Members Franz Schiller Posted February 4, 2011 Members Share Posted February 4, 2011 So on a thread a while ago, someone mention a mid-80s Yamaha Electone organ, and we all shared Youtube videos of Japanese folks playing these weirdo organs, the HX-1 and the HX-5, and so on. I was somewhat disgusted....and fascinated. Being a dual-manual organ type of guy (Farfisa Compact Duo, Vox Super Continental), I've done a little poking around the interwebs, and discovered that these HX organs are actually very sophisticated FM / AWM synthesizers with 8 operators! Some even have 16 operators! That's crazier than a SY77! Suddenly it dawned on me, that you could essentially have a dual manual DX/SY synth, with lots of real time controls. Apparently, it requires a computer to program, but think about it: If you forget the stupid rhythm accompaniment, and replace the cheese-ball string sounds with dissonant ring mod type sounds, you can turn a Grandma Snooze-Machine into an Evil, soul-destroying, weapon of mass destruction. I've been searching and I haven't found anybody on Earth to whom this idea has occurred. Has anybody here played one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members piano39 Posted February 4, 2011 Members Share Posted February 4, 2011 I agree.I never even seen one, let alone play one, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Redhotpoker Posted February 4, 2011 Members Share Posted February 4, 2011 It's not even a question why many top of the heap players, play Hammond B3's with twin Leslies You are definately on to something, but I'm sure it's been tried and not to success or Don't you think you'd likely have seen or heard of it, out there already?That's not to dissuade you, go for it and see for yourself.Say 'hi' to GrandmaOh, Did you ever hear Ian Underwood (w/Zappa) on thee grand old pipe organ, I think is was on Uncle Meat. Chas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Purity_Control Posted February 4, 2011 Members Share Posted February 4, 2011 That's a great idea if you've got one lying around or inherit, unfortunately the used prices are high, see here, and while they've come down a bit since then, judging by the HX1 on ebay.co.uk at the moment for Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Purity_Control Posted February 4, 2011 Members Share Posted February 4, 2011 16 op fm could still be very cool though. Someone has to have had a go at this since 1989... maybe the industrial/experimental heads are just too cool to admit it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Plink Floyd Posted February 5, 2011 Members Share Posted February 5, 2011 You could put together a couple of SY/DX series keyboards plus midi pedalboard plus TG/TX module for the pedalboard voice for quite a bit less than that.This. But the HX system was really cool for it's time: This site has lots of bumf about them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Redhotpoker Posted February 5, 2011 Members Share Posted February 5, 2011 So then, this newest release may interest some here: http://shop.motifator.com/index.php/voice-libraries/motif-xf/organs/b-s-knees-for-motif-xf.html From Dave:http://www.motifator.com/index.php/forum/viewthread/453260/ Chas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Plink Floyd Posted February 5, 2011 Members Share Posted February 5, 2011 16 op fm could still be very cool though.FM8 has 32 ops, right? Or just sort of? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Redhotpoker Posted February 5, 2011 Members Share Posted February 5, 2011 I had borrowed this pic, from an earlier thread, so now I'm simply returning it here. These must be one of the larger Yamaha musical instrument projects. I would enjoy having this in my second floor loft, if I had a loft. Chas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Purity_Control Posted February 5, 2011 Members Share Posted February 5, 2011 FM8 has 32 ops, right? Or just sort of? Dunno, but i'd imagine there's software somewhere that can rig up any number. btw that HX1 on Ebay.co.uk just came down to Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Meatball Fulton Posted February 5, 2011 Members Share Posted February 5, 2011 H is one more than G, so HX-1 is more than GX-1, right? I'd buy one just so I could tell people they can't touch it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Franz Schiller Posted February 6, 2011 Author Members Share Posted February 6, 2011 There's a HX-5 on the fleabay for $499 in Florida, but its pickup only. It's at a pawn shop. I'd love to give it a ride but...well, you know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TechnicsMan Posted June 27, 2013 Members Share Posted June 27, 2013 Hi, this awesome machine is the Yamaha GX-1, it came out in the mid seventies with a handsome price tag of Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TechnicsMan Posted June 27, 2013 Members Share Posted June 27, 2013 Ahh yes, the HX-1, this brings back a lot of memories for me. I think it must have been one of the best Electones Yamaha ever built. I have played them quite a few time, but could never afford one, with a price of over Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members KJX Posted September 23, 2017 Members Share Posted September 23, 2017 I've been searching and I haven't found anybody on Earth to whom this idea has occurred. Has anybody here played one? Well, Pete Townsend of the Who did with Baba O'Riley and Emminence Front. Paul McCartney had one, as did Vangelis. And I resurrected an interest in Electones a long while back. Specifically the Yamaha E-70 which was a sibling of the CS-80, descendent of the GX-1 and parent of the DX-7 Yamaha R&D always did a few very interesting things. First, they put bags of research funding into organs and synths, then they built these hybrid instrument. They would overlap successive technology- analog and fm, fm and awm, romplers, formant, And they made it all fun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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