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Description

Produced in 1987. Despite its name, the TX802 FM Tone Generator is basically a rack-module version of the DX7mkII with full 8-part multi-timbral operation for sequencing and/or key mapping. It has 16-voices of polyphony and six digital FM Operators, the same as in the DX7mkII. There are 128 preset and 64 user patches for your sounds, as well as an external memory cartridge slot.

Product specs

Brand Yamaha
Model TX802 FM Tone Generator
Finish Black
Year 1986
Made In Japan
Categories Digital Synthesizers, Rackmount Synths
Analog / Digital Digital
MIDI I/O MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through
Polyphony 16 Voices

FAQs

What type of synthesis does the Yamaha TX802 use?

The Yamaha TX802 uses FM synthesis, which is known for its complex, digital sound textures and was popularized by the iconic Yamaha DX7.

How many voices of polyphony does the Yamaha TX802 offer?

The Yamaha TX802 provides 16 voices of polyphony, allowing for rich, layered sounds and complex performances.

Is the Yamaha TX802 compatible with modern MIDI setups?

Yes, the Yamaha TX802 features MIDI Input, Output, and Through connections, making it compatible with modern MIDI setups for seamless integration into your studio.

Can the Yamaha TX802 be used for live performances?

The Yamaha TX802 is a rackmount synth, making it ideal for studio use, but it can also be integrated into a live performance setup with proper MIDI control.

What are some key sound characteristics of the Yamaha TX802?

The Yamaha TX802 is known for its bright, digital sounds typical of FM synthesis, capable of producing everything from bell-like tones to complex, evolving textures.

SynthMania

SynthMania

Yamaha TX802 - A few performance patches

Video thumbnail for Yamaha TX802 - A few performance patches by SynthMania

Yamaha TX802 - A few performance patches

SynthMania

SynthMania

Video thumbnail for Yamaha TX802 | The pinnacle of what the DX line became in the 80s. by Espen Kraft

Yamaha TX802 | The pinnacle of what the DX line became in the 80s.

Espen Kraft

Espen Kraft

Video thumbnail for YAMAHA TX802 PERFORMANCE sound by もりや @ no talking synth demos.

YAMAHA TX802 PERFORMANCE sound

もりや @ no talking synth demos.

もりや @ no talking synth demos.

Video thumbnail for Yamaha TX802 - Exploring the Presets - Midiverse - TV by Midiverse - TV

Yamaha TX802 - Exploring the Presets - Midiverse - TV

Midiverse - TV

Midiverse - TV

Video thumbnail for Yamaha TX802 "Flashback" Soundset 128 Sounds by LFOstore

Yamaha TX802 "Flashback" Soundset 128 Sounds

LFOstore

LFOstore

Video thumbnail for Yamaha TX802: Under the Radar Review by Off The Matrix

Yamaha TX802: Under the Radar Review

Off The Matrix

Off The Matrix

Reviews

PROS

  • Immense sound design potential

  • Highly versatile and multi-timbral for hardware sequencing

  • Better DACs and more polyphony than the DX7

  • Full, warm, rich, and soulful sound character

  • Key release/rebound effect unique to FM synthesis

  • Compact size fits easily in setups

  • Large library of free patches available

  • Can produce sharp attacks for expressive horns and strings

  • Classic DX7 sound in a rack version

CONS

  • Programming interface challenging without external software

  • Limited by understanding of FM synthesis

  • Lacks onboard storage and volume knob

  • Overexposed DX sound may not appeal to all

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha TX802.

Features and functionality

  • The TX802 offers 16-note polyphony and eight-part multitimbrality, making it more versatile than the Volca FM's three-note polyphony.

    Source
  • The TX802 allows for microtuning and assigning control change messages, a feature not available in the Volca FM.

    Source
  • The TX802 can be used like eight monosynths due to its eight outputs, offering a unique flexibility not typically found in single-unit setups.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners of the TX802 report minimal noise, which is often masked in live settings, suggesting reliability for performance use.

    Source
  • Owners note the TX802 can replicate distinctive tones from bands like Oingo Boingo, offering a unique sound profile hard to mimic with other synths.

    Source
  • Owners report the TX802 sounds much better and more versatile than the original DX7, particularly appreciating its ability to layer and split patches.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Consider replacing audio op amps in the TX802 for improved sound quality, a common tweak discussed for maintaining vintage units.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The TX802 provides eight separate outputs, enhancing its flexibility compared to the Volca FM's limited outputs.

