[sdiy] DX7 Patch Files

[Dave Kendall]

I had an old ATARI program that would generate random DX7 patches. (can't
remember what it was. Ring any bells anyone?)
IIRC, it was for the DX MK1, so didn't have the added functions of the II.
Most generated patches were crap, but once in while you'd get something
intriguing. Tweak the sounds a bit, and sometimes you'd get magic.

(At that time time I had a job as a delivery driver with anti-social hours,
a DX7 with no manual, and lots of time to muck around with it, so yes, I was
sad enough to learn how to program it.... :-)

Back then the DX7 was very attractive, because it could do workable organ,
synth and electric piano in one 16 note poly machine. At the time I always
wished it had VCFs and a chorus... Still do.

It's still good at some things - the keyboard is pleasant-feeling, it has
very quick envelopes, odd timbres are easy to get(!), and it produces sounds
that are quite distinctive. Running it through an analogue VCF can produce
some amazingly rich sounds.


cheers,


Dave. (about to search through stacks of old ATARI floppies....)