The late great pianist/vibraphonist, Hagood Hardy (big hit was instrumental "The Homecoming")a guitarist, bassist, drummer and three keyboard players, that did the orchestra parts on his recording in the live show albums...I saw him at our famous Savoy Theatre, in Glace Bay, only a few years before he passed away.

The Homecoming... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKu2j7BJZA0&feature=related

The DX-7's were all MkI's and one player did mostly cello and contra-bass, the second did the rest of the string section sounds, and the third did flute, oboe, and other solo instruments.

I didn't see any modules or rack mount synths, and afterwards, backstage, the lady keyboardist who did the string section sounds, and who used to play with the group, "The Parachute Club", told me both DX-7's were totally stock (so it could be easy to get a replacement on the road) and used no effects other than a touch of reverb, and they were using strings, and other sounds, that were programmed by Bo Tomlyn.

If you closed your eyes, you'd swear you were listening to a piano accompanied by a full orchestra...very talented players, and players who's technique was instrumental (sorry)in how these parts were able to sound so realistic.

Many of the sounds in Tyros and PSR are reminiscent of the FM synthesis used in DX instruments.

Many bands used DX-7's for their bass sounds, which were usually doubled with bass guitar...lots of disco tunes had that combo.

Certainly the DX-7 was a ground-breaker...and yes, the breath controller was a hoot (sorry again)...I still use one on my CS-01 mono synth...tres cool!

Ian