Hypersynth HCard-705 for DX1 & DX5

Yamaha’s top-of-the-range DX synths finally get custom performance banks and huge storage capacity to boot!

Whilst these will only have a relatively limited audience, given that only 140 DX1’s and a few thousand DX5’s were ever made, for those of us lucky to own one or the other, we have rarely had much to get excited about in terms of new sounds and performances for these amazing synths.

Both the DX1 and DX5 are, essentially, two DX7 engines in a single synth, but the abilities of these high end FM synths goes beyond that simplistic description via, amongst other things, their Performance mode. Unlike the later DX7-IID/FD and TX802, which offered layers and splits at the expense of polyphony (they both used an updated single DX7 engine), the DX1/5 was able to layer the two DX7 engines together, effectively doubling the polyphony to 32 when used in split mode and delivering chord-friendly 16 note polyphony in layer mode.

The addition of a TX7 to a DX7 got you close, but it wasn’t a straightforward process to create Performances, and the mighty TX816, which contained 8 DX7 engines in a giant rackmount, lacked the control surface and Performance management, mainly because it was designed for live or studio use to recreate multiple DX7’s in a much more affordable and convenient manner.

Performance mode on the DX1/5 allowed you to select any two voices from either the internal RAM or the two ROM/RAM cart slots and save unique performance data (detune, modulation, etc.) per Performance patch, thus making it effortless to switch between any of the 64 internal Performance patch memories without having to modify any settings to get back to your desired sound.

However, because of the limited number of DX1 and DX5’s sold, it seemed that the then-new industry of preset development somewhat overlooked these synths in favour of the far greater selling DX7 and other popular synths in the DX range. Ever since I got my DX5, I have been searching for specific Performance banks with absolutely no luck at all.

But all that is about to change as Hypersynth have finally launched their much-anticipated HCard-705, an enhanced and modified pair of their successful 701 model, with updated LED’s and internals specifically for these two top end synths. Not only that, but they have pre-loaded them with a vast array of the widely available sounds that can easily be found online as well as the specific factory DX1/5 banks and, most excitingly, some new custom DX1/5 Performance banks that sound incredible, as demonstrated in this video…

The HCard-705 pair is available to order now direct from the Hypersynth website and retails at $389 plus shipping ($32 EU/US/CA or $26 APAC)

Specifications are:

-Memory size for voice: Up to 800 banks (25600 Voices, card A+B)

-Memory size for performance: Up to 400 banks (25600 Perfs, card A)

–Pre-loaded with 52 voice banks per card

–Pre-loaded with 2 performance banks (Hyper-Bank + Yamaha Factory)

–Instant access to different banks using touch buttons

–Two digits bank indicator display

–No need for battery

-Drop in replacement for “Data RAM”, “Voice ROM” and “Perf Rom” cartridge

-Hidden “Memory Protect” option

-Compatible with Yamaha DX5 and DX1

Finally, after 35+ years, these two classic, hugely desirable digital behemoths are getting the RAM Cart and Performance patch love they truly deserve!

I am hoping to be able to review these at some point soon, so watch this space for more details, and maybe a video too!