I have been using my EX7 now for over eleven years and I can hand on heart say its the best single piece of music equipment / instrument that I have ever placed my hands on or heard. In 1997 when I first bought it, it was top of the line except for the flagship model (The EX5) which had a full sized keyboard with fully weighted keys and a VL acoustic synthesizer built in.
The quality of the sounds on this are in most cases so realistic that its impossible to tell the difference with the right use of effects. Compared to other synthesizers in its generation and even now, the quality is unbeatable even 11 years on. I once had a Yahama CS2X and the difference between the quality in voices on that and the EX is in a completely different class.
This instrument is perfect for performances or even writing songs from start to finish with its fully functional sequencer with no computer or any other instrument. Whether you have used a synthesizer to model your own voices before or not it doesn't really matter. You can get on and start playing with
the built in voices straight away. However if your a synthesizer techie there is plenty of potential for modeling your own sounds from using several built in wave modelers.
Fancy sampling your own sounds? no problem. The built in sampler will take care of that as well and the effects module has many high quality effects you can apply to any voice.
The user interface I would say is the only let down. The main competitor when the EX came out was the Korg Triton which I have heard was very easy to use with its touch screen interface. The Yamaha is very complex compared to that, and almost bordering on scientific. Its not the easiest to interact with as well with a turn knob and button presses.
With its interface, it can take a long time and patience to learn how to use the sequencer let alone modeling your own voices. But then, that being said there is plenty of built in presets you can access very easily and start using straight away without having to learn rocket science first.
Overall this synthesizer is so versatile that you can get along with it no matter what your trying to do. I couldn't ever imagine parting with mine, and have for many years considered it my secret mistress that I go visit late in the night for a bit of emotional release.
Technical features (nerdy stuff)
The EX-7 features a unique Extended Synthesis system which incorporates a number of the most advanced tone generator technologies plus a full-featured sampling system. It offers a Four-Element Voice structure which allows for up to four independent waves from any of the tone generators. The tone generators implemented here include AWM (Advanced Wave Memory) Synthesis, AN (Analog Physical Modeling) Synthesis and FDSP (Formulated Digital Sound Processing) Synthesis. According to Yamaha:
"AWM is Yamaha's original system for effectively using sampled waveforms in synthesizers and tone generators. The strength of AWM synthesis lies not only in its extraordinary ability to "shape" and control the sound of the samples with a comprehensive system of envelope generators, filters, key scaling parameters, modulation, and more. AWM voices can have from 1 to 4 AWM elements. Each AWM element can use a preset wave or a sampled waveform. The ability to combine AWM elements means that you can, for example, combine separate samples for the attack and sustain portions of an instrument's sound, with independent control over each.
Yamaha AN Synthesis (Analog Physical Modeling) offers all the benefits of traditional analog synthesis with the stability, reproducability, and precise control of digital technology. It is capable of accurately reproducing the sound of classic analog synthesizers without patch cables, setting charts, or the frustrating instability that was the bane of the analog age. A standard (Poly) AN voice can have 1 AN element and from 1 to 3 AWM elements. Classic analog synth type sounds can be created with the single AN element alone. AWM elements can be added as necessary to "modernize" the sound.
FDSP adds a sophisticated note-dependent effect processor to the basic AWM synthesis system. In contrast to a stand effect stage, the FDSP synthesis stage uses individual note and velocity data to control effect parameters, thus making it possible to simulate the characteristics of a number of real-world musical components, as well as produce totally new effects. FDSP can produce totally new sounds that are responsive and "alive". FDSP voices have from 1 to 4 AWM elements with an FDSP stage between the elements and the main effect stage. The FDSP stage can be applied to any or all of the AWM elements used, as required."
Six Controller Knobs can be assigned to a wide range of parameters for extraordinary real-time control capability along with the Pitch wheel, two Mod wheels, assignable Ribbon Controller and Scene memory buttons.
Top-quality digital effects processors of two types are onboard. The "System" effects includes two separate effect units: Reverb and Chorus. Independent reverb and chorus settings can be made for each voice in the Voice mode, and for each performance setup in the Performance mode. Two "Insertion" effects provide up to 79 additional effects like chorus, distortion and overdrive, amp simulation, auto wah, equalization, delay, reverb, and other effects.
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