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Conference napalm::commusic_v1

Title:	* * Computer Music, MIDI, and Related Topics * *
Notice:	Conference has been write-locked. Use new version.
Moderator:	DYPSS1::SCHAFER

Created:	Thu Feb 20 1986
Last Modified:	Mon Aug 29 1994
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	2852
Total number of notes:	33157

82.0. "Yamaha TX816 Rackmount FM Synthesizer" by CURIE::SPEED () Wed Apr 17 1985 17:12

Has anyone heard any more recent rumors about a rack mount version
of the DX7 or DX9?  I heard that Yamaha announced a DX7 8 pack in a rack
for about $5000 at the last NAMM show but that price is a little high for 
me.

I read the notes about the CX5M but a real rack mount unit without the Z80, 
etc. is more what I am looking for.

Thanks,
Derek

T.R	Title	User	Date	Lines
82.1		SAUTER::SAUTER	`Wed Apr 17 1985 17:21`	6
	I read some information in a Roland advertising magazine a week or so ago, but I don't recall all of the details. I believe patch selection specifies some parameters that have to be specified independently on the DX-7, but I don't remember which ones. The price seemed a bit high to me, too, compared to a multi-track recorder. Does anybody have the details from the magazine? John Sauter
82.2		NOVA::RAVAN	`Thu Apr 18 1985 15:01`	34
	The following is excerpted from 'the IMA Bulletin, the newsletter of the International MIDI Association', Feb. 1985, without permission from an article entitled 'Yamaha Packs Power into QX1 and TX816': "...Yamaha's TX816 is a rack mountable device consisting of a main rack unit and 8 separate TF1 modules. Each TF1 consists of an FM tone generator and controlling functions, in essence, the sound generating capability of a DX7. Each TF1 is capable of storing 32 voice programs loaded from a DX7. In addition, each TF1 can memorize function parameters along with each voice patch unlike the DX7. The TX816 has four operating modes: PLAY, EDIT, STORE, and UTILITY. There are also 14 sub-modes accessed by a sinle multi purpose select buttin in the front panel of each module. These modes include MIDI channel selection, output level attenuation, data dumping, vioce editing, master pitch tuning, storage of vioce sets, and 440hz audio check tone. There is also a note limit function which allows each TF1 to be restricted to a particular area of a MIDI keyboard. This feature makes it possuble to have 8 different DX7 patches on one keyboard, each with its own range and the ability to overlap! The TX816 retails for $4995.00. There is also a 2 module version called the TX216 that retails for $2095.00. The user can then purchase additional TF1's at $545.00 each to fill up his or her rack. For more information and specifications contact Yamaha International: PO Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; phone (714) 522-9152." The ability to purchase a small rack and build it up over time is a great feature. Just think, for $2100 you can have two DX7s! Actually you get two DX7-pluses since the TF1 modules allow function parameter storage. That's about 2 DX7s for the price of one since my DX7 cost about $2000. I saw a TX216 box at Daddy's Junky Music Store in Nashua. Since it was already sold by the time it arrived, they would not open it and let me take a look. But that means Yamaha is shipping them now. -jim
82.3		SAUTER::SAUTER	`Thu Apr 18 1985 16:51`	2
	You don't quite get two DX7s, since the unit has no keyboard. John Sauter
82.4		CURIE::SPEED	`Thu Apr 18 1985 16:59`	6
	Good point John. I would be interested in seeing how well it would interface to Roland's new keyboard controllers. I thought that they are very nice pieces of gear. Derek
82.5		NOVA::RAVAN	`Thu Apr 18 1985 18:11`	23
	Yes I agree, but $550! That means I'm paying $1450 for a keyboard. I think I'd much rather spend that money on one of the Roland keyboard controllers mentioned in .-1. In the case of the smaller one, I have about $400 left over, and in the case of the larger 88-key beauty, I have to add about $500, which I would probably do since I am a PIANIST at heart, NOT an ORGANIST. I have played the Roland keyboards with a Roland rack box (SX-80, I think), and was WELL pleased with the action on both of them. If you were raised playing a Story&Clark instead of a Hammond, I would recommend giving these keyboards a look. They have some bank switch/select for voice and MIDI channel selection. How well this integrates with the TX816, I have no idea. I would like a TX{8\|2}16 to stay at a music store long enough to find out. Yes, I will admit the attractiveness of the Yamaha racks is more pronounced for me since I already have a keyboard (two, a DX7 and a Mirage). Folks who don't already have a MIDI instrument should give serious consideration to buying their sound producing modules without a keyboard and buying a good general MIDI kybd instead. It continues to be the case that keyboards are expensive and complicated mechanical devices (even in their synthetic environments), so that a large share of the cost of a synthesizer is the keyboard. I'm glad to see the industry providing better solutions. -jim
82.6		OLORIN::CZOTTER	`Mon Apr 22 1985 18:40`	5
	I just got the Roland 88-key MIDI keyboard controller. Also being a pianist, I would sell my soul before giving it up. I couldn't agree more regarding purchasing keyboard-less sound modules. After all, most of the manufacturing cost is in those keys (if they're good) and you only need one keyboard to control 16 (+) synth modules.