This is my childhood thing! I absolutely love it! Yesterday I spend 2 hours jamming on the DJ and now trying to actually get behind ALL of the features, haha
ok, in 1995, a friend bought this keyboard and what followed are? tons of remixes from games, custom tracks created, with some songs number 16 gabba was my favorite and burlin, we did also few stories with keyboards in the background but then in 2014 it was done. this is 1 of the best keyboards ever made.
Bought mine brand new in 1998. I did a project with it and Music 2000 on Sony Playstation recorded into a Fostex DMT8 VL that made me a decent return. I still have the Yamaha DJX mark one in my studio to this day. I bought the mark 2 when it came out as well. I have that in storage. It looks brand new compared to the DJX mark one. Needless to say the mark one will be staying in my studio irrelevant of whatever other synths and keyboards I get. It's earned it's place
I found a DJX in the electronic recycle bin in the apartment building I live in a few weeks ago. I didn't have time to look at it properly until yesterday. Wow. Impressive keyboard. Just what I needed to brush up on my music skills. Thanks for the video. Mine is built in 1999 and is mint, except from some yellowing on the keys.
I had a DJX, and a DJX II. I was working in a pawn shop '03-'04, and got them for about $89, and $120, respectively. Some excellent sounds, and rhythms. Quick and easy knobs were just super fun. I miss them so. I, now have an Akai professional MPK 49, midi controller, which came with Ableton Live Lite, and another virtual instrument, it gives me access to a lot of new horizons, but the simplicity of tweaking on the Yamahas, was just intuitive, and I loved playing them. When the adapter slots became broken, I used D size batteries up until 4 years ago, and would plug a radio transmitter into the headphone jack, and play it through my vehicles speakers. I knew they were gems before I got them, and was sad to let them go. Loved the English Horn feedback, steel drums, drawbar organ, and strings/piano.
Thanks for your message CC. Yes there has been no keyboard that I've held onto for as long as the Yamaha DJX. The original version was my favourite, I wish they'd re-release it. The new PSR-E463 offers all the same features but it's not as focused on electronic/synth genres. Still great, just not quite 'the same'... :)
Just bought one today from a charity shop for £25, lucky to have the hindsight of it being a bit of a cult classic - had a play this afternoon and it is just not a toy at all! Soundwise, it reminds me of my old CS1x, which was my first newly bought synth back in the day, loved that thing. Anyway, for £25, it was a no brainer, sounds great and lots of fun.
I've read that the sound engine for the djx IS the same as the CS1, only with less controls and lower bit depth. Hated 2 things that caused me to sell it. 1- No backlight. 2- No memory storage without batteries. Shame.
I have had a DJX since they came out, and I still play it regularly. Its a great keyboard. I recently got my self a Roland JV2080 rack synth. and I can use the DJX to control it. And it makes a great controller. Plus, the cutoff and resonance filters on the DJX can be used onto the Roland for GREAT sounds. Also DJX has "touch" so is very expressive.
Thanks for sharing this video. I've had this board since 1998 and I have much more advanced keyboards than that but but none of them have impressed me as much as the DJX. I make Trance on the fly and it does a wonderful job. The sounds are fabulous, the effects are perfect for what i need and even the rhythm accompaniments are still relevant today for my kind of music. So the DJX definitely comes highly recommended by me. I know some think its a toy, but I can tell you it's not.
@@AbstractBlend yup, it’ll never be your main keyboard again but you’ll be glad you got it out. Also they are attracting good prices at the moment if you are thinking of selling.
I had this in high school and college, it blew my mind. I remember could record songs on it, made some beats for friends to freestyle. It was always fun to turn on. This was maybe 1999-2003 give or take.
I bought mine in 1999 when I was sixteen years old for three hundred and fifty US dollars and I still have it! Unfortunately , the pitch bend wheel , one speaker, and the part control button are broken.I still use it for recording sometimes. I love the djx! Yamaha is my favorite brand when it comes to keyboards.
I purchased this DJX keyboard from a music store in Mattydale NY in 1998 and went to work with it right away and had alot of fun. Sadly moved back to Texas and hot arrested the same day I got there for a ticket jbhad gotten driving my moms cousins car because his vertigo was too bad too drive and someone hit US in the back and somehow I was supposed to have insurance while merely driving his car for him while he was innit. Anyway, i needed $300 to bond out and ling story short I have no idea what happened after ir where it went why i fidnt get it back. However, Im lookjng for one and theres PLEASEon ebay right now. !!! .
You are so right about features for the price. I love mine. The first time I turned it on to check it out at a pawn shop, the first sound I heard was the vinyl scratch. I said, " Oh, blown speaker" XLR is brilliant.
@@gearfacts Totally I had to buy it. Then a friend of mine that is a REAL keyboardist loved it and found one of his own. I felt justified with my purchase to say the least. Now I see a lot of people are digging it. Thanks for the vid.
This was my first instrument and it was perfect for me at the time (minus custom pattern sequencing of some kind). Glad to see it had a bit of a fan club :). I had so many jams with guitarists using the onboard patterns and fills, taking out or filtering the cheesier elements. I'm glad I sampled some of the drum loops on the initial patch before it got waterlogged in a leaky garage.
I owned one of these years ago and had enormous fun with it, especially as my keyboard skills are a bit to be desired. I sold it and instantly regretted it. it is now 2018 and I've bought another one, eagerly awaiting it's arrival.
Yes! It's still the best ever home keyboard. I'm interested to try the new PSR-463 when it gets released next month as it has most of the DJX features. But I'm sure it won't live up to the DJX's sheer focus on FUN. That's what made the DJX such an experience. Thanks for watching Gearfacts and stick around for my next DJX video in which I connect 2 x DJX's via midi and mix it all up :) Gearffacts
Hi, hismthere any chance of a comparison between the DGX and the PSR E463? With its Groove Creator, track controller, Live Knobs (albeit only 2 of course), arpegiator, sampler and DSP, it looks like a lot of fun, too. Regards.
I have one in my recording studio and use it often for controlling virtual instruments with MIDI in Logic Pro X. It has some great onboard features I've used on recordings too.
Damn! The rebel of the PSR series! It still sounds good to my ear! I was a piss poor teen musician who begged mom for the PSR-530, so when the DJX came along to add to my rig at only $199 I was in dream land! Glad Yamaha wised up and added better representations of urban music to the PSR-S/lines lines.
Yeah it was great to see a keyboard that focused on what everyone wanted to hear (i.e. electronica) rather than giving equal creedence to the styles of music that are utterly unpopular. Yamaha and Casio have both gone back to their old ways, though (yawn). Anyway, if you like the DJX then please watch my 2 d videos about the M-Audio Venom, I think you'll love it. Thanks for watching my channel!
Ooo 😮this brings back some memories, still got the djxii, lacks the arp though. Thing i loved most was if you got the loops on the right going then changed pattern you could then mix & match the grooves, could get a ridiculous ammount of beats going. Might dig it out for a bit of lofi fun! Spoilt with an asr10 now but there fun to be had with this one.
This keyboard was in my basement over ten yrs ago. Used it for making beats with Asr~X and mic mixer, recorded our content on mini disc....The music quality from this keyboard is Amazing! I am angry that i dont have it no more
I owned a DJX in the early 2000's. I used it white Cubase. Off course you may not compare a midi keyboard with DAW these days. To many people with not enough patient and knowledge bought the DJX. This thing is underrated.
Like I reacted on other DJX-vids/uploads: an incredible machine (with that 'hidden soundbank', somewhere, I thought?) and loads of fun, making compositions on it...serious compositions in the end! Yamaha knows what to do and should fill up that gap: incredible payable keyboard/synth/sampler and more, with near professional sound.
