Categories
Digital Polyphonic Synthesizer Synthesizer

Yamaha DX11

FM Synthesizer

FM synth with built-in effects

Yamaha DX11 audio demos

Factory presets:

Bank A

Bank B

Bank C

Bank D

Factory performances:

Yamaha DX11 photos

Yamaha DX11 specs

Year of release 1988
Polyphony 8-note
Sound generation methodFrequency Modulation (FM)
Keyboard61 keys
Preset memories 128 preset and 32 user
MIDI In, Out, Thru
Sound expansion capabilities No
Sequencer No
DisplayYes, backlit 16×2 LCD
Arpeggiator No
Effects Pan, Chord, Delay
VelocityYes
AftertouchYes
Dimensions901mm x 298mm x 63mm (35 1/2 x 11 3/4 x 2 1/2)
Weight7.0 kg (15 lbs 6 ozs)

Yamaha DX11 manual

Yamaha DX11 patches

Yamaha DX11 links

www.yamaha.com

Categories
Analog Polyphonic Synthesizer Synthesizer

Roland Alpha Juno-2

Digital/Analog synthesizer

The slightly improved successor to the original Alpha Juno. Great analog sound and one of the most famous Techno sounds ever, the “hoover” sound.

 Roland Alpha Juno-2 audio demos

Original Sound Chart Factory Programs (the “mythical” bank found in the earlier production Alpha Junos – thank you http://www.llamamusic.com/mks50/mks-50_patches.html for the information and data!)

Factory Programs A (same as Alpha Juno and MKS-50)

Factory Programs B (same as Alpha Juno and MKS-50)

 Factory Programs 2 (alternative factory set)

Roland Alpha Juno-2 photos

Roland Alpha Juno-2 factory patches in sysex

Roland Alpha Juno-2 specs

Year of release:1985
Polyphony: 6-voice
Sound generation method:analog
Keyboard:61-key
Preset memories64 ROM + 64 RAM
MIDI:In, out, thru
Keyboard modes:single
Sound expansion capabilities:no
Sequencerno
Arpeggiatorno
Effectschorus
Touch sensitivityyes
Aftertouchyes
Display:yes, LCD
Accessories:Memory cartridge M-64C
Dimensions972mm (W) x 246mm (D) x 85mm (H)
38 ¼” (W) x 9 ⅝” x 3 ⅜” (H)
Weight7.5 kg / 16lb 9oz

Roland Alpha Juno-2 links

www.roland.com

Categories
Analog Polyphonic Synthesizer Synthesizer

Bit 99

Digital/Analog synthesizer

The slightly improved successor to the original BIT One. Great analog sound.

Crumar Bit 99 audio demos

Factory Programs Set 1

Factory Programs Set 2

Crumar Bit 99 photos

Crumar Bit 99 manual

Crumar Bit 99 factory patches in .wav

Crumar Bit 99 specs

Year of release:1985
Polyphony: 6-voice
Sound generation method:analog (DCOs)
Preset memories 99
MIDI:yes
Keyboard modes:single, split, dual 
Sound expansion capabilities:no
Sequencerno
Arpeggiatorno
Effects no
Touch sensitivityyes
Aftertouchno
Keyboard61-key

Crumar Bit One links

www.crumar.it

Categories
Bass Effect Pedal Bass Multi-Effect Pedal Effect

ZOOM 506 II

Bass multi-effect processor

Cool multi-effect bass processor

ZOOM 506 II audio demos

Bass used: 2005 Fender Jazz bass MIM

ZOOM 506 II specs

Year of release2000
Presets36
Number of effects33
Sampling frequency31.25 kHz
InputMono
OutputStereo
DisplayYes, 2-digit 7-segment LED
PowerAC adapter 9 V DC, 300 mA
MIDIIn, Out, Thru
ROM48 Mbits
DisplayYes, LCD 64×240 backlit
Dimensions145mm (D) x 125mm (W) x 40mm (H)
Weight280 g (without batteries)

