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Yamaha TX816 8 Rack Mount DX7's - $2,150 (New Smyrna Beach)
condition:
excellent
make / manufacturer:
Yamaha
model name / number:
TX 816
size / dimensions:
18-7/8" x 6-15/16 x 13-5/8
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Each TF1 module consists of a 16-voice, 6-operator digital FM synth engine. A complete TX816 with all eight TF1 modules would offer up to 128 voices and 48 operators! Each TF1 also features an independent audio out (XLR) and MIDI I/O for a total of eight audio outputs and MIDI I/O's. It also has one global MIDI in/out port with 8-part multimember ability!
I was involved with programming the original sounds for the DX9 and DX7. This is the TX816 I used when I toured the country introducing the DX7 to all of the major stores. I used what I called: "an octophonic" sound system consisting of: 4 subwoofers and 8 satellite speakers. Each model of the 816 was in one of the 8 speakers.
This was NUTS for live performances as I'd create sequences with an eight note or sixteenth note pattern with each note coming from a different speaker. I could fly a pattern around their heads or randomly to each speaker or move a plane taking off from the back of the room, over their heads, and into the front speakers. There's mono systems, stereo which is better, quad such as used by Emerson Lake & Palmer or Cream, and then.... There was OctoPhonic! :-)
In the studio, having access to layering sounds from 8 DX7s, created some of the unique and powerful sounds for a number of major hits I worked on.
The TX816 was designed for demanding live use where portability, polyphony and lots of outputs are a must! The TX816 is fully compatible with all other DX synthesizers including Native Instruments FM7 software-based plug-in. You can use the TX816 like it's eight separate DX7s or mix and pan each module together to layer your sounds into one monstrous DX powerhouse! It is capable of dense multitimbral FM sounds through mixing the different TF1 voice modules or control each TF1 independently to create full multi-part arrangements.
Each module can be controlled from the global MIDI input or controlled independently by it's individual MIDI in/out in the rear. Only MIDI settings, patch selection, tuning, sysex and utility functions can be accessed from the front panel and requires a software editor and sysex librarian to edit and arrange patches. This can achieved easily with VSTs such as FM7 or Dexed and a MIDI utility program such as MIDI OX.
Polyphony - 128-voices via eight 16-voice TF1 module cards
Oscillators - Digital FM synthesizer with 6 Operators and 32 algorithms per TF1 module
Memory - 256 patches (32 x 8)
Each module is 16 note polyphony thus X 8 = 128 total polyphony.
Control - MIDI 1 IN/OUT per TF1 card, 1 global IN/OUT (up to 9 I/O total) with 8-parts multitimbral
Date Produced - 1984
Note: If you decide you'd like to purchase my TX816, I will have all of the 8 Nicad batteries replaced for the modules so that you'll have new batteries, ready to go!
$5,000 original price
Asking $2,150 for not just Vintage, but the TX816 that I used to introduce FM synthesis to America!
Here's a Link to the Owners Manual:
https://manuals.fdiskc.com/tree/Yamaha/Yamaha%20TX216%20&%20TX816%20Service%20Manual.pdf