DX7

Back in 1983, this synth flipped the script on sound design by bringing Frequency Modulation synthesis to the masses, using just sine waves to craft those glassy bells, electric pianos, and metallic hits that defined 80s pop and beyond.

At its core, it packs 16-voice polyphony from six operators per voice—pure sine wave generators that flex as carriers or modulators across 32 algorithms, letting you stack complex FM timbres no analog could touch. Each operator gets a deep 5-stage envelope with rate and level controls for attack, decay, sustain, release, and more, plus pitch envelopes and an LFO with sine, triangle, saw, square, or random waves for modulating pitch, amplitude, or timbre. The 61-key keyboard senses velocity and channel aftertouch for expressive play, with pitch bend and mod wheels up top, a single data entry slider, membrane buttons, and a central LCD for editing the 32 onboard patches. It's all housed in a sleek, brown-cased slab with stereo outs, MIDI in/out/thru, and even a breath controller jack for wind-like expression.

Players still geek out over its crystalline tones that cut through mixes like nothing else, though the button-and-slider editing takes patience to master—many swear by cartridges or MIDI librarians to unlock its full potential.