Grokking the FS1R: Part 4 - A Solid attempt at Lately

YouTube Uploaded by NoisyLittleBugger on Mar 24, 2011

"WARNING - This video contains loud audio. Even though a limiter was placed on the output, the nature of FM means that noise peaks are inevitable when experimenting. You have been warned!

If you don't know what FS1R or FM synthesis are then there's no point in watching. Really.

Part 4 : A Solid attempt at Lately - Part A

Using the FS1R to emulate one of the most ubiquitous bass sounds in 90's pop. Heaven or Hell, depending on your perspective.
Some examples of it's use:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9uizdKZAGE - The Janet Jackson song that (apparently) gave it's name to the TX81Z patch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjJwqDa1QVI - Ace of Bass
etc...

It's a good synthesis target to for learning FM, and a very useable patch too. This is by no means a perfect copy, but it is the basis of so much more. I will expand this patch in the next video.

Solid Bass is a preset on the Yamaha DX-100. Lately Bass is a preset on the Yamaha TZ81Z. Both are 4-operator FM synths. The only apparent difference between these patches is that, whereas the DX-100 uses only Sine waveforms, the TX81Z used on of it's additive forms (number 5 FWIW). This apprently adds more bite to the attack, but probably not necessary on the FS1R as the feedback is plenty enough to impart that familiar snap in the attack.

Solid Bass is a 4-operator Patch, using algorithm 2 on the DX-100. This is one carrier with stacked modulators - a configuration that is doubled in one FS1R voice 0 algorithm 70. The feedback operator provides most of the snappy attack. A slow, fre--running pitch LFO is also applied. No Filters! Velocity sensitivity only applied to the feedback operator - but this can be expanded to other operators for more expressiveness. Next time.....


Software used:
Sakura FS1R editor - http://synth-voice.sakura.ne.jp/fs1r_editor_english.html (thank you K_Take!)
Reaper - http://www.reaper.fm/
S(m)exiscope vst - http://bram.smartelectronix.com/plugins.php?id=4
Voxengo SPAN - http://www.voxengo.com/product/span/

Grok: "to understand intuitively or by empathy; to establish rapport with" and "to empathise or communicate sympathetically (with); also, to experience enjoyment.""