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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

1892.0. "Yamaha V80FD Replaces DX7II" by TILTS::LIBERTINI (I have to hit the LOTTO, soon.) Tue Feb 07 1989 00:21

    Yamaha announces new synth, replacement for DX7 II .
    The January "After Touch" magazine describes the bigger and better
    V80FD which will turn the DX7 II into a Dinosaur.
    
    It will be available in late spring 1989 at suggested retail $2995.
    
    It has a 32 track sequencer, built-in signal processor (effects)
    3.5"disk, voice card, I/O expansion port for add-ons PCM, SCSI etc,
    32 note polyphony and 16-voice multi-timbral capabilities, 40 character
    by 8 line backlit 'supertwist' LCD display and more.  Sequencer
    can hold 99 patterns/song and 99 songs in its 64k internal memory
    which is battery backed up.
    
    It was co-developed with Grey Matter Response company.
    
    Joe
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1892.1DOA...NORGE::CHADTue Feb 07 1989 12:128
Sorry to be so pessimistic, but I think this new FM thing will be a DOA.
Especially at $2995 list.  I'd rather buy (if I was into FM) a reduced
DX7II, a sample player (Proteus, U110, etc), and a good sequencer if I
wanted something in this direction.  The big Y* is on its way down.
(I'm not writing them off though).

CHad
1892.2Too much to hope for ANOTHER revolutionMARVIN::MACHINTue Feb 07 1989 13:536
    It looks like Yam may be charging four or more times as much for
    grey matter innerds as you'd expect, given what the E! board
    cost for the old DX. (And the latest Grey Matter board for the DX7II,
    with sequencer etc).
    
    Richard.
1892.3Looks better the closer you look.DYO780::SCHAFERBrad - back in Ohio.Fri Feb 24 1989 16:4018
    I checked into this yesterday.  The machine lists for $2995, but it's
    not like the old DX7 (read: no discounts).  I got a quote from one
    dealer for $2395 (formal, 15% off) and a guesstimate from another for
    around $2200.  (30% discount is around $2100.) 

    The only drawbacks I can think of are speculative: the keyboard is
    supposedly only 61 keys, and supports only channel pressure.  I don't
    know this for a fact - seems that Y was only showing a prototype at
    winter NAMM, and was taking suggestions from all who had any as to what
    features they wanted to see that weren't already there.  Rumor has it
    that they intend to incorporate many of these suggestions into the
    product before FCS. 

    Given that information and price (and the fact that the thing is going
    to be buss-expandable) it doesn't sound like such a bad deal to me.  In
    fact, I may just order one.

-b
1892.4Nuts - this sounded like what I wanted.\DYO780::SCHAFERBrad - back in Ohio.Thu Apr 06 1989 20:537
    Actually, I guess I WON'T order one.

    According to John at Yamaha, they have decided to scrap them.  They
    can't be built to spec in the timeframe desired.  Blurb to follow next
    month in your favorite electronic music magazine. 

-b
1892.5find it or grind it ...MIZZOU::SHERMANbut I'm feeling *much* better now ...Fri Apr 07 1989 00:503
    Yer kiddin ... sounds like Yamaha is grindin' gears ...
    
    Steve
1892.6...at least I hope so...DYO780::SCHAFERBrad - back in Ohio.Fri Apr 07 1989 17:057
    No - wish I was kidding.  The only reason I don't have a TX802 is
    because it doesn't do DVA.  This thing would have done that, plus had a
    built-in sequencer and a *decent* U/I for a change. 

    Maybe cancelling this means they're coming out with something better.

-b
1892.7MIZZOU::SHERMANbut I'm feeling *much* better now ...Fri Apr 07 1989 17:465
    Might also be that Y* figures it doesn't make sense to listen to
    customers ... marketing and stock analysts folks having better 
    credibility ... ;^}
    
    Steve
1892.8R.I.P.F.M.SUBSYS::ORINHello, Ensoniq? When's the first VFX...Fri Apr 07 1989 17:528
< Note 1892.7 by MIZZOU::SHERMAN "but I'm feeling *much* better now ..." >

What I'm hearing from the music store grapevine is that Yamaha plans to
concentrate their efforts into their Korg line, and may not bring out
much with the Yamaha name on it anymore, as far as synth gear is concerned.
I guess FM is dead, at least that's the general concensus.

dave
1892.9Yamaha/Korg???TROA01::HITCHMOUGHFri Apr 07 1989 18:058
    Yamaha will concentrate on their Korg line??????? Gosh this is news
    to me. I had absolutely no idea that Yamaha and Korg were related.
    What is the relationship..?
    Being a Yamaha user of sorts it may make me look closer at Korg
    stuff.
    
    Ken
    
1892.10inside infoSUBSYS::ORINHello, Ensoniq? When's the first VFX...Fri Apr 07 1989 18:5313
< Note 1892.9 by TROA01::HITCHMOUGH >
                              -< Yamaha/Korg??? >-

Ken,

Yes, about 1 yr. ago, Yamaha bought a controlling interest in Korg. They
have a limited R&D agreement. The whole thing was very hush-hush. The
source of this info is a friend who is a new product development manager at
Yamaha, now stationed in Japan. He used to work at Union and later at
Wurly's in Boston.

dave

1892.11Thanks Dave.TROA01::HITCHMOUGHFri Apr 07 1989 20:241
    
1892.12Techno fatigueWOTVAX::KENTMon Apr 10 1989 08:0413
    
    
    The "Hush-Hush" Korg-Yamaha link was so secret that the Magazines
    covered it in detail about 12 months ago. Hence Korg's attempts
    at the friendly 4 op FM synth. It was so naff I can't even remember
    it's name. 700 or something ?
    
    I actually saw a V something or other in the shop this weekend.
    Would it have been a V50? sounded ok? but my ears won't take another
    supasynth with drums. Whose buying all these things ?
                         
    					Paul.
    
1892.13Balderdash.DYO780::SCHAFERBrad - back in Ohio.Mon Apr 10 1989 14:1214
    Huh?  Dropping the Yamaha product line and concentrating on Korg?

    That has to be one of the most stupid rumors I've ever heard (no flames
    toward you, Dave).  The company who made and marketed the most
    successful synth in electronic music history is going to concentrate on
    *Korg*???  Come *on*.

    I have to believe that there's going to be something else down the road
    somewhere.  And, given the flexibility of FM (not to mention its
    *STILL* widespread use), my response to that rumor is "bosh".

    Guess we'll wait and see.

-b
1892.14What's in a brand ?WOTVAX::KENTMon Apr 10 1989 15:3723
    
    
    Interestingly the Market Data at the moment (from the trade) is
    that the second best selling synth of all time is about to become
    the Korg M1. Number 1 being the DX7. The best selling architecture
    being the FM DX series with the Roland D series fast catching up.   
    Best selling sampler is S900... They didn't give absolute numbers.
    
    This would give Yamakorg both 1 and 2 spots in the synth league. 
    
    Do I care ???
    
    Does it make any difference ??
    
    Didn't Yamaha also buy out Prophet ???                            
    
    					A casirolahaakalessi user.
    
    						Paul.
                                              
    						Oh Fostex as well...