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Behind the Synth: DX7 Retrospective
Nate and Blake head back to the 80s with the DX7 in this episode of Behind the Synth.
The DX7 is often the first thing that comes to mind when people think of synthesizers of the 1980s. From cool synth bass lines and leads, to bell-like pads and the ubiquitous DX electric piano sounds, the DX7 was a must-have synthesizer for many keyboardists (including myself!). From 1985-89 Yamaha published a magazine called "Aftertouch" that featured artist interviews, tips and tricks from leading programmers and new Voices for you to program. In this episode of Behind the Synth Nate and Blake recreate "Vic's Rhodes", a DX7 Voice created by Manny Fernandez.
A few notes about this episode:
- I edited the voice creation process for time during the main part of the podcast. You'll hear a voiceover at that point explaining this. If you want to listen to the 18 minute long editing session in it's entirety it happens after the end theme plays.
- The FM Converter app allows you to convert classic DX7 Voices to MONTAGE/MODX format and "Vic's Rhodes" is available on Soundmondo right here. There are a few edits up there as well that are "MONTAGEified" with effects and control. Check them out and create your own version (and if you are so inclined share it!). You'll hear a short musical example played first by the DX7 followed by the MONTAGE right before the end theme.
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About the author
Yamaha Synthesizer Product Specialist Blake Angelos has over thirty years of experience with music hardware and software. An expert in music technology, Blake has conducted numerous clinics, master classes and presentations throughout the United States, Europe and Canada. In his role as Product Specialist for the Synthesizer Department Blake appears in many product videos and artist interviews, writes many articles for YamahaSynth.com and co-hosts a regular Podcast called “Behind the Synth”.
Before his work with Yamaha, he taught music theory and jazz studies courses at Arizona State University; managed a technology-focused music store in Seattle and was a production supervisor at Microsoft, where he led a team that developed groundbreaking interactive music content for the Microsoft Network. Blake holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Northern Colorado and a Master of Music degree from Arizona State University. Blake currently resides in Bellingham, Washington with his family, and between his travels around the world for Yamaha, he performs as much as possible with several jazz and creative music groups in Bellingham, Seattle and other places in the Pacific Northwest.