On the DX7 thing, I expressed myself poorly, I didn't mean it made synth music as a genre mainstream, but I do think the original commenter was correct to say t

On the DX7 thing, I expressed myself poorly, I didn't mean it made synth music as a genre mainstream, but I do think the original commenter was correct to say that it changed how synths were used in music simply due to it being so affordable and versatile. Now instead of cover bands having additional members or multi-instrumentalists to play brass or fiddle or whatever, they could just have the keyboard player fill that role too. With the DX7 it became "good enough" for a single synth to cover all of those sounds. It unlocked a door that later on the M1 and many other sample-based synths walked through. On the 909/303, I don't dispute they were incredibly influential in the rave scene, especially in the 90s. I am one of those people with a 303 tattoo so I know very well what a reputation they had. But also I have some perspective on how small and dynamic that scene turned out to be in the greater scheme of things. Most of the ravers I know from back in the day couldn't pick a 303 in a song and don't even listen to acid or techno music any more. I think a good comparison to an 808 is a Theremin. Lots of people, even people who don't listen to electronic music or hip-hop know the names of these instruments and can probably pick one out of a song. I'd see the 909 or 303 more like a Strat or a Tele - still very influential and recognizable to people who are interested, but perhaps not so much in the mainstream consciousness. But this is all opinion just based on anecdotes, so I am open to the idea I might be overestimating the cultural impact of one bit of gear or the other.