    Source
  • The Korg Volca FM reportedly sounds tinny compared to the fuller, richer tones of the TX802 and other Yamaha DX models.

    Source
  • Compared to the DX7, the TX802's programming interface is considered more user-friendly, featuring a backlit display and logical layout for easier navigation.

    Source
  • The TX802's 16-bit DAC offers a cleaner, quieter sound than the DX7's 12-bit DAC, which some owners prefer for its grit and character.

    Source
  • The TX7 is noted for having the same "gritty" 12-bit DAC sound as the original DX7, making it a closer match for those seeking that specific tone.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • When layering and detuning patches in Performance mode, the TX802 produces exceptionally rich and dynamic sounds, enhancing its use for complex musical compositions.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • DEXED software is highly recommended as an editor for the TX802, with verified 100% sysex compatibility, simplifying programming and sound design.

    Source
  • Some users recommend using a tape saturation plugin or space echo to blend the TX802's cleaner sound with the original DX7's character in a mix.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • The TX802 integrates well with MIDI setups via USB-MIDI, allowing seamless control with basic controllers like the Nektar Impact iX61.

    Source
Add

4.0 out of 5

Based on 6 Reviews and 21 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
kenneth_martin_gammell

Great for multi-timbral layering

I use a great deal of horn, organ, and string samples. But they lack the sharp attack and expressiveness you wish for. Especially strings, they usually have a soft attack and sound mushy. Horns also can have a weak attack when you want a real percussive stab. Enter the digitally sharp attacks to strings and horns using my TX802. The combination of real instrument samples and digital padding creates a nice full sound that covers the frequency spectrum. My digital horns have velocity sensitivity to control how bright they sound, making them more expressive. I also have a multi-timbral organ combination that combines the full body B3 samples with a bright and punchy digital organ.

digitl

Great

It a DX 7 Mark II so you know it will sound great (better hardware and DAC resolution than original). Too bad it didn't have more storage and a volume knob! Still, classic sounds at the push of a button. I program it with software (Dexed - https://asb2m10.github.io/dexed/) and it is still a pain; however, there are soooo many free patches available you can find something to get you going.

Roles:
Genres:
atonalmeasure

Classy sounding FM

Nice rack, but i bought it in the mid 90's and the DX sound was still suffering from over exposure so i quickly moved it on, i think would like this now 20 years has passed, it has big wide clean sound from what i can remember of it.

jimmarchi1

all of the FM stuff is best enjoyed with software editors via MIDI to create unique patches... otherwise its all just overplayed presets like the electric piano and 'lately bass'

alfa_trax

fm tone generator

16 voces fm syntesizer, 6 operators, múltiple outs

third_key_broken

DX7 w/o keyboard

You get the DX-7 sound, but unfortunately almost impossible to program...

jimmarchi1

you can get an editor/librarian app for your computer and program her over MIDI... the learning curve is still pretty steep but with a graphical interface you can learn FM w/o an advanced degree if you dedicate some serious time to it... the DX and TX synths are capable of so much more than is evidenced by the presets and popular expansion libraries

federicovaona

Beautiful FM Synth

A DX7 II rack version. Very beautiful sounds and very rare to find. Stereo and rich FM mix.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Paul McCartney uses Yamaha TX802

Paul McCartney

Singer, Bassist

The Beatles

...
Verified via Hog Hill Mill Blog

the Yamaha TX802 is listed in this blog

See how Trent Reznor uses Yamaha TX802

Trent Reznor

Keyboardist, Singer

Nine Inch Nails

...
Verified via Theninhotline

In 90s Keyboard interview: "We sat and messed around with a Yamaha TX802, four tracks of Pro Tools running Studio Vision, a couple of keyboards, and a DAT machine, and it became a challenge of, "How can we arrange this music with these limitations?" It was one mic in a room, and if there were background vocals it was me yelling from the other side of the room, and mixing everything destructively"

See how Mat Zo uses Yamaha TX802

Mat Zo

Music Producer

...
Verified via Photo

From Mat Zo's Instagram stories, he shows his Yamaha TX802 and says:

I got a DX7 in a rack

See how Moby uses Yamaha TX802

Moby

Music Producer

Hanzel und Gretyl

...
Verified via spectralplex

According to this article, Moby used the Yamaha TX802 during the recording of 'Play'.

