If you're an FL user, Sytrus is very nice for FM sound design, as it can do subtractive, additive and ring modulation if you would like to include those in your soundblindingSlow wrote: Sat Sep 13, 2025 12:57 pm After many years of playing with subtractive, I'm reaching my limit and looking for new sounds. FM/PM seems like a good field to explore.
I've been playing with Fors Glanta, Pop, and Pivot Lite, as well as Operator, but in search of something more flexible, I found two options: FM8 and F'em.
FM8 doesn't seem like it's for me because I'm visually impaired and can't use software with a light background.
F'em seems very flexible and has more possibilities than I can imagine a use for.
So, I ask those of you who use FM/PM for programming and not just as a preset bank:
What alternative to F'em would you recommend?
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Notes:
My main use for synthesizers is pure entertainment. I'm not seeking any type of specific career goals, I just have fun making beeps and boops.
I can't use anything with a light background
I know about Dexed but my accessibility setup causes the adjustment of parameters a nightmare, so this one is out (;
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Extra note:
I'm new to the KVR forum and I'm fascinated by the fact that people actually read the post before answering. I'm coming from Reddit where this is not the case (;
so...
Thanks, and have a nice day!
Question for FM sound designers
- KVRian
- 605 posts since 14 Jan, 2026 from United Kingdom
- KVRist
- 285 posts since 9 Aug, 2013 from The Hague, The Netherlands
I would advice to read The Yamaha SY77 FM/WAVE ROM synthesizer manual, the .pdf (image), page 58: The Basics of FM Synthesis.
This manual contains a lot of useful information that will learn you to program FM operators, how to use FM sound operators in a useful way.
Use of other FM synthesizers, like FM8 or Dexed, will be easy once you read this manual.
This manual contains a lot of useful information that will learn you to program FM operators, how to use FM sound operators in a useful way.
Use of other FM synthesizers, like FM8 or Dexed, will be easy once you read this manual.
- KVRist
- 285 posts since 9 Aug, 2013 from The Hague, The Netherlands
- KVRAF
- 18525 posts since 26 Jun, 2006 from San Francisco Bay Area
Here's one I just thought of that's a fun and interesting take on FM with a cool sequencer. Dark background and super cheap.
https://www.waves.com/plugins/flow-motion-fm-synth
https://www.waves.com/plugins/flow-motion-fm-synth
Zerocrossing Media
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