Early digital drum machine features internal sequencer and 24 dynamic pads.
Company: Yamaha
Model: RX-7
Drum Machine: 24 pads
Dates: 1988
Weight:
3 kg
Dimensions: 439 (w) x 78 (h) x 270 (d) mm
Power: external PSU 12VDC
Synthesis: PCM rompler
Polyphony: 16 voices
N.waves: 100 PCM
Resolution: 12 bits
Sequencer: 100 patterns
Quantisize: 1/96 resolution
Sync: Midi
LFO: 1
Envelope: 1 segment decay
Memory: 5 kits
CPU: HD63C03YP
Wave generator: YM2409
Demo: 1
Video: 1
Review: 1
DOWNLOAD: user manual - service manual -
Overview
DIGITAL DRUM MACHINE. The main panel is a 16 X 2 lines display , 24 dynamic pads, 4 sliders and 36 buttons.
Back panel terminal connectors:
- Midi interface
- tape interface
- main out
- metronome click out
- headphones
- assignable pedalswitch
- data cartridge slot
Sound Synthesis
Rompler unit manages 16 voices polyphony. Each voice is assigned to a sample and a pad and following parameters: pitch, level, stereo panning and amplitude decay.
Wavetable
ROM contains 100 PCM waves at 12-bits resolution, mainly drum percussions but also some bass sounds, brass hits and some synth sampled from classic FM keyboard Yamaha DX-7.
LFO
a single triangular oscillator with a frequency range from 3,4 to 78 Hz modulates either pitch and amplitude.
Effects
just a Midi delay (no DSP engine here) dramatically decreases polyphony.
Sequencer
offers 2 main composing modes:
- realtime with quantizes 1/96 resolution and 5 swing models
-
direct step entry
- 100 patterns max.
Sync
-
internal frequency
-
external Midi clock
-
tape sync protocol.
Midi
Sequencer and pads send Midi OUT messages and the special Chromatic Midi mode allows to play a sample at different pitches just like a synth patch.
Memory
-
5 ROM kits
-
5 RAM kits
-
100 patterns (max 99 measure)
-
20 songs (max 999 parts)
-
3 chains (max 90 steps).
Review
OK: biggest RX wavetable / affordable
NOT : misses separate out / limited edit / sounds a bit flat.
"Retro 80' sounds for cheap, nice hardware sequencer. Can be also a nice Midi controller".
Text , review, special demos copyright polynominal.com / Eric Pochesci