Yep, it's the most diversely capable keyboard I've ever seen. The runner-up in that race is the Roland EG-101 which I've reviewed before but that was a long time ago so I've ordered another one. I'll do a head-to-head between the DJX and the EG-101, should be an epic battle....
Thnx! That's all it takes, really: a keyboard/synth composed/designed, only for having a good time, while playing. I guess that would be a benefit for music as a whole. Most synths require rather serious handling and you're always scrolling, searching, fine-tuning and your eyes are suffering from this! 'Feeling' a keyboard/synth, is somehow very, very important...being one with the machine...call it some kind of relationship between! The DJX's, I think, came so close to 'feeling the music you are playing' and probably also were designed for a younger group of people, I suppose, to interest them for EM as a whole(?). Therefore, maybe, the low market-price at the time...but it all turned out to be an ultra diverse, more than semi-adult keyboard, with loads and loads of midranged potential! Than you can see what the big names (Yamaha/KORG/Roland etc) really 'could' or 'are able to' produce for maybe 1/3rd or at least 'half' of the normal retail-price! Looking fwd 2 your EG-101/DJX battle ;-}
Ah you are exactly on the Gearfacts wavelength there. Enjoyment has to come first. If you don't enjoy the instrument then everything created is a little bit tainted with frustration. Heaps more video on this subject are coming :)
I really do need to get back into my DJX and use it in conjunction with my newer synths. I'll never get rid of mine as it was the first keyboard I bought when I built my first studio.
This keyboard is amazing. It's one of those secrets. If you are beginning and need to decide on a keyboard, forget all the new fancy keyboards....get this one. You'll get it for $150 on ebay and it'll do almost everything you need. The accompaniment is really good too. I love the filter resonance and cutoff....can actually do a decent hendrix emulation using these features. I think the 2 best kept secrets of keyboards are the DJX PSRD1 and the DX21 (I prefer the DX21 to the DX7 and it's also around the $150 range). I'd recommend these 2 keyboards the DJX PSRD1 and the DX21. Hook the DJX to the midi-in of the DX21 (for velocity sensitivity playing on the DX21).
Now looking at this, I see there may not be enough room to mount the pignose volume knobs below each speaker, but perhaps to the sides, will still look cool!
The only home keyboard which could bank an arpeggiator AND a regular tone at the same time. All the other PSRs have a restrictive arp setting which doesn't compete with the "professional" series of keyboards.
Was given one of these by a friend a few months ago when my keyboard gave up on me, the amount of features is crazy. Just tryna get my head around it!!
I just watched your vid. Loved it. I also have one. Its actually my third. I bought my first over ten years ago also. I definitely agree with you, this board has all the bells and whistles and is the best board to own in its size and price range.... if you can find one. I remember about ten years ago running through the streets of New York City making my own tracks with this thing. My preference is hiphop and believe me I made a lot of people happy cranking out beat after beat after beat. The sampling , live instruments mixed with drum sound made for plenty of wonderful creations. I will soon put up a vid of my own creating one.....maybe in the street.
Thanks for the good feedback, I look forward to seeing you video. Incidentally, I got a Roland D2 the other day - it's got massive potential, but its interesting to note that the presets are nowhere near as good as those found on the DJX. And the D2 is well over ten years later. Yep, the DJX is awesome :)
nice use of the arpeggiator and sampler together. i find that the djx's arps really blossom when u work the sustain pedal in artfully. no sampling for me, my audio chip burnt up : ( so i found a IIB. for it to control. amazing what the 2 units will do together with a little maptweaking
My first real keyboard was a DJX. Love the shit outta that thing. Still consider it my baby. It was ghetto, but once you learned the tricks of it, it could create some awesome music!
@@gearfacts its kinda going backwards after using mpc2000,mpc2000xl,mpc50,ableton,garage band,pro tools,but i love just being able to hear sounds out the board unlike the mpc studio and the akai mpk series
@@gearfacts recently i went to garage sell and found an yamamha aw16g with the ghost sliders bro..but its hard as hell trying to sequence that thing..lol
I have one for sale if anyone wants to make a fair offer. I bought it new and was teaching my daughter how to use it but I think she plans on sticking with our grand piano in the living room. In my case she wishes it had the traditional piano etc. I told her she is not my child they must have switched her at birth.
Yes it is fun for the $100 or so it cost, otherwise it is rather cheesy. The sound quality fully corresponds to the price. This was mostly aimed at kids, I remember them in Future Shop (RIP). I still have the DJX2b that I got for $30, but sold the DJX and DJX2 to other kids.
quite a good synth really. i'm impressed with the sampler stuff. not a great deal of budget sampler synth out there with keys on. i'd run this thorough a juicy effects unit every time though to give these sounds a bit of welly
I still have my DJX and is in great condition. If you want to buy it, I only want 80 € plus shipping. Excellent condition, buttons and ribbon pad in new condition. Battery compartment is clean. Almost no scratches on the device, not even on the display.
Hey man is there a way to use the assign knob as a midi controller too? So far only managed to map the keys and pitch wheel into FL, would love to use one of the knobs too
Yeah it really makes a good controller if you like the old midi format (as I do). That ribbon opens up a lot of new sounds. Thanks for watching Jonnno, I always appreciate DJX comments!
Yep, the DJX is a phenomenon which deserves the reverence given to classics like the DX7 and M1. It doesn't get that respect because it's a home keyboard and synth lovers kind of reject it. Unlucky for them! Thanks for watching Gearfacts :)
The M1 was also somewhat underrated because although it was positioned as a high-end machine, some people disliked it because it was a “romper” and not a “real” synth. The iM1 is a great addition to any iPad, though.
Hey Glynn, many thanks for posting this video. I'm in the market for one of these for my ten year old son. It looks exactly what I am after and I think he'll have a blast making noises and having a lot of fun with it. I wondered if you could elaborate a little on how you have connected the keyboard up to a PC? Or have you got it hooked up to a sequencer/amplifier? Also, how easy a mod is adding the mic? That is something he is sure to want to play around with especially when I show him this video.
Sorry I overlooked your message. I guess by now you've bought one and are loving it. Midi connection is getting harder with these older keyboards, they often only want to talk to older computers. Grab one off the sidewalk next time people are leaving their 'garbage' outside on the street (We call it the annual 'kerbside collection' here in Brisbane, Australia). Rebuild a 90's computer and relive a golder era! The mic mod is a little fiddly but there is just enough space inside that back panel to thread a cable off to the side. Tricky soldering job due to lack of space. Thanks for watching my video :)
It was an audio tecnica mic taken from a a lecture theatre, and yep I adapted it in exactly the way you described. Just took a small amount of re-wiring.
@@gearfacts Thank you for your response. So a 1/4 inch to XLR adapter and a XLR gooseneck microphone would do the trick? I had a DJX in the late 90's, never hooked a mic to it, but I picked up DJX for $45 yesterday and wanting to set it up right!! 👍
I have one. We have to keep it real. As far as sound goes...it i hovers just above toy-grade. However, when it comes to versatility and fun...it's hard to walk away from. To that end, I'm really looking at this E-463. I head it's a souped up version of this...so we'll see.
You can midi-out its patterns to other devices, I've had some good results doing that. Plugged it into a Roland JDxi about 2 years ago and created a good video of the results.
