Conference napalm::commusic_v1

    where are you/ which dealer?
    
    I wonder what Yamaha is up too. Think DX7 sales have declined
    due to TX7, 216 , 816,  FB01 sales. doubt the CX5M was doing
    much of anything. 
    
    Or is it that *Everyone* has a DX:  market saturation?

    Yawn-ma-ha.
    
    
    

    I'm in Akron, Ohio - the dealer's name is Lentine's Music. They
    are one of the largest music stores in the area and a direct
    competition in the keyboard arena to PI Keyboards and Audio in
    Cleveland (PI generally has an ad in Keyboard and Electronic Musician
    and all they sell is keyboards and the stuff you would usually need
    in live performance or studio work.)

    I can well beleive a saturation of DX type synths simply by how
    long they have been out. BUT...
    
    I also beleive Yamaha's motive for this package is to sell more
    DX7s. Have you noticed lately how there have been more and more
    articles on computers used with synthesizers? Even EM or Keyboard
    (I forget which) last month, had a review (not to bad of one either) on
    the CX5M. They are probably using this package for a way to get
    even more DX7s out there and have people use Yamaha's computer for
    editing, control, etc. This also means more sales of programs, mice,
    disks, and whatever else Yamaha can dream up.
          
    Of course, you could be right about dumping inventory time. If so,
    I wonder what type of computer Yamaha is getting ready to introduce
    to the market?
    
    As for me, I have been wanting for a DX7 for a long time to go along
    with my DX100, and the price, especially with the added CX5M, seems too
    good to pass up.
    
    -TomR-
    

    good price fer sure.
    
    Another review of C5X appeared in Computer Music Journal
    a few issues ago. No raves.
    
    

    
    Being an avid CX5Mer I can tell you 3 things that are happening
    regarding this machine.
    
    1 It is being discontinued.
    
    There are two possible replacements depending on the part of the
    world in which you live.
    
    2 The CX5MII which is a CX5 with more memory and the Sfg05 tone
    module.
    
    3 The CX7M which is a CX5 but is an MsxII machine.
    
    These are not expensive machines and will still support all CX5
    software except for slight SFG05 SFG01 mods.
    
    I think we in the U.K. seem in general more turned on by these machines
    as a couple of companies have no produced sequencing software which
    will run the internal voicing as well as external synths.
    
    I think the possibilities of this plus a DX7 and a DX100 should
    be pretty amazing.
    
    				Paul.
    

    Ok. I'm intrigued, .4:
    
    1. Whats the difference between the 2 FM generators (FB***?)
    
    2. Whats MXiII or whatever it was?
    
    3. Without the UK software, how good a realtime and/or step
       comp tool is it? Can you control DX7 with sequencer/librarian/oth
       software (or just the FB sound gen. since the num. of operators,etc
       are different)?
    
    4. Other comments ?
    
    rr
    

    
    
    Ah hah a taker !
    
    Well the SFg01 and SFg05 are different in that though they are both
    4 operator FM synth modules, the Sfg05 is an upgrade in that it has
    full midi implementation i.e. you can use it as an expander as well
    as a driver. Plus it is based on the DX21 Sound module rather than
    the DX9 as in the SFg01. The general concencus here is that the
    Sgf05 is a major improvement. You can buy the upgrade for 100 pounds
    although I haven't done this yet.        
    
    MSXII is just an upgrade through which all the Jap manfacturers
    are putting their machines to do the things that the original MSX
    spec wouldn't do. I don't know about in the States but MSX was a
    major flop in the U.K. so MSXII is of no interest to anybody here
    hence the CX5MII.
    
    In terms of  off the shelf Yam software there is a 4 track sequencer
    which will drive outboard synths but not the internal voicings and,
    I don't think there step time sequencer will drive external machines,
    other than through the MIDIclock. 
    
    What you need is the Digital Music Systems software that I use which
    does just about everything except sync to tape. I'me not sure if
    this is available in the states but I'me sure we could sort something
    out.
                                                                         
    
    			Paul.

    
    Broke out the old CMJournal issue Vol 9 num 3.
    
