DX7 Patch Library

I'm looking for a good DX7 patch library for the FM8. The only thing I came up with on Google was this one from Kid Nepro:

http://www.kidnepro.com/KN/SampleCity/NativeInstruments/fm7.html

Anybody know anything about this library (or others for that matter). Back when I was using hardware synths I had pretty good luck with Kid Nepro patches.

Also, they charge separately for the Win and Mac versions. For business reasons I do use both. I wasn't aware that the patch libraries would be different. Is that correct?

 

Why not using sounds made especially for FM7 or FM8 using all its features?

 

There are *thousands* of old DX7 sounds out there on the web - free!

Try these:
http://www.maths.abdn.ac.uk/~bensondj/html/dx7.html
and
http://www.synthzone.com/yamaha.htm
(links to patches there)

FTP site:
ftp://ftp.ucsd.edu/midi/patches/DX7/

Also, google: DX7 patches



My standard tips for making old DX7 patches sound great in FM8:

1) Go to the <Easy> page and lift the Stereo Width - works magic!
2) If possible, increase the output volume. Most old patches are too soft.
3) Tweak velocity sensitivity on some operators - makes the patches more "live"
4) Add reverb or delay etc - season to taste.

I also often reduce the detune parameter as many patches sound far
"tighter" when this is decreased. A slow chorus works a lot better on
a pad patch than a hideous detune which renders the sound irritating
and incompatible with other instruments.

Hope this helps....

Colin

 

Thanks. I don't know why I didn't make the connection before, but somebody at the Vintage Synth forums already reminded me that you can import DX7 sysex. I've subsequently found and successfully imported a bunch of DX7 patches from the web. However, I would still like to get a good library of the classic patches that were used in the 80's--something like the ones in this list:

http://www.synthmania.com/dx7.htm

 

A lot of those old sounds sound alike. Take that classic DX-piano: it's a 14->1 + [1<]->1 algo. But in those old libs there're probably countless variations, between the 14->1. Different levels, different ratios, different keyboard scaling. It's more fun to just create those sounds yourself anyway..

 

Got 'em! There is a large zip of patches at the first reference that contains the original factory patches. Thanks again.

 

A warning

One more thing to note:
When importing banks to FM8, look out for any patches which have
"restricted" characters
* (star)
. (period)
/ (slash)

If the patches contain any of these, they will be left out when importing.

You need FM7 to be able to re-name these patches and re-save before importing into FM8.

New FM8 users don't have any options that I'm aware of....

*That goes to the long list of unfixed problems with FM8*

 

Thanks for the interest. Just wanted to clarify a couple of things.

We do not charge separately for both windows and mac versions. The sounds can be imported to both mac and pc just the same.

The 128 sounds that are available at the above link were programmed on FM7 complete with all FM7 parameters, effects, controls etc.

We also have a larger DX7 library which we also offer that does not have the FM7 controls included. It can be purchased separately or as a bundle with the FM7 sounds.

If you need any more info you can contact me at: sales@kidnepro.com

Steve Proto
Kid Nepro Sounds
www.kidnepro.com

 

Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions on how to find DX7 patches. I'll be checking those out this week!

I also checked out Kid Nepro and found patches for my old Roland D-10! For $25, I don't have much to lose if I take a chance on them. They're also having a decent "special" on Roland and Yamaha patches, too.

I'm not affiliated with the company in any way, but I honestly didn't think anyone was still selling patches for hardware synths any more, and I don't mind supporting some of the better companies.

Now, if I could just find patches for my Yamaha S-30!

 

Convinced, I should do sets for my hardware