallic textures that can be created with FM, and now you can, too! If you've been looking for some fresh new electronic sounds for your dance tracks, the DX200 is your new secret weapon.
Videos
gearwire
Yamaha DX200 Desktop Control Synthesizer: Basic Features
Yamaha DX200 Desktop Control Synthesizer: Basic Features
gearwire
Faxi Nadu - Yamaha DX200 Review / Demo - Part 1 | Exploring Unique Sounds & Workflows
Ocean Swift / Faxi Nadu
Yamaha DX200 Live Set
Ticco Ross
The Yamaha DX200 FM Synthesizer (Digitone's Older Brother) | CONFORCE
Conforce
Yamaha RY30 & Yamaha DX200
Ticco Ross
Yamaha DX200 FM Synth Sounds
darksideothetune
Yamaha DX200
Ticco Ross
Yamaha DX200 Return of the Funky FM Beats! 2017 Rik Marston FM-X DX7 Montage Synthesizer
Rik Marston Official
Reviews
PROS
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Compact size with classic DX7 patch compatibility
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Hands-on controls and built-in sequencer enhance user experience
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Surprisingly usable drum sounds for diverse music production
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Third-party editor available for full functionality on modern computers
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FM synthesis is more editable and user-friendly compared to the original DX7
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Includes resonant filter, distortion, and motion sequencer for creative sound shaping
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Can produce a wide variety of sounds, including organs and electric pianos
CONS
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Not fully editable without an external editor
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Original editor not compatible with modern computers
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha DX200.
Build quality
Features and functionality
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The DX200 includes a rare FM synth filter, making it unique compared to other Yamaha FM synths like the DX7.
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The DX200 allows for modulation between two sounds, akin to having two DX7s in one, which users find particularly magical.
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Users have noted that the filter has some stepping, though it is not considered a major issue by most.
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Software and compatibility
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Full synth engine control on the DX200 requires vintage PC software, posing challenges for modern users.
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Use cases and applications
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The DX200 excels in creating techno sounds with its instant groovebox capabilities, despite some users finding certain drum patterns cheesy.
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The sequencer can motion record knob movements into patterns, but switching patterns may cause timing issues, making it ideal for static sequences.
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User experience
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The DX200 can be used creatively in DJ sets, allowing pattern manipulation like forwards/backwards play and pitch adjustments for diverse sonic textures.
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Setup and maintenance
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The main data encoder is prone to eventual failure, but it's not difficult to replace, though it requires attention after years of use.
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Comparisons
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Compared to the Digitone, the DX200 is a one-channel synth with a basic drum machine, while the Digitone offers multi-synth capabilities.
Source
4.5 out of 5
Based on 5 Reviews and 15 Ratings
3582
Compact DX7 compatible synth with some extras...
This compact synth can load all the classic DX7 patches and can be picked up for around 200€. Additionally it has handson controls (knobs), a sequencer and some (surprisingly usable) drumsounds. If only I'd find a good editor/librarian, I'd give it 5* as the DX200 is not fully editable without an editor and the original editor was made for yesteryears computers...
Edit Feb-2019: As promissed, I'll have to beef up the 4* to 5* as I just found an amazing, fast, intuitive, literally hands-on editor for this little beast! Much, much better than Yamaha's own editor...
Check out: https://coffeeshopped.com/2019/01/before-digitone-there-was-dx200
41007
have you een the new Korg Volca FM?
90
yes, but not tried yet. From the demo and videos this other volca sounds pretty good too to me, maybe a bit limited. A different piece of kit though.
249
Full of surprises
This box sounds amazing and an entire record could be produced on it. Bought it for the drum machine and DX7 patch compatibility, but the tweakability of the synth makes this full of fun surprises. Resonant filter, distortion, and motion sequencer take the DX200 to places the DX7 could never go.
41007
I have wanted one of thse for ages but never seem to buy one. Your review reminds me it is probably time. It gets old treating my DX7 with filters in the box after recording and I no longer have my filter factory due to economic nescesity to thin the gear heard.
249
@jimmarchi1, I hear they are not cheap to buy 2nd hand anymore. If you do find one, make sure the data knob is in good working order. They are problematic and I had to replace mine, which was about $80 (unless you can solder circuitry). Only other challenge is that Yamaha's software editor no longer works on the new OS's and hasn't been updated. But SysEx is all you need.
3582
Had the same issue... For an excellent editor, check out: https://coffeeshopped.com/2019/01/before-digitone-there-was-dx200
Artist usage
Add artist
We do a lot of vocoding and talk box. We do it with a physical talk box, with a DX100 sound piped through. It's more difficult than I bargained for, because you have this fucking tube in your mouth and you're trying to say esses and tees and shit. It's like having one of those things that the dentist chucks in your mouth to suck up the spit, except that it's not sucking up the spit!
In an interview with XLR8R, Mind Against discusses their use of the Yamaha DX200, highlighting its role in their music production process.
For example, there might be something from a Yamaha DX200 - like a deep, bassy sound - and I’d use it as a kick layered with something from the Pearl Syncussion and maybe a couple of hits from a modulated 909 or something.
In a video interview by MusicRadar Tech, at 2:32, Nadia Struiwigh is seen discussing the Yamaha DX200, confirming its inclusion in her studio setup.
Per Attack Magazine:
"There’s two distinct setups, one for live and one for studio. The studio setup is the Jupiter-6, which I bought in a pawn shop in 1994 in Edinburgh and I think is my favourite piece, a Jupiter-8, an OSCar, a Sequential Circuits Pro-One… The 808 is kind of the core to trigger the analogues. What else have I got? I have a Crane Song STC-8 outboard mastering compressor. I have a 909, but that just collects dust. I’ve got a nice Midas desk, and I’ve got a DX200, which I quite like... It sold terribly. For some reason, Yamaha decided to put a one-bar sequencer in it, but it’s the heart of two or three DX7s, so it’s incredibly powerful as a module. It’s so difficult to use – FM synthesisers all are – but it’s so powerful for bass, particularly the sort of Detroity techno stuff."
Album Usage
The Yamaha DX200 has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Yamaha DX200, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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Community setups
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