this is a plain text file ************************************************************************** the official DX1wic FAQ VERSION 2.0 ************************************************************************** you can always find the actual version of the FAQ following this link: http://www.kratzer.at/DX1wicfaq.txt if you have questions or there is anything missing, please send a message to the mail adress shown on this site: http://www.kratzer.at/DXindex.htm detailed informations to each topic in this FAQ are availiable at the DX1wic homepage at: http://www.kratzer.at/DX1.html ************************************************************************** 1. general and historical 2. the hardware 3. the software ft. MIDI 4. accssesoirs 5. troubleshooting ************************************************************************** 1. general and historical ************************************************************************** Q: what type of machines will this FAQ cover ? A: YAMAHA DX1 and YAMAHA DX5 synthesizer Q: does this FAQ has any information regarding YAMAHA DX7 or any other DX synth ? A: not special, but lotīs of the information in this FAQ is valid for all YAMAHA DX synthesizers from the first series Q: are these synthesizers still in production ? A: no, the DX1 was first introduced in US in 1983, production ending 1986 the DX5 was first introduced in 1985, production ending 1987 Q: how many have been produced ? A: DX1: 140 pieces PRODUCED (following the serials from the production run DX1: 86 pieces SOLD (as informed by yamaha japan, what means there are 54 units missing (ie. prototypes, demogear, broken shipping returns...) DX5: unknown, several thousands presumably Q: are there famous artists known playing this synth ? A: yes a lot, due to itīs outstanding price the DX1 was mainly sold to studios or major artists like vangelis, herbie hancock, j.m. jaree... Q: is the DX1 still in use for actual music production ? A: yes, even in this dayīs itīs hard to say who exactly does Q: where to buy / where to sell a DX1 / DX5 ? A: join the free dx1wic index (details see DX1wic website) or try ebay also try placing a classified on music sites or similar. Q: whatīs it worth / what have i expect to pay for a DX1 ? A: due to itīs rarity the DX1 is a collectors item. that makes it VERY difficult to name a regular "used price" for it. but the following overview should give you a slight orientation, prices in USD and EUR are almost equal (stand of year 2010): DX1 needing repairs, not working at all 0 - 300,00 DX1 working but damaged and / or bad condition < 1.000,00 DX1 working in "used" condition but NOT damaged ~ 1.500,00 DX1 working in "good" condition ~ 2.000,00 DX1 working in "mint" condition ~ 4.000,00 DX1 working in "mint" condition + accssesiors > 4.000,00 for flightcase (essential for shipping) add an amout ~ 100,00 donīt forgett shipping costs, taxes and fees if you are planing to import a DX1 from abroad Q: whatīs the reason why prices for a DX1 differ so much ? Q: why i canīt find a DX1 ? A: because itīs very rare and most of itīs owners donīt think of selling it. there have seen DX1īs on the market in "used" condition and seller was starting with 5.000,00, other sellers told theirīs is "herbie hancocks" (or any other famous artist) and asking even more. the DX1 is a very rare collectors item and an exclusive one too... Q: what is it worth / what have i expect to pay for a DX5 ? A: regarding DX5 itsīs more easy to name serious "used prices" prices in USD and EUR are almost equal (stand of year 2010): DX5 needing repairs and / or not working at all 0 - 100,00 DX5 working in "used" condition but NOT damaged < 400,00 DX5 working in "good or nearly mint" condition ~ 800,00 DX5 working in "mint" condition + accssesiors > 800,00 for flightcase (not bad for shipping) add ~ 50,00 Q: why i canīt find a DX5 ? A: in US you realy should have no problem finding a reasonable DX5, but as it looks not that much have been sold in other countrys or europe. that means you might consider importing one, which is generally no problem at all (you might need a voltage converter !) because shipping costs are moderate due the synths low weight, and taxes & fees are calculated at the selling price, which in this case are also low. Q: should i buy a DX1 / DX5 only because of its sound ? A: not necessarily, for this reason buying a DX7 + TX7 is easier and much cheaper, maybe even a software synth with DX FM emulation does a good job. Q: are brochures, flyers an additional picures avaliable for DX1 / DX5? A: yes, for further information please see DX1wic ************************************************************************** 2. the hardware ************************************************************************** Q: what are the major differences between DX7 and DX5 / DX1 ? A: doubled polyphonie (32 voices in single play mode) doubled synthesizer engine in dual mode (16 voices x 2) performance mode (used for setup in dual play mode) a "P" output for a mono mixdown output in dual play mode optimal control for programming FM synthesis (DX1 only) weighted 71īs keyboard with keys aftertouch (DX1 only) expanded "performance" memory features (DX1 only) 73īs keyboard with slightly improved MIDI features (DX5 only) two cartridge expansion ports (one for each DX engine) Q: is an owners manual avaliable for DX1 / DX5 ? A: yes, for further information please see DX1wic Q: is a service manual avaliable for DX1 / DX5 ? A: yes, but not for download. item could still be bought from yamaha Q: are the initial voice and performance notes avaliable for DX1 / DX5 ? A: yes, for further information please see DX1wic ************************************************************************** 3. the software ft. MIDI ************************************************************************** Q: can i use the DX1 / DX5 as master keyboard ? A: well yes and no, it depends to your way of music production... PRO: the DX1 has a famous piano keyboard, itīs weightened and provides an uniqe quality of playing CON: DX1 and DX5 have been one of the first synthesizers using MIDI. this means you should have a captable sequencing software or modern MIDI patchbays (both for best results) to prevent trouble big CON: the DX1 uses only a limited range of velocity information (99 instead of 127) that means you have to use additional hard- or software for that a handy solution would be to add "+30%" velocity information (CTL 7) to the MIDI IN port wich your DX1 is connected. this could be done with additional hardware by Yamaha MEP4, DMC or EES or with software / sequencer programms (no specific known) Q: are there sound patches avaliable for DX1 / DX5 ? A: yes, for further information and downloads please see DX1wic Q: are there DX1 / DX5 audio teasers avaliable for download ? A: yes, for further information and downloads please see DX1wic ************************************************************************** 4. accssesoirs ************************************************************************** Q: what type of DX accssesoirs can i use with the DX1 / DX5 ? A: most of the DX7 accssesoirs will work: sound cartridges ROM and RAM jellinghaus DX controller (rare) pedals / foot switches / breath controller Q: what type of DX accssesoirs can i NOT use with the DX1 / DX5 ? A: any cartridges for 4 OP synth (DX9, DX21 etc.) any cartridges for DX7 second series (II / IID / IIFD / IIs etc.) grey matter expansion E! (unsure about that, only heard it didnīt work) ************************************************************************** 5. troubleshooting ************************************************************************** Q: where to repair a DX1 / DX5 ? A: contacts can be found at DX1wic Q: are there spare parts still avaliable for DX1 / DX5 ? A: yes but not all, for further information please see the DX1wic or contact your local yamaha dealer. Q: is a service manual avaliable for DX1 / DX5 ? A: yes, but not for download. this item could still be bought from yamaha ************************************************************************** www.kratzer.at (c) stefan kratzer **************************************************************************