Yamaha DX7: 21 Iconic Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were DX7!)

Discover 21 legendary riffs played on the Yamaha DX7 – from Berlin and Toto to Daft Punk, Michael Jackson, Vangelis and more. These iconic sounds defined the 80s, 90s and beyond.

Yamaha DX7 riffs, presets and sounds that shaped 80s, 90s and beyond

The Yamaha DX7 is one of the most iconic synthesizers of all time, shaping the sound of pop, rock, funk, electronic and film music throughout the 80s and 90s. In this video, I’ve recreated 24 famous riffs exactly as they were originally performed – all on the DX7 itself.
From the lush E.PIANO of Elton John – Sacrifice to the unmistakable SYN-VOX of The X-Files Theme, from Berlin – Take My Breath Away to Daft Punk – Veridis Quo, these sounds are instantly recognizable.

Featuring classics from Toto, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Phil Collins, Sade, Vangelis, Jan Hammer, Bronski Beat, Modern Talking and more, this is the ultimate demonstration of how one synth helped define decades of music.

🎹 Played note-for-note as they were originally recorded
🎧 Pure DX7 – no software, no emulation
📼 Every riff is timestamped for easy navigation (see chapters)
If you love classic synths, iconic songs, and the legendary Yamaha DX7, this video is for you.

Yamaha DX7 — Iconic Riffs (timestamps)

NOTE:
• The X-Files Theme = DX7 recreation/approximation (original likely multi-source).
• “Pulstar” = DX7 interpretation (the original predates the DX7).
• “Africa” = DX7-style recreation/approximation (the original “kalimba” line is often attributed to a Yamaha GS1 / layered takes).
• Some later tracks may be DX7, DX-style FM (DX100 etc.), or modern emulations — I’m focusing on the recognizable DX-family tone.

CHAPTERS:
0:00 Intro
0:21 Bronski Beat — Smalltown Boy
0:42 Phil Collins — Against All Odds
0:58 Berlin — Take My Breath Away
1:16 Kenny Loggins — Danger Zone
1:37 Mark Snow — The X-Files Theme [DX7 recreation; original likely multi-source]
2:07 Mac DeMarco — Chamber of Reflection
2:24 Michael Bolton — How Am I Supposed to Live Without You
2:48 Michael Jackson — Will You Be There
3:06 Harold Faltermeyer — Axel F
3:27 Daft Punk — Veridis Quo
3:51 Madonna — Live to Tell
4:39 Elton John — Sacrifice
5:01 Lucien & the Kimono Orchestra — Neptune
5:27 Vangelis — Pulstar [DX7 interpretation]
5:46 Michael Jackson — Another Part of Me
6:11 Modern Talking — Cheri Cheri Lady
6:31 Jan Hammer — The Trial
7:01 Robin Beck — The Very First Time
7:22 Daniel Balavoine — Dieu que c’est beau
7:47 Toto — Africa [DX7-style recreation]
7:57 Sade — Sweetest Taboo
8:13 Summary

Featured in Vijay Kurien’s excellent video: Before Software: The Golden Age of Hardware Synthesizers (1980s–90s) – Part 1
He kindly included my channel as an essential companion for classic synth sounds and era-specific demos. Watch Vijay’s video here:
https://youtu.be/vYyIWyUNxSY?si=-OVrxouyHdswINRn

🔧 Need professional production, mixing or mastering?
🎧 Work with Andy Whitmore → https://www.andywhitmore.com/

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Tags
#Berlin #Toto #DaftPunk #MichaelJackson #Vangelis #SynthRiffs #SynthCovers
#YamahaDX7 #DX7Sounds #80sSynths #FMpresets #DX7EP #ClassicSynths #PopHits #SynthNostalgia #IconicSounds #MusicTrivia #KeyboardIcons