Yamaha DJX

I am a guitarist so I found it took a while a while to accustom to the protocols of keyboard use but this would be the same (if not, worse) for any keyboard.

I play about 1 or 2 songs per set on it- polyphony, DSP, filters are more than what I need- especially for the price. HATE the way it boots on 1 mode and that mode being completely useless. Even you set to a use preset mode, the pattern still stays on irrespective.

Most instruments are more than adequate- I mainly use piano and strings and they are fine, except the piano can sound a bit synthetic when at the end of the sustain.

I can always depend. I own 2 Yamaha guitars, a Yamaha 6-track and other miscellaneous toys and (I'm not kidding) I have never had a single problem with a single Yamaha. Even the RGX guitar I got that came with the body cracked down the middle by some clown still plays perfectly. I do not use it sufficiently to justify paying for a back-up.

Most manuals are available from the website and that's all I ask for.

I got it at a steal of a price because some pawnbroker dude thought it was a toy. Which it is in some respects. But the legitimate features more than suffice and it's got some gadgets that are fun as well. That's what you look for in this price range. I think Yamaha have hit a great balance.

I don't think there was a software update for this, but I was using whatever came with it. The onboard sequencer is really useless and kind of obtuse. I really don't mind this, though, but a backup battery WOULD have been very useful for saving the function settings so that you didn't need to memorize what you needed to set up every single time..., or at least choosing some better defaults (footsw default should be for Sustain, not for the "Tap" option!)... The manual was okay, I learned a lot from it, actually.

The polyphony was good enough for me, I think. The DSP effects were fun as hell, as were its limited sampling capabilities. I'm a classically trained pianist and as such I HATE the PSR-style keyboards for their lack of weightedness and action. One thing that annoys me is that I cannot turn the pressure/velocity sensing off completely - I tend to like having a constant dynamic for organ pads, etc. and the fact that I couldn't get this with, for example, instrument 174 was a pisser-offer.

I used it playing in my rock band - it got the job done, I guess (why did I buy a DJX? because it was CHEAP, that's why!) A lot of the synth effects, the square leads etc. are extremely cool. The piano sound just was altogether too bright and synthetic for me. Effects are neat. Aftertouch? Hah! no souch thing with this. Then again, the price was right.

I kind of HAD to rely on it, given that I'm broke and without a backup. It sometimes acts rather temperamentally and goes a bit weird and a reboot is necessary... One thing I'll give it is it's durable as hell. It's taken a beating, to the point where I've put a war-amps sticker on it.

Never needed to - never anything seriously wrong with it.

I'm planning on buying a Korg SP-300 soon, I may just keep this around for its samples and use the new one as a controller, or use this as a backup. I've been using it with a Peavey KB/A 30, which has done well as an amplifier for it. I have to say I like the knobs, they can be useful sometimes, as well as the scratch pad/bend wheel, a rock keyboardist sometimes doesn't realize how fun(and surprisingly useful) these "fringe" features can be. :) my main complaints would be the mode into which it boots up (god-awful stupid mixed DJX set of dance samples.. and part/pattern control on), not to mention the lack of an "off" setting for the touch sensitivity. Not a bad starter keyboard but a piece of crap in the long run.

I bought it in February 2000, I guess there's never been another Software Version... But well, we're rather dealing about its ease of use, aren't we ?
So, let's begin this way : my beloved wife considers I spend to much on equipment. I think she's right but it's because I actually got satisfied 2 weeks ago when I added some huge mastering processor to my home studio...
So, we were one day in this music shop and the Demo DJX simply waited there.
I started playing while my wife was browsing the book sections (she plays the flute and the classical guitar).
She got back to me 15 minutes later saying: "hey, there's some good electro stuff playing on the radio. not the kind I actually enjoy but this is groovy, though a little buggy at times..."
Then she realized I was "the radio".
She started playing, chose some style and quickly got around this...
This could have last for hours but it was already 16:00 and, on Saturdays, shops do close at this time, in Switzerland. We then bought it, also because of its ridiculously low price.

The polyphony is enough, they say it's 32, so I might be in the minimal stuff caus' I never suspected some of my notes to be eaten alive by the engine...
There are loads of effects which I happened to use when I began to read the manual. I guess it was quite easy to set up though I am more into knob'ing sounds than into menu option#blah, etc.
It can not be expanded, but why would you do that ?
It has MIDI so I can use whichever other synth I own, the FS1R, for example...
The dynamic keyboard, knobs and ribbon make it a perfect controller which it is samely priced as.
The onboard sequencer is rather a notepad, and, due to the lack of a backup battery, you cannot go too far with it.
But if I don't give it a 10, it's because I am jealous that Yamaha only gave the Tempo-bpm-detector (or whatever this is called) to the loathed DJX2 losers (the ones with no sensitive keyboard and other sounds) (I'll actually buy a DJX2b, one of these days, anybody has one for sale, please ??? ;-))

(note to the webmaster: this section reads "expresiveness" : an "s" is missing)

