1984 (Dec.)
Initially sold for ¥826,000
The TX816 is a modular rack synthesizer, available in many configurations. The name changes based on the number of modules installed: from TX216 up to TX816 when every slot is populated. The single module is called TF1 and is basically a DX7 sound engine without an interface.
Each TF1 has to be programmed through an external DX7 or computer and can store up to 32 patches. It has MIDI ports and its own XRL output, but can be also controlled from the master MIDI inputs of the rack.
The DAC is the same 12 bit one found on the DX7 and TX7, thus making a full TX816 like stacking 8 DX7s, each with its own adjustable output, something very useful on a live stage. The price tag of £4000 in fact clearly targeted professionals that needed more FM voices in a less space demanding machine.
However, compared to a DX1, DX5, TX802 or DX7II, the concept of "performance" holding in memory more than one voice is not available here, forcing the user to manually set patches every time.
Features
- 8 TF1 digital FM tone generator modules in a rack-mountable system.
- Each TF1 contains a 6-operator FM tone generator with 32 RAM voice memories.
- Each module contains 32 function memories corresponding to the 32 voice memories.
- Independent MIDI IN and THRU terminals for each module. The TX816's 8 independent MIDI inputs make it an ideal tone generator system for use with the QX1 digital sequence recorder.
- Common MIDI IN, OUT and THRU terminals.
- Independent balanced XLR audio outputs from each module.
- All voice and performance memories can be programmed via an external 6-operator DX synthesizer.
