Yamaha DX1

The Yamaha DX1 is the top-level member of Yamaha's prolific DX series of FM synthesizers. The DX1 has two sets of the synthesizer chipset used in the DX7, allowing either double the polyphony, split of two voices, or dual instrument voices. It also has double the voice memory of the DX7. It has an independent voice bank for each of two synthesizer channels. Each of 64 performance combinations can be assigned a single voice number, or a combination of two voice numbers - one from channel A and one from channel B.

Notable features

Visual

The DX1 was enclosed in a handmade Brazilian rosewood case and was played with a 73-key weighted wooden keyboard with polyphonic aftertouch. On the left side of the front panel, a printed algorithm chart provided an overview of the 32 selectable algorithms and their associated operator structuring.
The DX1 also used solid push-buttons rather than the membrane buttons found on the DX7, with them containing individual LEDs to indicate current status.

Controls

Compared to the DX5 and the DX7, the DX1 had more displays that enhanced accessibility and programmability.

Performance section

The performance section had a backlit LCD display which displayed selected programs in Single, Dual, or Split mode, as well as LFO settings and other voice-specific parameters.

Algorithm panel

The algorithm panel had a thirteen single-character 7-segment numeric displays for indicating the selected algorithm, by providing position and relationships of all active operators, as each on these displays were linked to neighbouring ones via individual stripe-style LEDs; the top display showed the of feedback and the bottom one showed the algorithm number.

Oscillator panel

The oscillator panel contained two LEDs for indicating frequency ratio or fixed frequency in Hz mode, a single LED to indicate positive or negative detune, one single-character numeric display for detune amount, and one four-character numeric display for value of the selected frequency mode.

Envelope panel

The envelope panel had two LEDs for indicating either centre pitch or amplitude level mode, eight double-character numeric displays for showing each individual envelope parameter, and four 16-segment bar-style LEDs that graphically displayed either rates or levels.

Keyboard scaling panel

The keyboard scaling panel had eight individual LEDs indicating selected curve response, three double-character numeric displays showing left depth, break point, and right depth values. The panel also had a single-character numeric display for showing rate scaling.

Sensitivity panel

The sensitivity panel had two single-character numeric displays showing key velocity and amplitude modulation, one double-character numeric display showing output level, and one 16-segment bar-style LED that graphically displayed the output level.

Sales

During its production year in 1985, only 140 DX1 units were produced with a retail value of US $13,900.

Legacy

Notable users

The Yamaha DX5 is a derivative of the DX1, introduced in 1985 with a list price of US$3,495. It has the same synth engine, but lacks the DX1's fully weighted keys, polyphonic aftertouch, aesthetics, and user interface features. It includes 76 keys with channel aftertouch and slightly improved MIDI features. Programming on a DX1 is still a little easier than on a DX5 because of its extensive parameter displays, but in general both are easier to program than a DX7, because they have larger displays as well as dedicated buttons for some programming tasks.

Reissues

In 2019, the software instrument company UVI released the plugin bundle FM Suite containing recreations of multiple FM synths, including the DX1, DX21, DS-8, , , TX81Z, DX100, and the .
At NAMM 2025, Behringer announced the BX1, an unofficial reissue of the DX1 that added CS-80 inspired analog filters, modern effects, and 32-voice polyphony.