I like the digital noise of the older gear . To me , nothing is more pathetic than digital samples of acoustic instruments . I like the noise , it makes it more synthetic . The Alpha Syntauri has more than the DX-7 , as far as noise . The Synergy , and the old 360 systems digital replay keyboard are my favorites . Of course my old RMI KC-2 is a raspy sounding beast too . It wouldn't suprise me though if Michael did use the DX-7 , he certainly had the money to get one before anyone else did . Or even it's earlier FM brothers like the GS-1 , GS-2 , and CE-20 .