Tone2 Nemesis is released!

[GeorgeZ]

It was very interesting for me being a FM nut... it's hard to make it sound bad (I felt). The other things is it was relatively easy to program. Sure people will have a blast with it.

[4damind]

Feature blurb demo reel is up! Got a couple of my noises in there! I'm surprised at the variety of tunes and stuff the demo writers came up with. Very versatile imo.

http://www.tone2.com/Tone2_Nemesis_VideoVoiceover.mp3

Sounds like some kind of supersaw/unison sound and not something I would expect from a pure FM... This is good

[DirkJ]

I'm the other way, i'm missing more FM-style sounds in the demo.
But i really appreciate a more user friendly way around FM.
Owned two TG77 and really missing the punch of their sounds.

[core]

Feature blurb demo reel is up! Got a couple of my noises in there! I'm surprised at the variety of tunes and stuff the demo writers came up with. Very versatile imo.

http://www.tone2.com/Tone2_Nemesis_VideoVoiceover.mp3

Nice sounds! So where's the video?

[Ingonator]

Hi,

i just got a confirmation that details from the Nemesis manual including technical specs could be posted now.

I'll try to "compile " some more detailed infos. Here is a first summary:

1.) Nemesis includes two oscillator panels with one Carrier and one Modulator opaerator for eac of them. The "NeoFM" knob controls the FM amount or other parameterrs (more details later).

2.) The NeoFM mode uses "real" FM opposed to PM (phase modulation) used in other FM synths including the DX and SY synths from Yamaha.
With the "old" PM you could only use a limited amount of possible waveforms sucessfully which includes a Sine and other waveforms based on multiple sines ("Sinoid" waveforms.
With NeoFM you could use any possible single cycle waveform for both the Carrier and the modulator.
In several case "real" FM also sounds different than using the same waveforms with PM.

3.) For each operator you could import and export single cycle waveforms in WAV format.

4.) Nemesis includes an additve style waveform editor which you could use to create waveforms "from scratch" or modify existing ones (including imported waves).
While usually only 16 "partials" are visile with the advanced menu you could either transform them frther or edit other partials too.

5.) A global Unison (off, 2 or 4 voices) is included too including Stereo spread.

6.) Nemesis includes filter for every operator which is no "usual" filters.
Here ism a quote from the manual:

The filters in Nemesis do not work like classic VA / Subtractive filters. They are innovative 0phase-filters which operate directly on the waveform and are specifically optimized to be used with neoFM synthesis.
There are several advantages to this: they provide 2 additional real-time controls for shaping your FM sound, offer a more precise sound, do not suffer from phase shift and filter with a 90dB slope per octave.
If the filter is set to 0, all partials with the exception of the lowest one, are filtered out and you will hear a pure sine wave. With the the filter completely opened the entire wave as-loaded, will be audible, like a saw or a squarewave.

7.) Instead of "usual" algorithms Nemesis includes 20+ different "Synthesis Modes" which could be selected from the right part of the waveform displays (there is also a picture of the "signal flow").

Here are the modes and descriptions from the manual:

SYNTHESIS MODES

○ neoFM
Our exclusive and new approach to FM synthesis. The modulator oscillator 'M' changes the frequency of the carrier oscillator 'C'. Special 90dB 0-phase filters damp the oscillators before FM is applied, providing 2 additional dimensions of sound manipulation.

○ neoFM Softsync
neoFM synthesis with soft sync. The phase of the modulator oscillator is inverted as soon as the phase of the carrier oscillator passes 0. Softsync gives a resonating, formant-style sound with a subharmonic.

○ neoFM Hardsync
neoFM synthesis with hard sync. The phase of the modulator oscillator is reset as soon as the phase of the carrier oscillator passes 0. Hardsync gives a sharp, resonating and formant-style sound.
It's interesting to sweep the pitch of the modulator oscillator with an envelope. In the matrix select an envelope like 'Env1' as source and select the modulator pitch as target with 'Pitch M1'.

○ neoFM Winsync
neoFM with a completely new and secret approach to syncing, exclusive to Tone2 products. It gives an exciting, resonating sound - especially with combinations of squarewaves.

○ neoFM Vintage
The old YM chipsets of the DX7 were still quite weak. That's why they suffered from many round-off errors and aliasing, which resulted in hiss-noise and other frequency garbage.
However some people say that it did also add 'character'. This mode is a hybrid between the neoFM and the old, noisy YM chipsets.

○ neoFM + OscC
When you use FM synthesis with higher levels of FM, the sounds sometimes lack some 'bottom'. This mode mixes an additional unmodulated carrier oscillator to fill the frequency gap.

○ neoFM + SubC
When you use FM synthesis with higher levels of FM, the sounds sometimes lack some 'bottom'. This mode mixes an additional unmodulated carrier sub-oscillator one octave lower to fill the frequency gap.

