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Average Price: $210
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$500
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Description
Discover the Yamaha DX7, an industry standard in digital FM synthesis, boasting a robust 61-key layout and an impressive 16-voice polyphony. Introduced in 1983, this legendary synthesizer has found its way into the rigs of iconic musicians like Brian Eno, Crystal Method, and the Beastie Boys. With its vintage appeal and professional credibility, the DX7 offers a unique blend of metallic sine-wave synthesis that makes it a must-have in any music enthusiast's collection. Its distinguished six envelope generator in the VCA enhances your sound manipulation capabilities, providing a spectrum of sonic possibilities.
Key Features:
- 61-key layout
- 16-voice polyphony
- Six envelope generator in the VCA
- Foundational instrument in digital FM synthesis
- Used by renowned musicians
- Offers metallic sine-wave synthesis
Product specs
| Brand | Yamaha |
| Model | DX7 Programmable Algorithm Synthesizer |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1983 - 1987 |
| Made In | Japan |
| Categories | Digital Synthesizers, Keyboard Synths |
| Analog / Digital | Digital |
| Key Size | Full Size |
| Keyboard Action | Synth Action |
| MIDI I/O | MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through |
| Number of Keys | 61 Keys |
| Polyphony | 16 Voices |
FAQs
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Is the Yamaha DX7 suitable for beginners in synthesis?
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The Yamaha DX7 can be challenging for beginners due to its complex FM synthesis architecture. However, it offers a rewarding learning experience for those willing to invest time in understanding its programming and sound design capabilities.
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What type of synthesis does the Yamaha DX7 use?
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The Yamaha DX7 uses FM (Frequency Modulation) synthesis, which is different from the more common subtractive synthesis. This allows it to produce unique, crystalline sounds that were revolutionary at the time of its release.
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How many keys does the Yamaha DX7 have and what is the keyboard action like?
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The Yamaha DX7 features a 61-key full-size keyboard with synth action, providing a responsive feel suitable for expressive playing and complex performances.
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How many voices of polyphony does the Yamaha DX7 offer?
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The Yamaha DX7 offers 16 voices of polyphony, allowing for rich, layered soundscapes and complex chordal arrangements without note dropouts.
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Can the Yamaha DX7 be integrated with modern MIDI setups?
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Yes, the Yamaha DX7 includes MIDI Input, Output, and Through ports, making it compatible with modern MIDI setups for sequencing and live performance integration.
Videos
SynthMania
Yamaha DX7 - the 32 classic factory patches
Yamaha DX7 - the 32 classic factory patches
SynthMania
Yamaha DX7 - The Synthesizer that Defined the '80s
Polyphonic
The Original Yamaha DX7 Vintage Synthesizer
Doctor Mix
Yamaha DX7 - Famous Sounds Demo
Synths Stories
The Yamaha DX7 Dream Synthesizer
Doctor Mix
Yamaha DX7 - Shining Moments 80's (Pt. 1)
Jason Mysteria
Bad Gear - Yamaha DX7 - Synth Of Fear???
AudioPilz
Unboxing a 1984 Yamaha DX7 in 2020
Synths and Guitars
Reviews
PROS
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Iconic, classic 80s sounds that defined a generation of music
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Capable of both cool, crisp patches and warm, organic tones
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Solid, professional key-bed feels like a real acoustic piano
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Durable, well-made instrument with a gritty, present sound
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Versatile for today's pop, trap, hip hop, and EDM genres
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Offers deep synthesis for creating unique, otherworldly sounds
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No need for external effects, sounds great direct to converter
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Plenty of free pre-programmed patches available online
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Can sound fuller and more musical than many soft synths
CONS
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Programming can be notoriously difficult and unintuitive
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Original models can have issues with membrane buttons and broken keys
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Generates noticeable noise, which may require noise gates
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Limited in live performance due to single variable slider
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Lacks the ease of programming and layering of later models
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha DX7.
Build quality
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While the DX7 is praised for its robust construction, owners note that brittle keys are prone to shattering if dropped or hit.
Source -
Vintage DX7 units are noted for their robust, reliable construction, with service manuals and schematics available for maintenance.
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The DX7 is known for its robust construction, but owners report issues like brittle keys and weight (14 kg) making it cumbersome to transport.
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User experience
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Owners appreciate the DX7 for its historical importance and iconic design, often seeing it as a collectible piece of music history.
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The DX7's velocity limitation is noted, with the original model maxing out at 100, affecting its practicality as a master keyboard.
