Vibing with the Roland D-50 and Yamaha DX7. These '80s synths still sound incredible!
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- Опубликовано: 28 июн 2022
- What do you get when you combine a 1983 Yamaha DX7 and a 1987 Roland D-50? '80s sonic magic! Was inspired by some classic (and not so classic) patches and this was the result - which sounds do you recognise?
The only external FX applied were a little reverb on the DX7 channel from the Yamaha mixer it's going through - seemed appropriate! The D-50 is left completely as-is w internal FX! 
Видеоклипы
Here's some Roland D-50 and Yamaha DX7 goodness for you all! Don't forget to hit LIKE and please SUBSCRIBE to the channel for upcoming synth videos!
For those of you asking about the preset names - here they are:
0:01 - D-50 = Soundtrack | DX7 = Syn-Lead 4
1:16 - D-50 = Living Calliope | DX7 = [Analog]
2:08 - D-50 = Flutish Brass | DX7 = Syn-Lead 2
3:24 - D-50 = Bass Marimba | DX7 = JP-8 Sweep
4:40 - D-50 = Fantasia | DX7 = Strings.←
amazing playing!! wow
@@pacificheights8743 Thank you Pacific Heights!
The D-50 sounds are factory sounds but the DX-7 ones seem custom.
Fantastic demo.
I'm really curious about that DX7 patch. Any possibility you could create a sysex file to download? Thank you in advance.
I'm super curious about that [Analog] patch on the DX7! What was it from? Same for the JP-8 Sweep patch.
D-50 all the way... NOTHING compares to it... Even today, 37 YEARS since its launch, you can still discover new ways to make it shine...
Both synths were the best keyboards in the eighties, and still today they sound great. But the musician who is playing them is the reason why I could watch this video lots of times.
well said
@@NicolasMelisRemarkable: I had your PolyMAX demo running in the background. When it had ended, YT switched to this one, and I instantly thought, still not watching: “Ah, Mike Pensini!“. :)
@@RayyMusik 😁
The musician playing these vintage boards is amazing. I could listen to him play all day. I wish Yamaha and Roland would bring these boards back. The sounds on these boards are immaculate.
I mean Roland released and still sells the D-05 which is a perfect clone of D-50. Montage and ModX can reproduce all DX-7 sounds sonically identical. So they really are “back”.
Fantastic Mike! Goes to show its not the instrument - Its what the player does with the instrument! But these are still great keyboards regardless. 40 years has not diminished either of these great instruments!
As always, any instrument is as good as the musician playing it. In this case, very, very good!
Thank you Steve!
or Programmed
Haha, are you kidding me? I agree, the guy is an excellent musician, but there is a HUGE difference in quality between modern music and music from this time period. Instruments definitely matter in my opinion and the same sounds during this digital era still don't compare to the power and unique synths of the 80s/90s.
@@Rochester92G Yes my fav synth that i have sold to "The Who" still out performs modern synths in sound quality(Synclavier II)
In my neck of the woods when these two Keyboards ruled the roost, I can't think of one person who had both. You were either firmly in Roland's camp or Yamaha's. Thank you for putting them both together! It's a shame most of us had to wait until 2024 to hear the magic! ❤😊
Glad you enjoyed the video - thanks!
K. I dont see a problem. Is there a problem?
I was going to state exactly the same. I was firmly in the D-50 camp back in the day. Both are supreme synths.
I was in the DX7 camp. I recently bought a D550 and a TX816. They’re killer together. I own Korg Kronos, Triton, Kingkorg , Microkorg ,,Yamaha Motif es7 and many more. I still love the sound of those two together .
I’ve been owning a DX7IID and a D50 since 1989. Always coming back to them.
Low resolution DACs, aliasing and noise but tons of caracter. 80's raw and deep sound. Awesome.
Exactly - end result is a fat sound that's so satisfying to play.
D50's substractive part is impossible to reproduce on any other synth that isn't a D50. It has a lot of nuances with the filters and other stuff, the only thing that i dislike about the D50 is the audio output, only can reach 16KHz.
It's been very satisfying the last few years to see public opinion within the synth sphere shift away from this notion that only fully-analog instruments have any worth in the musical realm, and that in fact there are numerous digital synthesizers that have immense charm and musicality. Thank you for such a pleasing display of musicianship here with these instruments.
Absolutely MrBluGruv, you hit the nail on the head! Digital instruments can be just as expressive in their own way and have some absolutely gorgeous musical and timbral characteristics. I never stopped loving these instruments and it’s so good to see that it’s no longer “cool” to hate on them!
It only took a plethora of new analog to make it happen but hey, people finally seem to be using their ears! 😂
@@MikePensini totally. DX7 still my favourite and always made to feel embarrassed
@@takemasu45 It’s a gorgeous instrument and definitely still relevant!
