IS FM synthesis your goto?

[foosnark]

Updated answer because my 2016 one is very inaccurate for me now:

Being into modular I don't always draw strict lines between what kind of synthesis I'm doing. But I do use a lot of FM. It might be accurate to say it's my go-to, even though 80s style FM synthesis is only a very small subset of that.

There's a whole world to explore beyond the Chowning/Yamaha stuff (but I like that too, let's be honest). Just detuning the modulator a little bit can be fantastic (particularly with actual TZFM rather than phase modulation, and using non-sine shapes for the carrier). The whole "analog synths are no good at FM because pitch tracking" thing is, it turns out, partly bogus and partly a misunderstanding. Exponential FM, while not easily allowing for dynamic modulation depth without affecting tuning, can be super characterful. Also there are ways around the tuning thing, adding their own quirks and coloration... sync or a PLL for instance, or combining FM with AM. Filter FM can absolutely be awesome. Shallow linear FM is... not that exciting to me in general, but it works well for cross-FM purposes (locking in stability between two oscillators that should otherwise be a chaotic mess) and some more recent analog oscillator designs do thru-zero linear FM (though I'm not convinced they're as good at is as digital ones). There's also an easy trick to emulating phase modulation with analog wavefolders.

Thinking that FM is only good for cheesy 80s electric pianos is like thinking that subtractive only does squawking duck 303 basslines.

[zerocrossing]

FM isn’t my go to, but at least I don’t treat FM synths like preset machines, like I did in the first half of my life. I got super frustrated with a DX7 and I just never bothered to dig in and figure it out. Felt too much like math homework. When the Digitone came out, Cuckoo did a tutorial video and it was the first time I saw it actually clearly explained. I dug in and found a few more things on YouTube that explained things on a more detailed level and I was surprised how straight forward it actually was. I picked up a cheap FM app for my iPad (FM4) and having all the envelopes stacked and visible at the same time made it so easy and fun. I spend a day just making sounds on it and having a blast. It was easy then to take what I learned and apply it to other FM plugins I’d acquired along the way. Synclavier V, FM8, Nemesis, even old Toxic Biohazard. I was an FM fiend for a few months. It wore off, of course. I still use it, but I’d say maybe only 10% of the time. 20% if you include the FM type sounds I make on a Prophet 12 or Peak. I mostly like it for weird atmospheric stuff where I assign ratios and amounts to knobs and create evolving ambient drones and whatnot. Nothing you’ll find in the DX7 factory preset bank, that’s for sure.

[Rastkovic]

FM synths without filters are definitely not my cup of tea. I'am not a purist.

[JerGoertz]

FM synths without filters are definitely not my cup of tea. I'am not a purist.

You and me both, man. You and me both.

Filters are like ketchup. They taste great with almost everything, including things they aren't supposed to.

[Synthack]

.........

[carrieres]

Honestly, as I stated early on in this thread (i.e., years ago), I like FM synthesis, but I've never taken the time to dive in deep. It's something I keep thinking I should do one of these days, but my experimentation gets me some of the most useless sounds ever, and the "tutorials" I've seen usually only cover how to make the most basic DX7 pianos and basses, while the more advanced ones generally just get into the mathematical concepts, rather than actual sound design. If anyone knows of some good practical hands-on resources for deep dives into FM sound design, lay it on me, bro-ski.

Imho, the best one :
http://javelinart.com/fm-synth-programming.html

[Danno]

Thanks for posting this.. super nice stuff.

This is pure FM (well, almost), made on a 30+ year old japanese computer:
https://hizmi.bandcamp.com/album/dendel-voile

[emef]

yes

[excuse me please]

I am considering. Dexed made me do it.

[Rastkovic]

Thanks for posting this.. super nice stuff.

This is pure FM (well, almost), made on a 30+ year old japanese computer:
https://hizmi.bandcamp.com/album/dendel-voile

If you like this, you might also like the SND/Mark Fell stuff (Atavism, Multistability) on Raster-Noton. Two of my personal favourites.

[yul]

Thanks for posting this.. super nice stuff.

This is pure FM (well, almost), made on a 30+ year old japanese computer:
https://hizmi.bandcamp.com/album/dendel-voile

This is very nice. What computer was this?

P.S. : found it on the website... Sharp X68000 with Yamaha sound card! Cool stuff.

[cantaloupe]

This is very nice. What computer was this?

The Sharp X68000, with the Yamaha YM2151 FM chip, and a very primitive PCM sampler.

A video of him in action with the X68k:



Also, agreed on SND/Mark Fell recommendation. Great use of FM.

[Danno]

K that hizimi stuff is bonkers. Incredible that he's creating that music on that interface.

[cantaloupe]

K that hizimi stuff is bonkers. Incredible that he's creating that music on that interface.

Indeed! Very inspiring stuff.
He has made music like that since the 90s, focusing only on the X68000 and FM. Even DJ'ing with 2x X68000 and a mixer.

For anyone wanting to try, the free Supercollider will give you very similar capabilities and workflow for modern computers - but it is very hard to possess the dedication and single-mindedness required to reach the level of Hizmi.

This album is pretty great as well:
https://hizmi.bandcamp.com/album/soak

As the album notes says:
"All the music for this album was created on X68000. It's complete in one, which is a beautiful thing. Enjoy the variety of music that comes from one thing."


Almost like an anti-GAS mantra. Just going super hard on a singular thing for a very long time.

[pdxindy]

I use some sort of FM all the time...