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Owners often find the DX7 difficult to program due to its single slider control, which makes creating and editing patches challenging.
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Use cases and applications
Software and compatibility
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Plogue Ops7 VST is highlighted as a near-identical digital replacement for the DX7, with support for original sysex and improved real-time adjustment capabilities.
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Users recommend using Dexed VST with TX7 hardware for programming patches, providing the DX7 sound without the cumbersome interface.
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Users recommend Dexed VST for easier programming, though it lacks the original DX7's distinctive DAC sound quality.
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Mods and upgrades
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The Novation Remote Zero can be set up to control DX7 parameters, providing hands-on control at a low cost.
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Comparisons
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SY77 offers a different sound profile than the DX7, with some preferring the original's lo-fi character over the SY77's clean, hi-fi output.
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The Yamaha SY77 is highlighted as a superior alternative, offering two DX7 MkIIs as separate voices, custom sample loading, and additional features like effects and filters.
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The Korg OpSix and Casio CZ range are suggested as easier-to-program alternatives, offering simpler algorithms and different sound possibilities.
Source
Features and functionality
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 38 Reviews and 162 Ratings
344
Cheesy and overrated
99% of the time FM synths are used in distasteful ways, which either date the music to a bygone age or cliche riddled indie pop… however, when used nicely there are some otherworldly sounds to be had, if you know how to program it(I gave up in the end). It is one of the rare occasions where I’d recommend you buy the plugin version and save the money and space. It also ruined everything that was likeable about synthesis in the early 80s, it killed off lots of great companies and single handedly reshaped the way synths would be designed. It was all firmly down hill from here.
Did I mention it weighs a tonne?
Preferred Settings + Usage:
Tied to the rail road tracks
84
goat fm synth
the best for the 80s fm sound, one of my favs as an indie musician. I bought it for the 80s sound
156
Kdo by ji nechtěl mít ve studiu?
Plním si své hudební sny postupně, třeba i s Yamaha DX7, která prostě nesmí chybět v žádném profesionálním setupu. Je to legenda! Ale pojďme si říct i její nevýhody - první generace, kterou vlastním i já (hnědý design!!!) je pouze monofonní, pokud jste digitálně citlivý, pak vám může vadit její šum nebo nízký počet presetů - nástrojů. Pokud jste zvyklí pouze mačkat presety v počítači u jakéhokoliv pluginu, pak vůbec se nebavme o nějaké editaci uvnitř nástroje, což by vás zcela odpálilo. Tady zhoříte jak papírový drak :) Má Yamaha DX7 má navíc dodělaný chorus, který jí přidá něco navíc hned na výstupu, což se vždycky hodí. Tento nástroj mám v mém nahrávacím studiu Sunteem records.
502
Love it!
Still have mine after 15 years. But some broken keys, broken membrane buttons, volume slider stoped work and fixed on maximum volume... This synth is GREAT for today pop, trap, hip hop, edm, etc. Like Michael Mcdonald said in one interview, is fabulous for stacking sounds. You can create a bass, pad, lead, percs, noises, and all will sound very musical and logic in your music, almost in a "workstation quality feel". Not a lot synths can do this. People still say is thin sounding. Not true, sounds fuller than any soft synth. Bass? ANY bass you can do, and fits easily in mixes even betther than operator. Is a beast for ambient music, throw a simple pedal delay on it and the magic happens. Its hart to program, but if you try you can do a lot with. Using reverb and a good chorus you can recreate all that Tears for Fears pads and brasses without much effort. Im a huge fan for using mic preamps for recording synth, (for extra juice) but this guy dont need it. Not even a DI box. Just direct to converter, line level. Well, i can spend all day telling you about this synth, but moderators here will kick me out ahahah. I wish i can buy another on in mint condition, and some day i will!
41029
the mother of FM
I started my 'pro' synth life on dx7 mk2 and they're great synths.... but the mk1 has a hazy, warm, swampy goodness... you just wanna snuggle up with this synth. Beware the membrane buttons which go south. I finally let go of my IIFD after having a couple mk1s come into my life. I should play the dx7 more but I keep getting sidetracked by analogs and weirdies like the SY35
363
A beautifully strange device.
Yes it is the glossy, commercial sound of the 80s pop music machine. However, push beyond the cliche e. piano presets and you will discover a strange instrument that is capable of producing sounds that sometimes cannot even be distinguished as "synth sounds". It can be cold and glassy, yes, but it can also be warm and organic, sounding almost like a living, breathing organism with alien biotechnology enabling it to communicate through otherworldly atmospheric sound.
