Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated .

Average Price: $30

Budget/Beginner

$149

$350+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

The Yamaha TX816 is a powerhouse in the world of modular synthesizers, offering a unique blend of classic FM synthesis and modular flexibility. Ideal for studios and live performances alike, this iconic unit houses eight individual DX7 synthesizer modules, known as TF1s, allowing for an unparalleled level of sound design possibilities. Each module can be independently programmed and controlled, providing a vast canvas for creativity and complex layering.

The TX816 is revered for its authentic FM synthesis capabilities, delivering the crisp, bell-like tones and rich textures that defined much of the music from the 1980s and beyond. Its robust build and intuitive interface make it a reliable workhorse for both professional musicians and synth enthusiasts. Whether you’re recreating vintage sounds or forging new sonic landscapes, the TX816 offers a versatile platform to explore and innovate.

Designed with connectivity in mind, the TX816 integrates seamlessly into modern setups, featuring MIDI compatibility to interface with contemporary gear. This makes it not just a nostalgic piece of hardware, but a relevant tool in today's music production landscape.

Key Features:

  • Houses eight individual DX7 synthesizer modules (TF1s)
  • True FM synthesis for authentic sound creation
  • MIDI compatibility for easy integration with other equipment
  • Independent programming and control for each module
  • Ideal for complex sound layering and design
  • Renowned for its durability and classic sound quality

Product specs

Brand Yamaha
Model TX816 8-Module FM Synthesizer
Finish Black
Year 1984
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 is the Yamaha TX816 and what makes it unique?

The Yamaha TX816 is a rack-mounted digital FM synthesizer from 1984, featuring eight independent DX7 synthesizer modules. Its unique modular design allows for complex layering and rich polyphonic textures, making it ideal for sound designers and musicians seeking versatile FM synthesis.

How does the Yamaha TX816 connect to other MIDI equipment?

The Yamaha TX816 offers MIDI Input, Output, and Through connections, enabling integration with other MIDI devices and controllers for expanded control and sequencing capabilities.

Is the Yamaha TX816 suitable for live performances?

While primarily designed for studio use, the Yamaha TX816 can be used in live settings if paired with a reliable MIDI controller and sound reinforcement system, offering a powerful range of FM sounds.

Can the Yamaha TX816 be used with modern DAWs?

Yes, the Yamaha TX816 can be integrated with modern DAWs via MIDI connections, allowing users to sequence and control it from their digital audio workstations.

How many voices of polyphony does the Yamaha TX816 offer?

The Yamaha TX816 provides 16 voices of polyphony, distributed across its eight modules, allowing for complex and layered sound design.

Espen Kraft

Espen Kraft

FM Monster Duel! Yamaha TX816 vs TX802

Video thumbnail for FM Monster Duel! Yamaha TX816 vs TX802 by Espen Kraft

FM Monster Duel! Yamaha TX816 vs TX802

Espen Kraft

Espen Kraft

Video thumbnail for Yamaha TX816 DEMO (All 8 Modules In Unison - Part I) by Blake Foster (Funkhöuser Music)

Yamaha TX816 DEMO (All 8 Modules In Unison - Part I)

Blake Foster (Funkhöuser Music)

Blake Foster (Funkhöuser Music)

Video thumbnail for Yamaha TX816 audio demo [June 1985] by VCO8

Yamaha TX816 audio demo [June 1985]

VCO8

VCO8

Video thumbnail for Yamaha TX816 - multiple stacked detuned DX7 voices = epic! 🎹 by Vintique Sound

Yamaha TX816 - multiple stacked detuned DX7 voices = epic! 🎹

Vintique Sound

Vintique Sound

Video thumbnail for Build an epic dreamy soundtrack with Yamaha TX816 and Roland Jupiter-8 by Espen Kraft

Build an epic dreamy soundtrack with Yamaha TX816 and Roland Jupiter-8

Espen Kraft

Espen Kraft

Video thumbnail for Yamaha TX816 - Testing four layers by Anders Enger Jensen

Yamaha TX816 - Testing four layers

Anders Enger Jensen

Anders Enger Jensen

Video thumbnail for Yamaha TX816 with Mean Well PSU | Recapping is a waste of time and money, I realize that now by Espen Kraft

