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The Arturia DX7 V is a software reproduction of the popular Yamaha DX7, an instrument that helped define the sound of '80s pop music and is heard on countless albums and movie soundtracks. By applying Arturia's TAE modelling technology, the DX7 V captures all the sound and brilliance of the original, but with a much easier user interface. The original DX7 was notoriously difficult to program, but with Arturia's simple and advanced views, you can go as deep as you like without diving through menus.
The DX7 V goes beyond the original sine wave operator by including a selection of 25 advanced waveforms including traditional and additive waveshapes, plus those from Yamaha's later TX81Z and OPL 2/3 chipsets for a versatile sound pallet. Each of the six operators offer a resonant tri-mode filter (low-, high-, or band-pass) allowing for expansive sound design by blending FM and subtractive synthesis techniques. In addition to the original algorithm-related feedback loop, each operator now integrates an individual feedback loop. Furthermore, unison mode complete with detune lets you combine up to 32 voices on a single note for massive leads, basses and more. Employing different filters for each carrier can create complex parallel sound chains. Other features include an 8 x 24 modulation matrix, on-board effects, advanced envelopes (DX, DADSR, or multi-segment), LFOs, and a step sequencer.
Main Features
- 32 original DX7 algorithm
- All DX7 original parameters
- Original DX7 SysEx import
- 25 available waveforms per operator
- Six operators with multimode filter and feedback per operator
- DX7, DADSR and multi-segment envelopes (syncable and loopable) per operator
- Two modulation envelopes
- Four assignable macros
- Advanced modulation matrix
- Step sequencer, arpeggiator, and two LFOs with 6 waveforms
- Four FXs slots that can be routed in parallel or in series
- Includes oscilloscope
- Vintage and modern DAC mode for proper emulation of the DX7 converter
- 32 voices of polyphony
- Four voices of unison with unison detune
- 436 factory presets
FM Synthesis
- Operators
- Operators: Six signal generators
- Operators can be used as carriers or modulators
- Each operator consists of a simple oscillator with its own frequency and level controls, plus a dedicated envelope-controlled amplifier
- Envelopes:
- Carrier operator controls the amplitude of the overall sound over time
- Modulating operator changes the timbre
- Keyboard Tracking: Affects operator amplitude over the note range, with the most common application being the emulation of how acoustic timbres change with pitch
- Fixed Modulator Frequency: Provides consistent timbre across the keyboard such as you might desire for a mechanical noise such as a guitar pick or adding a consistent formant to the timbre
- Modulation
- FM Timbre: Dependent on the relationship of the carrier and modulator operators
- Keyboard Controlled Modulator Frequency: Frequency ratio to the carrier determines the basic harmonic profile of your sound, with integer ratios producing more recognizable waveforms and the fractional ones typically resulting in more clangorous, inharmonic ones
- Modulator Amplitudes: Affects timbre with higher frequencies generally yielding brighter sounds
- Modulator Level: Influenced by a variety of factors including the associated envelope and keyboard scaling
- Algorithms
- 32 algorithms determine the architectural relationship of the DX7 V’s six operators as a combination of carrier and modulating waves
- Algorithms provide sonically predictable foundations for creating or modifying sounds with vast timbral possibilities
- Carriers are connected directly to the audio output chain and combined in much the same way you would select the number of oscillators on an analog synth
- Modulator operators affect those carriers in various hierarchies
- Some algorithms also provide a feedback loop for either a single operator or a stack of operators, adding anything from a raspier effect to full-blown distortion
Adjustable User Interface
- Simple interface
- Presets have moved to the library
- Algorithms are selected and intuitively displayed with color-coded operators in a center graphic window
- Detailed programming controls are hidden until needed
- Four assignable macro data sliders, plus easy-to-access controls for performance features like the arpeggiator, portamento, glide and transposition
- Advanced interface
- Find controls for similar parameters grouped on different pages for intuitive access
- Overview page accesses all your operator controls, even an oscilloscope to help visualize your work
- Envelopes page includes overlapping color-coded envelope graphs for all the operators, making it extremely easy to visualize their behavior and relationship
- Mods Page: Offers matrix modulation grid, LFO’s, and step sequencer
- FX Page: Combine built-in effects in serial or parallel architecture
Expanded Sound Generation Capabilities
- Multiple Waveforms
- Original FM technology utilizes only sine waves as operator to produce a surprising range of sounds
- Expanded possibilities with a selection of 25 waveforms per operator
- Include traditional and additive waveshapes, plus those from Yamaha’s later TX81Z and OPL 2/3 chipsets
- Filter per operator
- Each operator also features a resonant tri-mode filter (low-, high-, or band-pass)
- Modulate the filters for a blend of FM and subtractive synthesis
- Employing different filters for each carrier to create complex parallel sound chains
- Upgraded Output
- Upgraded audio output from mono to stereo to accommodate the added stereo FX.
- Switch the output DAC resolution to keep the original artefacts supporting the vintage authenticity or upgrade to high-quality audio output
- Individual feedback and unison
- In addition to the original algorithm-related feedback loop, each operator now integrates an individual feedback loop
- Unison Mode: Complete with detune lets you combine up to 32-voices on a single note for massive leads, basses and more
Enhanced Modulation
- Envelopes and Level Scaling
- Two independent modulation envelope generators routable to many targets
- Set each to the original style, a more conventional DADSR, or a new multi-segment envelope (MSEG)
- MSEGs even let you set loop points and tempo sync, complete with metronomic grid-based editing and great for trailblazing effects in loop- and dance-based music
- Apply to the original pitch EGs for additional programming flexibility
- Switch from the original keyboard level scaling to the modern multi-point keyboard tracking to create dramatically different sounds at specific scale break points
- LFOs and Step Sequencer
- Two Multi-Waveform LFOs: Each can be synchronized to note triggers and/or tempo to add metronomic energy to your tracks
- Send a square wave to a carrier for a trill and sample-and-hold to a filter—all in sync with your beat.
- Flexible Step Sequencer: Infuse metronomic energy into your tracks by routing it to a wide variety of parameters
- Apply the sequencer to operator pitch for melodic progressions or parameters like frequency modulation ratio to animate only the sonic textures
- Two Multi-Waveform LFOs: Each can be synchronized to note triggers and/or tempo to add metronomic energy to your tracks
- Modulation Matrix
- Intuitive 8 x 24 modulation matrix puts a whole world of modulation capabilities at your disposal
- Route separate EGs to the filter cutoffs of different operators
- Control the amount of feedback with an EG and LFO at the same time
- Every parameter you can imagine is available in the matrix
- Route up to eight different modulation sources to a single destination with as many as eight destinations modulated by a given source
- Onboard Effects
- Complete suite of custom-crafted effects including analog delay, analog chorus, reverb, distortion, parametric EQ, filters, and more
- Run effects in serial or parallel chains, and blend them into the mix to get just the sound you’re looking for