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Zugzwang Zugzwang is a male
Doin' it for the love


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Registration Date: 13-05-2009
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Ez dotbe massive,

I just recently picked up Native Instrument's FM8 VSTi plugin and I must say I am very impressed. This synth looks like an absolute powerhouse capable of generating millions of different sounds..

The only problem is properly learning FM synthesis.

Do any of you have experience with FM synthesis or know of any good resources to help learn about making different sounds? I've tried both FL Studio's Sytrus and the FM7/FM8 but it is very hard making sounds from scratch and steering clear of that tinny, annoying sine/sawtooth/noisy sound.

I understand the concept of FM synthesis where you have operators affecting other operators but that doesn't necessarily translate into the ability to produce results with it. I have experimented with it a lot but whenever I modulate an operator with itself or modulate another operator I still get that "sine with extra harmonics" sound or "really annoying buzzing sawtooth" synth that I have trouble staying away from.

Any tips/good reading on the subject?
12-07-2009 09:08
Saikonutta
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Registration Date: 09-11-2006
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FM:

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/navy/docs/es310/FM.htm

FM synthesis:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frequency_modulation_synthesis


Before learning FM-synthesis, have a look at FM.

It's a technology widely used in various applications (not only synths). It won't hurt by reading a bit of 'background' info. (you'll need it anyway to understand the synthesis)

I also suggest if you are completely unexperienced in synthesis/elektronics, not to start with such a monster, but a more "simple" synth...

This post has been edited 1 time(s), it was last edited by Saikonutta: 12-07-2009 11:39.

12-07-2009 11:35
Saikonutta
not helpful ^^


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in two words:

Modulate (the) Carrier Wink

(modulators are called "operators" in this case...)

/e: in frequency of course Smile

/e: as far as FM is used, FM-8 uses also additive or subtractive synthesis (dunno exactly) to make further modulations (amplitude, phase,duty cycle,...) So having a strong fundament of this kind of 'synthesis' is also needed to understand what's coming out of FM-8...

This post has been edited 3 time(s), it was last edited by Saikonutta: 12-07-2009 12:13.

12-07-2009 11:44
Saikonutta
not helpful ^^


Registration Date: 09-11-2006
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quote:
I still get that "sine with extra harmonics" sound or "really annoying buzzing sawtooth" synth that I have trouble staying away from.


use mod envelopes & LFO's to shape dynamics, and to modulate your operators(to get nice alternating harmonics) , so you don't get that static sound.
12-07-2009 12:31
Halph-Price Halph-Price is a male
Zombie Algorithm


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meh, just slightly randomize the OP on of the presets. done... if you're using a FM, you'll have to love that FM sound...

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This post has been edited 1 time(s), it was last edited by Halph-Price: 12-07-2009 15:12.

12-07-2009 15:12 Homepage of Halph-Price
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