Nord User Forum

Hi,

If you had the opportunity to buy either a Yamaha DX7IIFD or a Roland D50 keyboard which one would you go for any why? (assuming both are in very good condition).

I think I know which one to go for but would really appreciate some feedback from others, particualry those who have or have had either of these boards.

Geoff

I owned a DX7IID (same as FD but without the floppy drive).
You might have a great time with it, but unless you have experienced FM the programming is not straightforward. You will need to put serious time to learn FM and get some patch editor (via the LCD screen is not easy at all to program) or use sounds already programmed.
Sorry this might not help you decide since I have not had a D50...

It seems to me the D50 might be more flexible and that it is easier to get DX7-type FM sounds from a soft synth than it would be to get D50-type sounds.

Ah well, maybe I just prefer the D50 sound

I sold my DX7 15 years ago and still have my D50 but I do not use it anymore. I really liked the D50...!
You could download some D50 samples on this forum that Hanon and other members made. They are excellent

Regards,

Daniel

I have DX7IID.Voices can be layered in dual mode providing very rich sounds or a nice combination of sounds.That would be impossible on the original Roland D50.The most important thing is that they can also be split,for a two voice multi-timbral capability.

D-50 all the way -- for the sound

save space and get a D-550 (I have two)

You may view my DXpheus YouTube channel to hear my DX7 custom patches and programming skills. Through the years I've owned several D50's and a D550 module as I was enamored by it's Linear synthesis sound and aesthetics. But something happened that made me detest the D50, there were no electric pianos or any piano patch that was expressive or enjoyable. Sure it does horns, sawtooth, pads, leads and strings nicely but where I needed it to shine it failed miserably. Today I won't go near a D50 or even take one for free. The Korg M1/01W is what the D50 should have been and I would have likely kept it. The DX7 on the other hand is extremely flexible and without terrible low bit samples. It's completely organic and as a programmer I am highly satisfied at the sounds I can coax out of it. It's my favorite non rompler of all time, a bona-fide programmable FM synthesizer that can mimic almost anything and sounds wonderful with effects. And yes you can get pleasing analog style sounds of it. I currently own TEN DX7 engines, the IIFD being my favorite, so for me YAMAHA DX7 all day

They're both classics for a reason. Having played both back in the day, I'd give the edge to the D 50