Yamaha TX816 with Mean Well PSU | Recapping is a waste of time and money, I realize that now

Espen Kraft

Espen Kraft

Reviews

PROS

  • Extensive sound library, ideal for any DX7 user

  • Compatible with DeXed VST/AU for easy patch editing

  • Houses 8 mono DX7s, offering expansive FM bank capacity

  • XLR outputs enable rich, large-scale sound production

CONS

  • Capacitors may dry out and bulge, requiring replacement

  • Necessitates battery and op-amp capacitor replacements

  • Power engine noise can be an issue

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha TX816.

Setup and maintenance

  • Replacing dead CR2032 batteries is crucial as it can wipe memory, causing modules to lose voice data.

    Source
  • Reseting modules through the Utility menu may not resolve all issues; checking 'omni on/off' settings is also necessary for proper MIDI reception.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The TX816 allows for +/- 63 steps of detune, offering significant creative flexibility across 8 modules.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • Switching MIDI interfaces can improve patch data loading; BorneSX performed better than MidiOX for one owner.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Yamaha TX816 can be treated as an FM additive synth on steroids when paired with a mixer, allowing for complex sound design.

    Source
Add

5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 11 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
m4ntr0n1c

FM powerhouse

I think everyone should have a lot of FM banks just in case. These units are massive as they hold 8x a mono DX7 with 32 patches. The outputs are XLR, but they often get their capacitors dried out and bulging (need replacement). Once you replaced all 8 batteries and the op-amp caps, you are good to go (unless you need to recap the PSU, which is most likely).

I keep two of those, but I wish I had more :P

jimmarchi1

I've never encountered one of these fully loaded that was 100% working :-(

m4ntr0n1c

Yes me neither. They all have to be serviced. And sometimes a person might tell you it was serviced, but the job was half-ass'd ...

federicovaona

A Monster Yamaha!

I like having 8 DX7 all together in one synth. A beast that can modeling very beautiful FM sounds. The power engine sometimes is noisy now. Separate XLR outputs, can be used for create rich big sounds.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Peter Hook uses Yamaha TX816

Peter Hook

Singer, Bassist

Joy Division

...
Verified via YouTube

Can be clearly seen in the video at 2 minutes 5 seconds.

This along with the TX81Z was heavily used during the writing of the Technique album 1989.

It is most likely this equipment belonged to New Order rather than just Peter Hook.

See how Kraftwerk uses Yamaha TX816

Kraftwerk

Composer, Music Producer

Kraftwerk

...
Verified via Kraftwerkfaq

At some points during the 1980's, Kraftwerk used:

  • NED Synclavier
  • 1 Yamaha TX816 synthesiser
  • 2 Atari ST computers
See how Allan Holdsworth uses Yamaha TX816

Allan Holdsworth

Guitarist

Level 42

...
Verified via Medium

(Regarding the creation of the album Flat Tire)..

Holdsworth went back to his trusty SynthAxe, an expensive synthesizer controller he and many other guitarists swear by. He didn’t have his Oberheim analog synthesizers for those “fantastic string sounds,” just “a bunch of Yamaha TX7 and TX816 digital synth modules,

See how Tony Banks uses Yamaha TX816

Tony Banks

Singer, Keyboardist

Genesis

...
Verified via Photo

In a 1986 issue of Japanese Keyboard Magazine, there are multiple photographs of Tony Banks' rig from the Invisible Touch tour. Among these images is a picture showcasing Tony's rack synths and effects, Yamaha TX816 can be seen on the left underneath the Roland SRV2000.

See how Herbie Hancock uses Yamaha TX816

Herbie Hancock

Keyboardist

The Headhunters

...
Verified via Herbie Hancock

Used on Perfect Machine, as specified in Herbie Hancock’s Electronic Instrument Glossary from September 14, 2016.

