Yamaha DX100 (synthesizer)

Yamaha DX100
Manufacturer Yamaha
Dates 1985
Price £349 GBP
$445 US
Technical specifications
Polyphony 8 note
Timbrality 1 part
Oscillator 4 sine wave, (4 operators, 8 algorithms)
LFO 1 (Sample & Hold, Saw Up, Sine, Square, Triangle, Delay, Key Sync)
Synthesis type Digital FM
Filter None
Aftertouch expression Yes
Storage memory 192 ROM patches, 32 RAM patches.
Hardware HD63803XP (CPU), YM3014 (DAC), YM2164 (FM synthesis chip)
Input/output
Keyboard 49 mini key
Left-hand control 2 wheels for pitch and modulation
External control Breath controller, MIDI In, out, thru, footswitch,

The Yamaha DX100 is an FM synthesizer released by Yamaha in 1986. It offers four operators for each of its eight voices, and has eight algorithms (compared to the DX7's six operators for each of its sixteen voices, and thirty-two algorithms). It has only 49 mini-keys, and no arpeggiator or effects, but is still useful, known in particular for its bass patch #1. It features up to 192 presets, seriously improving the DX7's limited preset capabilities. It can also store 24 user-programmable sounds in RAM. It lacks cartridge support, but voice patches can be saved to and loaded from an external cassette recorder.

It was the cheapest user-programmable FM synthesiser made in the 1980s, leading to its popularity even amongst professional musicians in the 80s and 90s. It's essentially a cut down version of the DX21 and DX27, using the same FM chip, the YM2164.

See also