Unconventional DX7 Songs

In 1983, Yamaha's DX7 emerged as a new kind of instrument. Featuring 16-voice polyphony (in an age where most analogue instruments topped out at 8!) and a new, parameter-access driven synthesis paradigm, the DX7 (& it's siblings, the DX1 & DX9) started to take the lead role in a staggering variety of productions.

With a reputation of being hard to program, many sounds on this first wave of records were factory presets, supplied on cute little ROM cartridges. Inevitably, the ubiquity (and perhaps, overuse) of certain DX7 sounds; Rhodes pianos, tinkly bells and *that* harmonica sound, gave the impression that this instrument had quite a limited palette. Thankfully, this couldn't be further from the truth; plenty of interesting "DX7'd" songs exist. Let's take a look.

Brian Eno - Alhondiga

We'll start with this Ambient piece from 1992's Shutov Assembly. The pieces that comprise this album date from '85 onwards, so Alhondiga's 1988 inception (written for a Spanish installation) puts it firmly in the DX's heyday. Eno was an FM master and that's apparent here; familiar warbly and dissonant DX tones are stretched out into captivating drones. One to get lost in.

The President - Our Hands of Water

This 1989 effort is full of compelling FM timbres. Tuned metallic percussion and chaotic blown pipes give way to a number of other interesting timbres, some of them synthetic, some of them guitar-based. This one can feel a little uncomfortable if you dislike clashing atonalisms, but I find that the rhythms & production lead to a worthwhile listen.

Jefferson Starship - Assassin

I really enjoy 1984's Nuclear Furniture, a bleak concept album centering on humanity's desire for bloodshed and warfare. Being from '84, the DX hadn't yet reached it's over-saturation point yet. In this vibey slice of American Rock (love those backing vocals!) the DX7 makes a pretty honest attempt at a filter sweep (I can hear that classic FM warble!) & some pleasing digital bells. FM brass-type sounds improved with later instruments (the more detuned layers, the better!) but what's here serves the song well.

Nitzer Ebb - Control I'm Here

This song is an absolute banger in Industrial circles; a variety of sharp & plucky sounds (many of them DX7-based) adding to the rhythmic interest and general danceability of the piece. Speaking in 2009, Douglas McCarthy claimed that initially, they didn't even like the instrument!

Initially we were interested in competing against conventional guitar bands but realised a complete disregard of that approach while embracing a harder, funkier club sound actually was most effective in achieving that goal. We loved the analogue sound of the Korg MS 20, the Roland SH101 and Moog...But at that time the synth sound on most club tracks was the Yamaha DX7, which we detested; causing many arguments between us and Phil Harding, who couldn't really see why. As it turned out we found that using the DX as a bass and having the fizzier warmer sounds of the analogue gear over the top really worked, so we reluctantly conceded to Mr. Harding. He mastered the art of a fat four on the floor kick that still really punches after all these years.

Level 42 - A Floating Life

This 1984 album track isn't that unconventional in a general sense, but it stands out in Level 42's catalogue for a number of reasons. The band often used peppy DX7 clavinet-like sounds within upbeat arrangements (think Lessons in Love or Heaven in my Hands), but this downtempo deep cut features none of that.

Instead, we open with an unmodified classic DX-brass preset (it was 1984 after all) but for me personally, it's the gliding, koto-like sound that makes my ears take notice. Percussive and playful, we didn't really hear many DX-portamento lead sounds in those early days. This might be due to the fact that the original instrument didn't save performance data (mono, poly, legato etc) as part of the patch, instead, it was hidden away in a different menu.

The rest of the song is pretty cool too; there's a kick-ass riff at the end!

Please let us know your unconventional DX7 picks!

Posted by MagicalSynthAdventure an expert in synthesis technology from last Century and Amiga enthusiast.

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