○ neoFM + SubDampM
When you use FM synthesis with higher levels of FM, the sounds sometimes lack some 'bottom'. This mode mixes an additional, damped modulator sub-oscillator one octave lower to fill the frequency gap.

○ FM / PM
Conventional phase modulation - often mistakenly called 'FM'.
Only sine waves, combinations of sine waves (with a low number of partials) or triangle waves will work well as Modulator waveform. Other, more complex waveforms do not work well with this traditional FM/PM mode.

○ FM / PM Vintage DX
Conventional, vintage sounding phase modulation - this is what people typically call 'FM that sounds like the DX'.
The old YM chipsets of the DX7 series were still quite weak. That's why it suffered from many round-off errors and aliasing, which resulted in hiss-noise and other frequency garbage.
However some people also say that it did add 'character' to its sound.

○ Waveshape Soft
Conventional waveshaping suffers from sharp sound with heavy disharmonic artifacts. We've solved this problem by applying the neoFM approach to it. The modulator oscillator changes the shape of the carrier oscillator. By turning the FM knob the waveform morphs.
Low FM values can result in silence - that's why we recommend that you always use a small amount of FM or that you also mix the modulator oscillator. Note that the 'Waveshape' synthesis mode mostly requires an FM level larger than 0 to be audible.

○ Waveshape Hard
Is like the Waveshape Soft mode, but with sharper sound. It is similar to the traditional approach of Waveshaping but without the disharmonic artifacts. We recommend that you use more dark sounding waveforms with it, like sine or triangle. Note that the 'Waveshape' synthesis mode mostly requires an FM level larger than 0 to be audible.

○ PWM
Applies pulse width modulation to the waveform of oscillator C. The FM knob controls the amount of PWM. Unlike traditional synthesizers that are limited to a squarewave, our PWM can be applied on any waveform and supports feedback. The Spectral Editor can be used to create very interesting morphing transitions. Note that 'FM key follow' should be set to 100 when you use this mode.

○ PD Saw
Applies phase distortion to the waveform of oscillator C. The FM knob controls the amount of PD. When you load a sine wave into Osc C it will morph to a saw as soon as you change the FM level.
Unlike traditional PD synthesizers, such as the Casio CZ series, which are limited to morphing sinewaves, our PD can be applied on any waveform and supports feedback. The Spectral Editor can be used to create very interesting morphing transitions. Note that 'FM key follow' should be set to 100 when you use this mode.

○ PD Square
Applies phase distortion to the waveform of oscillator C. The FM knob controls the amount of PD. When you load a sine wave into Osc C it will morph to a square as soon as you change the FM level. Unlike traditional PD synthesizers, like the Casio CZ series, which are limited to morphing sinewaves, our PD can be applied on any waveform and supports feedback. The Spectral Editor can be used to create very interesting morphing transitions. Note that 'FM key follow' should be set to 100 when you use this mode.

○ Wavetable
The wavetable synthesis mode allows you to crossblend between two waveforms. The MixM amount controls the mix balance between waveform C and waveform M.
You can create interesting transitions if you use the spectral editor to manipulate the phase of the partials. When you set the phase to 0 for the first waveform C and to 180 for the second waveform M, the amplitude of the partials will cancel out when the FM mix level is around 50%. When you use identical phase for both waveforms you'll get a smooth transition when you morph with the FM and a more solid sound. In addition to this, FM and feedback are also available.

○ RingMod Soft
Ringmodulates oscillator M and oscillator C, which creates additional harmonics. The traditional Ringmod method suffers from a very sharp and aggressive sound. Our RingMod Soft mode damps one of the oscillators before the signal is modulated, resulting in a more comfortable sound. The FM knob controls the amount of ringmodulation mixed. Make sure that you set either Mix M or Mix C to a value larger than 0, otherwise the output will be muted. 'FM key follow' should be set to 100 when you use this mode.You can create interesting transitions if you use the spectral editor to manipulate the phase of the partials.

○ RingMod
Ringmodulates oscillator M and oscillator C, which creates additional harmonics. This is traditional ringmodulation without damping. This mode is especially useful for darker, sinoid waveforms.
The FM knob controls the amount of ringmodulation mixed. Make sure that you set either Mix M or Mix C to a value larger than 0, otherwise the output will be muted. 'FM key follow' should be set to 100 when you use this mode.
You can create interesting transitions if you use the spectral editor to manipulate the phase of the partials.

○ Reso Soft
Creates a soft sounding resonance sound with partials of oscillator C. This synthesis method is exclusive toTone2 only. FM controls the formant frequency. The 'Reso' synthesis modes are very useful to simulate resonant filter sounds, for example.
This mode can be used to mimic filter sweeps of a bandpass filter. The Spectral Editor can be used to create very interesting morphing transitions. Note that 'FM key follow' should be set to 100 when you use this mode.