I had one of these many years back probably around the time it came out I had it for a while I really liked it I would really love to have it right now I think something probably happened to it like I dropped it or something and it was eventually was getting banged up I think the price of it was so affordable of treating it more like a toy than an instrument but there are some really cool sounds on it if you're into like the electronic music side and Dan side some of it I think would be really cool for ambient music as well
You can create new sequences up to 6 tracks, but not looping patterns. And yep there is a quantize function, or you can just use step programming. It's not the most user-friendly interface but hey it's impressive for a low-cost keyboard. Thanks for watching Gearfacts :)
haha thanks Aziz, I'm actually Australian but I don't have a strong accent - luckily! :) It's been a long time since I've used one, but I'm pretty sure the DJX can hold about 5 sounds. It only has 6 seconds total sample time though so I guess it doesn't really matter anyway!
@@gearfacts I’ve heard that a lot of British migrate from UK to Australia nowadays, so no wonder) I guessed about 1 sound max capacity when I saw a label on the keyboard in your video saying something like “ # 285 - Sampled Input “.
Hi Bat, I've heard you can upload samples via midi, but I've never tried it. I suggest googling that one. Also, have a look at the midi chart's in the manual. You may know more about this than me, but I'm getting into using Sysex programming to get functions out of the keyboard that aren't available by using the buttons on the front panel. Again, you'll need to do lots of googling and article-reading about this, but looking at those midi charts might alert you to functions (effects parameters, for example) only available through Sysex that might broaden your sound-creating possibilities. Let me know if you make any discoveries :)
Newbie question here. I want to use this as a midi keyboard, and also keep it usable with its own functions also. I would be running this into a mpc 1000. I use my mpc as the brain of my setup, its dawless. Could I run this into my mpc to use as a midi controller for my setup, and also use my mpc to sequence it like I do all my other equipment? Or could I not do both?
@@gearfacts Awesome! Just ordered one last night, found a super good deal! TH-cam never notified me you responded, so I was here for tutorial stuff and noticed you had replied, lol. Thanks for reading my newbie rambles, it's much appreciated!
Thanks for the review! I also saw your video about Roland RG 101. I think that probably the EG 101 and the DJX were oriented to the same kind of musicians. So, I would like to ask you, according to your experience which of them it is better? Thanks!
Oh the DJX is way better in my opinion. The EG101 has some superior sounds, true, but it's so horrible to use (and VERY heavy) that I would only recommend the EG101 if you absolutely NEEDED those unusually loud speakers. I used to use it for my children's puppet shows as they were loud enough to fill up a room over the noisy kids.
@@gearfacts Thanks for your answer!!! Have you tried the DJX 2, How it is compared to the DJX? I read that most people prefer the origial DJX over the DJX 2.
I was a bit disappointed when I got this in 1998. Yes I know it sounds great but it's not what I wanted to use it for. I wanted to create whole compositions from scratch without using the styles and arpeggios. 6 channels was too limiting, the sampler was only for 6 seconds and it was in mono, the sequencer was a bit limited and the sounds, well there were only about 283 in total, a lot of them just drum loops and vocal sounds. That means about 100 sounds, a few drum kits and the 128 General Midi was of any use to me. The GM sounds did not sound very good but the first 100 sounds (voices) were good. I ended up putting 1 track for the drums, 1 track for the percussion using step recording, then 3 tracks for the bass and string voices using real time recording, and the last track for the sampler. I really stretched this instrument's functionality to the limit and when I presented my 6 track composition to some people in a recording studio, they couldn't believe I did it on one instrument! I'm sorry it really was frustrating for me to make some good music using this. It's not good if you want to start from scratch. 4 out of 10. One more thing. I had to carry this instrument WITH BATTERIES inserted because without the batteries, I would lose all my data. This means the weight is actually about 8kg not 6.8kg because of the batteries. What a shame. Well I'm glad technology has moved on and I can easily work from scratch now.
Gee that is very clever you managed to modify the mic socket. How did you do that may I ask and has it made the sampler sound clearer? It is a great unit the DJX. I own a handful of keyboards synths as I do music production as a hobby.
Hi, thanks for your comment. I think I just soldered wires onto the two active points on the existing mic in socket, then ran that wire off too the side a bit so I could screw on a solid housing for the XLR socket. It was pretty squeezy inside as I recall, but there was just enough room. Did it improve the sound? No! There was no change in quality, and input seemed a bit quieter after the modification. So it was a very time-consuming - but not expensive - operation to install what ended up being just a microphone holder... But I still love the DJX, I have two others that are intact (phew). Thanks for watching Gearfacts :)
Do you like the slider better than the D Beam? Found one on FB marketplace for $65 usd, it didnt last long enough for me to reply.....right now there is a casio xw-g1 for $250 obo. it is lame that my former employer owes me 7 months of pay or I would offer on it.
Yes I like the slider much better than the D-beam. I also like it better than turning knobs. Take that employer to court man, employers short-change working class people enough even they deliver the right pay #gearfacts
The cutoff of my DJX keeps defaulting to '12 o'clock' meaning the sound is slightly filtered unless you turn the knob to another position. Is there a way to make it default to '5 o'clock' (fully open) instead? I prefer the sound to be unfiltered (bright).
This is a good question. I'm not sure, but if you go to the manual (google "Yamaha DJX PDF" if you don't have it) and look through the function menu to see if there's an option to override the knob reset and have it remain at the position where it lies, regardless of any other actions. To be honest I don't remember ever seeing this option on the DJX but that doesn't mean it's not there :) #gearfacts
@@gearfacts Unfortunately I can't find information about the default value in the manual. As alternative I have tried sending MIDI CC 74 and 71 from my sequencer to the DJX, but it will not respond to these. My sequencer does record the turning of the Cutoff and Resonance knobs on CC 74 and 71 though. Sending these CC messages back to the DJX doesn't change anything. Just to check, sending cc 11 (Expression) from my sequencer to the DJX does work. So I went back to the manual and found this note: NOTE: *1 By default (factory settings) the DJX ordinarily functions as a 16-channel multi-timbral tone generator, and incoming data does not affect the panel voices or panel settings. However, the MIDI messages listed below do affect the panel voices, pattern, and songs. • MIDI Master Tuning • System exclusive messages for changing the Reverb Type, Chorus Type, and DSP Type. The Remote Channel can be designated by using Function parameter #81. The messages received over the set channel are handled in the same way as key data received from the DJX itself. The following messages can be received over the designated channel set in this Function parameter; all other messages will be ignored. • Note ON • Note OFF • Control change : Bank select MSB, LSB (Main Voice Only), Modulation, Volume, Expression, Sustain, All sound off, All note off • Program Change (Main Voice Only) • Pitch Bend I guess there's no solution. Thanks for trying to help.
Yes. 12 o'clock position is a default, unfiltered sound. You can program a filtered sound for your preset by diving into "Overall" and "Knob Assign" and saving a new filter setting. Your saved program will sound filtered until you over ride the filter setting with the Filter knob.
Yep, that's what I did. I only have the original DJX and the DJX2B now. I found the DJX2 keyboard to be a lot less usable than the other two :) Gearfacts
Can you make your own rap beats with this keyboard? If so, can they be saved on the keyboard? And can you also synchronize them using a midi clock on a 24 track recorder?
@@gearfacts this is far from a toy believe me. I had years of studio work done with this savage machine. Enjoy it if you can find one and more importantly Hang on to it
It's all in the function menu, dude. Press FUNCTION repeatedly to go through all of the items in the menu (there are lots of them, about 50). In there you can choose DSP on/off, then press function again and set the level at 100 (good place to start) then press function a few more times until you get to DSP - here you can select from any of the 20 or so effects and they will be routed to your main keyboard voice. Rotary speaker is one of the effects. You can assign its intensity to the ribbon controller too. The manual is available by googling "Yamaha DJX PDF" Have fun and Thanks for watching Gearfacts! ps to activate dual just press the DUAL button, then you'll have two layered voices. You can select the second voice layer by again trawling through the function menu...