I love a good mid-late 80s digital synth tune. The sounds here are so damn pure.
@@80ssynthfan48 Right?! They're super unique, pure and to the point! Very inspiring!
The first time I saw and heard a Roland D50, it was a modular unit. I used to work out of the Hitsville studio ( Motown ) in Hollywood using the then Synclavier system. One day I walked into the studio and there were all these new synth modules in the room. I heard the D50 and wanted to use it on everything ( as all keyboard players and composers did at the time ). Eventually I purchased the D50 keyboard a bit after it was loosing its popularity. A great synth, even by todays standards.
The Yamaha DX7 was a game changer coming from the analog based synth's to this digital FM synthesis realm. Difficult to program and needed a bit of reverb/ delay processing to propel its sound. It had a somewhat organic quality ( the horns /percussion and 80's electric pianos ). Musicians were purchasing 2 to 4 of them at a time because of the MIDI capabilities and the fact you could stack the sounds. Probably the most popular synth in the history of synthesizers.
I've owned the DX7 and the various versions ( like the DX7II floppy, the TR series and so forth...). A great boon for its technology and the impact it had with popular music.
This was very enjoyable to watch. Mike plays very similar to me in this video and I really appreciate his musicianship in showing just how great these keyboards sounded.
The 80s recipe: soft sound on one, sharper or more digital sound on the other.
You really make that DX7 shine!
That’s along the lines of what I was going for for sure!
I will bear that in mind, thanks.
Beautiful, thanks for upload, previous owner of Yamaha dx7 and rolond kit
Cheers Andrew!
That “Soundtrack” Patch on the D-50 really is one of the coolest patches on any synth ever made. It’s such an emotive sound!
It's so gorgeous isn't it?!
@@MikePensini Love it! Check out The Line by Prince. It’s an unreleased track you can find on RUclips. It has that patch all over it and the chords are very cool!
@@joshjamesuk Wow! How have I not heard this?! What a track! And yes - Soundtrack all over it! Amazing - thanks for the tip!
Have to agree.
@@joshjamesuk he also used it for positivity on lovesexy, towards the ending
It somehow is concerning the amount of "rivalry" between Roland and Yamaha lovers but never get to realise how good they both are regardless of their synth engines or their construction. At the end of the day is music what should be important. Thanks for such an amazing video!
Well said Lewis! They're both incredible instruments which shaped the future of music and synth tech. And they sound so great together!
dont forget about Casio.. jk :)
@@DrinElliott Hey, Casio made some great boards! My very first synth was a HT-3000!
You rolled back the years with those sounds. Superbly played! 😁
Great to hear! Glad you enjoyed! Thank you and welcome to the channel!
Wow!...I remember as a kid in the 80s, these 2 synths were my dream keyboards....eventually owned them when i became an adult...They still 2 legends in my book!!
Absolutely! They’ll always be classics!
Wow! Great playing !!
Cheers!
true, these Synths sound amazing, but you Sir, your way of playing them is just beautiful, i see and hear many many years of experience and the passion for music, thank you so much
Thank you so much Amar - glad you enjoyed!
The D-50!!! I miss my old friend!
You’ll have to get another!
@@MikePensini One day..
@@MikePensini I also liked the preset named"Stratos" Like a guitar sound. Not sure if I spelled that right. When I first bought my D-50 it was when it first came out and it cost me 1,800.00.. Enjoy! Thanks for the post.
Synths are probably my favourite instrument, just because how good they sound.
My favorite and first synths owned, well played! Bought D-50 in 1987 as brand new and DX7 II-D as used in 1989. I'm still actively using them.
Nice!
Even today the D-50 has so much potential once you start exploring beyond the presets (which may have been overused but I still totally love them). Its low resolution digital artefacts give the D-50 tons of character. To me it’s the perfect pad machine if you run it through e.g. a Strymon Big Sky. I even began enjoying programming it via iPad and a PG-1000 programmer emulation (iPG-800).
Mr Pensini, you’ve done it again! No matter what keyboard you play, you bring out the best in it! Would love to see you in concert!
Thank you Haden! Will definitely be playing some gigs in Melbourne later this year!
Hey Mike! Would you like to cover “ get it up”, from the TIME?!😉💕☔️😎
Nothing feels quite like the keys on DX-7 keyboard. I guess that's why all of the great keyboard shredders use it as a controller. I have both of these 80's legends in my studio. Your ability to climb up and down the keys amazes me! Good showcase.
They’re so fast aren’t they? I love how the aftertouch responds too.
I kept hold of my DX7S as a controller for a number of years and for exactly that reason, the action was superb! I do regret selling it on now.
I hope Steve Winwood hears this, if he hasn’t already. The beginning is the kind of thing he was doing on his solo hits during the 80s.
