Sweetwater’s synth guru Daniel Fisher highlighted five of his favorite modern FM synths! Which one will you add to your synth rig? Let us know in the comments, and shop them all here 👉 imp.i114863.net/0JNEoN
You should really have a series going through, in detail, practical ways to make fm patches (ie - brass, guitars, winds, etc). Many people would be willing to get into fm synthesis if there was an easy way to learn how to make actually useful sounds
I chose the RefaceDX for learning FM. I am already a 54 year musician designing voices on keyboards, so I understand subtractive very well....which did little to translate to FM. But thanks to just a $300 investment I am getting very comfortable with FM. Such a great interface on the Reface, high quality sound, usable MIDI looper, and I don't feel limited at all with just 4 operators. Then layering FM with subtractive I get really outstanding sounds to orchestrate in my compositions. Some FM designs stand on their own, but most are best layered with subtractive. A world today, fantastic, I get to compose, then fit my sound design perfectly to the song, perform it, record it, add my own effects design, and complete the song...all on 100% hardware in the corner of my office. Glad I lived long enough to live in this age of creativity.
I really like the Volca. Great for the money. Gotta admit, though, I rely on the Dexed plugin. 6 ops, can open DX 7 patches, sounds great, free... but I understand that some people prefer hardware, and that's what this gear is for.
@@sweetwater Short run, that is disappointing. But the RefaceDX I bought from you is a great learning tool and synth, so I still have FM in the studio!! 😊😊
far as i know fm synthesis never really went away. a lot of it just moved to the computer for a long time. stuff like serum and vital all support FM even if not in it's full capacity.
@@sweetwater ..yes it's too bad but I have 2 opsix's in mint condition.. I have other fm synths besides.. but I honestly believe that the opsix is the digital synth of the century..
Awesome demo, Daniel. 😎 these synths sound phenomenal. I own a Korg volca fm(version 1) and it sounds killer. Especially since I can get sega genesis/mega drive type synths. My brother own a Yamaha reface dx and it is totally awesome.
14:40 - That sound or similar was definitely used by Supertramp in The Logical Song or one of their other tracks I may have heard... Def reminded me of them...
I have the model cycles and really wish I'd purchased something with more than 2 fm operators. It sounds pretty tame even with the built in overdrive effect and there are a lot of traditional fm sounds you just can't get out of it at all. It does have a great sequencer though.
Many people seem to like it more than the digitone. Not as powerful, but I can sit down with it for 20 minutes and get something really deep, whereas the digitone lscks the immediacy
Cool video thanks for making it. I don't have a dedicated FM synth yet either hardware or digital but I'll get one eventually...just not sure which one yet.
I find it interesting that noone mentions Kodamo EssenceFM, which is a very advanced FM synth with looping envelopes, 300-note polyphony, 16-part multitimbral, MPE support, onboard USB Host for controllers, 8 separate audio outs and high quality sound. I guess they're really bad at marketing their products. I have one and have used it at many concerts - people were amazed at the sound quality.
I really like my Elektron Model Cycles. It's a fairly limited FM synth but the comprehensible control options and the beefy sound Elektron gets from its hardware make it just as fun to play with as my analog gear. (plus I think it might be my favourite sequencer, just above the circuit and arturia) I think FM got a bad rap is because it was hard to understand and the interfaces were not well suited to sound design or adding much in the way of interesting dynamics
@@jc3drums916 Because he is sellout and only do advertisement? You know that you can still buy Opsix on local stores around the world and you can buy used from second hand. Stop being simps for these guys.
No, no NO!!! No clicéd DX7 sounds. Show me what the MODX can actually do, not what it can replicate. Those overused eighties sounds are the reason why I hated FM for so long. 14:49 💀 Really?
Sweetwater’s synth guru Daniel Fisher highlighted five of his favorite modern FM synths! Which one will you add to your synth rig? Let us know in the comments, and shop them all here 👉 imp.i114863.net/0JNEoN
You should really have a series going through, in detail, practical ways to make fm patches (ie - brass, guitars, winds, etc). Many people would be willing to get into fm synthesis if there was an easy way to learn how to make actually useful sounds
Hi Jared. Start here:
czcams.com/video/YV9vQGqoO5c/video.html
The next two tutorials after this one will also help. -_Daniel_
I chose the RefaceDX for learning FM. I am already a 54 year musician designing voices on keyboards, so I understand subtractive very well....which did little to translate to FM. But thanks to just a $300 investment I am getting very comfortable with FM. Such a great interface on the Reface, high quality sound, usable MIDI looper, and I don't feel limited at all with just 4 operators. Then layering FM with subtractive I get really outstanding sounds to orchestrate in my compositions. Some FM designs stand on their own, but most are best layered with subtractive. A world today, fantastic, I get to compose, then fit my sound design perfectly to the song, perform it, record it, add my own effects design, and complete the song...all on 100% hardware in the corner of my office. Glad I lived long enough to live in this age of creativity.
Digitone made me love FM, it can do just about anything I need, and it sounds SO good!
damn close to the perfect synth/instrument/groovebox
14:50 That Dogs bridge was excellent, such an underated album and song
I really like the Volca. Great for the money. Gotta admit, though, I rely on the Dexed plugin. 6 ops, can open DX 7 patches, sounds great, free... but I understand that some people prefer hardware, and that's what this gear is for.
