When I first launched VirtualSynthesizers.com, I thought I had to follow standard web practices: writing long articles filled with marketing adjectives ("warm", "mythical") to please search engines—whether using AI or not. I quickly realized that was a mistake.
As a producer, what you want most is to find the tool that fits your workflow and know which formats are available, right away. I don't want to do comparisons: I believe they are subjective and that everyone will prefer one virtual alternative over another. The best one? No—the one that fits you best!
That’s why I chose a different angle.
I’ve created many separate pages for each synth. However, I felt that some models were better presented as a family, so I’ve brought the Yamaha FM Legacy (DX7 & TX81Z) together right here.
Why group them? Because they represent the two sides of the Frequency Modulation coin. The DX7 (1983) is the King of FM: 6 operators, sine waves only, producing the crystalline bells, glass-like pads, and complex electric pianos that defined the 80s pop sound. The TX81Z (1987) is its gritty, 4-operator rackmount cousin. While simpler on paper, it introduced multiple waveforms (not just sine), allowing for grittier, punchier sounds—most notably the legendary "Lately Bass" that became a staple of House and Techno. Whether you need the pristine sheen of 6-Op or the raw bite of 4-Op, this hub covers the full FM spectrum.
It’s my daily job to explore the web to enrich this database—from VSTs to Kontakt or UVI libraries, including Reason formats (where I make sure to differentiate Refills from Rack Extensions), loops, samples, and many more...
Just like my individual synth pages, this article will be updated with every new discovery. If you want to explore other models, everything is centralized in my Synthesizers section. Enjoy your search.