Is Native Instruments FM8 the best for DX7 epiano sounds?

[hakey]

The only DX7-algorithms that you can't imitate with Zebra are those 3 with only one carrier and five modulators.

That can be done in Zebra. Only algo's 4 and 6 (feedback across two operators) can't be replicated.

[himalaya]

Cypher can do 6 oscillators, albeit only three oscillators can have full & independent volume control. Cypher does FM electric pianos with ease though.

[Arrested Developer]

@hakey, something went wrong with your quotation, the second last quote wasn't my statement.


[EDIT: deleted mixed-up-modulators&carriers]

[Howard]

@hakey, something went wrong with your quotation, the second last quote wasn't my statement.
But afaik i think you've mixed up carriers and modulators; a carrier is "just" an oscilator, while the modulator makes the fm-modulation.

The carrier is the one that needs to be FM capable, the modulator OTOH can be "just" an oscillator.

[hakey]

@hakey, something went wrong with your quotation

Argh! Sorry... fixed.

[hakey]

Its definitely useless discussing with you.

Seems bluster is your standard response whenever the argument isn't going your way.

Interesting also your example of DX beeing emulated by additive synthesis.

What's interesting about that particular example is that he provides a method for deriving partials for a given DX patch.

for your information again, additive synthesis can in theory emulate any sound.

You don't say.

Edited

Too late.

[Arrested Developer]

The carrier is the one that needs to be FM capable, the modulator OTOH can be "just" an oscillator.

Thanks for correcting me. As long as i can remember, i always mix up those two...
(anyhow, this time it was worth it, since revisiting the FM-Zebra-thread linked by hakey is really informative...)

[hakey]

Worth considering that for DX patches in which a modulator runs into a carrier of the same freq (ratio 1:1), the result is a filtered sawtooth, with the depth of modulation controlling the brightness.

This is the case for two of the Modulator>Carrier lanes in the "E Piano 1" patch which, detuned relative to one another, provide the body of the sound. The third lane generates the bright tines overtones.

[hakey]

Here's a Zebralette patch derived using the DX to additive method:

Additive DX

It's pretty dry and unlikely to win any competitions for the best "E Piano 1" emulation, but it is only a single Zebra oscillator.

[@midnight]

Cypher can do 6 oscillators, albeit only three oscillators can have full & independent volume control. Cypher does FM electric pianos with ease though.

i have synth squad and haven't been able to get anything like "E. Piano 1" out of cypher.

can you point me to a preset?

[Aroused by JarJar]

Here's a Zebralette patch derived using the DX to additive method:

Additive DX

It's pretty dry and unlikely to win any competitions for the best "E Piano 1" emulation, but it is only a single Zebra oscillator.

I get a file I can't open- can you upload some regular audio file?

[hakey]

Here's a Zebralette patch derived using the DX to additive method:

Additive DX

I get a file I can't open

It's a Zebralette patch file.

[Aroused by JarJar]

Here's a Zebralette patch derived using the DX to additive method:

Additive DX

I get a file I can't open

It's a Zebralette patch file.

Excellent- no bloated stereo-tricky mass of effects passing itself off as a synth patch.

[himalaya]

can you point me to a preset?

The factory set doesn't have a DX7 type tines EP, unfortunately. My Cypher Antiquity expansion (sorry for bringing it up) has lots of EPs but mainly of the Wurli/Rhodes style.

However, I have been working on new Cypher EPs and here's a short demo of a handful of patches, with the first being of the DX7 EP1 style:

http://www.electric-himalaya.com/stuff/ ... Pianos.mp3

The key to a nice 'tines' EP in Cypher (besides some FM) is the filter actually. I find that low cutoff and some filter envelope will help, so when making an EP I lower the cutoff considerably making the sounds dark, but then any FM will come out nice and smooth rather than sharp and harsh. Then it's all about velocity to get that typical DX style key sensitivity.

Also, using 2 notes unison with a Unison+- mod source modualating the Pan parameter and Fine tune (ever so gently) rally adds that nice spacious, slightly chorused sound. Try it.

Another nice trick is to overload the filter drive, really crank it up to about 3 o'clock. It can add some very nice body. Won't suit all sounds but works great on simpler triangle wave based ones.

[himalaya]

double post