Trend price : 100€
A budget rack module featuring a FM variation of traditional DX 6OP, Spin-off from the famous DX-7 synthesiser with some interesting technical improvement.
Overview
Main panel features a 2 x 16 lines display and 11 push buttons.
Terminal connectors:
-
main outputs
- aux outputs
-
Midi interface
-
tape interface
-
headphones out
Voice
The previous DX synthesis was based on a 6 operators system with just pure sinewave and32 combinations algorithms.
TX81Z features only 4 OP and 8 combinations, on the other hand if offers 8 different waveforms including the standard DX Sinusoidal plus 7 computer-generated harmonics variations with partials and fundamentals fixed settings.
FM synthesis
there
are 4 sinewave operators 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.
Tx81Z offers 8 different combinations algorithms with frequency ratio or fixed frequency: the output is fed back to its input with 7 different levels feedback, as general rule, high values feedback results in richer harmonic contents.
Performance
system manages 8 parts
LFO
2 delayed modulators:
- LFO amplitude
-
LFO pitch
Envelope
4 EGs: each OP features 1 amplitude EG (4-segments) + 1 general shift.
Effect
not a real DSP but faked simulated by Midi notes tricks
- delay: with possible pitch shift and adjustable feedback
- pan moving: stereophonic path with follow velocity or LFO from left to right or vice versa
- chords mode: handles 4 notes
Memory
- 128 ROM payches
-
32 RAM patches
-
24 RAM performances.
Review
OK: cheap /sinewave variations
NOT : interface / edit / midi buffer
" aggressive digital sound at low price! needs a lot of time for programming and the awful interface can discourage good will---Power for few bucks!."
Text , review, special demos copyright polynominal.com / Eric Pochesci
