KVR Audio

Sokar · Post by **Sokar** » Wed Aug 15, 2012 2:06 pm

Howdy all,

For years I've always avoided using that DX7 'rhodes' type piano sound, but I've got a track I'm working on right now that is just begging for that type of piano.

Take a look at this video. This is damn near the exact sound I'm looking for (skip to 2:41 to hear all 8 modules engaged):

Yes, I know that's a TX816 stacked to hell and back with the same sound, but that's the sound!

I have NI FM8 and I've been all through the patches, even downloaded a couple of original DX7 patches (including the factory default), but it still isn't there.

Is there a plugin that can get me there? I'll consider something cheap if it gets me that sound. Maybe just some fresh patches I can download for FM8?

Thanks!

Teksonik · Post by **Teksonik** » Wed Aug 15, 2012 2:13 pm

Just layer 8 instances of the FM8 each with a complimentary patch.

Ingonator · Post by **Ingonator** » Wed Aug 15, 2012 2:32 pm

Teksonik wrote:Just layer 8 instances of the FM8 each with a complimentary patch.

Either that (with slightly detuning and panning each track) or add a Chorus FX. My current favorite is the Dimension D Chorus from Empty Room Systems. That chorus has a very nice stereo widening effect.
Maybe a Chorus + a Reverb will also do it.

I got some nice presets of that kind in my Yamaha Motif ES 7 which sound really nice. I just had a small test with the Motif and i could come very close to the example in the video when i add both a Chorus and a Reverb.

Ingo

FrettedSynth · Post by **FrettedSynth** » Wed Aug 15, 2012 2:47 pm

Yep a chorus will help to give some shimmer to the piano tone.

You could try SyncModular with this http://rekkerd.org/patches/sound-design ... ted-synth/ might be something to get you close? All free so at least worth a shot?

Sokar · Post by **Sokar** » Wed Aug 15, 2012 2:52 pm

Loading up a few instances of FM8 and panning/detuning each might do the trick. I can track it with one, build out the sound and start freezing when the track is done I guess. I mean, that is how it is done on the video. No need to re-invent the wheel.

Now if I can just track down the sound. After a little research, I think I've narrowed it down to E. Piano 1 or Fulltines (from the DX7 108 cartridge). Now I just need to find the sysex for the second one (realized I had E. Piano 1 from sysex already loaded into FM8 at some point).

Ingonator, I've always wanted to try out Dimension D. You just jogged my memory. I always try to resist demos because of the chance I'll fall in love with it, use it on a track and then have to purchase it. Gotta live cheap right now.

Sokar · Post by **Sokar** » Wed Aug 15, 2012 2:55 pm

...and I still can't believe I'm finally using a DX7 staple 30 years later, hehe. Man, I was so anti-DX7 back in the day. HATED that bubbly pop piano back then. I was all about the grit and burn of Oberheim back in those days!

Sometimes the track just dictates the sound, and I've been pushing myself to try 'new' things these days. New to me, anyway.

Teksonik · Post by **Teksonik** » Wed Aug 15, 2012 3:11 pm

You can find the Fulltines patch here:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/steve.sims ... atches.htm

Sokar · Post by **Sokar** » Wed Aug 15, 2012 3:44 pm

Sweet! Thanks Teksonik.

GruvSyco · Post by **GruvSyco** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 2:11 am

When converting some of those old patches, don't forget, some may need tweaking. I might start by going to the Master tab and adjusting the "Digital" slider a bit. It effectively lowers the bit rate (or emulates it). Original DX series was 12 bit and 2nd gen was 16 bit. That could be one reason people thing FM8 sounds too smooth.

Asuyuka · Post by **Asuyuka** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 2:20 am

Thanks for the Fulltines patch.

Sokar · Post by **Sokar** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 2:58 pm

Hmmm. The Fulltines patch didn't work for me. Sent FM8 into a seizure and the patch never showed up on the patch list after I restarted.

Anybody know of any other places to get that one?

aMUSEd · Post by **aMUSEd** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 3:04 pm

Funny it imported fine for me - you did use the sysex import?

fmr · Post by **fmr** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 3:08 pm

Sokar wrote:Hmmm. The Fulltines patch didn't work for me. Sent FM8 into a seizure and the patch never showed up on the patch list after I restarted.

Anybody know of any other places to get that one?

It's a DX7 SysEx. You'll have to import it, using the Import SysEx (assuming it's in the right format). And aMUSED beated me to it

Sokar · Post by **Sokar** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 3:25 pm

Yep. File > Import Sysex, same method I used to import E. Piano 1 a while back.

Hmmmmm....

Mutant · Post by **Mutant** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 6:07 pm

The Fulltines patch works fine in Hexter.
But i had it in my old patch folder i downloaded some years ago, so that version Teksonik linked above may be different...

That syrupy sweet DX7 crystal piano sound