An organ from the DX7 times. Inside we mainly have Frequency Modulation technology, and Yamaha did not reuse the DX7 6-operator chips! Instead this seems to be a separate development, the sound engine has 8 operators and much more algorithms. The mono section even has 16 operators, but they have obviously got two engines in parallel.
I must say, I have never opened this organ for repairs or improvements. She is perfect 🙂
Ok – one drawback: I also own a SY99 and I like the FM programming. The FM sounds are in principal user-editable, if you have the appropriate PC-editor software. I assume that Yamaha assumed, the buyers of organs are the people who do not go into the deep of FM programming. I have not found any SysEx-documentation to write my own editor. The only editing possibility is an Atari program for making own HX1 voices, this program can also run under Windows using an Atari Emulator. The User Interface is a night mare under this emulator (if you want to change a parameter from 0 to 100, you have to click left mouse 100 times…). Only a view user memories are available, all other voice programs are read only.
However, the playing is very pleasing, a wonderful keyboard and pedal action. Pedal is velocity sensitive! The “Hammond” section sounds surprisingly authentically. And you can change most registrations on the fly without using sub menus.
| My personal ranking | **** (4 Stars of 5) |
| plus | great sound, nice accompaniment and drums |
| minus | programming the 8-OP FM synthesizer using a Atari-Emulator is cumbersome. |
Further Links:
Yamaha HX Fan site: http://members.lycos.co.uk/yamahahx/whatisthehx.html
I wrote an artice about this exceptional organ in German here at Amazona.de