GForce Halogen FM - 2 Operator Pair FM Synth

[dune_rave]

I don't see why they feel there's market for such simple synth....

So you think their other synths are more "advanced"?

I think this fm synth in its concept is similar to tone2 warlock _ you can easily generate new sounds. But i lke more how synthplant works....

[whassup]

I don't see why they feel there's market for such simple synth....

Not defending them, but I think it's for similar reasons why Anthem got released while costing way more money.
"Gimme five knobs. Lemme have some fun. Don't make it deep but gimme some sweet spots."
Same as Juno Chorus plugins. Like it? ON! More? Stage 2 !
Sometimes it's just that.
And for just that I am interested in it as an alternative.
So, GForce fix the bugs, refine the user feedback into some nice 1.1 or 1.2 feature upgrades and meet me at Black Friday.

[DocAtlas]

So I tried it. I think it's loosely based on the KORG DS-8, which had two operator pairs and "ring modulation" that was really extra operator modulation. The only unique things about this one are the LFO and distortion parameters. The so-called ring modulation is actually operator tuning. And the bright parameter seems to be feedback with a lofi DAC setting. It does sound harsher than Dexed in a good way, but I think Nemesis and Bazille are much better options.

That was my thought as well. The DS-8 and 707 had that 4 op structure that was presented to the user in a more subractive way.

[dune_rave]

Decision done: I postpone buying this gforce synth. i have sytrus in FlStudio, The free dexed that comes with unify, the korg opsix and the ops7, u-he bazille, etc so Imho i'm not their target audience

[Daru925]

I feel that i can do all this with massive x, operator and fm8 already...
And fm isnt more difficult, its different...

[Uncle E]

That was my thought as well. The DS-8 and 707 had that 4 op structure that was presented to the user in a more subractive way.

The 707 was a boring synth but I do remember the sound being sweeter than DX's and CZ's.

[IvyBirds]

That was my thought as well. The DS-8 and 707 had that 4 op structure that was presented to the user in a more subractive way.

The 707 was a boring synth but I do remember the sound being sweeter than DX's and CZ's.

It had the same exact Yamaha FM chip set as the DX100, FB-01, and DX21 ( Yamaha YM2164) and is sine waves only FM

The 707 was the exact same engine as the DS-08 with the exception that the DS-08 had on board effects like reverb and the 707 was smaller and could have a guitar strap fitted for use as a keytar

There is a python script you can find here

https://dxconvert.martintarenskeen.nl/

That will convert DS-08 and 707 Sysex to DX7 sysex which means you can load it any DX7 emulator that loads DX7 Sysex and play the same patches and have them sound more or less exactly the same, with the only differences being the lack of mid 1980s craptastic digital efrects from DS-08 patches and the lack of the craptastic DAC used. OPS7 since it models the OG DX7 craptastic DAC and lookup tables comes the closest

Once converted you will see which operators it uses and the basic settings and can make your own 700 and DS-08 sounds

[kritikon]

Halogen: the phase modulation randomizer. Not impressed. It's not that phase modulation ("FM") is hard to understand; it's just hard to make it sound interesting with just sine waves, a couple OSC duos, and simple ASDR envelopes. I don't see Halogen solving this issue; rather, it appears gimmicky. Just different nomenclature for a lack luster feature set.

It only implements sine waves. At the default 1:1 (mod->op) ratio "Timbre" and "Brightness" are redundant. It only has a few fixed frequency ratios. The "ring" knob is a frequency offset versus frequency ratio; so relatively useless. Finally, the "xmod" just recreates the right hand side of one DX7 algo. Depending on "xmod" implementation, if op2->mod1 then it's DX7 algo 1 otherwise if op2->op1 then algo 7

To Halogen's credit, it's "xmod" does provide an extra feedback loop relative to the one DX7 algo. Plus it has built in distortion and reverb.

I'm typically not this negative, but Halogen seems so condescending and out of place; both for Gforce software and KVR.

