dx7 vs korg r3

Morshu · Post by **Morshu** » Sun Sep 25, 2011 5:04 pm

what are the pros and cons of the yamaha dx7 and the korg r3?

which one would you consider better?

Synthoid · Post by **Synthoid** » Sun Sep 25, 2011 6:28 pm

Morshu wrote:which one would you consider better?

They are two totally different instruments.

Hopefully this article about the DX-7 should help explain the nuances of FM synthesis:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_DX7

Morshu · Post by **Morshu** » Sun Sep 25, 2011 9:15 pm

I know- but i just am wondering what the comparison would be between the two

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Sun Sep 25, 2011 9:44 pm

The comparison would be that one is an fm-based synthesizer from the 80s and one is a modern budget analog modeling synth.
There are more nuances but that is a very, very basic sound decision to make. I don't think other details are at all relevant compared to that.

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Sun Sep 25, 2011 9:47 pm

What's the difference between a piano and a ukulele? I know they both make sounds by vibrating strings...

Which one would you consider better?

Synthoid · Post by **Synthoid** » Sun Sep 25, 2011 9:48 pm

What keyboard(s) are you currently using?

Put simply, the R3 is a dual oscillator, Virtual Analog synth with the ability to produce a wide range of sounds because of its selection of waveforms and filter choices. It can also mimic basic FM timbres.

Its synth structure:

Synth:
2 oscillators + noise generator

Oscillator 1:
Wave: 8 types (Sawtooth, Pulse, Triangle, Sine, Formant, Noise, DWGS, Audio In), Modulation: Waveform, Cross, Unison, VPM

Oscillator 2:
4 types (Sawtooth, Square, Triangle, Sine), Modulation: Ring, Sync, Ring+Sync

Waveshape:
12 types: Drive, Decimator, HardClip, OctSaw, MultiTri, MultiSin, SubOSCSaw, SubOSCSqu, SubOSCTri, SubOSCSin, Pickup, LevelBoost

Multimode Resonant Filters:
Filter 1: -24 dB/oct LPF ~ -12 dB/oct LPF ~ -12 dB/oct BPF ~ -12 dB/oct HPF ~ Thru, Filter 2: LPF, HPF, BPF, COMB

The DX-7 offers only FM synthesis, great for EP's as well as a variety of clangorous and metallic type sounds. I've read it can also produce some convincing organ and even analog sounds, but I have yet to hear that from a DX-7! It also lacks any type of effects.

I wouldn't recommend the DX-7 as a starter keyboard.

Morshu · Post by **Morshu** » Sun Sep 25, 2011 10:16 pm

hey you didnt post the specs of the dx7! D: and yes the dx7 can do some spectacular harpsichord and organs and even some 16-bit sounding guitars. but its hard to program....

if i wanted to make a marimba sound like that on the dx7 on the r3 what steps would change? as the r3 doesnt really have fm...(vpm is kinda like it, but not quite)

Synthoid · Post by **Synthoid** » Sun Sep 25, 2011 10:29 pm

Morshu wrote:hey you didnt post the specs of the dx7! D:

Google is your friend.

Re-Member · Post by **Re-Member** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 9:21 pm

The DX7 is extremely complicated to program. I owned one for awhile and could never wrap my head around programming sounds. The menu system makes it extremely difficult to experiment with.

I recommend checking out Native Instruments FM7 if you want to get into FM synthesis. You can load DX patches into it, there's "Easy Edit" menu that's set up so it operates more like a subtractive synth, plus a "Randomize" feature that always gets you interesting sounds.

There's also the Casio CZ series worth checking out. I had the CZ-101 as a kid and it was fun to mess with. These are cheaper than the Yahamas and a bit easier to experiment on.

Synthoid · Post by **Synthoid** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 9:45 pm

Re-Member wrote:There's also the Casio CZ series worth checking out. I had the CZ-101 as a kid and it was fun to mess with. These are cheaper than the Yahamas and a bit easier to experiment on.

I had a CZ-101 back in the mid 80's. A bit easier to program and very lightweight. I've seen them sell for less than $100.

danielb · Post by **danielb** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 11:09 am

[quote="Re-Member"]The DX7 is extremely complicated to program. I owned one for awhile and could never wrap my head around programming sounds. The menu system makes it extremely difficult to experiment with.
[quote]

It's not really that hard, but it is different, and there is a big learning curve. I have a DX21 and a TX802 (rack mount DX7) and actually enjoy programming them both. For the latter, it helps to have a PC editor.

The Radias can do some very DX7-sounding sounds using the VPM oscillator.

xmlguy · Post by **xmlguy** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 5:14 am

Many of us have FM8 for this, which has DX7 patch compatibility without DX7 programming hassle. You still need to learn how FM operators and algorithms work.

Morshu · Post by **Morshu** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 11:33 am

yea but its not hard to program if you know what your making- just try to make like sonic the hedgehog music or genesis synth sounds- because those games used a similar sound chip to the dx7. only difference is the genesis was multitimbral, (but thats why they made the dx7-2)

btw whats the closest thing to a 16 part multi timbral fm synth?

danielb · Post by **danielb** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 12:16 pm

Morshu wrote:yea but its not hard to program if you know what your making- just try to make like sonic the hedgehog music or genesis synth sounds- because those games used a similar sound chip to the dx7. only difference is the genesis was multitimbral, (but thats why they made the dx7-2)

btw whats the closest thing to a 16 part multi timbral fm synth?

Yamaha Tx802 is a 16-voice plyphonic, 8-part multi-timbral DX7II-equivalent rack module:

http://www.vintagesynth.com/yamaha/tx802.php

Morshu · Post by **Morshu** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 1:55 pm

is there anything else? because that is a terrible synth lol(it sounds good, but i mean its so hard to program those things, its harder than a normal dx7)

but, i'm not gonna shoot that one out of the air unless it can't be controlled by something like the r3 via midi-

can you control it that way? and what would be the best way to control it?

also are there any other similar synths that use fm that arn't necessarily yamahas?

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