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DX7 firmware upgrades (all models)

This section is for all variants of the Yamaha DX series. DX1/DX100/DX11/DX21/DX27/DX27S/DX5/ DX7/DX7IID/DX7IIFD/DX7S/DX9/TX81Z/TX7

Moderators: Derek, parametric, Saul

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Miks Germany
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DX7 firmware upgrades (all models)

Unread post by Miks »

Hi there,

is there anybody who knows the latest firmware for the DX7 II/D ? And how to find out what firmware version is installed? Want to take a look onto mine and perhaps having an upgrade if necessary... Any ideas where to find the binaries for the latest version? I'm able to burn eproms by myself... :wink:

Miks
My (key related) gear (in alphabetical order):
Ferrofish: B4000+
Kawai: K1 II
Korg: M1 (up'd to EX, w/ 'Cool Blue'), M1REX (w/ 'Cool Blue'), Poly-800
Roland: D-50, D-110, D-550, PG-1000
Yamaha: AW1600, DX7IID (w/ 'Cool Blue'), EX5R, RM50, RX5, SY99 (w/ 'Cool Blue'), TG500, TX-802, YMM2
Sector101: SYEMB05 (5x), SYEMB06 (3x), EXFLM2 (1kit), MCD Sweet16 (1x), DataBlade32 (1x), WaveBlade 8MB Card (1x) & 1x Programmer Unit for WaveBlade
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Clyde United States of America
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Re: DX7 firmware upgrades (all models)

Unread post by Clyde »

Versions 1.6 and later of the DX7IID/FD had the self test routines in them, not sure how many later versions there were. My first IIFD (which I still have though it is in rebuild mode due to water damage) was around v1.2, Yamaha upgraded it for free at my local dealer while still under warranty and it has at least 1.6 because it does have the test routines. The old "Ghost in the Machine" article from May 1988 Electronic Musician (which I use for reference a lot) verifies that 1.6 and later have the self test mode, but does not list later ROM version numbers.
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DX7IIFD, SY77, SY99, Hammond C3, Steinway L, CP300, AW1600, etc.
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Miks Germany
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Re: DX7 firmware upgrades (all models)

Unread post by Miks »

Hi Clyde,

thanks for replying. Just took my DX7 II/D home after doing some practice with the band. I'll take a look what firmware it is, but first of all I'll have to save my sounds. They will all be initialized by stepping into the 'test-mode'. That's what my DX7-IID-FD_test.pdf pointed out, and I'm not willing to lose the sounds :wink:

Think I'm in an 'update-mood' :mrgreen:
'Cause the SY-upgrade was a success and even was the TX-802 upgrade... and now I'm going over to my Korg M1 & M1R and my Roland D50 & D550 :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Let's see what will happen next...

Miks
My (key related) gear (in alphabetical order):
Ferrofish: B4000+
Kawai: K1 II
Korg: M1 (up'd to EX, w/ 'Cool Blue'), M1REX (w/ 'Cool Blue'), Poly-800
Roland: D-50, D-110, D-550, PG-1000
Yamaha: AW1600, DX7IID (w/ 'Cool Blue'), EX5R, RM50, RX5, SY99 (w/ 'Cool Blue'), TG500, TX-802, YMM2
Sector101: SYEMB05 (5x), SYEMB06 (3x), EXFLM2 (1kit), MCD Sweet16 (1x), DataBlade32 (1x), WaveBlade 8MB Card (1x) & 1x Programmer Unit for WaveBlade
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Re: DX7 firmware upgrades (all models)

Unread post by Miks »

Hi Clyde,

today I peeked into the eprom of my DX7 II D, and there's only one part in telling me a version, it's v.1.3 :| Is there a chance to get a 1.6 version, perhaps someone is willing to pull out his eprom and read out the data to a binary file and send it over to me??? :wink: Would be much appreciated...

What about the idea of collecting all fimware versions we could get hold of from gear that's obsolete and put it in a download section for all interested people can download a required version from there?

Miks
My (key related) gear (in alphabetical order):
Ferrofish: B4000+
Kawai: K1 II
Korg: M1 (up'd to EX, w/ 'Cool Blue'), M1REX (w/ 'Cool Blue'), Poly-800
Roland: D-50, D-110, D-550, PG-1000
Yamaha: AW1600, DX7IID (w/ 'Cool Blue'), EX5R, RM50, RX5, SY99 (w/ 'Cool Blue'), TG500, TX-802, YMM2
Sector101: SYEMB05 (5x), SYEMB06 (3x), EXFLM2 (1kit), MCD Sweet16 (1x), DataBlade32 (1x), WaveBlade 8MB Card (1x) & 1x Programmer Unit for WaveBlade
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Saul Ukraine
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Re: DX7 firmware upgrades (all models)

Unread post by Saul »

Good idea about the firmware there Miks. If anyone wants to upload their firmware let me know.
Saul
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Re: DX7 firmware upgrades (all models)

Unread post by grantb5 »

I have 1.8. Have a look at my page and maybe we can do a swap for something I don't have...

