EMW DX7000 is a new 16-voice hardware FM synth sound player with over 1000 internal sounds and DX-7 patch compatibility.
The Yamaha DX-7 is a legendary Synthesizer that made FM synthesis famous. Even 43 years later, the DX-7’s sound remains an integral part of today’s music. Today, there are various ways to access sounds: plugins, apps, and modern hardware FM synths.
There is a new option to get these sounds. Along the new VPOLY-6X, the Brazilian company EMW also has released the DX7000, an FM synth sound player.
EMW DX7000
DX-7000 is a new 16-voice desktop FM Synthesizer. It comes with the same housing and two-knob interface as the VPOLY-6X. This UI limitation isn’t for everyone, but there are certainly musicians who prefer to have sounds rather than program.
That’s also the concept behind this new FM synth. At the core of the EMW DX7000 is a Yamaha DX-7-inspired digital engine with DX-7 SysEx patch/sound library compatibility. I assume the engine is based on a DX-7 emulation, even if it isn’t explicitly stated.
Unlike other DX-7-like synths, you can’t design new sounds from scratch on the DX7000. Okay, that would be a programming nightmare with a knob anyway.
The user, however, gets 1110 built-in sounds by default, organized into categories such as piano, organ, strings, bells, bass, and more. They range from crystal-clear electric pianos and metallic bells to punchy basses, expressive brass, lush pads, and iconic digital textures
Load And Play Them
The 1110 built-in sounds are ready to play right out of the box with just a few clicks on the main encoder. You need more sounds? No problem!
It also has 256 user sound slots, where you can import your favorite patches from compatible DX-7 libraries, editors, and software tools like Dexed.
According to EMW, the DX7000 engine responds to pitch-bend, modulation-wheel, and sustain-pedal information. MIDI Program Change for remote patch selection is also available.
On the back, the hardware has a power supply socket, MIDI input and MIDI thru, and a main audio output.
First Impression
Even though the product doesn’t appeal to me, I think there are musicians who want these sounds without the programming option. For this, that could be an interesting instrument.
However, I would rather use an iOS app like KQ Dixie or the Dtronics DT-DX hardware, which can load 8 instances of the DX-7 for the same price.
EMW DX7000 is available now for $365 from the official store.
More information here: EMW
Same as the Dtronics it’s missing a headphones output which was a dealbreaker for me.
the Dtronics is a 8x multi-timbral, this is mono-timbral
that Sucks..
i Hate That..
why would you need headphones? use the headphone jack on your interface.