Yamaha DX7 Digi-Struments Ableton Live Pack

Yamaha DX7
Ableton Live Pack

The unmistakeable sound of the 1980's FM synthesis captured in 55 Ableton Live Instrument Racks. Classic Yamaha DX7 presets in your productions.

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The Yamaha DX7 Digi-Struments Ableton Live Pack

The Yamaha DX7 Digi-Instruments Ableton Live Pack was made from samples of the legendary Yamaha DX7 . Here's what's included in the pack:

18 Instrument Racks with the Direct Input samples, which give the purest signal.
18 Instrument Racks with the Amplified samples, which add the character of a warm tube amplifier.
18 Combo Instrument Racks , which allow you to mix the two signals together.
Live Set used to create musical demo in video below

It's a total of 56 Instrument Racks built out of 18 different DX7 presets. The result is a wide range of Yamaha DX7 sounds inside Ableton Live. Each instrument has been outfitted with handy Macro Knob controls that allow you to sculpt the sounds even further and into something new. Check out the video below for a full walkthrough. All the music (except the drums) was made with sounds from the DX7 Digi-Struments Pack.

Classic Digital FM Synthesis in Ableton Live

The Yamaha DX7 was the first FM (frequency modulation) synthesizer, and one of the most popular synths ever made. It is distinctly 80s sounding. Such a wide variety of sounds are possible, such as metallic bells, digital brass, deep basses, and long evolving pads. Often the sounds are cheesy, such as the Doogie Howser theme song, but the instrument is capable of some true gems. I'm willing to bet Luther Vandross used it in "Here and Now," and I know The Beastie Boys put it to use on "Girls."

Sampling the Yamaha DX7

I recorded 18 presets from the DX7. Because the DX7 is probably the most difficult to program synth ever created, I downloaded a ton from the internet and choose 18 that I thought sounded cool. There are violins, cellos, brass, keys, and some neat pads. I sent the headphone out straight to my Apogee Quartet, and I ran the line out into my Fender Deluxe tube guitar amp. I recorded the amp with an AKG C414. (Side note: because my DX7 was halfway across the room, I used the amazing Touchable iPad app to trigger clip recording in Live.)