GB
www.musictechnologiesgroup.com
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Re: DX7 firmware upgrades (all models)

Unread post by keyman2 »

Hi all, got my version 1.9 firmware file from MIKS and burned by GB (Grant @ music technologies group, who luckily turned out to have other useful components I was long looking for another synth)... So, my DX7IIFD up now to 'current' firmware revision and the built in test program helped me get the remaining hardware faults sorted out - thanks much to both!

P.S. if you guys find similar issues with a RAM cartridge: replace the expensive back up battery with an external 2 x AA battery holder that allows the use of cheap standard batteries - leads come out of the top of the cartridge and hodler can be secured to cartridge itself.... use AAA if you want something a little more compact

RAM Cartridge was still failing format, traced it down to the write protect switch - carefully disassembled and found the fixed contacts with built up oxide that wasn't cleaning well with the usual application of Deoxit Contact Cleaner... took a wooden toothpick and scraped the flats of the fixed contacts with some deoxit and that did the trick to shine it back up... also carefully bent the spring leaf contacts back out to make better contact... quick reassemble and all came up perfect after that - nice thing is there's no little 'ball/springs' that might fly out of the switch so it was easier to repair
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Miks Germany
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Re: DX7 firmware upgrades (all models)

Unread post by Miks »

Hi keyman2,

thanks for reporting the outcome of your investigations/repairs on your DX7 - will sure be of help for other DX7 owners having similar issues. Glad you got it sorted! ((i)) :D
My (key related) gear (in alphabetical order):
Ferrofish: B4000+
Kawai: K1 II
Korg: M1 (up'd to EX, w/ 'Cool Blue'), M1REX (w/ 'Cool Blue'), Poly-800
Roland: D-50, D-110, D-550, PG-1000
Yamaha: AW1600, DX7IID (w/ 'Cool Blue'), EX5R, RM50, RX5, SY99 (w/ 'Cool Blue'), TG500, TX-802, YMM2
Sector101: SYEMB05 (5x), SYEMB06 (3x), EXFLM2 (1kit), MCD Sweet16 (1x), DataBlade32 (1x), WaveBlade 8MB Card (1x) & 1x Programmer Unit for WaveBlade
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Re: DX7 firmware upgrades (all models)

Unread post by parametric »

keyman2 wrote: nice thing is there's no little 'ball/springs' that might fly out of the switch so it was easier to repair
This statement alone reveals your long association with repairing stuff . . . :lol:

Have you noticed that those little balls and springs CONSPIRE to fly in opposite directions and land in the darkest corners of your workspace - NEVER to be seen again 8O :lol:

parametric
Alesis Fusion 8SSD AND 6SSD - BOTH are 384Mb/120Gb SSD/Akai ADVANCE61/Yamaha MOXF6/1024Mb Flash Ram/Yamaha SY85/8.5mb vol/1024k non-vol/DX21/Roland MT32/Bachmann double overstrung Baby Grand Piano/Win10 Pro/Ubuntu MATE 15.0.4/iBook G4/Mac OS 10.4.6/ProTools 7.4/MBox2/M-Audio MicroTrack 24/96

Some of My own Tracks: viewtopic.php?p=88899#p88899

NI Komplete11 Ultimate

Sector101 2x SYEMB06 / 4 x EXM-E3 128MB DRAM Module

BRAND NEW DSDD (720k) FLOPPY DISKS FOR SALE - https://yamahamusicians.com/720k-floppy-disks-for-sale/

Curse! This means the end of the horned gramophone and the little doggie that looks in to it.

Watch out now! take care, BEWARE of the greedy leaders! They'll take you where you should not go - (George Harrison)

IT'S TRUE - "MONEY TALKS" - TO ME, IT MOSTLY SAYS "GOODBYE" ;-)
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Re: DX7 firmware upgrades (all models)

Unread post by Oxygen »

Hello guys, I want to update my DX7 IID, from v. 1.3 to v. 1.9. I found someone who have the eprom with the firmware. Can anyone let me know what exactly I need to do? Where the old chip is located and if I should put a socket or anything else or just the new eprom. Are voltajes the same?

If anyone can help me a bit I 'll much appreciate it.

Thanks!
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Re: DX7 firmware upgrades (all models)

Unread post by Miks »

Hi Oxygen (Grüezi...),

and welcome to the Yamaha forum! Glad you've found us here.

On a DX7IID-FD you have to do this:

0.1: DISCONNECT the DX from main power and open up the synth by unscrewing the lower housing. Remove the screws holding the main pcb in place (you may have to disconnect some cables - you can mark the connectors by using some different color felt pens... makes it easier to put them back where they belong when reassembling the DX!

1. locate the firmware eprom on the mainboard. It is IC23 and located nearly in the middle of the pcb.
It is already socketed ((i)) Edit: mostly socketed, but not always - see here: http://www.yamahaforums.co.uk/forum/vie ... =30#p56792

2. remove the firmware chip. If already socketed: you can take a small flat screw driver and gently pry the chip out of the socket - from the small sides of course! Please note to where the chip's notch is pointing BEFORE pulling the chip out! This is IMPORTANT!

