Chris
Cummings, a hobbyist user from US, writes:
I have one of these 50kg units, and it has been the most reliable piece of gear I have EVER owned (and I'm 50).
Still works absolutely perfectly after 12 years, and a better synth
keyboard feel I have never experienced.
Still the only unit I know of with individual aftertouch *on each key*.
Early MIDI unit, but good overall implementation. Some of the sounds
are a little dated now, but the machine is still an excellent MIDI controller,
and double 6-op FM programming can still throw some neat sound surprises
at you.
Beautiful
rosewood cabinetry and a terrific LED light show.
This
has been my principal keyboard since 1985 when I purchased it as a "demo
unit" at American Music in Seattle. Although it was on display
for perhaps
several months, I believe I'm the "original owner". I had
it repaired in 1986
to replace two aftertouch sensors which were dead-on-arrival, and the
headphone amp to get rid of spurious stereo harmonic effects (didn't
help).
Otherwise, the unit has behaved perfectly. Everything works, and it
is in virtual mint
condition. I still have the original shipping carton, which is used
to move
it from place to place.
I
originally got the DX-1 because I was interested in synths and all things
MIDI. I started out with a DX-5, but soon found that using it for DX
programming was almost impossible, even with the help of the Atari ST
software
available at the time. In short, I realized what all those pretty lights
were for on
the DX-1. I returned the DX-5 two weeks later, and with hand quivering,
took
a deep breath and wrote the check for the DX-1. I carried it home the
same
day, its huge box sticking out of the back of my '81 Honda Accord hatchback
for
the 25-mile trip home
The
Yamaha has primarily served as a MIDI controller through the years
(hooked to an Atari ST in the beginning, and then later to PCs), but
has also gotten
a lot of use as a regular home keyboard instrument. Its most recent
use was
as a practice keyboard for a professional symphony pianist for a couple
of
months (a task that is generally beyond it because of the "short"
keyboard, but
one where it was still surprisingly effective) while she waited the
two months
for a 7-foot Steinway B to be delivered. The DX-1 and the Steinway now
share
studio space, and neither is ashamed of its partner -- they both know
they're
in good company
I
have the standard ROMs, several RAMs, plus several voice cartridges
in
original cases. The unit also has two Yamaha analog pedals (volume,
modulation),
two Yamaha toggle pedals (sustain, portamento), and a Yamaha breath
controller
with case. I also have the original manual and brochures.
chris
cummings is a VIP member of the DX1 owners club and
could be contacted unsing this email- address:
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