Best FM synth of 2022?

[Examigan]

I guess you could patch some together and save them as templates for simulating DX7 or other FM synth algorithms.

At the moment there is no way to save a preset
The dev must a preset library,

I meant you could save a bunch of presets with each one using a different algorithm, but not any other special (envs or lfos, etc.) settings at that point. Then down the line, you could just load up that basic preset with whatever algorithm you saved it with and setup the rest of the preset how you want and save it under a different name.

I think that you may have thought I meant to save algos themselves somehow, but I don't think there is a way to do that, only in the way I mentioned.

[tripleflows]

Korg Opsix Native - shit UI, outstanding sound.

[concealed identity]

I recently got F'em and I love it. Similar enough UI to FM8 to feel familiar, but even more intuitive, and the increased depth doesn't feel intimidating for that reason.

[Dirtgrain]

I like Opsix Native's GUI--suits me better than FM8 and F'em.

[Gam456]

I think that you may have thought I meant to save algos themselves somehow, but I don't think there is a way to do that, only in the way I mentioned.

Yes that's what I meant. Save algos preset

[egbert101]

Opsix has some problems some of which are broke but I'm loving it like a coke/Mc D. commercial.

[kritikon]

Aye, the Korg Japan-based team need to get their arses in gear and do some work. Wavestate has already been (mostly) fixed but Opsix native is still f**ked. I can use it at the start of a project when not using many other resources, but in a full blown project, it's heinous CPU use breaks my laptop and makes it literally unusable.

I also like it's GUI...actually one of my favorites. If only I could use it. Still, I can use the hw one but it's not the easiest for programming from scratch. Superb FM synth.

[Weasel-Boy]

The only one I know of that seems to do all of this is the FM Lab in Absolute.  But it doesn't really run as its own VST (I'm being nitpicky here).

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Not so according to Steinberg's Download Assistant:

FM Lab in Steinberg Download Assistant.png

[Gam456]

The only one I know of that seems to do all of this is the FM Lab in Absolute.  But it doesn't really run as its own VST (I'm being nitpicky here).

​​​​​

Not so according to Steinberg's Download Assistant:
FM Lab in Steinberg Download Assistant.png

Looks like for Halion 7


FM Lab

In the early 1980s, FM synthesis changed the sound of popular music forever. Now, with FM Lab for HALion, you can design FM sounds with an ultra-modern, intuitive user interface. Featuring classic eight-operator FM synthesis, a vast array of modulators, pristine effects, a powerful arpeggiator, and the possibility of drawing multi-stage envelopes freehand, FM Lab adds a new dimension to digital synthesis.

[Introspective]

Color me oldschool, but I still reach for OPS7 when I want FM.

...which, granted, isn't all that often. But it happens.

I also still like Bazille, but I kinda think of that as more "modular that does FM" than straight FM.

Nothing against OPSix, but ... meh? It's one less than OPS7?

<ba dum tss>

[egbert101]

Nothing against OPSix, but ... meh?

Nah.

[concealed identity]

I liked OPS7 when I demoed it, but the workflow of the Arturia DX7 emulation that I already own is good enough that I couldn't really justify buying it. If I didn't already own it, it would be a toss-up I think.

That being said, I got F'em recently, and I think it's fantastic. If you've used FM8, you're already 80% of the way to understanding it, and a lot of the hurdles are just figuring out the situations where the workflow differs from FM8. I'm really quite impressed with it.

Oh, and I haven't used the OPSix plugin, but I do have the hardware and think it's great as a hands-on synth. The menus are pretty intuitive, and so it doesn't "feel" nearly as menu-divey as it could. The effects are integrated well as part of the sound design process, and I love that it is sort of a combination of FM and subtractive synthesis (easier to understand filters, envelopes, etc.). I always loved the Yamaha DX-200 for that and wondered why nobody has tried it since- I think the OPSix really improved on that kind of thinking!

[Introspective]

I liked OPS7 when I demoed it, but the workflow of the Arturia DX7 emulation that I already own is good enough that I couldn't really justify buying it. If I didn't already own it, it would be a toss-up I think.

Yes, this is fair. I own both and have A/B'ed them quite a bit and I do believe they sound quite comparable, with the exception of the effects (where clearly Arturia takes the lead). If you have one, you don't need the other.

Personally I prefer the OPS7 because I have all of my favourite patches there already, and don't want to bother porting them. But I agree: you don't need both. Arturia done good, here. That said, I thhhhhhhhink I also slightly prefer the ... ahem ... more "adult" UI of OPS7 to the (no disrespect, but:) dumbed down DX V interface. But that's a pretty minor preference, I wouldn't be heartbroken if I had to switch.

...This is all relatively moot for me, anyway, as I very rarely reach for FM. ...Unless I really really want that Harp sound. MAN, do I love that harp sound! Instant nostalgia, will never get old.

[concealed identity]

I liked OPS7 when I demoed it, but the workflow of the Arturia DX7 emulation that I already own is good enough that I couldn't really justify buying it. If I didn't already own it, it would be a toss-up I think.

That said, I thhhhhhhhink I also slightly prefer the ... ahem ... more "adult" UI of OPS7 to the (no disrespect, but:) dumbed down DX V interface. But that's a pretty minor preference, I wouldn't be heartbroken if I had to switch.

That's funny, because although I prefer the layout of the OPS7 operators over Arturia, I think the one thing that the OPS7 really needs is more color - or at least some way to better distinguish the Global, Operators, and Selected Operator sections.

The other advantage of OPS7 is that it doesn't take 30 seconds to load on my computer like every Arturia synth does for some reason

[Korg Supporter]

OPS7 is my favorite, but I am considering getting Tone2 Nemesis because it reaches harsh operator levels that not even the Opsix can reach.