OK, the sounds.
How could I say it ?
I am into some nerdy electronic stuff which has no name.
SO ARE THE SOUNDS !!! :)
I love the way it sounds, it may be neutral but, this is a must if you want to mix it amongst other instruments !
My 2 favourite sounds are the B900 kit ("Boooooooooommmm") and the 303-Fish.
They overKILL !!!
This unit is an amazing source of inspiration to me : Don't just connect to a sound bank : torture every and each of the sounds, you'll be surprised at how far they'll take you.
Iguess that ost of the guys who blamed its sounds would also have thrown some Kraftwerk albums in 197x : the DJX IS TODAY's TB303 : AN UNCONSECRATED CLASSIC. I can't wait to find some guy who'd "Fish" it, by adding knobs, over-amplification, etc. Even though, until then, you can have loads of fun with a Rat dist and this.

No problem at all, never. But I stayed home.

Don't know, (see above).

OK, as there are still loads of shop selling these, I am planning to buy 2 or 3 others for, say... 100CHF each so that I can begin to have a furious play with their internals...
I guess that a moid'ded DJX should become the new Fish :-)
I love it, I'd not only buy it again if some guys risked his life by stealing it but I WILL also buy it again besides the existing one.

the sounds on the djx are very toy-ish.....but for the amount it cost this we become a classic as time goes on.edit sounds are simple due partly to the limited options and knobs right in front of you. the manaul seem str8 forward but i prefer hands on learning.

poly seems ok. the keyboard action is pretty toy-like but good for a beginning as i am. effect are cool and can really help get you limited point across.midi capabilities are str8 forward and limited. sequencer sucks cause of its simplicity. but easy as hell when you have no other sequencer to use. dollar for dollar the best value around.

sounds suck.....!

i wouldnt use out side of the bathroom.

no need.

if it were lost i would be upset cause i do feel this will be a classic for the lower end of instruments. it will be the family learning keyboard as the kids get older. i been playing maybe 3 years and i have/had ensoniq asrx, zoom st224(the best dollar for dollar sampler) roland s330, akai so1, alesis sr16, boss dr505, kord triton, yamaha qy70(cant live without it).

first you must admit to the fact that you have a brain. If you can admit to that fact, ...umm..well if at least you are able to say 'mmm...ddddd...ahhh...ehh', ..then you will be able to use the keyboard no problem.

I have not noticed any problems so far in polyphony. But i'm going to be getting another djx 'just in case'. keyboard action is ok. nothing spectacular. it does the job. i like the fact that there is pressure sensitivity, ..because of that I can at least see this as a real instrument. ...which is why you should stay away from the fucked up djx2, which has no pressure sensitivity. the djx has a good bit of midi capabilities for what it is. I like the fact that you can use the knobs to transmit midi data. not bad. ...i have never used the sequencer so i can't say anything there. ...i use this keyboard primarily for certain sounds (ie piano/strings dual sound on right, and slap bass on left...sounds nice) ...again this keyboard is easy to use. But you must be able to say "dddd...mmm...ehhhh...rrrr."

this sounds on this thing are decent. ...and you can pretty much use it for any style of music (not just dance) .....i don't use the onboard 'pre-set drum/bass paterns', ..because i think they suck. Maybe i think they suck because i didn't make it. I like to make my own shit, ..not some dumb fucks shit that was made in a factory.

well..... i don't know about reliabiltiy. Which is why I am thinking about getting another djx as backup. I have had no problems with this keyboard so far, ....but the outer casing and the basic makeup of the keyboard is less then 'reassuring'.

i have no experience with the yamaha people, other than ordering a music stand for the djx. ...they did that, ..so i guess they are not sleeping in their offices. ..but i will give them no grade here. I needed a massage on the back, ..they didn't give me :(

if it were lost or stolen, ..i wouldn't cry. I would get angry. I would call fire from hell upon the poor soul who touched the keyboard of the anointed one. For he does not deserve to live. No, ...No.

Not the easiest to use but with a little reading your up and rolling.

For the $109.00 I paided for a Factory reconditioned model, it's
some of the best money I ever spent. There must be alot of people
out there that are pissed off that they spent thousands on keyboads
and still don't have a ribbon controller like the DJX. I can't imagine
any other reason that this unit isn't getting better reviews. It gives
you many analog synth sounds and some usable GM sounds. If your broke
and can't afford to spend more-GET ONE OF THESE!!!!!!! You'll never
regret it. Many pro's and pro studios use these things--It also make
for a good midi controller. For the money it just KILLS!!!!!
I'm sooooo stoked!

Very good for the money.

Unknown

UNknown

There is no other keyboard on the market that even close for the money. This even blows many keyboards that cost 5X as much out of the water! Great idea generator-as well as multi-track recording fattener!
Don't forget a good midi controller too....

LFX: The keyboard looks like a toy ,,,but is a serious, high quality piece of equipment...You get your money worth and more with the presets...
I dont have the manual but internet support is great....

