Cool way to program DX7!

rylos · Joined: Sep 06, 2004 Posts: 8 Location: missouri

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That's how I program a DX7II synth!

TouchRam controller.

aquanaut · Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 2:13 am Post subject:

Hi rylos

it looks interesting, is it only for the DX7, or it can work with another synth?

mosc · Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 7:26 am Post subject:

Rylos.

Neat looking contraption. Did you design and build this yourself. Got any more information about it? A lot of people here at electro-music.com have new Clavia Nord Modular G2s which have complete DX7 emulation capabilities.

rylos · Joined: Sep 06, 2004 Posts: 8 Location: missouri

Since the TouchRam controller outputs midi, which is software-driven, it could be made to operate about any midi-controlled device. The native inherent resolution is about 20 times higher than the DX7 can use, so it had to be scaled back in the software to match the synth. It uses a patent-pending electrical noise rejection design, which enables it to respond with no perceptible delay, and gives it a snappy, responsive "look & feel".

The limiting factor in using it with the DX7 series synth is that the DX7II will suffer buffer overload if you try to cram midi data into it at anywhere near the maximum data rate, so the software had to be crippled enough to slow down the data rate. Tried it first with an original DX7, but that unit would stutter & fart whenever you changed parameter data while playing a note. The DX7II lets you change parameter values while playing. Multiple control strips can be operated at the same time. It operates by touch, not pressure, so it won't wear out.

When you call up a patch from memory, the display bargraphs immediately show the values of the parameter settings. To tweak any parameter you simply touch on the display where you want the value to be. Couldn't be any simpler. Makes it easy & fun to learn & use FM. After you use it a while it gets pretty intuitive to operate, so you get used to playing the sound parameters as well as playing notes. Instead of a multi-step procedure to tweak sounds, you can do it without having to think about how to do it. Much more efficient way to play than having to mentally task-switch to menu dive!

Here are some samples of the real-time sound morphing a lowly DX7 can do. This is just a bit of noodling around (not any real songs) using only the touch control panel. Anyone who has played a DX7 will appreciate the difference from the usual lack of real-time sound dynamics.

http://www.rentaltechnologies.com/audio/noodle-1.mp3

http://www.rentaltechnologies.com/audio/metabass_mutate-1.mp3

http://www.rentaltechnologies.com/audio/epiano1_morph-1.mp3

It's home-made, and the technology is available for licensing. So as soon as some synth producers can be persuaded to build it into their products synths will suddenly become much more expressive. And cooler-looking!

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mosc · Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 8:52 am Post subject:

Well, I'd be surprised if synth manufacturers are all that good prospects. MIDI controllers are where the market of the future will be, I think. Synths are moving into the software world, even the hardware synths if that makes any sense. Something like this might make all syths more expressive and better looking... Laughing

When you are ready to announce the availabilty of products for prototype buiders and DIY projexts, please let us know. I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't a good deal of interest.

LoKi · Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 9:52 am Post subject:

I want one!

Will you be making them for sale?
If so, at what price?

seraph · Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 10:11 am Post subject:

there are already very powerful and reasonably priced midi controllers on the market. I think about those made by Behringer (BCR/BCF 2000). There are a few threads dedicated to them around this forum. Maybe not as sophisticated as this one but certainly cheaper.