Hey there, I'm FINALLY really sitting down with the DJX and figuring out what I can do with it and can't do with it. is there some trick to be able to play a given voice externally? like if i want to select a specific drum kit and hear that from external sources triggering? i'm seeing that GM channel 10 plays a generic drum kit but not reflecting what voice i currently have selected.
I think in the function menu you have the choice of transmitting the rhythms out via midi. You might have to download the manual by googling "yamaha djx pdf", it should be the first result you get. I definitely managed to extract patterns with midi back in the old days and some of those tracks actually appear on my Zibber Zabber songs (that's my other channel, for kids) Thanks for wATCHING gEARFACTS!
thanks for the reply! but to be clear all i want is to be able to trigger the currently selected voice.. be it one of the synth sounds.. drum kits.. what have you.. with a single midi channel coming from a sequencer / controller keyboard.. I have the manual and it's helpful, but it seems to gloss over my specific desire.. it only says "multi-timbral" twice in the whole manual.. and something feels wrong with its setup because 1-9 are piano.. 10 is a generic drum set.. 11-16 are also the same piano.. but i don't even need that much control.. I mean i'd love to be able to assign all 16 channels to whatever, but really being only stereo out, 1 voice is sufficient at a time.
Hmm sounds like you're more advanced in MIDI than I am... Hit the forums, I'd say, the DJX has a cult following these days and there are some very enthusiastic users out there. Sorry I couldn't be more help!
thanks man yea i'll see if i can find a DJX forum. I'm not aware of any. It's a really awesome device. If i can get that filter working on a given instrument / drums.. crowded studio, I gotta get this working to make this baby earn it's space! :)
I'm kinda confused as the 8-bit sampler on mine is piss poor quality (using line in) so what's the point of adding an XLR input to a very low fidelty sampler??!
The default sound is about as close as you'll get to a grand piano. You could try adding a little reverb (button way over on the right) and see if that helps the vibe along.
This is my childhood thing! I absolutely love it! Yesterday I spend 2 hours jamming on the DJ and now trying to actually get behind ALL of the features, haha
Yeah I don't have one in the studio atm and it's absence is always felt :)
ok, in 1995, a friend bought this keyboard and what followed are? tons of remixes from games, custom tracks created, with some songs number 16 gabba was my favorite and burlin,
we did also few stories with keyboards in the background but then in 2014 it was done.
this is 1 of the best keyboards ever made.
This was my first keyboard back in the 90s. Was fun to learn on. Memories!
Thanks for the good feedback, most people who comment just complain about all this free information that reviewers provide for them :)
Some keyboards are just plain fun even if they are a bit dated and not technically the best. Love the DJX.
Bought mine brand new in 1998. I did a project with it and Music 2000 on Sony Playstation recorded into a Fostex DMT8 VL that made me a decent return. I still have the Yamaha DJX mark one in my studio to this day. I bought the mark 2 when it came out as well. I have that in storage. It looks brand new compared to the DJX mark one.
Needless to say the mark one will be staying in my studio irrelevant of whatever other synths and keyboards I get. It's earned it's place
I hear you. It’s a tall spike in the linear progress of home keyboards GF
I bought mine in 98 aswell ive bought another since as the keys response diminished on my first . Awesome piece of kit
Kb😅mvncdmd
I found a DJX in the electronic recycle bin in the apartment building I live in a few weeks ago. I didn't have time to look at it properly until yesterday. Wow. Impressive keyboard. Just what I needed to brush up on my music skills. Thanks for the video. Mine is built in 1999 and is mint, except from some yellowing on the keys.
Oh wow!
Result!
I had a DJX, and a DJX II.
I was working in a pawn shop '03-'04, and got them for about $89, and $120, respectively. Some excellent sounds, and rhythms. Quick and easy knobs were just super fun. I miss them so.
I, now have an Akai professional MPK 49, midi controller, which came with Ableton Live Lite, and another virtual instrument, it gives me access to a lot of new horizons, but the simplicity of tweaking on the Yamahas, was just intuitive, and I loved playing them. When the adapter slots became broken, I used D size batteries up until 4 years ago, and would plug a radio transmitter into the headphone jack, and play it through my vehicles speakers.
I knew they were gems before I got them, and was sad to let them go. Loved the English Horn feedback, steel drums, drawbar organ, and strings/piano.
Thanks for your message CC. Yes there has been no keyboard that I've held onto for as long as the Yamaha DJX. The original version was my favourite, I wish they'd re-release it. The new PSR-E463 offers all the same features but it's not as focused on electronic/synth genres. Still great, just not quite 'the same'... :)
Just bought one today from a charity shop for £25, lucky to have the hindsight of it being a bit of a cult classic - had a play this afternoon and it is just not a toy at all! Soundwise, it reminds me of my old CS1x, which was my first newly bought synth back in the day, loved that thing.
Anyway, for £25, it was a no brainer, sounds great and lots of fun.
Wow! I love hearing bargain stories from people who watch my channel, and this one is a pearler! Thank you :) Gearfacts
I've read that the sound engine for the djx IS the same as the CS1, only with less controls and lower bit depth. Hated 2 things that caused me to sell it. 1- No backlight. 2- No memory storage without batteries. Shame.
I bought one at a carboot for £5.00 well good fun love it
Love the DJX. I had one about 15 years ago and it got ruined in a flood at my mom's house. I missed it so much I bought one used on Ebay.
Very understandable purchase there! :) #gearfacts
I have had a DJX since they came out, and I still play it regularly. Its a great keyboard. I recently got my self a Roland JV2080 rack synth. and I can use the DJX to control it. And it makes a great controller. Plus, the cutoff and resonance filters on the DJX can be used onto the Roland for GREAT sounds. Also DJX has "touch" so is very expressive.
100% agreed!
No way! haha. I grew up with the DJX at school and then bought the Roland JV2080 12 years ago. Nothing more fun than a real instrument.
Thanks for sharing this video. I've had this board since 1998 and I have much more advanced keyboards than that but but none of them have impressed me as much as the DJX. I make Trance on the fly and it does a wonderful job. The sounds are fabulous, the effects are perfect for what i need and even the rhythm accompaniments are still relevant today for my kind of music. So the DJX definitely comes highly recommended by me. I know some think its a toy, but I can tell you it's not.
Agree with you 100%. I sold mine - big mistake - been searching to get one back ever since :(
Just bought one today for $15!
Phenomenal!
Just bought one today (11/12/2020) all on the strength of watching your review !
Cool, do you mind if I ask how much it cost? Prices seem to be all over the place for these things as they're becoming collectible.
I still have one in my attic. It was my best mate as a kid. I need to get that bad boy out again 😅
@@AbstractBlend yup, it’ll never be your main keyboard again but you’ll be glad you got it out. Also they are attracting good prices at the moment if you are thinking of selling.
I had this in high school and college, it blew my mind. I remember could record songs on it, made some beats for friends to freestyle. It was always fun to turn on. This was maybe 1999-2003 give or take.
I think I got mine in '98 :) #Gearfacts
I bought mine in 1999 when I was sixteen years old for three hundred and fifty US dollars and I still have it! Unfortunately , the pitch bend wheel , one speaker, and the part control button are broken.I still use it for recording sometimes. I love the djx! Yamaha is my favorite brand when it comes to keyboards.
