f. 'em - a new FM synth from Tracktion

[KBSoundSmith]

how do you control the feed back with sampler envelope? I can't seem to find the routing

Sure thing. Two ways to do it.

1) Assign via Mod Matrix
Let's say we're using Operator 8 only, and that it will be sending feedback to itself. In the Mod Matrix, choose Sample 1 Amp Env as the modulation source. The modulation destination is NOT named feedback. Instead, the destination name is described by which Operator is being input into which Operator. Since Operator 8 is being fed into its own input, we are looking for the destination named Op 8 Mix Op 8.

2) Workflow Hack
Since the Mod Matrix dropdown menu for modulation destinations is so long, it can be a bit slow to find the desired destination. Here's a little cheat to speed up workflow.

Let's assume we are again having Operator 8 send feedback to itself. Stay on the FM Matrix view and choose RND 4 as your modulation source. When you've chosen RND 4, you'll be able to assign the amount of modulation to the feedback directly in the FM Matrix view. Now, go to the Mod Matrix view and replace the modulation source Random 4 by selecting Sample 1 Amp Env from the much shorter modulation source dropdown menu.

[Artie Fichelle]

As the first owner of a DX7 in Switzerland, I am still an FM fan. When it comes to the current synths/vst I think F,em is way to expensive. You don't need 11 operators, six will suffice, or please prove the opposite.

By now, I think we have some very good ones: DX 7 V from Arturia, which is able to microtune, Dexter, same here, and also Aurora, if you like the gui.Also OP7 from plogue.

What are the important points when buying an FM plugin?
For me:
- ability to import original DX7 presets. There are kilos out there in the Internet and some are really great.
- microtuning. I mean the full cosmos, not just a galaxy..
- modulation abilities.
GUI. A nice GUI is a joy, an ugly one is a sin.
I am sure I forgot some very good ones, but you will add it.

[Wolfram Franke]

how do you control the feed back with sampler envelope? I can't seem to find the routing

Sure thing. Two ways to do it.

1) Assign via Mod Matrix
Let's say we're using Operator 8 only, and that it will be sending feedback to itself. In the Mod Matrix, choose Sample 1 Amp Env as the modulation source. The modulation destination is NOT named feedback. Instead, the destination name is described by which Operator is being input into which Operator. Since Operator 8 is being fed into its own input, we are looking for the destination named Op 8 Mix Op 8.

2) Workflow Hack
Since the Mod Matrix dropdown menu for modulation destinations is so long, it can be a bit slow to find the desired destination. Here's a little cheat to speed up workflow.

Let's assume we are again having Operator 8 send feedback to itself. Stay on the FM Matrix view and choose RND 4 as your modulation source. When you've chosen RND 4, you'll be able to assign the amount of modulation to the feedback directly in the FM Matrix view. Now, go to the Mod Matrix view and replace the modulation source Random 4 by selecting Sample 1 Amp Env from the much shorter modulation source dropdown menu.

KBSoundSmith, please let me first thank you for your very nice primer on how to set up some basic FM stuff in F-em. Awesome work!

I only want to chime in that what you write here is not really a "hack", it's actually the official way to set up modulation assignments. The Mod page can be used to set up modulations but it is more or less meant to only give you an overview of what is modulating what in a sound, not so much for connecting stuff.

However, why using "RND 4" first to set up a modulation and then manually replacing it with the Sample 1 Level Env on the mod page? Just use it in the first place: go to the S1 page, click on the "Assign" button in the Level Env section, switch back to the FM Matrix page and drag the respective operator FB field to the desired amount. When you are happy with your modulation, go back to the S1 page and deactivate the Assign button. Done!

You find more info on that in the F-em manual chapter 6 starting on page 49.

Best wishes,

Wolfram

[KBSoundSmith]

how do you control the feed back with sampler envelope? I can't seem to find the routing

Sure thing. Two ways to do it.

1) Assign via Mod Matrix
Let's say we're using Operator 8 only, and that it will be sending feedback to itself. In the Mod Matrix, choose Sample 1 Amp Env as the modulation source. The modulation destination is NOT named feedback. Instead, the destination name is described by which Operator is being input into which Operator. Since Operator 8 is being fed into its own input, we are looking for the destination named Op 8 Mix Op 8.

