Basic DX7 facts

Basic Facts

Yamaha DX7 Mark 1

Produced 1983-1986
16 note polyphonic (can play upto 16 notes simultaneously)
32 different sounds can be stored in the memory
Fully programmable (but many find the DX7 too complex to program)
Extra sounds can be accessed via Memory Cartridges and MIDI SYSEX transfer
Monotimbral (can only play one sound / patch at a time)
Mono (not stereo!)
MIDI in, out, thru (receives on any of the 16 channels, transmits only on CH1)
Touch Sensitive keys (if you hit the keys harder, the sound will be louder / stronger etc)
Aftertouch (if you hold the keys down and press harder / lighter, the sound will respond accordingly)
2 x 16 character dot matrix LCD (not back lit)
Pitch and Modulation wheels (for expressive effects while playing)
No effects processor (just the raw, un-effected sound - but good thru' an FX unit)
Volume, Modulation, Sustain, Portamento and Breath Controller inputs
Headphone socket
It has the same 61 note 'keyboard' used by Korg and Yamaha even now.

The above specification relates only to a Standard DX7 mk1, and not to any DX7's with modifications (e! board etc)

Yamaha DX7IID & FD

Produced 1986-1989
16 note polyphonic (can play upto 16 notes simultaneously)
Two sounds can be layered, to create a 'thick' patch (like having 2 DX7s playing together, but with only 8 note polyphony)
64 different sounds can be stored in the memory
Fully programmable (but many find the DX7 too complex to program)
Extra sounds can be accessed via Memory Cartridges and MIDI SYSEX transfer
Dualtimbral (can play up to 2 sounds / patches at a time)
Steroe (some basic panning can be achieved)
MIDI in, out, thru (receives and transmits on any of the 16 channels)
Floppy Disk Drive for storing/loading patches (DX7IIFD & Centennial only)
Touch Sensitive keys (if you hit the keys harder, the sound will be louder / stronger etc)
Aftertouch (if you hold the keys down and press harder / lighter, the sound will respond accordingly)
2 x 40 character dot matrix LCD (back lit)
Pitch and Modulation wheels (for expressive effects while playing)
No effects processor (just the raw, un-effected sound - but good thru' an FX unit)
Volume, Modulation, Sustain, Portamento and Breath Controller inputs
Headphone socket
It has the same 61 note 'keyboard' used by Korg and Yamaha even now.