2.1 If the firmware chip is NOT socketed you need to desolder it and get a IC socket soldered into the chip's position!

3. get an eprom (27C512) with the firmware v. 1.9 already programmed (burnt) in and put it in that empty socket - again take care of the notch's direction and make sure that all pins align correctly with the socket - and gently press the chip down into the socket. Allow the chip to settle onto the socket.

4. Reconnect all cables, put back the mainboard (use one or two screws...) and then power up the DX. To enter test mode: While holding down [EDIT], press [16], and then press [32]. Have a look onto the display - it should read as shown here (pic 4):
http://www.yamahaforums.co.uk/forum/vie ... t=0#p44326

Be aware that your internal sounds may get lost while entering the test mode - if you want to keep them you have to save them first (to a RAM module or to a computer via MIDI).

If all is good reassemble the entire DX and have fun 8)
Hope this helps...

Best,
Miks
My (key related) gear (in alphabetical order):
Ferrofish: B4000+
Kawai: K1 II
Korg: M1 (up'd to EX, w/ 'Cool Blue'), M1REX (w/ 'Cool Blue'), Poly-800
Roland: D-50, D-110, D-550, PG-1000
Yamaha: AW1600, DX7IID (w/ 'Cool Blue'), EX5R, RM50, RX5, SY99 (w/ 'Cool Blue'), TG500, TX-802, YMM2
Sector101: SYEMB05 (5x), SYEMB06 (3x), EXFLM2 (1kit), MCD Sweet16 (1x), DataBlade32 (1x), WaveBlade 8MB Card (1x) & 1x Programmer Unit for WaveBlade
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Re: DX7 firmware upgrades (all models)

Unread post by parametric »

VERY nice procedure Miks! Clear and concise (as always) (Y)

A credit to the forum . .

parametric
Alesis Fusion 8SSD AND 6SSD - BOTH are 384Mb/120Gb SSD/Akai ADVANCE61/Yamaha MOXF6/1024Mb Flash Ram/Yamaha SY85/8.5mb vol/1024k non-vol/DX21/Roland MT32/Bachmann double overstrung Baby Grand Piano/Win10 Pro/Ubuntu MATE 15.0.4/iBook G4/Mac OS 10.4.6/ProTools 7.4/MBox2/M-Audio MicroTrack 24/96

Some of My own Tracks: viewtopic.php?p=88899#p88899

NI Komplete11 Ultimate

Sector101 2x SYEMB06 / 4 x EXM-E3 128MB DRAM Module

BRAND NEW DSDD (720k) FLOPPY DISKS FOR SALE - https://yamahamusicians.com/720k-floppy-disks-for-sale/

Curse! This means the end of the horned gramophone and the little doggie that looks in to it.

Watch out now! take care, BEWARE of the greedy leaders! They'll take you where you should not go - (George Harrison)

IT'S TRUE - "MONEY TALKS" - TO ME, IT MOSTLY SAYS "GOODBYE" ;-)
http://www.chrisnmiller.co.uk/Chris
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Re: DX7 firmware upgrades (all models)

Unread post by Miks »

Thanks for the kudos para 8)
My (key related) gear (in alphabetical order):
Ferrofish: B4000+
Kawai: K1 II
Korg: M1 (up'd to EX, w/ 'Cool Blue'), M1REX (w/ 'Cool Blue'), Poly-800
Roland: D-50, D-110, D-550, PG-1000
Yamaha: AW1600, DX7IID (w/ 'Cool Blue'), EX5R, RM50, RX5, SY99 (w/ 'Cool Blue'), TG500, TX-802, YMM2
Sector101: SYEMB05 (5x), SYEMB06 (3x), EXFLM2 (1kit), MCD Sweet16 (1x), DataBlade32 (1x), WaveBlade 8MB Card (1x) & 1x Programmer Unit for WaveBlade
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grantb5 Canada
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Re: DX7 firmware upgrades (all models)

Unread post by grantb5 »

Miks,

If your directions are for the DX7II (not the DX7 -- which uses a 27128 in position IC14), then can you edit your post to mention that?

Thanks,
GB
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Re: DX7 firmware upgrades (all models)

Unread post by Miks »

Hi grandb5,
Oxygen wrote:
Hello guys, I want to update my DX7 IID, from v. 1.3 to v. 1.9.
and my answer was addressed to him... :wink: ...so I think it's ok ?
My (key related) gear (in alphabetical order):
Ferrofish: B4000+
Kawai: K1 II
Korg: M1 (up'd to EX, w/ 'Cool Blue'), M1REX (w/ 'Cool Blue'), Poly-800
Roland: D-50, D-110, D-550, PG-1000
Yamaha: AW1600, DX7IID (w/ 'Cool Blue'), EX5R, RM50, RX5, SY99 (w/ 'Cool Blue'), TG500, TX-802, YMM2
Sector101: SYEMB05 (5x), SYEMB06 (3x), EXFLM2 (1kit), MCD Sweet16 (1x), DataBlade32 (1x), WaveBlade 8MB Card (1x) & 1x Programmer Unit for WaveBlade
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