2) Workflow Hack
Since the Mod Matrix dropdown menu for modulation destinations is so long, it can be a bit slow to find the desired destination. Here's a little cheat to speed up workflow.

Let's assume we are again having Operator 8 send feedback to itself. Stay on the FM Matrix view and choose RND 4 as your modulation source. When you've chosen RND 4, you'll be able to assign the amount of modulation to the feedback directly in the FM Matrix view. Now, go to the Mod Matrix view and replace the modulation source Random 4 by selecting Sample 1 Amp Env from the much shorter modulation source dropdown menu.

KBSoundSmith, please let me first thank you for your very nice primer on how to set up some basic FM stuff in F-em. Awesome work!

I only want to chime in that what you write here is not really a "hack", it's actually the official way to set up modulation assignments. The Mod page can be used to set up modulations but it is more or less meant to only give you an overview of what is modulating what in a sound, not so much for connecting stuff.

However, why using "RND 4" first to set up a modulation and then manually replacing it with the Sample 1 Level Env on the mod page? Just use it in the first place: go to the S1 page, click on the "Assign" button in the Level Env section, switch back to the FM Matrix page and drag the respective operator FB field to the desired amount. When you are happy with your modulation, go back to the S1 page and deactivate the Assign button. Done!

You find more info on that in the F-em manual chapter 6 starting on page 49.

Best wishes,

Wolfram

Ah interesting, I didn't realize that the Assign button carried over when changing views/tabs. Much faster than having to use the Mod Matrix at all.

[Big Tick]

I have this (probably silly) theory that AI might eventually allow for extremely complicated FM synthesis patch design, making lots of operators useful.

Not silly at all.
https://fcaspe.github.io/ddx7/

[Ghost_Train]

Does anyone know how to make F.'em stop loading presets instead of letting the user start fresh. I have not been able to find a way to clear presets back to default. I haven't found answers on google, support or the documentation. If they really shipped it without a basic feature such as this....nah it can't be true. i must be blind

The fastest way is to click on the 4 trash cans, once you have done that you. An save your own init patch (I made a few with a few basic operator set ups)

I'm not sure if something just got messed up during the first install or what, but I sent a message to them about it. But then manually deleted all the extra content and re-installed F,'em so I might create a new blank preset formyself, since it was blank before installed presets. BUT after doing this, and re-installing the extra content again, i noticed there is now an [Empty] preset. It does not seem to be the same blank one i created. idk if they updated it or what. Either way, there is now an empty preset. They should allow used to set the 'init' state. Especially since it seems to auto-choose a preset from extra content as the init state, which is lame. but problem solved

[nominil]

I have this (probably silly) theory that AI might eventually allow for extremely complicated FM synthesis patch design, making lots of operators useful.

Not silly at all.
https://fcaspe.github.io/ddx7/

Whoa! Thanks for posting this!

[Toward_Star]

https://imgur.com/a/BqXk8pd

This is the resonance issue I spoke about earlier. I reinstalled but it's still behaving like this

[aMUSEd]

Looks like almost none of the params have names which makes it impossible to map in Komplete Kontrol - I presume this is a bug?

[yellowmix]

Looks like almost none of the params have names which makes it impossible to map in Komplete Kontrol - I presume this is a bug?

They're all named using VST3 in REAPER, Cubase. FX are named by slot #. Specific to KK or VST2?

[Plugintester]

Interesting synth VST with interesting presets, gui takes a little getting used to

[dune_rave]

currently in jrrshop fem is 24 USD....

[crawlingwind]

Great price! Also Biotek 2 for same.

currently in jrrshop fem is 24 USD....

[digitallysane]

I have this (probably silly) theory that AI might eventually allow for extremely complicated FM synthesis patch design, making lots of operators useful.

There's the SmartMorph in Yamaha Montage/MODX. It generates a new FM patch by analysing up to 8 existing patches

[SLiC]

Great price! Also Biotek 2 for same.

currently in jrrshop fem is 24 USD....

Ridiculous prices, surprised not more buzz about it- I already owned F'em but just bought Biotek 2...maybe the best sale of the year!