I own an S90 and a Motif ES7. I'm not using a PLG150DX card. I'm considering buying and old rack version of FM synthesis. I'm thinking rack so that the FM synth will be much more portable in that I could gig with either my S90 or ES7 and still have the FM synth with me without having to swap out the PLG150DX card.
My choices so far ar the:
TG77
TX802
TX7 (I know it's more a desktop than a rack)

This is also my priority order thinking the TG77 would be my best choice since it also has a 16 poly AWM sound engine and I understand there are more than just one sine wave to work with in the FM engine. But I'm wondering if maybe the TX802 might have better effects or features that might make me want a TX802 over a TG77.

Does anybody have any advice about these FM rack modules or can anyone offer to through another rack FM synth in the mix?

Thanks in advance.
Bob
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FS1R would be a very nice choice if you can find one.
TX81Z in only 4 op, but because it has multiple waveforms, it has some very nice sounds.


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The TX 802 (I had 2 of them at one stage!) is a great live unit as it is easy to create live performance voices from FM presets and is not too difficult to get to grips with.

Bob , I have used the TX802, TX7 and the TX81z...My least favorite of these is the TX7...The best one is the TX802...The one I got the best results and fun was the TX81z..I used two units that were in alternate for 16 voice polyphony..It was only 4 operator but had neat multi timbre parameters..

Quality wise...go for the TX802..I don't recall any effects you mention, but it is a workhorse...

Another consideration may be Native Instruments FM [soft synth]..

My choices in order of preference would be

1) FS1R
2) TG77
3) TX802
4) TX7

In answer to your question the TG77 is a more advanced FM engine ( AFM ) than the TX802, has the AWM waves as well and has effects. The TX802 has no effects or AWM and has less FM algorithms. Plus you can find a lot more sounds online for the TG77/SY77. There are a lot of DX7/TX7 patches available you could use to build patches for the TX802 but you would have to set them up yourself.


[This message has been edited by Nigel (edited 12-11-2005).]

Thanks for all your responses. I'm surprised to hear some really good things have been said about the TX81z (on here and other forums) about its ability to get some very nice sounds even though it's a 4 op system.

After Christmas, what I'll probably wind up doing is just being patient and careful and from ebay try to a tg77, but if a great deal on a tx802 comes along, well that's what I'll go for. Which ever comes up with a great deal first. Looks like the FS1r is fetching $500-$600, a little too high for me. Maybe in the future I'll consider adding a TX81z. I mean used, these things aren't really going to break the bank ya know? But I think I can safely say the TX7 is out.

Peace and thanks again
Bob
<><

Thanks again everyone.

[This message has been edited by RW (edited 12-13-2005).]