I purchased this DJX keyboard from a music store in Mattydale NY in 1998 and went to work with it right away and had alot of fun. Sadly moved back to Texas and hot arrested the same day I got there for a ticket jbhad gotten driving my moms cousins car because his vertigo was too bad too drive and someone hit US in the back and somehow I was supposed to have insurance while merely driving his car for him while he was innit. Anyway, i needed $300 to bond out and ling story short I have no idea what happened after ir where it went why i fidnt get it back. However, Im lookjng for one and theres PLEASEon ebay right now. !!! .
You are so right about features for the price. I love mine. The first time I turned it on to check it out at a pawn shop, the first sound I heard was the vinyl scratch. I said, " Oh, blown speaker" XLR is brilliant.
haha, I bet listening to the other sounds cheered you up a bit after that inital 'blown speaker' feeling :) Gearfacts
@@gearfacts Totally I had to buy it. Then a friend of mine that is a REAL keyboardist loved it and found one of his own. I felt justified with my purchase to say the least. Now I see a lot of people are digging it. Thanks for the vid.
I have this one too and it is great fun from the very first moment (you are great with it!).
Totally agree! And thanks. One day I'll get another DJX.
This was my first instrument and it was perfect for me at the time (minus custom pattern sequencing of some kind). Glad to see it had a bit of a fan club :). I had so many jams with guitarists using the onboard patterns and fills, taking out or filtering the cheesier elements. I'm glad I sampled some of the drum loops on the initial patch before it got waterlogged in a leaky garage.
I owned one of these years ago and had enormous fun with it, especially as my keyboard skills are a bit to be desired. I sold it and instantly regretted it. it is now 2018 and I've bought another one, eagerly awaiting it's arrival.
Yes! It's still the best ever home keyboard. I'm interested to try the new PSR-463 when it gets released next month as it has most of the DJX features. But I'm sure it won't live up to the DJX's sheer focus on FUN. That's what made the DJX such an experience. Thanks for watching Gearfacts and stick around for my next DJX video in which I connect 2 x DJX's via midi and mix it all up :) Gearffacts
Hi, hismthere any chance of a comparison between the DGX and the PSR E463? With its Groove Creator, track controller, Live Knobs (albeit only 2 of course), arpegiator, sampler and DSP, it looks like a lot of fun, too. Regards.
Best keyboard I've ever had in my childhood.
And in my adulthood :)
Really great keyboard. Nice review!
I have one in my recording studio and use it often for controlling virtual instruments with MIDI
in Logic Pro X. It has some great onboard features I've used on recordings too.
Yep, totally versatile unit and a great overall concept. Thanks for watching Gearfacts :)
Damn! The rebel of the PSR series! It still sounds good to my ear! I was a piss poor teen musician who begged mom for the PSR-530, so when the DJX came along to add to my rig at only $199 I was in dream land! Glad Yamaha wised up and added better representations of urban music to the PSR-S/lines lines.
Yeah it was great to see a keyboard that focused on what everyone wanted to hear (i.e. electronica) rather than giving equal creedence to the styles of music that are utterly unpopular. Yamaha and Casio have both gone back to their old ways, though (yawn). Anyway, if you like the DJX then please watch my 2 d videos about the M-Audio Venom, I think you'll love it. Thanks for watching my channel!
Ooo 😮this brings back some memories, still got the djxii, lacks the arp though.
Thing i loved most was if you got the loops on the right going then changed pattern you could then mix & match the grooves, could get a ridiculous ammount of beats going. Might dig it out for a bit of lofi fun! Spoilt with an asr10 now but there fun to be had with this one.
This keyboard was in my basement over ten yrs ago. Used it for making beats with Asr~X and mic mixer, recorded our content on mini disc....The music quality from this keyboard is Amazing! I am angry that i dont have it no more
I just picked one up with a cracked body, missing knobs and a loose pitch wheel for $50.
I can't stop playing with it. It's awesome.
I just sold one for $300 so you've made a good investment there! :) Gearfacts
There's some cool bose looking sound chambers inside her.
i'm having trouble using it as a sound module. it gets stuck every 8th note or so. i tried to reset it with no luck.
I owned a DJX in the early 2000's. I used it white Cubase. Off course you may not compare a midi keyboard with DAW these days. To many people with not enough patient and knowledge bought the DJX. This thing is underrated.
is that has a midi connection
Yes, it is MIDI-compatible
still a good keyboard: built in sampler / loadsa voices /MIDI / pedal socket / what more can one ask?
Same here! Cuba’s sx iirc. You could twist the sound well in Cubase. Before that in 99, I had a sp-202, djx and a tascam 4-track. Still own it all.
I've got one of these in my loft that's coming out in the morning. It's been a while since she sore sunlight, since I bought her as a kid.
You've got a fun day ahead!
Like I reacted on other DJX-vids/uploads: an incredible machine (with that 'hidden soundbank', somewhere, I thought?) and loads of fun, making compositions on it...serious compositions in the end! Yamaha knows what to do and should fill up that gap: incredible payable keyboard/synth/sampler and more, with near professional sound.
Yep, it's the most diversely capable keyboard I've ever seen. The runner-up in that race is the Roland EG-101 which I've reviewed before but that was a long time ago so I've ordered another one. I'll do a head-to-head between the DJX and the EG-101, should be an epic battle....
Thnx! That's all it takes, really: a keyboard/synth composed/designed, only for having a good time, while playing. I guess that would be a benefit for music as a whole. Most synths require rather serious handling and you're always scrolling, searching, fine-tuning and your eyes are suffering from this! 'Feeling' a keyboard/synth, is somehow very, very important...being one with the machine...call it some kind of relationship between! The DJX's, I think, came so close to 'feeling the music you are playing' and probably also were designed for a younger group of people, I suppose, to interest them for EM as a whole(?). Therefore, maybe, the low market-price at the time...but it all turned out to be an ultra diverse, more than semi-adult keyboard, with loads and loads of midranged potential! Than you can see what the big names (Yamaha/KORG/Roland etc) really 'could' or 'are able to' produce for maybe 1/3rd or at least 'half' of the normal retail-price! Looking fwd 2 your EG-101/DJX battle ;-}
Ah you are exactly on the Gearfacts wavelength there. Enjoyment has to come first. If you don't enjoy the instrument then everything created is a little bit tainted with frustration. Heaps more video on this subject are coming :)
Have fun than...see u round!
Yes, there are videos of this showing that it's been circuit bent
I really do need to get back into my DJX and use it in conjunction with my newer synths. I'll never get rid of mine as it was the first keyboard I bought when I built my first studio.
I finally sold mine last year. It had a very good run. Buyer was super-happy :) GF
Hello, Can I use this as a midi keyboard for Ableton? I have the DJXI and DJXII and I think is cool, and I don’t want to spend in other
@@SharLeeRV I don't use mine as a MIDI keyboard but you should be able to use the DJX mark 1 as a MIDI keyboard no problem.
Played this at a local Yamaha Expo way back in 1998. It's been 22 years, jfc.
jfc indeed. It's still ahead of its time though, I wish Yammy would do a re-release.
This keyboard is amazing. It's one of those secrets. If you are beginning and need to decide on a keyboard, forget all the new fancy keyboards....get this one. You'll get it for $150 on ebay and it'll do almost everything you need. The accompaniment is really good too. I love the filter resonance and cutoff....can actually do a decent hendrix emulation using these features. I think the 2 best kept secrets of keyboards are the DJX PSRD1 and the DX21 (I prefer the DX21 to the DX7 and it's also around the $150 range). I'd recommend these 2 keyboards the DJX PSRD1 and the DX21. Hook the DJX to the midi-in of the DX21 (for velocity sensitivity playing on the DX21).