41029
under appreciated, mainly due to a user interface and synthesis style that most find to be impenetrable... but people are relentlessly lazy
199
A Classic for a Reason
I've tried all the free VST emulations including Dexed (which works as a patch editor/creator for the real thing), the sampled sounds on a Nord Electro, and even put converted MK1 patches on my SY77 (which has an enhanced DX7II inside). Although the SY77 and indeed the DX7II both sound lovely, there is nothing like an actual DX7 for that '80s FM sound. It is fairly heavy and programming it is notoriously difficult, but nothing can replace that sound.
186
Great synth if you want 80s sounding patches
The DX7 is a fantastic synth for cool and crisp 80s sounding patches. It’s also not as hard to programme as people make out, there’s no menu diving or anything, just a slider and buttons, but even if programming’s not your thing there’s plenty of pre programmed patches available for free on the internet, just transfer them from your computer to the synth with SYSEX
67
Not good when compared to other synthesizers of the time...
It does have some good presets, but when it comes to programming... Forget it. ! When the desk is normalised and the DX is plugged in, you suddenly realise how much noise it produces. So I always tweak the top off to reduce the noise. If I can get away with it, I'll put it through a set of noise gates. I've got to admit, why go through all this grief when any of the other synthesizers available can produce just the right sound I need.
340
A true classic
One of the most famous keyboards of all time. Needs no introduction. Sounds of the dx7 can be found on thousands of recordings.
Artist usage
Add artist
In the YouTube video titled "Dave Grohl - Play [Keys in Master Version]" by painmanist, Dave Grohl is seen using a Yamaha DX7 synthesizer.
In a post by his label, Acid Test, John Frusciante mentions the Yamaha DX7 as one of the instruments he has used over time.
In this user-uploaded Tumblr photo, Jonny Greenwood is pictured with the Yamaha DX7 synthesizer, highlighting its role in his setup.
the Yamaha DX7 is listed in this blog
At 0:40, Mac DeMarco is seen with his Yamaha DX7.
Part of this 1993 interview says that his gear includes a Roland TB303, a Yamaha DX7, an old Korg analogue sequencer, an ST and monitor, CD player, DAT machine and loads of his own creations.
At 00:10, It can CLEARLY be seen with brian playing on it while the band was playing the song "Who Wants To Live Forever" at the Wembley Concert in 86.
In this transcript of an interview from the June 1985 issue of Guitar Player magazine, the DX7 is listed among Edge's non-guitar stage instruments.
Trent Reznor used the Yamaha DX7 synthesizer during his Downward Spiral tour, as documented in a YouTube video by ZORAK277. Known for its durability, the DX7 was a staple in his performances, showcasing Reznor's intense playing style.
Purple Rain was the first album to introduce digital synths in Princes music. It was Yamaha dx7.
According to Duane Tudahl's Prince and the Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions 1983 and 1984 book, Prince only used the Yamaha DX7's preset sounds, and hardly ever got around to programming it. Probably because it was rather difficult to program, unlike the Oberheim. Summer 1984 was the only period in his whole career that he used the DX7 the most, on several of the songs he was recording. Including all over The Family album and Around The World In A Day. Later albums it appeared on included Parade and Sign O' The Times.
This page from Keyboard Magazine lists the DX-7 among Geddy Lee's gear.