Opsix is where its at, although I admit I like partially because it goes so far beyond just FM synthesis.
Hi ZetaCarinae. The opsix by Korg has been discontinued. -Daniel
I like the small DX keyboard. If it had the original DX 27/100 presets would be even better!
Loving my digitone. Volca was my first FM experience and moved up.
I would have thought the Korg OpSix was the number one hands on sound design tool for FM today?
Hi Wilderness Music. The opsix by Korg has been discontinued. -_Daniel_
@@sweetwater Short run, that is disappointing. But the RefaceDX I bought from you is a great learning tool and synth, so I still have FM in the studio!! 😊😊
@@sweetwater will Kong continue to sell the plugin version?
@@sweetwater No, its not. You can still buy it from local store.
far as i know fm synthesis never really went away. a lot of it just moved to the computer for a long time. stuff like serum and vital all support FM even if not in it's full capacity.
So this is how I found out the opsix was discontinued...it was on my list to buy, just hadn't gotten to that spot on the list yet 😢
.. missing the best one the opsix.. good thing I have 2. 👊👍😁
Hi Norm. The opsix by Korg has been discontinued. -Daniel
@@sweetwater ..yes it's too bad but I have 2 opsix's in mint condition.. I have other fm synths besides.. but I honestly believe that the opsix is the digital synth of the century..
@@sweetwaterMach II is now available
Awesome demo, Daniel. 😎 these synths sound phenomenal. I own a Korg volca fm(version 1) and it sounds killer. Especially since I can get sega genesis/mega drive type synths. My brother own a Yamaha reface dx and it is totally awesome.
the little volca is a beast
14:40 - That sound or similar was definitely used by Supertramp in The Logical Song or one of their other tracks I may have heard... Def reminded me of them...
Modx does it all..
I agree.
I have a sonicware liven xfm, and have just bought a secondhand dx100. Both are only 4 operator, but both sound great.
DX7 the 🎹 that killed 🎸 on fm radio..
No Opsix? So it’s really gone…..
I thought opsix was missing, too…
My first thought too since it’s by far the best FM workflow
🤔
..good thing I bought two opsix both mint one for $500 the other for $329 ,during the sale..
Opsix Opsix Opsix
damn this is nuts
Love my ModX. I suck at FM so I always end up with the typical sounds when programming them.
Hi Designed Audio. Try watching my "FM Synthesis - A New Explanation" video:
czcams.com/video/YV9vQGqoO5c/video.html
-_Daniel_
The Smart Morph feature on the latest OS for the MODX line is really cool for exploring textures. The MODX is really a great overall board.
I chose the DX
I have the model cycles and really wish I'd purchased something with more than 2 fm operators. It sounds pretty tame even with the built in overdrive effect and there are a lot of traditional fm sounds you just can't get out of it at all. It does have a great sequencer though.
5:30 an oddly compelling demo of the model: cycles.
Many people seem to like it more than the digitone. Not as powerful, but I can sit down with it for 20 minutes and get something really deep, whereas the digitone lscks the immediacy
Cool video thanks for making it. I don't have a dedicated FM synth yet either hardware or digital but I'll get one eventually...just not sure which one yet.
I find it interesting that noone mentions Kodamo EssenceFM, which is a very advanced FM synth with looping envelopes, 300-note polyphony, 16-part multitimbral, MPE support, onboard USB Host for controllers, 8 separate audio outs and high quality sound. I guess they're really bad at marketing their products. I have one and have used it at many concerts - people were amazed at the sound quality.
I really like my Elektron Model Cycles. It's a fairly limited FM synth but the comprehensible control options and the beefy sound Elektron gets from its hardware make it just as fun to play with as my analog gear. (plus I think it might be my favourite sequencer, just above the circuit and arturia)
I think FM got a bad rap is because it was hard to understand and the interfaces were not well suited to sound design or adding much in the way of interesting dynamics
This vid says a Korg Opsix is worthless, a Volca FM2 is better. OK! I’ve got a reface and it’s amazing.
No, it isn't featuring the Opsix because it's been discontinued.
@@jc3drums916 Because he is sellout and only do advertisement? You know that you can still buy Opsix on local stores around the world and you can buy used from second hand. Stop being simps for these guys.
Would the new Yamaha MODX+ be under this category?
Yes, and it ups the polyphony to 128.
And... The FM is the 8-Operator kind! -_Daniel_
DX7 is the way to go! Vive la Yamaha! #Yamaha #DX7 #1980s
I use the fm on my typhon
I bought a TX81Z to learn FM on. I am a fool.
I then bought a DX100.
14:49 Doogie Howser, M.D. Lol
Nope, "Dogs" by Pink Floyd (chord progression indicates that).
When you guys getting a new opsix?
Where's the OP6?
Hi Kaonashi Itoi. The Korg opsix is no longer available.
-_Daniel_
Reface DX or Digitone?
air hype fm engine is actually pretty good
Korg Opsix??! Ouch!
Hi Suad Cokjat. The Korg opsix has been discontinued. -_Daniel_
I really just need something to replace my PSS-480's capabilities.
No, no NO!!! No clicéd DX7 sounds. Show me what the MODX can actually do, not what it can replicate. Those overused eighties sounds are the reason why I hated FM for so long.
14:49 💀 Really?
No crunchy, dirty, noisy, filthy and beautifully sounding megafm? 😢