I totally agree, although I have not yet tried the DX21. It's on the list :) Thanks for watching Gearfacts!
I had both DJX and DJX2. I left them with some friends in Albania back in 2006. Maybe they've had some hits with them by now!
Maybe! I still have mine after all these years. Haven't had any hits though! :( Gearfacts
Now looking at this, I see there may not be enough room to mount the pignose volume knobs below each speaker, but perhaps to the sides, will still look cool!
Hmmm yeah. Expensive project but definitely intriguing.
The only home keyboard which could bank an arpeggiator AND a regular tone at the same time. All the other PSRs have a restrictive arp setting which doesn't compete with the "professional" series of keyboards.
Yep, another unique feature of the DJX 👍
Was given one of these by a friend a few months ago when my keyboard gave up on me, the amount of features is crazy. Just tryna get my head around it!!
Wow you've got a gem in your hands there! Both musically and financially :)
I did pick one up. Thanks for the demo!
I just watched your vid. Loved it. I also have one. Its actually my third. I bought my first over ten years ago also. I definitely agree with you, this board has all the bells and whistles and is the best board to own in its size and price range.... if you can find one. I remember about ten years ago running through the streets of New York City making my own tracks with this thing. My preference is hiphop and believe me I made a lot of people happy cranking out beat after beat after beat. The sampling , live instruments mixed with drum sound made for plenty of wonderful creations. I will soon put up a vid of my own creating one.....maybe in the street.
Thanks for the good feedback, I look forward to seeing you video. Incidentally, I got a Roland D2 the other day - it's got massive potential, but its interesting to note that the presets are nowhere near as good as those found on the DJX. And the D2 is well over ten years later. Yep, the DJX is awesome :)
I still have this very keyboard, all in perfect working order with all buttons present.
Nice, I've made so many videos about this keyboard because there's just so much to say about it :) GF
nice use of the arpeggiator and sampler together. i find that the djx's arps really blossom when u work the sustain pedal in artfully. no sampling for me, my audio chip burnt up : ( so i found a IIB. for it to control. amazing what the 2 units will do together with a little maptweaking
My first real keyboard was a DJX. Love the shit outta that thing. Still consider it my baby. It was ghetto, but once you learned the tricks of it, it could create some awesome music!
Jeremy Francis Totally. I've owned four now, and THIS time I am NOT selling it, definitely haha
@@gearfacts I have had both the one and two since they were released ...they have traveled all over with me ...but couldn’t bare to part with them !
Haha I know what you mean by ghetto! I've had mine since new in the 90s. It's great to see this keyboard getting some recognition and respect at last!
i still got my DJX from the 90’s ! i love it ,
Wish I did. Should've kept the box and everything, it's a classic now!
Gearfacts i just bought Knobs because i lost mine yrs ago.
I'd forgotten how good this machine sounded, unfortunately i sold mine years ago : (
Yeah with this one I have a tendency to buy, sell, buy, sell etc etc. Now they are collectible and I don't have one :/
JUST GOT ONE...ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT AND YOUR REVIEWS
Man you are going to start a whole new life with that DJX!
@@gearfacts its kinda going backwards after using mpc2000,mpc2000xl,mpc50,ableton,garage band,pro tools,but i love just being able to hear sounds out the board unlike the mpc studio and the akai mpk series
@@gearfacts recently i went to garage sell and found an yamamha aw16g with the ghost sliders bro..but its hard as hell trying to sequence that thing..lol
Oh yeah I know the one ...so it has synth sounds built in to it as well does it?
@@gearfacts yep,thats the one
I picked up one of these at Value Village for $6.50, it's a real fun box.
Duane Spooner Wow, that's the best bargain I've heard of since the guy who got a Roland PMA-5 from a yard sale for $5. Awesome work!
I have one for sale if anyone wants to make a fair offer. I bought it new and was teaching my daughter how to use it but I think she plans on sticking with our grand piano in the living room. In my case she wishes it had the traditional piano etc. I told her she is not my child they must have switched her at birth.
Are you in Australia?
Yes it is fun for the $100 or so it cost, otherwise it is rather cheesy. The sound quality fully corresponds to the price. This was mostly aimed at kids, I remember them in Future Shop (RIP). I still have the DJX2b that I got for $30, but sold the DJX and DJX2 to other kids.
quite a good synth really. i'm impressed with the sampler stuff. not a great deal of budget sampler synth out there with keys on. i'd run this thorough a juicy effects unit every time though to give these sounds a bit of welly
I still have my DJX and is in great condition. If you want to buy it, I only want 80 € plus shipping. Excellent condition, buttons and ribbon pad in new condition. Battery compartment is clean. Almost no scratches on the device, not even on the display.
I'm interested, but I'd need shipping to Australia... possible?
@@gearfacts Shipping cost is more as 100 €.
"yes sir? Right away sir! Jobs finished."
I use my DJX as MIDI Masterkeyboard and that works great. Using with e.g. Tone2ElectraX,Gladiator;Ableton and Cubase.
Yes it operates midi channels nicely :) Thanks for watching Gearfacts!
Hey man is there a way to use the assign knob as a midi controller too? So far only managed to map the keys and pitch wheel into FL, would love to use one of the knobs too
Not all knobs are useable with midi :( In Ableton/Tone2 Icarus/ElectraX;Gladiator,i can only use CutOff an Resonance.
+Subraumspalte that's absolutely correct :(
Some of the keys on my djx stopped working😢😢😢. I am gutted. I love this classic machine
Easy to fix, here's the solution: th-cam.com/video/FNIEdwNyK74/w-d-xo.html
Oh yes. And the ribbon controller from the DJX also controls the Roland. Great.
Yeah it really makes a good controller if you like the old midi format (as I do). That ribbon opens up a lot of new sounds. Thanks for watching Jonnno, I always appreciate DJX comments!
I had one of these early 2000's. I loved it! This video makes me want to find one again now.. But ebay $260? thats more than I paid originally!
namizmo I just saw a few for$150 on eBay
yeah I had one too great fun miss it...
it's one of the best keyboards yamaha ever made.
Yep, the DJX is a phenomenon which deserves the reverence given to classics like the DX7 and M1. It doesn't get that respect because it's a home keyboard and synth lovers kind of reject it. Unlucky for them! Thanks for watching Gearfacts :)
The M1 was also somewhat underrated because although it was positioned as a high-end machine, some people disliked it because it was a “romper” and not a “real” synth. The iM1 is a great addition to any iPad, though.
Hey Glynn, many thanks for posting this video. I'm in the market for one of these for my ten year old son. It looks exactly what I am after and I think he'll have a blast making noises and having a lot of fun with it. I wondered if you could elaborate a little on how you have connected the keyboard up to a PC? Or have you got it hooked up to a sequencer/amplifier? Also, how easy a mod is adding the mic? That is something he is sure to want to play around with especially when I show him this video.
Sorry I overlooked your message. I guess by now you've bought one and are loving it. Midi connection is getting harder with these older keyboards, they often only want to talk to older computers. Grab one off the sidewalk next time people are leaving their 'garbage' outside on the street (We call it the annual 'kerbside collection' here in Brisbane, Australia). Rebuild a 90's computer and relive a golder era! The mic mod is a little fiddly but there is just enough space inside that back panel to thread a cable off to the side. Tricky soldering job due to lack of space. Thanks for watching my video :)
What kind of gooseneck microphone are you using and did you adapt it to XLR from 1/4 inch?
It was an audio tecnica mic taken from a a lecture theatre, and yep I adapted it in exactly the way you described. Just took a small amount of re-wiring.
