What's your favorite FM synth plugin?
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Korg Supporter Korg Supporter https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=386399
- KVRAF
- 1869 posts since 4 Oct, 2016
I am loving the Opsix, but OpZilla is also underrated. So it OPS7.
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- KVRAF
- 12172 posts since 7 Sep, 2006 from Roseville, CA
Still Rob Papen Blue2 for me 
Logic Pro | LUNA Pro | OB-X8 | Prophet 6 | OB-6 | Trigon 6 | Rev2 | TEO-5 | Pro 3 | SE-1X | Minitaur | Integra-7 | TR-1000 | Analog RYTM mk2 | Digitakt 2 | TD-3 MO | TD-3 | Maschine+
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- KVRAF
- 2066 posts since 11 Aug, 2012 from omfr morf form romf frmo
Phase Plant is my current go-to. AM, FM, PD, loads of oscillators and all sorts of flexible routing options, you can audio-rate modulate any and with the other oscillators (VA, wavetable, sample). The new modulation is incredibly flexible and a lot of the FX were made free so it's worth jumping in now. I built presets for my favorite Yamaha algorithms.
Bazille is always a pleasure to work with but it's easy to get lost in it. Dexed is reliable and if you're demented like me can enjoy the workflow. Biotek 2 if you want to create a performance interface (4 OP with unlimited layers). F'em is what I consider a very fine successor to FM8. Opsix is proof FM will never die. Cypher for MPE and gorgeous analog-modeled filters. RYM2612 for nostalgia. Hyperion for modular possibilities. MSoundFactory to leverage FM with everything else AND the kitchen sink (particularly additive/spectral). In Serum I'm more likely to resample FM'd oscs iteratively into wavetables than use FM straight-up; the textures you get this way are like nothing else.
Bazille is always a pleasure to work with but it's easy to get lost in it. Dexed is reliable and if you're demented like me can enjoy the workflow. Biotek 2 if you want to create a performance interface (4 OP with unlimited layers). F'em is what I consider a very fine successor to FM8. Opsix is proof FM will never die. Cypher for MPE and gorgeous analog-modeled filters. RYM2612 for nostalgia. Hyperion for modular possibilities. MSoundFactory to leverage FM with everything else AND the kitchen sink (particularly additive/spectral). In Serum I'm more likely to resample FM'd oscs iteratively into wavetables than use FM straight-up; the textures you get this way are like nothing else.
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- KVRAF
- 8071 posts since 9 Jan, 2003 from Saint Louis MO
Have not tried OpSix. OPS7 is really good though.
But most of my FM is either ALM Akemie's Castle (Yamaha OPL3 in Eurorack form!) or 2-op modular patches.
But most of my FM is either ALM Akemie's Castle (Yamaha OPL3 in Eurorack form!) or 2-op modular patches.
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- Banned
- 2524 posts since 4 Jul, 2019
Imaginando FRMS is capable of very interesting sounds using anything as waveforms. Combination of granular and FM, very nice interface and workflow
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Korg Supporter Korg Supporter https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=386399
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 1869 posts since 4 Oct, 2016
I hoep it gets waveforms and more algorithms in a future update. I got the plugin version for free because I was proactive in reporting to BLEASS about a state-saving bug for both Alpha and Omega.martiu wrote: Sun Jun 12, 2022 10:23 pm I really like Bleass Omega, easy and fun workflow, sounds great also.
Last edited by Korg Supporter on Sun Jun 12, 2022 11:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Korg Supporter Korg Supporter https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=386399
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 1869 posts since 4 Oct, 2016
I don't own any FM hardware (unless the Minilogue XD counts), but I am thinking of getting the Volca FM 2 this summer.foosnark wrote: Sun Jun 12, 2022 11:08 pm Have not tried OpSix. OPS7 is really good though.
But most of my FM is either ALM Akemie's Castle (Yamaha OPL3 in Eurorack form!) or 2-op modular patches.
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- KVRian
- 1114 posts since 6 Jul, 2009
Bazille is my favorite FM synth right now (maybe favorite synth overall?), very interesting synth. Obviously being a closed-system modular it is off in its own world and very far from the DX paradigm of FM synthesis -- but that really is exactly what's so appealing about it. If only other synths were as adventurous.
Otherwise, Zebra 2 is also a very powerful FM synth which goes far beyond traditional FM, but there are some limitations I'm hopeful will be addressed by Zebra 3 (which if the implementation is what I'm hoping and seeing as possible with the sneak peaks from u-he, it will be a monster). Of course there is FM8, which still has plenty of interest if you're willing to dig into the envelope editors -- and I do much prefer a matrix rather than preset algorithms for FM. Synclavier V is also very nice for a different flair.
I've considered picking up Tracktion F'em, but I haven't been able to justify it so far where I already have several FM synths (and after discovering that samples are generally far less interesting to FM in practice than they are in theory, although it does have its place). I've thought about Opsix as well, but I'm not in a rush, especially since it seemed like people were having issues with Opsix and CPU usage if I remember correctly. Maybe after I upgrade my computer.
Otherwise, Zebra 2 is also a very powerful FM synth which goes far beyond traditional FM, but there are some limitations I'm hopeful will be addressed by Zebra 3 (which if the implementation is what I'm hoping and seeing as possible with the sneak peaks from u-he, it will be a monster). Of course there is FM8, which still has plenty of interest if you're willing to dig into the envelope editors -- and I do much prefer a matrix rather than preset algorithms for FM. Synclavier V is also very nice for a different flair.
I've considered picking up Tracktion F'em, but I haven't been able to justify it so far where I already have several FM synths (and after discovering that samples are generally far less interesting to FM in practice than they are in theory, although it does have its place). I've thought about Opsix as well, but I'm not in a rush, especially since it seemed like people were having issues with Opsix and CPU usage if I remember correctly. Maybe after I upgrade my computer.
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- KVRAF
- 26924 posts since 3 Feb, 2005 from in the wilds
Plus if you make the same preset with the usual DX type FM synth and Bazille, it sounds better in Bazille... more coherent and present.KBSoundSmith wrote: Mon Jun 13, 2022 12:21 am Bazille is my favorite FM synth right now (maybe favorite synth overall?), very interesting synth. Obviously being a closed-system modular it is off in its own world and very far from the DX paradigm of FM synthesis -- but that really is exactly what's so appealing about it. If only other synths were as adventurous.
Bazille sounds amazing!!
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- Banned
- 9081 posts since 15 Oct, 2017 from U.S.
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- KVRAF
- 1715 posts since 27 Apr, 2012
Phase Plant baybee! Every kind of audio rate cross mod you could want across traditional oscillators, wavetables, and samples with filters and distortion in the signal path. Also MPE capable which I think works really well for FM synthesis. Bazille and opsix are great too though 
The life you have, the life you need, is not the same as the one in your dreams
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- KVRAF
- 9143 posts since 7 Oct, 2005
FM8
Using: Cubase Pro 15, Reason 13, Tascam US-4x4HR, MODX6, DM12D, LaunchKey 49, Yamaha guitar(Pacifica 612v) and bass (BB234) and some virtual instruments and synths.