Very similar reaction from me. Very good to see GForce getting out of the uninspiring Obie rut, but Halogen seems like an odd one - can't figure out its target audience? Too simple as an FM synth to get creative. Capable of the bog standard FM stuff but also horribly noisy in some areas...probably a deliberate decision, but I don't want to sound like an 80s poor quality converter and archaic feedback. I tried it but was totally uninspired by anything I heard, though it's GUI is pretty at least. I've not written off GForce yet, as they code some good stuff, but it's getting to be a long time since they did anything that appeals to my taste. Even the impOSCar3 fell a bit flat IMO though I bought it out of old-times-sake.

Halogen is not really worthy of GForce's talents

[felis]

.......Halogen is not really worthy of GForce's talents

I would more have expected something like this to come from Native Instruments than from GForce.

[vitocorleone123]

.......Halogen is not really worthy of GForce's talents

I would more have expected something like this to come from Native Instruments than from GForce.

Thankfully, gforce is doing more than sorta boring Oberheim spin offs. I plan on checking this out. Could be spot on, since I like my 2op Digitone.

[Uncle E]

Turn up the KEY and RPT on the envelopes, turn up the S&H and turn down the Rate on the LFO, and turn up the modulations, and it's easy to get evolving, complex sounds with it.

[seafire]

Halogen: the phase modulation randomizer. Not impressed. It's not that phase modulation ("FM") is hard to understand; it's just hard to make it sound interesting with just sine waves, a couple OSC duos, and simple ASDR envelopes. I don't see Halogen solving this issue; rather, it appears gimmicky. Just different nomenclature for a lack luster feature set.

It only implements sine waves. At the default 1:1 (mod->op) ratio "Timbre" and "Brightness" are redundant. It only has a few fixed frequency ratios. The "ring" knob is a frequency offset versus frequency ratio; so relatively useless. Finally, the "xmod" just recreates the right hand side of one DX7 algo. Depending on "xmod" implementation, if op2->mod1 then it's DX7 algo 1 otherwise if op2->op1 then algo 7

To Halogen's credit, it's "xmod" does provide an extra feedback loop relative to the one DX7 algo. Plus it has built in distortion and reverb.

I'm typically not this negative, but Halogen seems so condescending and out of place; both for Gforce software and KVR.

Very similar reaction from me. Very good to see GForce getting out of the uninspiring Obie rut, but Halogen seems like an odd one - can't figure out its target audience? Too simple as an FM synth to get creative. Capable of the bog standard FM stuff but also horribly noisy in some areas...probably a deliberate decision, but I don't want to sound like an 80s poor quality converter and archaic feedback. I tried it but was totally uninspired by anything I heard, though it's GUI is pretty at least. I've not written off GForce yet, as they code some good stuff, but it's getting to be a long time since they did anything that appeals to my taste. Even the impOSCar3 fell a bit flat IMO though I bought it out of old-times-sake.

Halogen is not really worthy of GForce's talents

100% agree. Really fail to see the relevance of this synth.

[DocAtlas]

That was my thought as well. The DS-8 and 707 had that 4 op structure that was presented to the user in a more subractive way.

The 707 was a boring synth but I do remember the sound being sweeter than DX's and CZ's.

I had considered it years ago to use as a keytar, but never did. It was a lot lighter than my Liberation, had a 4 octave keyboard with aftertouch, and midi. I later got a different midi strap-on controller, so I was covered. I'm too old to lug gear around to clubs now, so I don't see myself buying one now, especially a 4-op hardware synth.

[pummel]

OK, I was wrong about Halogen. That it's FM doesn't matter, nor the interface. Importantly It is capable of a wide range of useful sounds analog simulations can't do. Surprisingly, it even goes beyong what I've heard from FM8, Rhino, and OPS7. I would suggest its usefullness is somewhere between Synapse Hydra and Tone2 Warlock.

[Aloysius]

So, you still don't like it then?