Yamaha TX-816
Tone Generator System Midi rack (1984)

The TX is a big frame expander which hosts up to 8 individual TF1 modules- each TF1 module is a compact version of a complete Yamaha DX-7 Frequency modulation engine.

RACK (weight: 10 kg fully loaded) huge 4 units height.

Front panel description:
- The TX main frame features 2 buttons for overall Midi control and general Midi I/O
- The TF1 module features a 7-segments display and 3 buttons.

Back panel terminal connectors:
- TX rack frame: none
- TF1: 1 XLR out and Midi IN and THRU.

 

VOICE The TF-1 based on YM2128 YM2129 IC.
Depending on the models and numbers of installed TF1, there are different voices configurations:
- TX816 contains 8 modules (128 voices)
- TX416 contains 4 modules (64 voices)
- TX216 contains 2 modules (32 voices)
- TX116 contains 1 module (16 voices).

 

FM SYNTHESIS a TF1 module is identical to DX-7 synthesis offering same 16 voices and 6 digital sinewave operators (either a carrier or a modulator) that can be chained in 32 different combinations called "algorithms".
Please refer to this pagelinks for more FM information:
- DX-7 6-OP FM synthesis
- TX81Z 4-OP FM with variable sinusoidal harmonic contents
- SY-99 FM/PCM convolution RCM function.
- DX200 realtime FM groovebox.

 

 

PERFORMANCE full loaded TX-816 is like having 8 indipendent DX7.
Unfortunately there are no general performance functions controls except the for the common Midi, but It is possible to manually program:
- mix volumes
- stereo panning
- TF detune
- zone split or assignment
- voice stacking.

 

TF1 STRUCTURE parameters are split 4 into main categories:
1- PLAY: Midi channel and detune function
2- EDIT volume and split zone range
3- STORE saves a sound to a patch destination
4- UTILITY dump data, reset TF1 and clear memory.
Not much else cannot be edited: it is necessary to use a Dx7 (or a kX88) or external software.

 

MEMORY each TF1 holds 32 sounds in non-volatile RAM maintained by a Cr-2032 lithium battery. The UTILITY tool includes a battery voltage read out.
No external media are available and DX cartridge cannot be directly read.

 

 

MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS:

TX is a solid machine, an industrial built, far from those dj toys like REFACE:) But years have passed and inflated / leaking capacitors should be changed on both switch power supply and on the the TF-1 modules. Have a look before buying a machine: try to peek inside or note if the power supply "whines" after a while. PIC: bulging capacitors around now replaced!

 

 

EDIT you just cannot edit parameters on the screen as the TX-816 needs the original DX-7 keyboard for this task. A cheaper and quicker way are the computer programmers:

Atari ST : Dx-android, Dx expert or caged ST (PIC)
PC-based: Soundiver, Midiquest, DX-manager, Synlib and others
MSX: YRM 103 -102 cartridge Voicing program / YRM304
IOS: Yamaha DX7/TX7/TX816 Editor


ATARI EDITOR

 

RELATED FAMILY:

 

VST PLUGIN / SAMPLED VERSION there are some free and commercial samples or DX7 plugins:

	name	price	link	demo
	DEXED	free
	HEXTER	Free
	MDA DX10	free
	OXE FM SYNTH	free
	VX7	free		n/a
	Native instruments FM8	commercial

 

 

AUDIO DEMO

Visitors demo 8 strings layer official demo 1 (1985) official demo 2 (1985) official demo 3 (1985)

Soundcloud TX-816

 

VIDEO CLIP SELECTION DX7+TX816 Fulltines V! visitors theme