My new toy

[shad0wfax]

When talking about FM synthesis, we usually think of poor, unrealistic and grotesque sounds, very harsh and metallic sounding. Indeed, that's true in the typical 2-op and 4-op FM implementations of most old soundcards.

However, FM syntesis is very interesting and can sound very good (even with realistic instrument emulations). Some weeks ago I purchased a second hand PLG150-DX expansion card for my Yamaha motif ES rack. This card uses the same technology of the classic DX7, in all its 6-operator, 32-algorythm glory. It's just like a DX7 in a card, with the same specs (16 note polyphonic and monotimbral), but with an important difference: it can take advantage of the effects processors of the host synth. So it's like having a DX7 but with all the powerful effects of the motif, which can really add new life to the sound.

As FM sound is 100% synthesis (no sound samples), the sound patches can be very dynamic and expressive, with very smooth transitions which are impossible using PCM synthesis, even with multiple layers. It's very interesting for creating "strange" and "artificial" sounds, but also, if properly programmed, it can offer pretty good emulations of "real" instruments.

I've made some recordings that show, IMO, the potential of FM synthesis. I've used the "demo phrases" of my motif and I've programmed the effects section to give more "life" to the sound, but the core is pure FM. Besides, as one of the algorythms (n. 32) uses the six operators as carriers, and given that each operator produces a sinus waveform, it can be used to make additive synthesis and create good emulations of Hammond organs.

Some emulations of real instruments:

Bandoneon (Tango accordion): http://ismael.cat/david/fm/Bandoneon.mp3
Vibraphone: http://ismael.cat/david/fm/DX.Vibe.mp3
Harmonica: http://ismael.cat/david/fm/DXHarmnca.mp3
Pipe organ: http://ismael.cat/david/fm/PipeOrg.mp3
Drawbar organ:: http://ismael.cat/david/fm/DXJazzOr.mp3
Clavi: http://ismael.cat/david/fm/SkltnClav.mp3
Nylon guitar: http://ismael.cat/david/fm/TiteGuitar.mp3
Wurlitzer Electric Piano (with tremolo and amp simulator effects!): http://ismael.cat/david/fm/WurliEP.mp3

And now, some DX classics:

The REAL FM Electric piano (not a sampled one!): http://ismael.cat/david/fm/FullTine.mp3
Another variant of the FM EP: http://ismael.cat/david/fm/DX.E.Piano.mp3
Tubular bell: http://ismael.cat/david/fm/TubBell.mp3
Synth bass: http://ismael.cat/david/fm/BogiBass.mp3

Finally, some weird/interesting sounds:

Moonchoir: http://ismael.cat/david/fm/MoonChoir.mp3
Waterlog: http://ismael.cat/david/fm/WaterLog.mp3

[Tom]

Impressive.  Some of the samples I wouldn't have assumed were FM synth.

[shad0wfax]

I started to write a FM-only composition using the PLG150-DX, but I quickly ran out of ideas . The next step was adding a percussion track, but despite my efforts, all FM based drum sounds suck. So I've decided to leave it, at least for a while. If someone's interested and want to listen to what it's done, here you've got the link: http://shadowfax.ismael.cat/fm/FM_Revenge.mp3

[Rhizome]

That's the main reason most arcade games used samples for percussion - even if OutRun's were very noisey.

[jharris01]

Now that you mention it I never really noticed it. Too much arcade ambient noise.