Dave Smith Instruments SYNTHESIZERS

I just sold the DX7II I used to use as a master controller, and here's
why:  None of Yamaha's DX7-series generate the full velocity range.

This was a long-known bug.  You could jump off of a 3-story building
and land on the keys of your DX7 and you'd only get a MIDI velocity of
about 110.  I believe it's actually stuck between 16 and 109.

In addition, by today's standards the action is poor.  It's LOUD and
clunky.

While I can understand why people want to keep their Poly Evolvers
under the equivalent of plastic slipcovers, I think instruments were
designed to be PLAYED.  I believe the Evolvers use standard Fatar
actions, which are replaceable if you "wear it out".  I'm trying to
envision people who are playing so much the keys get little divots
worn into them, like marble steps.

Failing that, at least go get yourself a decent stand-alone
controller.  The CME series is supposed to be good, even if it's made
by Chinese orphans working in tough conditions.

"Anu Kirk" <anukirk@...> writes:
> In addition, by today's standards the action is poor.  It's LOUD and
> clunky.

Gee, I really like the DX7's action... it certainly _feels_ a lot better
than many of "today's" actions.

-miles
-- 
If you can't beat them, arrange to have them beaten.  [George Carlin]

i think the DX7II is fine too, for a 61-note synth-action keyboard.  I
would prefer it to any current controller offering from M-Audio or
CME, those all, feel cheaper and i like the pitch/mod wheels better.  

the DX7II keyboard is louder, but if it feels clunky, the bushings are
probably worn out, mine certainly wasn't made that way.  i would
definitely use it as a master keyboard above my PEK. 

m.

--- In DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com, Miles Bader <miles@...> wrote:

>
> "Anu Kirk" <anukirk@...> writes:
> > In addition, by today's standards the action is poor.  It's LOUD and
> > clunky.
> 
> Gee, I really like the DX7's action... it certainly _feels_ a lot better
> than many of "today's" actions.
> 
> -miles
> -- 
> If you can't beat them, arrange to have them beaten.  [George Carlin]
>

DX7 mkII doesn't do the full velocity levels either. While the DX7
velocity was set by yamaha engineers (well it WAS their first MIDI
synth! I guess they misread the docs, or misunderstood the concept) to
maximum 99 instead of 127, I remember that when I measured the MIDI
velocity values from my DX7mkIIfd, it had a maximum velocity of
something silly, like 114?

Speaking purely from a physical/mechanical point of view, I really liked
the key action of the DX7 mkII as well. And the whole instrument really
did have a nice solid dependable feel about it. From the keyboard to the
audio jacks, to the data sliders, to the way the floppy disk would click
into the drive. It always sounded weak and annoying to my ears, but damn
- classy to touch!



julian

On Wed, 11 Apr 2007 05:44:55 -0000, "prophetvs" <prophetvs@...>
said:
> i think the DX7II is fine too, for a 61-note synth-action keyboard.  I
> would prefer it to any current controller offering from M-Audio or
> CME, those all, feel cheaper and i like the pitch/mod wheels better.  
> 
> the DX7II keyboard is louder, but if it feels clunky, the bushings are
> probably worn out, mine certainly wasn't made that way.  i would
> definitely use it as a master keyboard above my PEK. 
> 
> m.
> 
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