we3bst@ihu1e.UUCP (John T. Farmer) (03/15/85)
References: Shep, I just read your article on the Yamaha TX816 midi rack mount units. I don't have any information on when it will show up in the States, but I got to see and hear the unit last November at Yamaha's "X-day II Yamaha Digital Fair '85" in Tokyo. The demo I heard was a live performance with a drummer (playing Yamaha acoustic drums and an RX-11 drum machine) and a keyboard player playing two TX816 units via a QX-1 sequencer and a DX-5. I was very impressed. As your article pointed out the unit is expandable. In Japan, the basic unit is called a TX116 and by adding modules (TF1) it can become a TX816. A TX116 is the rack mount and 1 FM module. A TX816 is the rack mount unit with 8 modules. A TX816 in Japan sells for 980,000 yen (about $3900). A TX116 for $1200 and a TF1 for $360. Imagine a DX for under $400!!! Almost all programming of the FM modules is done via midi (from a DX-9, DX-7, DX-5 or DX-1). I think the only parameters that can be changed manually (on the modules front panel) is the midi channel and possibly the master tuning. Each module can store 32 programs (like a DX-7). It also stores all the performance parameters in each program (like a DX-5 and DX-1). The neat thing about the FM module is that it takes on the FM characteristics of whatever DX programmed it. If, for example, a module was programmed from a DX-9, the module would act (sound) like a DX-9 utilizing only four operators and the algorithms of the DX-9. If it was programmed from a DX-7, it would sound like a DX-7. As far as I know, the DX-7, DX-5 and DX-1 all have 6 operators and 32 algorithms, so all these instruments utilize the modules to their fullest. I do have some literature on all the latest and greatest Yamaha products. The only problem with it is that its written in japanese. If you want to find out some additional information about some of these products let me know and I'll actively pursue having someone translate the literature for me. The products listed in the literature are: DX-1, DX-5, DX-7, and DX-9 synthesizers RX-11, and RX-15 drum machines PF-10, PF-12, PF-15, CP-7, CP-80, and CP-70B electronic pianos QX-1, and QX-7 midi sequencers TX-116, TX816, and TF1 midi rack mount modules TX-7 synthesizer module (a DX-? in a box) KX-88 midi master controller keyboard KX-1, and KX-5 remote keyboards CX-5, and CX-5F music computers and additional ROM programs YMC-10 midi converter (sync <=> midi) YME-8 midi expander [(midi in => 4 midi thru) X 2] If you want any additional information send me mail or post it on the net. George Shutack ihnp4!iwu1b!grs