if i would buy an old 80s FM synth,..

..which one would come the closest to the typical Sega system-16 FM synth sound?

here an exsample of what i'm talking:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fzs72z-9Je0&fmt=18

any recommendations are welcome

 

Well a low end Yamaha DX synth should do the trick. A DX-7 would be expensive and overkill but you should be able to do what you want on a DX-11, DX-21, DX-27 or DX-9, most of these will be under $150 although a DX-27 did go on Ebay for less then $50 recently. The all use the YM-2151 or a compatable chip.

You could also look for the Yamaha MSX CX5M computer with the SFG-05 module (so it will have true MIDI). Although these tend to go for quite a bit...

 

but you know, where our sources for synth is

i saw a JUNO-106 for 5000yen last time on my OFF tour. but it didn't fit my needs. altough the hoover sound from the dominator track is legendary.

so you mean, any of the yamaha DX series is able to reproduce that typical system-16 FM flair?

 

If you sit down long enough and program it, then yes you should be able to do most things. The DX-9, DX-21, DX-27 and DX-100 all have the YM-2151/2164 which is the same chip used in the Sega Y-Board. The DX-21 would be the best one out of that lot. (The YM-2164 is the same chip but is better geared to Synths). You could also keep an eye out for the Korg 707 and DS-8 too.

The drums however are PCM sample based so you'll need to do those seperately...

 

the YM2151 is also used in the X68000 (+the ability to do PCM Samples ), where it should be easy enough to do music.

But thats no synth of course, so a DX would be my recommodation aswell. :nod:

 

A few weeks back I bought a nice Yamaha midiXG CBX-K2 which can give off some pretty cool sound. You can zoon the picture in this link by clicking on it.

http://yamaha.jp/product/music-production/midi-controllers/cbx-k2/viewer/?c=711306

The price for this keyboard should be 31'000 yen but I got mine from Yahoo for 8000 yen. With the right audio software you could get some very good 16 bit audio out of it!

Yakumo

 

The Yamaha CBX-K2 is just a Midi controller keyboard, one assumes that you have a tone generator as well?

 

of course. A midi keyboard without one isn't really worth owning. A midi keyboard is a good step towards what Tatsujin wants if he doesn't feel like splashing out on a synth. All he needs are the right "instrument" packs.

Yakumo

 

If you're in to software synths, there's a VST called FM8 (or the older FM7) by Native Instrument.

 

Something nice about having a real keyboard to play with, the PC is nice but there is sometime lacking about it.

I am sure a DX-21 will appear for less the Y8000 and it does have MIDI...

The thing I've been playing around with a lot is my Yamaha QY-20 which I picked up, nice to be able to compose tunes whilst on the train.

 

I second a Yamaha DX. Juno 106 for 50 bucks (ish)!? It probably had bad voice chips. Like, more than one.

 

no it's Hard OFFs junk yard! but doesn't mean that anything is wrong with it. JUNOs aren't such overpriced everywhere, you know. it's just a low-fi synth.

 

I have around 8 synths in my apartment right now, I picked a few in hardoff but the prices went up in the last year since they now base they prices on some kind of price list that is the same for every store (i got a clean 106 for 30.000 yen a year ago i think).
I got a few 106 that need to be fixed (dead 80017a), I ordered a single clone chip that I'm gonna try to reproduce (hopefully the semi's references are not scratched).
For the song on that video id recommend a DX7 like synth, the patches are not that easy to edit but its a cheap and really good synth.
Also the DX7 is less prone to fail than the Juno106
I would also recommend the native instrument's FM8 soft synth, it's really good.
You can get a DX7 for pretty cheap on yahoo auction, or you can check out this shop : http://www.echigoyamusic.com

 

thx a lot shogeki

may i ask what your doing in japan? or why do you have 8 synth standing around in a "japanese" appartment. just can't get the picture:020:

 

Damnit damnit. Now there's even less reason to live here in the US, LOL.
Old synths are definitely pricey if they've got some history to them. A working one will catch at LEAST 400 bucks for one in decent condition, and probably won't have a case. I picked up mine for 180 with two bad chips. Huge bargain around here, even after two new $40 repro chips.

 

I work as a graphic designer in Tokyo.
My apartment is small but I have a couple of stand that can hold 3 synths each , I have a few vertically stored in my closet too (the ones that need fixing).
I have a bunch of games too, it's all over the place, i need to get some tall shelves to save some space.

 

The only negative thing about the DX-7 is the fact it's not totally MIDI compatable but they do seem to be very available. The DX-11 is a super synth as it can use waveforms other then sinewaves as the DX-7 and lowend synths use.

The Synth I want to get (as mine got stolen) is a Yamaha CS-01 Mk II, monophonic but made some lovely sounds.

 

Yeah the DX7 is just super cheap and I like the fact that you can get patches on cartridges like a on a console.



The CS-01 is a nice little machine, all the mono small yamaha synths like the CS-10 CS-15 are also really cool and pretty cheap. (and quite common in Japan)

 

There's a DX7 on Yahoo Auctions right now with loads of accessories however at 300'000 yen it's not cheap at all.

Yakumo

 

A Mk I just finished on ebay UK for £160. As its my 21st shortly I was going to put a £120 bid on it as I want a decent first analogue synth but 160 is a bit too rich for my blood.

Could you recommend a nice, simple, analogue synth that wouldn't break the bank?