Yamaha TX-816 – A digital synthesizer that takes its form as a rack unit simulates having eight DX-7s in one. This allows a musician to store and carry as many sounds as they like without needing several instruments to create them. It also features eight audio outputs and is compatible with all other DX synthesizers. Herbie used this on his 1988 album Perfect Machine.

See how Keith Emerson uses Yamaha TX816

Keith Emerson

Keyboardist

Emerson, Lake & Palmer

...
Verified via Soundonsound

This Sound On Sound article states that Emerson owned a Yamaha TX816.

See how Danny Elfman uses Yamaha TX816

Danny Elfman

Singer, Guitarist

Oingo Boingo

...
Verified via Photo

In the September 1987 issue of "Keyboard Magazine," the bottom middle column on page 31 mentioned that Danny Elfman owned two Yamaha TX816 modules and a Yamaha DX7II. The article was authored by Bob Doerschuk and Jeff Burger. ![Source Image](https://images.equipboard.com/uploads/source/image/149078/ELF_1.jpeg)

See how Mark King Level 42 uses Yamaha TX816

Mark King Level 42

Singer, Bassist

Level 42

...
Verified via Muzines

Studio buffs tend to forget that modern recording studios are imposing and disorientating places for the average lay person. The technology seems to be surpassed in complexity only by military and space hardware, and Mark King's 'home' studio is certainly state of the art, as the above listing indicates. There's also a Macintosh SE30 with Performer software, an SRC SMPTE-to-MIDI convertor, Adams Smith Zeta 3, NS 10 and Tannoy DTM8 monitors, and two Otari MTR90 24-track recorders with 48 tracks of Dolby SR. Sound sources include a DX7, Roland D110 and 550, Yamaha TX816, Juno 60, Emu III and Emax, Casio CZ101, plus an Akai-Linn MPC60 workstation and a DDrum 2 drum sampler.

See how Howard Jones uses Yamaha TX816

Howard Jones

Singer, Keyboardist

The Conspirators

...
Verified via Muzines

As if this isn't enough, Jones' collection of sound sources is breathtaking. Inhale deeply for an (incomplete) overview: Fairlight Series III; Yamaha TX816 rack; Akai S1000; Roland Super JX, MKS50, D50, Jupiter 8, Juno 60, D550, and MKS20 digital piano; Korg Wavestation; Prophet T8; MiniMoog; Vocoder VP330; Yamaha KX88 and TG77; and somewhere in a corner his old 808 drum machine. Still there?

See how Karl Bartos uses Yamaha TX816

Karl Bartos

Keyboardist, Composer

Electronic

...
Verified via MusicRadar

In this interview, Karl says he had a Yamaha TX816.

See how Jerry Harrison uses Yamaha TX816

Jerry Harrison

Singer, Guitarist

Talking Heads

...
Verified via EMusician

This article states that Jerry's studio includes "Clavia Nord Electro 2, Clavia Nord Lead, E-mu ESI-32, E-mu Proteus 1, E-mu XP, Korg Wavestation, Roland D-550, Sequential Circuits Prophet T8, Voce V3, Waldorf Microwave, Yamaha DX7, and Yamaha TX-816. "

See how Minoru Mukaiya uses Yamaha TX816

Minoru Mukaiya

Keyboardist

Casiopea

...
Verified via Photo

The insert from the Casiopea Perfect Live II record lists Minoru Mukaiya's gear used during the concert, listing the Yamaha TX-816, in which he uses 2.

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 TX816, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Yamaha DX7
Yamaha DX7 Synthesizers
9
Roland D-550
Roland D-550 Synthesizers & Sound Modules
5
Yamaha QX-1
Yamaha QX-1 Audio Sequencers
4
Yamaha NS10 Studio Monitor
Yamaha NS10 Studio Monitor Active & Passive Monitors
4
E-Mu Proteus 1
E-Mu Proteus 1 Sound Modules
4

More Yamaha Modular Synthesizers

Accessories & Related Items

Community setups

Similar