ZOOM 506 II manual

ZOOM 506 II photos

Categories
Analog Drum Machine Drum Machine

BOSS DR-110 Dr. Rhythm

Analog Drum Machine

The successor to the classic Dr. Rhythm DR-55, with more sounds and an improved interface thanks to the grid-mode

BOSS DR-110 audio demos

BOSS DR-110 manual

BOSS DR-110 specs

Year of release 1983
Sound generation methodanalog
Preset memories 32 (8 x 4banks)
Song128 measures x 2 (I, II)
MIDI no
Sound expansion capabilitiesno
Sequencer graphic grid
PowerBatteries UM-3 (BR-3) x4
DC 9V BOSS PSA-120, 220, or 240
Effectsno
Dimensions190mm (W) x 110mm (D) x 30mm (H)
7-1/2″ (W) x 4-5/16″ (D) x 1-3/16″ (H)
Weight450 / 1 lb (including batteries)

BOSS DR-110 photos

BOSS DR-110 links

www.boss.info

Categories
Rack Digital Polyphonic Synthesizer Synthesizer

Roland Fantom XR

128-Voice Synthesizer/Sampler Module

The Roland Fantom XR is the rack-mount version of the Fantom X synth / sampler workstation. Produced in 2004, it offered many banks of high quality sounds, and a sampling option.

Roland Fantom XR audio demos

Roland Fantom XR demo songs

User

Preset A

Preset B

Preset C

Preset D

Bank E

Bank F

Preset G

Preset H

Preset I

Drums

(a few Old demos):

Roland Fantom XR manuals

Roland Fantom XR specs

Year of release2004
Polyphony128 voices
Presets Patches: 1,024 + 256 (GM2)
Rhythm Sets: 40 + 9 (GM2)
Performances: 64
Rhythms Preset: 256 (32 groups)
User: 256 (32 groups)
DisplayGraphic 160 x 48 dots backlit LCD blue
Responds to velocityyes
Responds to aftertouchyes
Sound generation methodPCM
MIDIin, out, thru
Sound expansion capabilitiesyes, SRX boards, DIMMs
Effectsyes
Controlsknobs, buttons
Power consumptioin13 W
Dimensions481 (W) x 335 (D) x 44 (H) mm
18-15/16 (W) x 13-3/16 (D) x 1-3/4 (H) inches
Weight 3.75 kg / 8 lbs 5 oz

Roland Fantom XR photos

Roland Fantom XR links

www.roland.com

Categories
Effect Rack Multi-Effects Processor

Roland DEP-5

Digital Effects Processor

Digital Effects Processor from the mid ’80s. Typical early digital FX sounds

Roland DEP-5 audio demos

A Roland Fantom XR synth module with its internal effect turned off was used as the sound source for all demos below.

Roland DEP-5 specs

Year of release1986
Presets100 + 100
Sound generation methoddigital
MIDIin, thru
Sound expansion capabilitiesn/a
EffectsYes
Controlsbuttons
Outputsstereo input & output 1/4″ pairs
DisplayLCD blue

Roland DEP-5 photos

Roland DEP-5 manuals

Roland DEP-5 links

www.roland.com

Categories
Digital Polyphonic Synthesizer Synthesizer

Korg DS-8

Digital Synthesizer

Digital FM synthesizer with Digital Delay Line effects

Korg DS-8 audio demos

Korg DS-8 specs

Year of release1987
Polyphony 8-voice
Presets100 programs, plus combi, split, multi
Rhythmsno
Keyboard61 keys
Responds to velocityyes
Responds to aftertouchyes
Sound generation methodFM
MIDIin, out, thru
Sound expansion capabilitiesyes, via cards
EffectsDDL
Controlssliders
Outputsstereo
Displayyes, backlit blue
Dimensions1024mm x 94mm x 317mm
(40.3″ x 3.7″ x 12.5″)
Weight10 kg (21 lbs 16 oz.)

Korg DS-8 manual

Korg DS-8 patches in sysex

Korg DS-8 photos

Korg DS-8 links

www.korg.com

Categories
Digital Polyphonic Synthesizer Synthesizer

Roland D-10

 Multi Timbral Linear Synthesizer

Streamlined version of the classic D-50 series. Simplified synth engine but multitimbral, and still with many features, including effects and on-board PCM drum machine.

