Yamaha TX802From real comments

Verdict distilled from 38 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment66%
PROS 66%
CONS 34%

Rank based on 38 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want classic DX7 Mk II-based FM tone with rich stereo imaging
  • You need 8-part multi-timbral FM sounds for studio or performance use
  • You're comfortable programming FM synths or using tools like Dexed

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You want simple, quick preset editing without deep menu diving
  • You need dynamic voice allocation for easy multi-timbral sequencing
  • You dislike hardware without volume/data-entry knobs or with soldered batteries

What users complain about

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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
31Mid
Yamaha TX802
Warm, clean, vivid FM soundExcellent pad and percussion soundsEffects response and versatilityDifficult, tedious programmingWeak or dated factory presetsFactory reset confusion
Yamaha TX802
Warm, clean, vivid FM sound
Excellent pad and percussion sounds
Effects response and versatility
Difficult, tedious programming
Weak or dated factory presets
Factory reset confusion

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

A distinctive, warm FM sound that still holds up decades later. Commenters repeatedly praise the TX802's bright, clean, vivid tone with strong stereo width and low-mid body, often favorably compared to modern synths like the Kurzweil K2700. Several call the sound 'inimitable' or note it as more '80s-flavored and warmer than rivals. Pads, percussion, and some electric piano patches are singled out as standouts, while factory strings and overly detuned presets are seen as weaker.

Programming is notoriously difficult and interface design has quirks. Multiple users describe programming as 'a hell' or 'a nightmare,' citing manual voice-allocation in increments of two instead of dynamic assignment, and MIDI channel confusion when loading performance patches. The lack of a volume knob and data-entry knob is called a design mistake. Tools like Dexed and MODX patch import help ease the burden for modern users.

A durable, sought-after classic despite minor reliability quirks. Owners report units still working well after decades, passing service-mode tests, though one notes the battery is soldered to the board requiring mod work to replace. Several people sold their TX802 only to regret it and repurchase, underscoring lasting appeal. It's frequently called a go-to module for authentic 80s FM studio sounds.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?