Wonderful👏👏👏👏
Man, I wish my runs were as clean as yours! Those buttery smooth keys on the DX7 made it even better.
Beautiful, I've long been a fan of the DX series, had the 100 for a long time, now have the 21. Just last week I picked up the Roland D-110 (complete with manual and tip sheets) and I can't get over how great it is, just perfect for my Acid House music...
you make those synths sound so fresh
Nice to hear something other than the presets on the DX7. Shows how it works well with other types of synths.
It’s amazing how just adding a little modulation really makes the sounds come to life.
I never had a D50 but I did have a DX7. Now it lives in my Korg Kronos. Great sounds and playing! I always loved the feel of my DX7.
Great instruments! I really think the hardware DX (the Mk1 at least) has a certain fatness and dirt added to the sound from the converters.
As a musician I normally click away fast from these kind of videos, heard it all... but this piece caught me. Beautiful improvisation, you got it down, brother ;-)
Thank you Pendago - welcome to the channel!
i have both of these synths and i will never let go of them, love your playing by the way
Thank you! Yes I’ll definitely be hanging onto these!
@@MikePensini wow, do you know russian?!
I had them both. Wish I still had them.
Ricky Peterson's first album "Night Watch" is full of these sounds. His playing is very similar in style too.
Great recommend thanks, if you have anything else like this then pls let me know, another good one I know of is Software - Island-Sunrise.
Ah man this makes me miss my DX7, D50 & M1 😩😩. That pad sound on the DX7 at around 4:50 mark lovely 🥰
They're a classic trio! Still available for decent prices at the moment (compared to the vintage analog stuff!)
@@MikePensini well when I bought my original ones they were still cheap. Picked up the DX7 for £150, M1 for £110 and the D50 for about £130. Those were the days.
Loving those woodwinds from the d50🔥🔥
They're such great rich expressive sounds!
Gorgeous runs, great sounds, and expertise in the lost art of the pitch bend control 👌
Thank you Ya Wha? !
@@MikePensini 🙏 Cheers Mike!
tremendous machines, impeccable and unique sounds in the world of music, how nice to have those keyboards together.
Holy moly that’s beautiful. I have the DX7 (1983) and picked up a D-05.
Cheers! They're a great combo! How are you enjoying the D-05?
Awesome. Nostalgic and powerful!!
Thank you Rodrigo!
The first D-50 patch is used on Lovesexy from Prince 😊 Sounds really great Mike! 👍
"Soundtrack" - a classic sound designed by the one and only Eric Persing!
That "soundtrack" preset at the beginning reminds me of Gary Malkin's soundtrack for "Unsolved Mysteries".
It’s a classic!
Sometimes, the simpliest it is, the better it is. Synthesizer are so much inspiring than VST (no matter how powerfull VST are). Good job, as usual.
Simple can definitely be very effective! Especially when you have great, inspiring sounds like these to shine through!
I actually find VSTs more inspiring weirdly enough
VST can sound great, but how much can you really do with one mouse?
Yes but no matter what you do, hardware sounds like old music. Not my thing. Plus, a M-audio Keystation has better sensivity than most synths keybeds, and if you a good keyboard player you can make a free synth sound like a masterpiece.
Brilliant! The Ultimate touring setup mid to late 80's
It was wasn’t it?! Eventually the Korg M1 made its way in as well.
@@MikePensini Yup but those 2 where the last actual synth sounds the 80’s had to offer. I rennet how crazy people were going over the M1s tenor saxophone sounds lol
@@Muziq4tune Haha, I hear you! My favourite M1 sounds are the synthetic pad ones like “Universe”. The acoustic recreations are definitely not quite up to today’s standard! 😂
Dos pedazos de chapas.
BRUTAL.🎹
Greetings from Madrid.
Wow, two of my all time favorite keyboards ranges ⭐🙏
Great Sounds!
Wow, simply amazing sounding! Love this. Thank you
Thank you so much MsInstrumental!
Wowsers!
DX7 GOAT RUclips CHANNEL Says the DX7 is the greatest vintage synthesizer in history!!!!!
I believe it now!!
Haha - it's definitely a classic!
Finally, a musician.
Thank you so much, great video!
Thank you, Mountain! Stay tuned for more!
Lovely
Thanks Eltin!
I remember in the early 90s, you couldn’t give away an analog keyboard. Roland Juno 6/60/106 could be had for less than $500. Analog keyboards had a very short span in Pop music. When the DX 7 came in all the manufacturers abandoned analog.
The music world is a funny thing! Tends to go in cycles in a lot of ways - but classic, expressive sounds will always be useful!
@@collenflarity7856 Yeah, they were super cheap!
