Yamaha TX-7
DX Tone Generator (1984)

The TX7 has been designed as a voice expander for the Yamaha DX-7 classic FM synthesizer but TX can be used as stand-alone with some edit limitations.

Standalone desktop unit intended to be placed on a DX as a simple voices expander.

MODULE The main panel is really basic and only features a 16 x 2 lines display with no backlight and 12 buttons for edit.

Back panel terminal connectors:
- Midi interface
- tape interface
- jack signal monophonic out
- headphones.

 

TECH cpu HD63A03XP (part of 6303 family) manages 16 voices polyphony based on FM synthesis.

Basically hardware is the same as the DX7 version with some minor logical differences e.g sub 6805 no more present as there is obviously no more keyboard scan function.

FM SYNTHESIS IC YM2128 (same found on Tx816, DX5) generates 6 sinewave digital oscillators operators (or OP) organized as algorithms, assigned as carrier or modulator linked between them on different pathways interacting on their harmonic contents depending on the varable feedback strength.

- carrier: defines the amplitude and the spectral frequency - modulator: sets the sound timbre and the relative harmonic contents.

ALGORITHMS modules features 32 signal paths with frequency ratio or fixed frequency.
The output is fed back to its input with 7 different levels feedback, as rule of thumb: high values feedback results in richer harmonic contents.

LFO up to 2 digital modulators (shapes: sine, triangle, saw up/down, square and sample & hold) with adjustable start delay and sync retrigger.

- LFO PMD modulates pitch - LFO AMD processes the amplitude

ENVELOPE the IC YM2819 (also on DX7, DX5...) generates 7 envelopes:

- 1 EG pitch: 4-segments structure + 4 time levels. - 1 EG for each operators: 4-segments structure + 4 time level The Scaling Level is a very precise key follower with 4 linear / exponential curves.

PERFORMANCES TX-7 some special functions:

- wheel amount control - aftertouch amount - foot control amount - breath control amount - Midi channel assign - mono or poly mode - pitchbender range amount - volume gain mix - portamento amount -DX7 COMBO MODE The TX7 is basically a polyphony expander for DX7 and many functions are accessible only using the original keyboard. The performance mode team-up with the dx7 and a special set of sounds is provided for both TX7 / DX7.

MEMORY :
- 32 patches
- 32 performances
Unlike Dx7 there is no cartridge slot but tape interface is present for storage.

- LEFT - BATTERY REPLACEMENT RAM system works with a 3V Cr-2032 lithium battery soldered to the mainboard (click to enlarge)

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

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

 

TX-7 RELATED FAMILY:

FM LINKS : DX7 -TX802 -Sy99 -Tx816 -DX200 - DX5

 

 

VST PLUGIN / SAMPLED VERSION there are some free and commercial samples set:

-DEXED -MDA DX10 -OXE FM SYNTH -VX7 -HEXTER

free VST

 

 

AUDIO DEMO

official demo from 1983 p1 official demo from 1983 p2 official demo from 1983 p3 official demo from 1983 p4 official demo from 1983 p5

official demo from 1983 p6 official demo from 1983 p7 official demo from 1983 p8 official demo from 1983 p9 UK-demonstration record-1983

VIDEO SELECTION pure osc OPL3 x2 Default Patches

hi-res pic

MANUAL

SERVICE MANUAL

FACTORY PATCH

- FREE sample set - More demo

original Brochure

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