Yamaha DX11From real comments

Verdict distilled from 44 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment72%
PROS 72%
CONS 28%

Rank based on 44 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want affordable multitimbral FM synthesis with layering and splits
  • You like gritty, non-sine FM tones for bass, EP and pad sounds
  • You want a compact, solid-feeling keybed with MIDI control

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need the deeper, richer 6-operator sound of the DX7
  • You require reliable aftertouch out of the box
  • You want sync control over operator phase like on the DX7

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Budget
Yamaha DX11
Multitimbral and layering capabilityDiverse waveforms per operatorWarm, gritty FM characterThinner sound than the DX7Fewer operators than DX7Feels cheap or dated to some
Yamaha DX11
Multitimbral and layering capability
Diverse waveforms per operator
Warm, gritty FM character
Thinner sound than the DX7
Fewer operators than DX7
Feels cheap or dated to some

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

A warmer, grittier take on FM synthesis thanks to multiple waveforms per operator. Commenters repeatedly note that the DX11's eight non-sine waveforms per operator give it a warmer, more analog-like sound than the DX7's pure sine operators, with some getting Moog-comparable bass out of it. Users describe it as grungy, big-sounding, and capable of surprisingly deep, industrial or electro-pop textures despite having fewer operators than the DX7.

Multitimbral performance features make it a flexible live and layering tool. Owners highlight the DX11's ability to run up to 8 multitimbral parts, split the keyboard, layer and detune stacked sounds, and use Quick Edit for fast tweaking. This made it a favorite for gigging, especially playing bass with the left hand, and for building complex layered tones the monotimbral DX7 could not match.

Widely seen as the DX7's underrated, more affordable little brother. Many commenters directly compare it to the DX7, generally conceding the DX7 'sings' with more operators and detail, while the DX11 'talks' with thinner, simpler sound. Still, several call it underrated, a strong competitor at the time, and their favorite FM synth despite owning multiple DX-series units.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?