IS FM synthesis your goto?

[Examigan]

nvm

[zerocrossing]

If anyone wants to work with a DAW that has a great modular for FM, then you should really look into Bitwigs grid. You can do a lot of really cool sounds..

That’s a long way round the park when Dexed is free. Good exposition, though.

[stphn22]

Trying to get better at FM synthesis since I bought a Kodamo Essence FM a few months ago, while the UI make it a joy to program , I'm still at beginner level. Trying to emulate things from SND/Mark fell/ Rian treanor/ Gabor lazar to more complex stuff like Autechre, any idea or tips for advanced / alien sound design with FM ? The majority of article is about reproducing real instrument and that's the exact opposite of what I'm trying to achieve... Also, any Essence Fm users in here ?

[yul]

Trying to emulate things from SND/Mark fell/ Rian treanor/ Gabor lazar to more complex stuff like Autechre, any idea or tips for advanced / alien sound design with FM ?

Not an Essence FM user but it does look awesome! I checked out Mark Fell etc obviously Autechcre I've known already.

So this type of music IMO is driven by pattern step sequencer rather than making patches separately.

Step sequencing with FM is a much different workflow and more akin to 80's FM tracks (videogames etc) than when using a linear sequencer. You can load up your tracks with multiple default patches and work your way up. Very interesting.

When working with a step sequencer, you can both develop the sequence and FM patch at the same time. It will be easier to manage short bleeps and FM bursts that way and you will use less "pads".

Some useful FM weirdness tricks is to use a fixed frequency on the modulator (no kb tracking), play with waveshapes combinations other than sine, using low frequency modulators and detuning, pitch enveloppes on only some modulators not others etc..

[Rastkovic]

Trying to emulate things from SND/Mark fell/ Rian treanor/ Gabor lazar to more complex stuff like Autechre, any idea or tips for advanced / alien sound design with FM ?

I think experimenting and practising is the key.

For me, operators with fixed frequency in combination with key following operators produces interesting/non-natural results....

[digitalboytn]

OPS7....

[cantaloupe]

Trying to emulate things from SND/Mark fell/ Rian treanor/ Gabor lazar

Important to remember that a lot of this sound palette is additive synthesis, not (just) FM, sometimes both layered. Especially Lazar, and some albums of Fell (i am not that familiar with Treanor.) You may have more luck using something like NI Razor and such for that.

And don't underestimate the role of sequencing/tuning/parameter modulation etc in reaching a certain sound. Timbre is more than just the synth patch in isolation. Try using VCV Rack sequencers to sequence and modulate FM synths (OPS7, Dexed) - will maybe get you in the ballpark. Or just get a midi/clock-independent sequencer for that unrestrained-from-linear-time vibe.

Fixed ratio operators are great for inharmonic stuff. Add all kinds of pitch glides synced to the gate. A lot of SND is very 'gate-synced pitch glide sequenced with a time-variant sequencer'. Experiment with using multiple very high ratio modulators with low amplitude running into carriers, to create a sort of subtle aliasing textural grunge. Layer several patches on the same sequence. I would just experiment to be honest - get familiar with how different settings sounds and feels like and go from there. Their exploratory mindset and energy is more important than the technical details imo.

edit: another approach that i like for more alien textures.
Say you have 3 operators: 3 > 2 > 1. Be super aggressive with 3, high amplitude, high ratio, feedback, etc. Then you use operator 2 amplitude to drastically calm it down before it reaches operator 1. Think of operator 2 volume as "mix control" of the operator 3 madness. On top of that, use some fixed ratio at any stage. This is a cool way to get very weird and synthetic timbre without being overwhelmed with harshness. Also try multiple stacks like this 3 > 2 > 1; 6 > 5 > 4, with subtle inharmonic shimmer at each stage.

[carrieres]

This video was the eye opener :

Even the comments below the video are useful

[excuse me please]

This video was the eye opener :

Even the comments below the video are useful

Thanks. Last weekend I mixed two instances of Dexed with Combo Model F. Ended up with a guitar+organ sound. Coolest sound I've created so far.

[stphn22]

some great advices , thanks everyone.

[jancivil]

It kind of is, in a way, partially.
I like the FM Index in Absynth when that kind of osc is in play one heckuva lot, and I like NI Kontour's FM ways. A pure (Chowning) FM synth, the original DX7 was a go-to in 1985-6 for me, but I'm not chasing that dragon today

[fisherKing]

fm synthesis is always my goto for fm synthesis....

[jancivil]

This video was the eye opener :

Even the comments below the video are useful

reminds me of Leuenberger's courses in Yamaha (Chowning) FM in I think '85. I was fortunate to be there at that moment in time, that was something. (one of the OG Yamaha FM guys)

[Halonmusic]

fm synthesis is always my goto for fm synthesis....

[vurt]

fm synthesis is always my goto for fm synthesis....

have you tried reaper?