Jun Murakami – Synth81Z v1.0.2 for WiN

The newest and most powerful Lately Bass. Compact FM synthesizer with four controls.

The Yamaha TX81Z, released in 1987, is a four-knob FM synthesizer in a 1U chassis. Designed as an affordable way to introduce more musicians to FM synthesis, pioneered by the six-operator DX7 synthesizer, this compact device nevertheless boasts features unmatched by even its larger siblings: while earlier FM synthesizers offered only sine waves, each of the TX81Z’s operators can select from eight waveforms. Combined with the distinctive features of its analog circuitry, this gives the synthesizer a sound quite unlike the DX7.

First and foremost, the Lately Bass preset is the sound that cemented the TX81Z’s place in music history. With its distorted harmonics, razor-sharp tone, and powerful bass, it became the foundation of countless hits of the late 1980s and 1990s, particularly in dance music.

It’s always been a challenge to program from the front panel, but its affordable price and iconic sounds have earned it a place in the studios of countless musicians, including the plugin’s developer.