The Djx is hot to hiphop producers like me who want one machine to do alot of different things..(drum machine,keyboard,sampler,on the fly effects)
BUT THE BADDDD THING ABOUT THE DJX IS THERE IS NO METRENOME WHEN RECORDING...you have to have cakewalk or somethin....(but your not to serious unless your using cakewalk anyway so.....)

The Djx Got me 3 songs on the radio....right now 6/12/2002 ,i have a song at #1. It doesnt have too many sounds but the ones it has are quality..Radio Ready...F@#K A Korg!!!

Dont take it on the stage,,Keep it in the studio for maximum performance...Like I said you can depend on the sound quality...

Good Internet support..online manual

I OWE ALL MY THANX TO YAMAHA for making an affordable keyboard
that poor cats like me can build a studio around..Cant beat it for 200....
Your Sleepin if you dont like The Djx....
The keyboard is underated and Underpriced....

I do not think there is a version of software for this unit. Everything appears to be hard coded on chips. The presets are cool, they really lean to the Hip-hop/techno/trance/dance catergories. Not too bad overall. It has Chorus, Reverb, and other DSP effects that you can use. It also has a ribbon controller and entire keyboard setups which you can program. The speakers are pretty good, but price not withstanding, maybe they could have made separate Woofer/Tweeter systems on this board. The bass boost sounds more like a Mid-Bass Boost, until you plug into a system with a subwoofer. Then it gets really low and you end up turned to boost back. The manual is standard PSR series from Yamaha.

It has 32 Note Polyphony, and is multi-timbral. It has Chorus, Reverb, and other DSP effects, with are all separately adjustable. No expansion for this unit though. It really does not need any expansion, it is a 'turn on and play' type instrument. That is the beauty of it. It does have a rudimentary sequencer in it, and works okay I guess. I have tried to sync the drum track up to my other boards to make them more beefy (or tried to access the drum sounds from my other boards, and it does not work well), but it does send and receive MIDI messages. The real-time control knobs in this thing are cool too, but have found that they do not always work, and I have to shut off the unit and turn it back on. That kinda sucks.

Overall, the instruments are pretty good. The GM set is a little weak, but when layered, sounds pretty good. When I bring this unit to band practice, I have a couple pf presets that I have made; Piano with Strings (sounds pretty good), and the Sax Sound is great when you add a little chorus and verb to it. It is not the caliber of the synths out there, but it will do well in a mix. I really dig the beats that this thing makes; you can get some great stuff out of it. There are a lot of styles on here, and if I can figure out how to make the drums talk to my other boards, I could actually use it on some albums or something. The chordal combinations that this unit has are pretty cool too and work well, for the most part. There is nothing really to complain about on it, this unit is not a 2700 dollar Kurzweil. It is a fun groove box made in the same vein of the PSR Series play boards.

I do not hink I could use this on a gig replacing any of my gear now...The sounds would require too much time in setting them up the right way. But to lay down jam tracks or help with DJ'ing, I would use it.

Yamaha seems to have adequate customer support.

I might buy another one if it were lost or stolen, but right now it is sitting in a case against the wall and has not been used in at least 6 months. It was bought on a whim at the same time I was picking out a portable keyboard for my momma-in-law. It was one of those 'hey, I could have some fun with this keyboard' type thing and $200 is not that bad.

Pretty easy to use. Not real complicated. Just read the manuel, everything will make sense. even if not. pretty easy to figure out

Really cheap. Great Effects. Good Bass good built in speakrs. combine many sounds. Pretty cool stuff. Havnt played with the midi yet. Has a good line out. no expansion capabiity. GREAT Pitch bend.

NO realistic sounds. ALl very.. fake. I use the keyboard for hardcore. Even though its meant for amature deejays,and kids. Great effects for the newbie to synth. Very good cost. very great keyboard. I totaly dig. Its very active. And react well to velocity of pressure pushe unto keys.

It reliable. But its flaws:
Horrible memory. VERY short Sample length. My spring came loose on the pitchbend. BUT... thatwas my fault, i use it a LOT i my music. I abuse the mofo.

............

I would deffinitly keep this in my stack of keyboards. Its great. Love the keyboard. Love it. very unique. The makers didnt know what audence it was going for to start off.. So. its got a very childish shell. but its still very cool.

Styles sound very uptodate. Talking about voices most presets sound alike but as a good thing are all playable. Particularly good are split voice combinations. Apart from applying filters and effects the parts are not editable. The manual is good.

The keyboard action is OK for grand-piano playing but for electric pianos or synths it is not fast enough. Effects are hard to use because you have to scroll throug a lot of menues to get to them. The sequencer is just for sketches and it does not play midi files.

The sampler is excellent for Van-Hayden type of sound (try applying filter sweeps to a loop) Unfortunately it is designed more for sampling instrument voices than as a loop sampler. Grand piano is very expressive.

I droped a shelf on it, went dead on me a couple of times but it always repaired itself.

It's excellent value for the money with a lot of features. The main bad points are lack of floppy, proper sequencer and arranger of styles. It is best suited for playing covers and backings.