David Hilowitz Music Unleashes the DX7: 80s Nostalgia Meets Modern FM Mayhem

Let’s not mess about—the Yamaha DX7 is the synth that defined a decade, and David Hilowitz Music wastes no time reminding us why. The video kicks off with David’s first ever hands-on with a real DX7, and you can almost hear the synthwave arpeggios pulsing in the background. He calls it possibly the most recognisable sound of the entire 1980s, and honestly, he’s not wrong. If you’ve heard a pop hit, a movie soundtrack, or even a fast food jingle from that era, you’ve heard this machine at work.

But this isn’t just a nostalgia parade. David’s approach is refreshingly honest—he’s not here to worship at the altar of vintage gear, but to see what the fuss is about. The DX7’s factory presets are so baked into pop culture that they’re impossible to pin to a single song. Yet, as David flips through the sounds, he finds both the familiar and the downright strange, setting the stage for a deep dive into what makes this synth tick.

The DX7’s legacy isn’t just about retro vibes—it’s about how its sound engine keeps mutating. David gives a quick history lesson, then pivots to the modern era: Dexed, a free software clone, doesn’t just nail the sound, it makes editing and managing patches a breeze. No more squinting at a tiny LCD and scrolling through endless parameters—Dexed puts the whole engine on your screen, knobs and all.

David’s not shy about the pain of programming a real DX7, and he’s right: it’s a menu-diving nightmare. But with Dexed, or even the Korg Volca FM2 and the MiniDexed project, you get all the FM power without the backache. The best bit? You can swap patches between hardware and software like it’s 2024, not 1984. If you want to see just how slick this workflow can be, you’ll have to check the video—words can’t do the patch-flipping justice.

Here’s a twist: David’s DX7 isn’t your standard issue. Thanks to a Grey Matter add-on board, this unit packs way more memory than most, unlocking a stash of experimental and downright bizarre sounds. Some of these patches are so left-field, it’s hard to tell if they’re intentional or just the result of corrupted data. Either way, they show off the DX7’s wild side—proof that this synth isn’t just about cheesy electric pianos.

This expanded memory turns the DX7 into a playground for sonic oddballs. David’s delight (and confusion) is palpable as he scrolls through the upper banks. If you thought the DX7 was all about presets you’ve heard a thousand times, think again—there’s a whole world of weird lurking in those extra slots.