Back in 1986, this synth took the legendary FM sound of the original DX7 and gave it a serious upgrade, adding bi-timbral tricks that let you layer or split sounds across the keyboard for richer performances no original could touch.
At its heart is classic 6-operator FM synthesis with 32 algorithms, delivering those glassy, evolving bells, metallic hits, and plucked tones that defined 80s pop and beyond, now with cleaner 16-bit digital audio for brighter highs and less noise. The 61-key velocity-sensitive keyboard with channel aftertouch feels expressive under your fingers, paired with a sturdy chassis, real push-buttons instead of membranes, and two larger real-time sliders for tweaking parameters on the fly—like assigning pitch, volume, or even panning envelopes. It's dual-timbral with 16-voice polyphony (dropping to 9 in dual mode), 64 internal voice memories plus 32 performances, stereo outputs, a headphone jack, and full MIDI in/out/thru for seamless integration. Compact at about 39 inches wide and 23 pounds, it includes micro-tuning, multiple LFOs, and features like forced damping to keep envelopes crisp even in dense layers.
Players have long praised its vivid, "chilly" FM character that cuts through mixes, with the hardware upgrades making it more reliable and playable than the original—though some note the learning curve for deep editing remains steep, just like the classic it honors.
