Yamaha DX7

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Technology

The Yamaha DX7 of 1983 did not work with filters but with FM synthesis: one wave makes the frequency of another go up and down very quickly. The principle came from John Chowning of Stanford University. The sound is clear, glassy and metallic, good for electric pianos, bells and bright basses. The DX7 was affordable and reliable and became one of the best-selling synthesizers ever. Because programming was difficult, many musicians used the factory sounds, such as the electric piano and the slap bass. These defined the sound of the 1980s.

Listening

• 
  Danger Zone · Kenny Loggins, 1986
• 
  Take On Me · a-ha, 1985
• 
  Take My Breath Away (Love Theme from Top Gun) · Berlin, 1986

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

• Genre Map · Technology^NL Map
• Mixtape 7: The 1980s^NL Reader
• Mixtape 9: The Instrument^NL Reader
• The Dream Factory: Film Reel 8^NL Reader

See also

• Minimoog
• Synthpop
• Soft rock and AOR
• Contemporary R&B