@@gearfacts Thank you for your response. So a 1/4 inch to XLR adapter and a XLR gooseneck microphone would do the trick? I had a DJX in the late 90's, never hooked a mic to it, but I picked up DJX for $45 yesterday and wanting to set it up right!! 👍
@@LilHoss Yep exactly. Then all you need is a way to firmly secure that XLR socket in place. You got a good deal on that DJX!
I have one. We have to keep it real. As far as sound goes...it i hovers just above toy-grade. However, when it comes to versatility and fun...it's hard to walk away from. To that end, I'm really looking at this E-463. I head it's a souped up version of this...so we'll see.
You can midi-out its patterns to other devices, I've had some good results doing that. Plugged it into a Roland JDxi about 2 years ago and created a good video of the results.
i have this one, i wonder if this midi to usb converter will work. It used to
I had one of these many years back probably around the time it came out I had it for a while I really liked it I would really love to have it right now I think something probably happened to it like I dropped it or something and it was eventually was getting banged up I think the price of it was so affordable of treating it more like a toy than an instrument but there are some really cool sounds on it if you're into like the electronic music side and Dan side some of it I think would be really cool for ambient music as well
Yeah it has nice ambient beats
Nice keyboard
Sure is :)
Great vid! I look forward to getting one!
I had 2 more than 15 years ago... Both stolen.. loved the preprogrammed hip hop tunes.
man... theft of musical items causes a special kind of heartbreak :(
Gearfacts That's the truth... I was more upset about that than my akai, 808 and mkIII tables..
can u create original sequences and patterns and quantize them or is everything just pre made patterns only?
You can create new sequences up to 6 tracks, but not looping patterns. And yep there is a quantize function, or you can just use step programming. It's not the most user-friendly interface but hey it's impressive for a low-cost keyboard. Thanks for watching Gearfacts :)
There's one of these currently available, 30 mins drive from mine, 'free'. I'd be in so much trouble for bringing more clutter home, but...
Do it :) Gearfacts
@@gearfacts It's gone since I posted. Ah well... you snooze, you lose.
Is there any way of playing the grand piano on the 61 keys as I don’t see the option? Please help
Piano is voice 181 if I remember correctly
Awesome mate
@7:35 - "Music....Nonstop". :D
i still have mine.. $300 back when i bought it new
John Wilson yeah I think I paid about $500 Australian for it. It could still retail for that price if Yamaha just updated it a bit.
Why is there nothing like this nowadays
100% agree. Yamaha PSR-E463 is as close as it gets but it's not as focused on pure electronica as the DJX :) Gearfacts
Great pure British pronunciation!) Thanks. Great keyboard as well, only pity it can store only one sampled sound.
haha thanks Aziz, I'm actually Australian but I don't have a strong accent - luckily! :) It's been a long time since I've used one, but I'm pretty sure the DJX can hold about 5 sounds. It only has 6 seconds total sample time though so I guess it doesn't really matter anyway!
@@gearfacts I’ve heard that a lot of British migrate from UK to Australia nowadays, so no wonder)
I guessed about 1 sound max capacity when I saw a label on the keyboard in your video saying something like “ # 285 - Sampled Input “.
Glynn, can you import sound samples and tones onto the DJX keyboard? I have a DJX keyboard and I want to add extra sound tones to it.
Hi Bat, I've heard you can upload samples via midi, but I've never tried it. I suggest googling that one. Also, have a look at the midi chart's in the manual. You may know more about this than me, but I'm getting into using Sysex programming to get functions out of the keyboard that aren't available by using the buttons on the front panel. Again, you'll need to do lots of googling and article-reading about this, but looking at those midi charts might alert you to functions (effects parameters, for example) only available through Sysex that might broaden your sound-creating possibilities. Let me know if you make any discoveries :)
Thanks! will do!
Newbie question here. I want to use this as a midi keyboard, and also keep it usable with its own functions also. I would be running this into a mpc 1000. I use my mpc as the brain of my setup, its dawless. Could I run this into my mpc to use as a midi controller for my setup, and also use my mpc to sequence it like I do all my other equipment? Or could I not do both?
So a 2-way connection? It should be possible. Getting all the settings right might be a bit tricky. I support the idea of going dawless though :)
@@gearfacts Awesome! Just ordered one last night, found a super good deal! TH-cam never notified me you responded, so I was here for tutorial stuff and noticed you had replied, lol. Thanks for reading my newbie rambles, it's much appreciated!
Thanks for the review! I also saw your video about Roland RG 101. I think that probably the EG 101 and the DJX were oriented to the same kind of musicians. So, I would like to ask you, according to your experience which of them it is better? Thanks!
Oh the DJX is way better in my opinion. The EG101 has some superior sounds, true, but it's so horrible to use (and VERY heavy) that I would only recommend the EG101 if you absolutely NEEDED those unusually loud speakers. I used to use it for my children's puppet shows as they were loud enough to fill up a room over the noisy kids.
@@gearfacts Thanks for your answer!!! Have you tried the DJX 2, How it is compared to the DJX? I read that most people prefer the origial DJX over the DJX 2.
@@wanderinggenie Yep I agree with those people! I recently did a review of the djx2 and have done several vids about the original DJX
@@gearfacts Thanks!!
Picking one up tomorrow!
Nice nice NICE! Feel free to make a demo video for gearfacts haha (hint hint) haha
@@gearfacts Any idea on how to prevent pt and pn being on when starting up? Since picking up it's been hilarious fun!
I was a bit disappointed when I got this in 1998. Yes I know it sounds great but it's not what I wanted to use it for. I wanted to create whole compositions from scratch without using the styles and arpeggios. 6 channels was too limiting, the sampler was only for 6 seconds and it was in mono, the sequencer was a bit limited and the sounds, well there were only about 283 in total, a lot of them just drum loops and vocal sounds. That means about 100 sounds, a few drum kits and the 128 General Midi was of any use to me. The GM sounds did not sound very good but the first 100 sounds (voices) were good. I ended up putting 1 track for the drums, 1 track for the percussion using step recording, then 3 tracks for the bass and string voices using real time recording, and the last track for the sampler. I really stretched this instrument's functionality to the limit and when I presented my 6 track composition to some people in a recording studio, they couldn't believe I did it on one instrument! I'm sorry it really was frustrating for me to make some good music using this. It's not good if you want to start from scratch. 4 out of 10. One more thing. I had to carry this instrument WITH BATTERIES inserted because without the batteries, I would lose all my data. This means the weight is actually about 8kg not 6.8kg because of the batteries. What a shame. Well I'm glad technology has moved on and I can easily work from scratch now.
Yep, it's not all a bed or roses. The song sequencer is literally the worst I've ever used!
I’ve just bought one £50 ,, trying to get my head around it,,,
Nice deal you got there. I did various other videos about it, mostly quite dated now but they might help :)
Nice !!!
YAMAHA DJX Absolutely, and I just scored another DJX in perfect condition - stay tuned for more DJX vids!
Gee that is very clever you managed to modify the mic socket. How did you do that may I ask and has it made the sampler sound clearer? It is a great unit the DJX. I own a handful of keyboards synths as I do music production as a hobby.
Hi, thanks for your comment. I think I just soldered wires onto the two active points on the existing mic in socket, then ran that wire off too the side a bit so I could screw on a solid housing for the XLR socket. It was pretty squeezy inside as I recall, but there was just enough room. Did it improve the sound? No! There was no change in quality, and input seemed a bit quieter after the modification. So it was a very time-consuming - but not expensive - operation to install what ended up being just a microphone holder... But I still love the DJX, I have two others that are intact (phew). Thanks for watching Gearfacts :)
My very best friend gave me this as a gift :)
+officialcinotv Your best friend is a freakin' champion!!