See how A.R. Rahman uses Yamaha TX802

A.R. Rahman

Singer, Keyboardist

SuperHeavy

...
Verified via YouTube

In a video by Sound On Sound magazine titled "AR Rahman & Firdaus Studios: A Scoring Stage For The 21st Century," A.R. Rahman mentions at 8:54 that he carried a Yamaha TX81Z sound module in a rack case during his writing sessions abroad. This statement, captured in the video, confirms his use of the Yamaha TX802 as part of his musical gear.

See how Junkie XL uses Yamaha TX802

Junkie XL

Composer, Music Producer

Tiësto vs. Junkie XL

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video "Tom Holkenborg (aka Junkie XL) - Warren Huart: Produce Like A Pro," Junkie XL's Yamaha TX802 is visible at the bottom of his equipment rack.

See how Philip Glass uses Yamaha TX802

Philip Glass

Composer, Music Producer

Polyrock

...
Verified via Plogue

When I joined, the keyboards consisted of 3 Farfisa Mini-Compact organs. That was it.

Over the years of my involvement, the Ensemble went through a series of migrations to new hardware. The first was the replacement of one of the Farfisas by a Yamaha YC45-D dual manual electric organ, a wonderful machine with touch sensitivity and adjustable percussive attack. After that, we added an Arp Explorer synthesizer. Next came a Sequential Circuits Prophet 5, then an Oberheim OBXa, then a Yamaha Dx7 (one of the first in the US, hand-carried back from a tour in Japan), then an Emulator I sampler (serial #002), then a Roland Juno-106 and a Roland JX3P, and an Emulator II sampler, and then, as we adopted MIDI controllers and rack modules, a Roland Super Jupiter, a Yamaha TX-816 rack and a Yamaha TX802, several Oberheim Matrix-6R. and a number of Akai S-900 samplers, later replaced with Digidesign Samplecell I cards running on Mac IIs.

See how Ceephax Acid Crew uses Yamaha TX802

Ceephax Acid Crew

Music Producer

Tom Jenkinson & Friends

...
Verified via YouTube

In this YouTube video at 3:08, the Yamaha TX802 is in the rack between the Roland S-760 and the Eventide Orville.

See how Paul Humphreys uses Yamaha TX802

Paul Humphreys

Keyboardist

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

...
Verified via Omdweb

Although boasting a lush sound, the album was recorded largely at Paul's Rhythm Ranch studio on a single tascam 16-track with a Studiomaster desk. Synths used include: Roland D-50, Akai S1000 and S3000, Kork M1R, Waldorf Microwave, Roland Super Jupiter module, Oberheim Matrix 1000, Yamaha TX802, Minimoog, MIDIMoog, Oberheim Two-Voice, Roland Jupiter 8 and SH-101.

See how Jun'ichi Masuda uses Yamaha TX802

Jun'ichi Masuda

Composer, Music Producer

...
Verified via Twitter

"???????????????802??????????????????????????????????(?)" Rough translation: "Long time no see, ancient history! The 802 is very goood! It's awesoome! I also have it, but it's not easy to turn on (LOL)"

See how Mike Lindup uses Yamaha TX802

Mike Lindup

Singer, Keyboardist

Level 42

...
Verified via Photo

Mike Lindup mentioned using the Yamaha TX802 in a YouTube comment two months ago, as shown in the user-uploaded photo on Polynominal.

See how Paul Hardcastle uses Yamaha TX802

Paul Hardcastle

Keyboardist, Composer

...
Verified via Muzines

Moving on, a rack of modules provides a fair range of sounds to back up the Synclavier. One of the newest additions is an Emu Procussion, below which are a Roland MKS70, MIDIMoog ("it still goes out of tune; I was told it wouldn't"), Oberheim Matrix 6R, Korg DVP1, a slot for a Yamaha G10 guitar controller unit ("great with the TX802"), Roland D110, Roland P330, Yamaha TX81Z ("great for little clavs and so on"), and a Roland Planet P ("actually, I don't think I even turn that on any more").

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 TX802, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Roland D-550
Roland D-550 Synthesizers & Sound Modules
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Korg Wavestation A/D
Korg Wavestation A/D Synthesizers & Sound Modules
6
Korg M1R
Korg M1R Synthesizers & Sound Modules
6
Roland MKS-70
Roland MKS-70 Sound Modules
6
Roland D-50
Roland D-50 Synthesizers
5
Roland MKS-80 Super Jupiter
Roland MKS-80 Super Jupiter Synthesizers & Sound Modules
5
Yamaha TX81Z
Yamaha TX81Z Sound Modules
5
Roland JD-800
Roland JD-800 Synthesizers
4
Waldorf Microwave
Waldorf Microwave Synthesizers & Sound Modules
4

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