Album Usage
The Yamaha DX7 has been featured on the following albums:
Even As We Speak: The Music of David Van Tieghem
David Van Tieghem (2025)
One More Night (BBC Live, 1985)
Phil Collins (2025)
God Blessed Video (Grand Theft Audio)
Alcatrazz (2025)
DEVOTION
TM NETWORK (2023)
The Painter
William Orbit (2022)
Life In a Northern Town
The Dream Academy (2021)
Cool Like You (Deluxe)
Blossoms (2018)
The Box Of Delights (Original Television Soundtrack)
The BBC Radiophonic Workshop & Roger Limb (2018)
Better Now
Blanks (2018)
Play
Dave Grohl (2018)
When 2 Worlds Collide
Mass (2018)
Albeit Living
Sextile (2017)
Flower Boy
Tyler, The Creator (2017)
Santorini (Live)
Yanni (2016)
Pool
Porches (2016)
22, A Million
Bon Iver (2016)
24K Magic
Bruno Mars (2016)
Another One
Mac DeMarco & Mac DeMarco (2015)
A Thousand Hands
Sextile (2015)
Zoolook
Jean Michel Jarre (2015)
Ongaku Zukan -2015 Edition-
Ryuichi Sakamoto (2015)
Day of the Dead (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
John Harrison (2014)
Vampyr
Steven Severin (2012)
Sunflower Stories
Robin Guthrie (2010)
If You Leave
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (2009)
Twin Peaks
Angelo Badalamenti (2008)
Twin Peaks: Season Two Music And More
Angelo Badalamenti & David Lynch (2007)
Jazz Rocket Science
Adam Holzman (2005)
Retrospectacle - The Supertramp Anthology
Supertramp (2005)
Soup
Bola & Darrell Fitton (1998)
Among My Swan
Mazzy Star (1996)
So Tonight That I Might See
Mazzy Star (1993)
Selected Ambient Works 85-92
Aphex Twin (1992)
On Every Street (Remaster)
Dire Straits (1991)
Reflections Of Passion
Yanni (1990)
Soundtrack From Twin Peaks
Angelo Badalamenti (1990)
Doctor Who: Ghost Light (Original Television Soundtrack)
Mark Ayres & Keff McCulloch (1989)
Como Conseguir Chicas
Charly García (1989)
They Live - Expanded Original Motion Picture Soundtrack 20th Anniversary Edition
John Carpenter & Alan Howarth (1989)
Kickboxer: The Deluxe Edition Soundtrack
Paul Hertzog (1989)
The Miracle
Queen (1989)
Watermark
Enya (1988)
That Total Age
Nitzer Ebb (1987)
Coming Around Again
Carly Simon & Alanis Morissette (1987)
Hall Of The Mountain King
Savatage (1987)
Tango in the Night (2017 Remaster)
Fleetwood Mac (1987)
Za sve ove godine
Crvena jabuka (1987)
Parte De La Religion
Charly García (1987)
NEO GEO
Ryuichi Sakamoto (1987)
Faith
George Michael (1987)
Sleeps with the Fishes
Michael Brook & Pieter Nooten (1987)
The Celts
Enya (1987)
Code
Cabaret Voltaire (1987)
Keys To Imagination
Yanni (1986)
Invisible Touch (2007 Remaster)
Genesis (1986)
A Kind of Magic
Queen (1986)
![Yamaha DX7 as heard on Rage For Order (Remastered) [Expanded Edition] by Queensrÿche (1986)](https://images.equipboard.com/uploads/album/image/46270/rage-for-order-remastered-expanded-edition.jpg)
Rage For Order (Remastered) [Expanded Edition]
Queensrÿche (1986)
Voices Carry (Expanded Edition)
'Til Tuesday (1985)
The Dream Of The Blue Turtles
Sting & Sting (1985)
Here's to Future Days
Thompson Twins (1985)
Songs From The Big Chair
Tears for Fears (1985)
Mishima
Philip Glass (1985)
The Story Of A Young Heart
A Flock of Seagulls (1984)
Selections From The Original Soundtrack The Woman In Red
Stevie Wonder & Dionne Warwick (1984)
Mahavishnu
The Mahavishnu Orchestra (1984)
The Pearl
Brian Eno & Harold Budd (1984)
Poland
Tangerine Dream (1984)
It'll End In Tears (Remastered)
This Mortal Coil (1984)
Colour By Numbers
Culture Club (1983)
Bark At The Moon (Expanded Edition)
Ozzy Osbourne & Ozzy Osbourne (1983)
Midnight Madness
Night Ranger (1983)
Journeys out of the Body
Steve Jolliffe (1983)
Avalon
Roxy Music (1982)
Breakfast In America (Remastered)
Supertramp (1979)
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 DX7, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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Community setups
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Similar
Add recommendation13 alternative and related items for Yamaha DX7, curated by the Equipboard community.
Dexed is a free, open source, DX7 emulation plugin and patch librarian. Despite being free, Dexed's sound quality is arguably better than many of the paid DX7 emulations on the market.
$249.00
the 16 bit upgrade to the DX7, not as gritty but the membrane buttons were replaced with more durable plastic push buttons, this version has a floppy drive, not just a cartridge slot, welcome to the space age
$149.00
This is Arturia's software emulation of the Yamaha DX7, and a damn great one at that. Unlike the much earlier NI FM8, Arturia limited themselves to emulating only the original DX7 (not the DX7II or later Yamaha DX products) and focused on making a very sonically-accurate reproduction of that one, very famous, very sought-after, model. DX7V is also patch-compatible with the original DX7.
$329.00 - $418.32
A modern take on the fm synthesis interface and patch-compatible with the original DX7. Also, you can switch between a 16 and 8 bit DAC to recreate the crunchiness of the first version.
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