Lucky af haha
how did you put the xlr mic mod at the back? did you have to solder anything inside?
Do you like the slider better than the D Beam? Found one on FB marketplace for $65 usd, it didnt last long enough for me to reply.....right now there is a casio xw-g1 for $250 obo. it is lame that my former employer owes me 7 months of pay or I would offer on it.
Yes I like the slider much better than the D-beam. I also like it better than turning knobs. Take that employer to court man, employers short-change working class people enough even they deliver the right pay #gearfacts
MAN YOUR SWEET ON THAT BRO...
Cheers man
The cutoff of my DJX keeps defaulting to '12 o'clock' meaning the sound is slightly filtered unless you turn the knob to another position. Is there a way to make it default to '5 o'clock' (fully open) instead? I prefer the sound to be unfiltered (bright).
This is a good question. I'm not sure, but if you go to the manual (google "Yamaha DJX PDF" if you don't have it) and look through the function menu to see if there's an option to override the knob reset and have it remain at the position where it lies, regardless of any other actions. To be honest I don't remember ever seeing this option on the DJX but that doesn't mean it's not there :) #gearfacts
@@gearfacts Unfortunately I can't find information about the default value in the manual.
As alternative I have tried sending MIDI CC 74 and 71 from my sequencer to the DJX, but it will not respond to these. My sequencer does record the turning of the Cutoff and Resonance knobs on CC 74 and 71 though. Sending these CC messages back to the DJX doesn't change anything. Just to check, sending cc 11 (Expression) from my sequencer to the DJX does work. So I went back to the manual and found this note:
NOTE: *1 By default (factory settings) the DJX ordinarily functions as a 16-channel multi-timbral tone generator, and incoming data does not affect the panel voices or panel settings. However, the MIDI messages listed below do affect the panel voices, pattern, and songs. • MIDI Master Tuning • System exclusive messages for changing the Reverb Type, Chorus Type, and DSP Type. The Remote Channel can be designated by using Function parameter #81. The messages received over the set channel are handled in the same way as key data received from the DJX itself. The following messages can be received over the designated channel set in this Function parameter; all other messages will be ignored. • Note ON • Note OFF • Control change : Bank select MSB, LSB (Main Voice Only), Modulation, Volume, Expression, Sustain, All sound off, All note off • Program Change (Main Voice Only) • Pitch Bend
I guess there's no solution. Thanks for trying to help.
Yes. 12 o'clock position is a default, unfiltered sound. You can program a filtered sound for your preset by diving into "Overall" and "Knob Assign" and saving a new filter setting. Your saved program will sound filtered until you over ride the filter setting with the Filter knob.
Pulled mine out today for a jam
90s revival!
KIERA COYOTE SAY "I PLAN ON GETTING THE DJX2b TO COMPLETE THE SET AS I HAVE DJX1 & DJX2 AND THEY ALL MIDI"!
Yep, that's what I did. I only have the original DJX and the DJX2B now. I found the DJX2 keyboard to be a lot less usable than the other two :) Gearfacts
Can you make your own rap beats with this keyboard? If so, can they be saved on the keyboard? And can you also synchronize them using a midi clock on a 24 track recorder?
You can't make your own beats really but there are heaps to choose from.
I bought one of these brand new in 1998/1999.
I made some serious sounds on this unbelievable Machine. If you see one for sale get it.
I will. They're getting rare now!
@@gearfacts this is far from a toy believe me. I had years of studio work done with this savage machine. Enjoy it if you can find one and more importantly
Hang on to it
I'll played this board many times ....
Hi, how do you record your voice into it. I don't have a XLR mod. Where do I plug my mic in?
There is a normal 6mm TRS plug for microphones in the same location
The djx1 had the best basic voices sounds, but djx2 had best drums rhythms sounds & dj effets.
I agree. Overall I prefer the original. The arpeggiator is notably absent on the 2.
Hi I like this video. I have this keyboard and was wondering if you know it's value?
+Anabel Calva Not much :)
So, how can I turn on the rotary speaker function? How do I use effects? Also, how does the dual function work?
It's all in the function menu, dude. Press FUNCTION repeatedly to go through all of the items in the menu (there are lots of them, about 50). In there you can choose DSP on/off, then press function again and set the level at 100 (good place to start) then press function a few more times until you get to DSP - here you can select from any of the 20 or so effects and they will be routed to your main keyboard voice. Rotary speaker is one of the effects. You can assign its intensity to the ribbon controller too. The manual is available by googling "Yamaha DJX PDF" Have fun and Thanks for watching Gearfacts! ps to activate dual just press the DUAL button, then you'll have two layered voices. You can select the second voice layer by again trawling through the function menu...
Thanks, but I figured it out the other night, still a good, informative video. I got mine to sound almost like a Hammond organ!
how ? please elaborate
First I turned on the rotary speaker, and then dual selected draw organ and jazz organ.
Hey there, I'm FINALLY really sitting down with the DJX and figuring out what I can do with it and can't do with it. is there some trick to be able to play a given voice externally? like if i want to select a specific drum kit and hear that from external sources triggering? i'm seeing that GM channel 10 plays a generic drum kit but not reflecting what voice i currently have selected.
I think in the function menu you have the choice of transmitting the rhythms out via midi. You might have to download the manual by googling "yamaha djx pdf", it should be the first result you get. I definitely managed to extract patterns with midi back in the old days and some of those tracks actually appear on my Zibber Zabber songs (that's my other channel, for kids) Thanks for wATCHING gEARFACTS!
thanks for the reply! but to be clear all i want is to be able to trigger the currently selected voice.. be it one of the synth sounds.. drum kits.. what have you.. with a single midi channel coming from a sequencer / controller keyboard..
I have the manual and it's helpful, but it seems to gloss over my specific desire.. it only says "multi-timbral" twice in the whole manual.. and something feels wrong with its setup because 1-9 are piano.. 10 is a generic drum set.. 11-16 are also the same piano.. but i don't even need that much control..
I mean i'd love to be able to assign all 16 channels to whatever, but really being only stereo out, 1 voice is sufficient at a time.
Hmm sounds like you're more advanced in MIDI than I am... Hit the forums, I'd say, the DJX has a cult following these days and there are some very enthusiastic users out there. Sorry I couldn't be more help!
thanks man yea i'll see if i can find a DJX forum. I'm not aware of any. It's a really awesome device. If i can get that filter working on a given instrument / drums.. crowded studio, I gotta get this working to make this baby earn it's space! :)
Post a video when you get it moving, Caleb!
What would make the DJX better is if it actually had an *LED Backlit LCD screen.*
So agree with that!
Hello, Can I use this as midi keyboard for Ableton?
Midi>USB converter :) #gearfacts
I'm kinda confused as the 8-bit sampler on mine is piss poor quality (using line in) so what's the point of adding an XLR input to a very low fidelty sampler??!
+TheRealD4VID Just for the convenience and stability of using a gooseneck XLR mic. It was never meant to be a great sampler.
does anyone know where to buy the tuning thing that goes on the left?
and what it’s called ?
thank u !!
Pitch bend wheel? I'd find an old/non-working Yamaha synth and smap them over. Many Yamaha models use the exact same mechanism.
Gearfacts thank u 😊!!
I got mine for free and I was wondering if there was any way to make this piano sound like a regular grand piano
The default sound is about as close as you'll get to a grand piano. You could try adding a little reverb (button way over on the right) and see if that helps the vibe along.
3:01 - muffler embrace
:) Gearfacts