    Looks like its good as a DX7 voicing unit,but otherwise
    the review of CX5 turned up some problems for me:
    
    No real time capture of keyboard other than the YK (Yuk).
    No sync to tape/editing/punch-in/overdub/autocorrect.
    Well, I can live without autocorrect, but come'on...

    Does 'your' software address these?
    
    Seems the Fg01 has a limited quantized resolution on 
    carrier and modulator frequencies too. Hope this was
    "corrected" in the Fg05.
    
    Does the Yam software come bundled with the CX5 or 
    is it *extra*? YK keyboard too?
    
    rr
    
    

    
    I think the Sfg05 solves some of these problems. I would have thought
    the quantisation issue related to the software rather than the sound
    module. Certainly the 05 allows real time input from a midi keyboard
    rather than the YK keyboards (why don't you like them?). I don't
    think any of the Yam software (none of which comes bundled) is worth
    using anyway (DX editor excepted).
    
    					Paul.

    Also,
    
    Since its introduction, the CX5M has added two disk drives to
    choose from and a mouse. Many of the Yamaha modules have new
    releases to take advantage of these.
    
    	- Rick
    

    
    Well ok. So with a mouse and disks and YK and 
    software were starting to spend alot of bucks
    again, guys, for a somewhat limited system.
    
    Does it talk to a TX7 anyone know?
    
    rr

    The new DX7 voiceing program (??-304) has the capability to talk
    to TX7s. TX7 is DX7 without keyboard - right? From what info I have
    seen, it is a complete editor/loader/librarian (the last if you
    are using a cassette or disk) for a DX7. 
    
    I will know more about it very soon, since I am picking up the package
    on the way home tonight.
    
    BTW the software that Yamaha sells is in a cartridge. They list
    each of the modules for $60.00 each but most places sell them between
    $38.00 - $45.00. The mouse costs about $65.00, but again that is suggested
    retail price. From what I have seen they have updated all of the
    major software packages to handle the mouse and disk. The disk is
    another matter. Most places I have seen are selling the CX5M for
    about $350 odd clams. The disk drive's cost is about the same. 
    

    Well I am now a proud (?) owner of a DX-7 and a CX5M. I picked it
    up last night on the way home. Boy was my wife all but under-joyed
    "You spent how much? for a what?". 
    I did not even get a chance to plug it in and try it because of
    other things that had to be done but I did find out this....
    
    Re. .10 
    
    Yes the CX5M with the YR-301 DX7 voicing program will load
    TX7's and TX816's. 
    
    The dealer sorta did not tell the truth on the voiceing module that
    came with the package. It was *NOT* the new YR-304 DX-7 program
    but the old YR-301 standard. He gave me a couple bucks credit because
    of it.
    
    Dealer also programed my RAM cartidge with their top programs.

    Now for the weekend.... make some MIDI cables and audio cables and
    a monitor cable and sit down with alllllll the manuals ( I got 3
    other software packages also ) and see if I can make things work.

        

    Good goin.  I seriously admire someone that can make
    a decision. Still waffling, myself. Kx88 is serious
    contemplation the last 2 days, but what FM generators??
    
    Pleze keep us informed on CX5 experience....

    "You spent how much on a KBD that doesnt make a sound??!$#*&@??"
    
    I can hear it now....
    

    Re: .6

    >   What you need is the Digital Music Systems software that I use which
    >does just about everything except sync to tape. I'me not sure if
    >this is available in the states but I'me sure we could sort something
    >out.
     
    Paul - 
    
    Whats are the features of this software?
    
    Can I get a copy?  If so, how?
    
    I seem to be having a ball with the MUSIC COMPOSER II and the DX
    voicing program. I also have the MIDI recorder but haven't gotten
    around to using it yet. 
    
    Any other useful MSX (CX5M) software across the ocean, that we don't have
    on this side? 
    
    -TomR-
    

    
    I'me sorry it took so long to getting round to answer this but I
    have been away from my desk for a week or so. If you let me know
    where to send it to I will let you have a copy of the info on the
    DMS sequencer. Basically most of the things that the traditional
    sequencer systems do, it will do, give or take a feature. I ma not
    sure what the updated price of the software is as I have gone the
    upgrade path at 10 pounds a go. The orginal version cost me 80 pounds.
    
    Let me know if you need more info. Will be back in Friday.
    
    				Paul.