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Re:Yamaha’s DX7 synthesiser changed modern music by musicale on Thursday December 31, 2020 @05:32PM (#25597944)
It is true that the DX7 piano (among other presets) was on tons of songs, but so was/is the Korg M1 piano sound which became the "dance/house" piano of the 1990s. Its punchiness (basically compression, fast/percussive attack, quick dropoff, and tinny aspect) of the sound worked perfectly, cutting through mixes and also working as a solo instrument, providing strong melodic/harmonic/rhythmic support without sounding overly harsh.

They're clichés/classics, now, but imitations (and samples) of both still abound.

Re:Yamaha’s DX7 synthesiser changed modern music by thewebcount on Friday January 01, 2021 @01:11AM (#25601289)
> Korg M1 piano sound which became the "dance/house" piano of the 1990s.

And it's bass became famous from Seinfeld. Every time I hear that bass, I think of the irritating lead in to every Seinfeld episode. So grating.

Re:Yamaha’s DX7 synthesiser changed modern music by type0 on Thursday December 31, 2020 @07:58PM (#25599428)
M1 beats both DX7 and D-50 in units sold. We are living through the death and simultaneous revival of synthesizers, there probably won't be any characteristic bestsellers anymore. Last I checked MicroKorg was bestselling (in nr of units) current synth still in production but it can't leave the same mark on the current era of music like DX7 presets did.
Re:Yamaha’s DX7 synthesiser changed modern music by ratww on Friday January 01, 2021 @02:54AM (#25601610)
The Microkorg is pretty popular with indie bands, bedroom producers and was big in the mid-2000s indie-electro fad. But I agree that it didn't leave a mark as big as DX7 or M1! :(
Re:Yamaha’s DX7 synthesiser changed modern music by klodolph on Friday January 01, 2021 @01:07AM (#25601273)
I think the biggest synth from the current era will be the eurorack. Yes, it’s really a form factor and not a synth but it’s taken off in the past few years in a really startling way.
Re:Yamaha’s DX7 synthesiser changed modern music by ratww on Friday January 01, 2021 @02:53AM (#25601608)
Maybe in influence... it helped kickstart the modular revival and even made other form factors popular again.

But in number of absolute units in operation, I don't know... Unless we compare number of modules sold vs number of Microkorgs. Modulars are expensive!

Re:Yamaha’s DX7 synthesiser changed modern music by klodolph on Friday January 01, 2021 @01:18PM (#25605272)
I think the difference is that units like the microKORG will come and go, but new units will often be in Eurorack form or be somehow compatible.

Eurorack can be expensive, but Behringer came out with a line that includes the Model D, Neutron, Pro-1, K-2, Wasp, and CAT—they’re all cheap, they’re all complete synths, and they’re also all Eurorack modules that can be plugged into a larger system.

Moog is also selling synthesizer modules that are actually Eurorack form, but upscale from Behringer.

I don’t have a modular synth, but it’s getting harder to avoid Eurorack.

Re:Yamaha’s DX7 synthesiser changed modern music by type0 on Friday January 01, 2021 @06:05AM (#25602402)
> Modulars are expensive!

So often eurorack synth building ends up in addiction like gear acquisition syndrome that it's almost like gambling. The only reasonably priced building is via DIY kits, but it still end up expensive and even more so time consuming, so it suits those who like soldering more than making music. I'm excited for a few digital eurorack modules, like Erica Synths Black Wavetable VCO, but no one could argue that it's affordable for a hobbyist.

Re:Yamaha’s DX7 synthesiser changed modern music by klodolph on Friday January 01, 2021 @08:56PM (#25609465)
Was the Korg M1 affordable for a hobbyist? It cost $2,166 at launch in 1988, or about $4,800 adjusted for inflation in 2020. You can get into eurorack for under a grand easily these days.

Considering that you might easily spend more money if your hobby is playing the violin or piano, or taking photographs, it doesn’t sound outrageous to me.