○ Reso Hard
Creates a hard sounding resonance sound with partials of oscillator C. This synthesis method is exclusive toTone2 only. FM controls the formant frequency. The 'Reso' synthesis modes are very useful to simulate for example resonant filter sounds.
This mode can be used to mimic filter sweeps of an analog filter, if you load a saw or square wave to oscillator C and set Filter C to a value from 0 to 20. You will get a synced sound if you set Filter C to 100. The Spectral Editor can be used to create very interesting morphing transitions. Note that 'FM key follow' should be set to 100 when you use this mode.

○ Reso Hollow
Creates a hollow sounding resonance sound, which for example can sound like an elephant or an overblown flute. This synthesis method is exclusive to Tone2 only and not available in any other synthesizer.
FM controls the formant frequency. The Spectral Editor can be used to create very interesting morphing transitions. Note that 'FM key follow' should be set
to 100 when you use this mode.

○ Formant Synthesis
An enhanced formant oscillator with a sharp, bandlimited sound. This synthesis method, which can be difficult to handle, is suitable for modeling voices or natural instruments. If you load a sine wave into oscillator C it will sound similar to the format oscillators from the classic Yamaha FS1R.
However, Nemesis is not limited to just sine waves - it can do formant synthesis with any waveform, which allows the creation of much more complex spectra. FM controls the formant frequency and reso controls the bandwidth of the formant. The spectral editor can be used to edit the partials of the formant.


Complex Waveforms work well in neoFM and other modes. They can be used as Modulator waveform as well as Carrier waveform.

In FM / PM / FM Vintage mode, use sine waves, combinations of sine waves (with a low number of partials), or triangle waves. These will work best as Modulator waveform. More complex waveforms do not work well with the traditional FM/PM modes.
The formant synthesis is very useful for modeling vocals. Use a spectrum analyzer and tweak the partials inside of the additive editor till you got the desired shape.

8.) Each Carrier also has a "Feedback" parameter which means the a,munt of "self-modulation".

9.) Nemesis includes a big selection of high quality effects and 2 FX buses.

10.) Nemeis includes a powerful and re-designed (compared to other Tone2 synths) programmable Arpeggiator/Sequencer and Gate sequnecer that could be also used for modulation.


That's it for the moment, more later. Additional audio demos are not allowed to be posted yet.


Ingo

[ariston]

Thanks for posting those specs. Now I'm really intrigued! Looks like it's shaping up to be a christmas present.

[electro]

2.) The NeoFM mode uses "real" FM opposed to PM (phase modulation) used in other Fm synth including the DX and SY synths from Yamaha.
With PM you could only use a limited amount of possible waveforms sucessfully which includes a sine and other waveforms based on multiple sines ("Sinoid" waveforms.
With NeoFM you could use any possible single cycle waveform for both the Carrier and the modulator.
In several case "real" FM also sounds different than using the same waveforms with PM.

That was educational. I'm curious as to whether the New England Digital Synclavier was also using PM or real PM.

[foosnark]

Very interesting indeed! Thanks for sharing.

[core]

Sure looks like a different kind of FM synth

[thecontrolcentre]

I was on the demo team for Nemesis, and gotta say I'm totally impressed. It sounds great, has a ton of fantastic presets and excellent fx. Probably my favourite Tone2 synth.

[Robmobius]

Sounds great...I love all their stuff.

[pdxindy]

I'm the other way, i'm missing more FM-style sounds in the demo.
But i really appreciate a more user friendly way around FM.
Owned two TG77 and really missing the punch of their sounds.

Indeed... not a lot of FM sounding tones in that video. But then Tone 2 has an aesthetic far from what I like so their demo videos are not good indicators for me.

I hope among those 1000 presets are lots of FM bells, mallets, EP's, basses, plucks, wind, brass... all those bright classic FM type sounds

[Sendy]

Very interesting! I look forwards to demoing this one Sounds like it's just my cup of tea. And this sounds to me like the synth Tone2 were meant to make from the beginning, they do these experimental, upfront sounds really well.

[Frantz]

http://www.tone2.com/Tone2_Nemesis_VideoVoiceover.mp3

Funny demo track. Non-stop ultra-modern wobbles and then from 7:42-8:00, we are transported back to 1967 for a Doors "Light My Fire" knock off. Presumably to demonstrate that it can do organs too.

[planetearth]

I'm the other way, i'm missing more FM-style sounds in the demo.
But i really appreciate a more user friendly way around FM.
Owned two TG77 and really missing the punch of their sounds.

Indeed... not a lot of FM sounding tones in that video. But then Tone 2 has an aesthetic far from what I like so their demo videos are not good indicators for me.

I hope among those 1000 presets are lots of FM bells, mallets, EP's, basses, plucks, wind, brass... all those bright classic FM type sounds

There's actually an entire set of "classic FM" sounds, and some traditional FM sounds in all the other categories. There are some bells, mallets and all the rest, though there are also some of those sounds made with the other types of synthesis this synth offers.

If you're looking for a strictly FM-based synth, you might not find what you want with Nemesis. But there's so much more under the synthesis hood, that you might not miss the "classic" FM synthesis once you start digging into it.

Steve