DX7 is considered one of the most popular synthesizers created by Yamaha. A 16-voice polyphonic synthesizer offers a 16-bit digital 6-operator FM synthesis (6 operators per voice, 32 algorithms). The instrument is monotimbral. The keyboard features 61 notes. The LFO section comprises Sine Square Tri SAW up SAW Down Random waveforms. VCA features 6 envelope generators 8 parameters each. Memory offers 32 patches in RAM. There’s no filter section onboard.

The instrument was launched in 1983 and the core of the concept was the FM synthesis. A small LCD screen, membrane buttons and one data slider couldn’t make programming process easy but the digital synth era got started and musicians got carried away with the new kind of sound they could generate while tweaking digital components.

DX7 became famous with its unique digital but deep metallic sounds for quite an affordable price. Back then it had also a new feature integrated – MIDI implementation which was still a rare thing for synthesizers in the 1980s. DX7 was among the first ones to offer MIDI before Juno-106 and D-50 developed by Roland. Dave Smith’s P600 premiered MIDI in 1982.