The Roland D-10 offers many classic L.A. (Linear Arithmetic) sounds, including excellent vox and string pads, organs, basses and FX.

Roland D-10 audio demos

Roland D-10 factory demo songs:

Roland D-10 Factory Patch Demos

Roland D-10 Factory Rhythm Demos

Roland D-10 manual

Roland D-10 factory patches in .mid

Roland D-10 specs

Year of release1988
Polyphony32 (4 partials)
Sound generation methodL.A. synthesis / PCM
Preset memoriesPerformances, Patches, Tones
Keyboard61-key
MIDIin, out, thru
Sound expansion capabilitiescards
Sequencerno
Arpeggiatorno
Drum Machineyes
Velocityyes
Aftertouchyes
Dimensions 974mm (W) x 301mm (D) x 98mm (H)
38-3/8″ x 11-7/” x 3-7/8″
Weight 19 lb 7 oz
Options– Memory Card (RAM) M-256D, M-256E
– Carrying Case SHC-1
– Programmer PG-10
– Stereo Headphones RH-100
– Pedal Switch DP-2/DP-6
– MIDI/SYNC Cable MSC-07/15/25/50/100

Roland D-10 links

www.roland.com

Categories
Digital Polyphonic Synthesizer Synthesizer

Roland D-70

 Super LA Synthesizer

The sequel to the classic D-50 (even though it was really more like an upgrade of the U-20 – or “U-50” as found on the motherboard).

The D-70 is a wonderful synthesizer, that captures the spirit of the classic D-50, and takes it to a new dimension.  This is a quality synth from a bygone era.

Great features include 76 keys, sound layering, and a very expressive aftertouch.

Like the D-50, Eric Persing and team did an unbelievable job with the sounds of the D-70.  Patches like “Ghosties”, “Prologue” and “SpaceDream” are masterpieces of synth sound design.  The sounds in ROM have a very punchy, full, “complete” sonic character that sounds great even today.  The on-board effects are also of very high quality.

Roland D-70 audio demos

Roland D-70 factory demo – “Schizoid” by Eric Persing – copyright 1990 Eric Persing:

Roland D-70 manual

Roland D-70 factory patches in .mid and sysex

Note: You may need to slow down the transmission rate of the sysex, and the D-70 will receive it.

You can also press 5 when powering up and it will offer the menu to load sysex, but I found you don’t need it really… the D-70 receives the sysex from the main screen as well (which right now you see as a garbled mess – it’s okay).

The key in my case was to slow down the sysex transmission to very slow.

You can use any sysex software you like, but the shareware Bome’s SendSX or MIDI Ox worked well for me:

  1. Go to Options–>Settings and set the “Speed of Sending MIDI” to the lowest position
  2. In the same menu, set “Wrap long sysex messages upon loading”.
  3. Also don’t forget to select the MIDI interface that you are using, in the Bome’s “Midi Out” menu.
  4. Connect the MIDI out from your computer to the D-70’s MIDI In
  5. On the D-70, press Edit –>System Setup and set the “Exclusive RX” to ON and the Unit Number to “17”
  6. Send the sysex to the D-70 –

Roland D-70 photos

Roland D-70 specs

Year of release1990
Polyphony24
Sound generation methodL.A. synthesis / PCM
Preset memoriesPerformances, Patches, Tones
Keyboard76-key
MIDIin, out, thru
Sound expansion capabilitiesyes, via cards
Sequencerno
Arpeggiatorno
Velocityyes
Aftertouchyes
Optional accessories– RAM card M-256E
– PCM card SN-SPLA series, SN-U110 series
– Stereo headphones Rh-100
– Foot switch FS-1, FS-5L, FS-5U, DP-2, DP-6
– Expression pedal EV-5, EV-10
– Keyboard stand: KS-5, KS-7, KS-8
Dimensions 1196mm (W) x 310mm (D) x 85mm (H)
47-1/6″ x 12-3/16″ x 3-3/8″
Weight 12kg / 26 lb 7 oz

Roland D-70 links

www.roland.com