They soooo do.... have D50, 500 rack, JD-800 x2 / 990 rack (fully loaded!), SY-99 x3 / '77 x1, MODX, etc. so well in to my 80'/early 90's vintage digital Mike - classics!!!! 😎👊🎹💥
Good gear mate!
beautiful
Thank you lavenderkai!
These vibes are AMAZING 🔥thank you for uploading this and blessing our ears ❤️
Thank you TMEG! Glad you enjoyed it! Welcome to the channel!
Great demo!! Super warm sound!!
Time travel at its best. Sounds great man.
Thanks mate!
Loving the jazz vibes halfway through, might have to get me a polo neck jumper.
I have played long time on DX7IIFD and also Roland D50 before I got my first Korg. And I Still always very charme by the quality of their sounds
They certainly have that quality!
This is just, really pretty. Thanks so much
Thank you James! Glad you enjoyed it mate!
the roland pitch bend wheel design is the ultimate pitch wheel design
It's great, but I'm not as much a fan of the integrated spring loaded way of introducing modulation.
That's why I think Nord have nailed it. Similar pitch bend lever (but even higher resolution/more expressive without the centre indent), but a physical mod wheel as well.
that incredible opening remind me the start of "they like it slow" from H town.... awesome set up you have there
Thank you Polo XL - will have to check it out!
2 of the best to have in the stable!
I agree - absolute classics!
Amazing!
Especially the dx7 patches, wish I could get them
I’ll find out the names and post them below
Both synth pioneered synthesis methods that are still being used 35-40 years later. I think the D-50 was one of the first sample based synths that really sounded good, pioneering a trend that is still with us.
Amazing playing skillz
Thank you Paul!
My two favs
Can't go wrong!
Thank you brother or sister a lot of people just talk about the machine but they don’t actually play it again thank you.
Cheers
Had the D-50 back in the day. I loved the unique sounds that came with it. I parted with it in the end because it didn't have enough 'traditional' sounds like pianos and strings. Would make for a great second keyboard though
This was lovely good stuff Mike!
Cheers Sam!
Beautiful demo !!
Thank you James!
thank you sir this is a one phenomenal video right here
Thank you Kfir! Glad you enjoyed it mate!
Love it! Great work!
Fabulous
Thank you!
Amazing playing and sounds Mike!
Thank you Greg!
My dad got me a 83' dx-7 for Christmas. Gotta get a few things touched up but he won it on an auction that went to a charity so there that lol
Fantastic man! This one is an 83 as well!
Amazing!
Thank you! Welcome!
Two digital greats together.
Absolutely! 80s classics!
Piękne połączenie! Już mam obydwa! :) - D10 instrument & DX7 plg150DX w moduł MU128 oraz MU100r.
Będę próbował po naprawieniu klawiatury w Roland D10 ;) :)
Dziękuję Mike za ten piękny pokaz możliwości ❤
Звук очень вкусный! И прекрасная техника игры! Навеяло ностальгических воспоминаний! Благодарю!
Большое спасибо!
Digging your sounds man. Keep it up!
Thank you!
In the hands of an artist.
Cheers!
Great playing
Thank you!
Многие наших времён 2023-х не поймут что это 80-е прошлого века,супер звук.
Wow, thats amazing man!!!!!
Thank you!
There’s a Star Trek next generation episode ‘We’ll always have Paris’ from 1987 …that the first D50 patch is used throughout the episode. The one with professor Mannheims time displacement experiment !
Oh wow! Will have to check it out.
Great video. Nostalgia all over the place! :-)
Thank you! My job here is done! 😀
Des synthés légendaires 🔥
Indeed!
Awesome! You’re a great synth player 🙂
Thank you Dominik! Welcome to the channel!
Very surprised by the lack of external FX. My initial reaction was - damn, those sound awesome when you run them through a chain of Strymon boxes!
They sound great on their own!
This is what im talking about
Well, you know how to make anything sound good.
Cheers!
Pure
Well played man! Makes me miss my DX7 now! 😢😢😢
They’re such a killer instrument!
@@MikePensini I have a DX21 though! 🤠
Amazing ❤
Классика, эти клавиши. Помню, как они ценились и стоили в конце 80-х, начале 90-х. Еще и Корг-М1, в эту компанию. Очень жалею, что три года назад, не смог купить Роланд Д-50, очень дешево продавались. Стоял выбор - гитара иль клавиши. Два инструмента не потянул.
Отличная демонтрация.
Благодарю вас! Да, все они были очень дорогими в свое время. Сегодня они все еще вполне доступны по сравнению с аналогичными аналоговыми синтезаторами.
GREAT ! D50 is awesome and DX7 mk1 is the GOAT.! BEAUTIFUL PLAY!
Thank you frederic!
This is brilliant!
Thank you F77! Welcome to the channel.