FM Synthesis - A Practical Guide - Part 1

video upload by ChrisLody

"Here's something I've been meaning to get round to starting for ages, a practical guide to FM synthesis. In my experience FM tutorials usually over explain all the wrong things and rarely get as far as the important things like the predictable way operator ratios change the waveform and frequency responses. So I've tried to approach things from an entirely practical view point showing you how to make saw, square, noise etc with filter like responses.

Here's chipsynth MD (from which I stole a diagram :) https://www.plogue.com/products/chips...

Details on different types of FM (its actually phase modulation)
• Comparing Exponential, Linear, and Th... [posted here]
• The difference between FM and Phase M... [here]

0:00 Intro
2:53 How the meters works
3:23 Operators and Algorithms
3:58 Carriers and Modulators
4:29 MEGA Synthesis envelope generator
5:48 Reface DX envelope generator
6:56 Adjusting algorithms and operators
8:35 Making a basic organ sound
9:47 Saw feedback
10:47 Square feedback
11:48 1:1 modulation (saw sounds)
13:03 Low pass like sweeps
14:12 1:2 modulation (square sounds)
15:34 2:1 etc modulation (band pass sounds)
16:37 Ratio chart
17:10 Quick demo bass patch
18:20 Summing up"

Minimal Ambient w / Tenori-on, OP-1 field, volca fm | Herbal Gathering 2025-04-27 by atnr

video upload by atnr

"A piece created with the YAMAHA TENORI-ON, ‪@teenageengineering‬ OP-1 field, and ‪@KORG_INC‬ volca fm2. Repeating harmonies are washed in effect-laden electronic tones.

TENORI-ON: A phrase is looped with the RANDOM sequencer, then processed through the ‪@ChaseBlissAudio‬ MOOD MK II and GENERATION LOSS MK II.

OP-1 field: I first record a harmony loop, then overdub parts with the internal synth. The output is routed through ‪@strymon‬ NIGHTSKY for modulation, reverb, and filtering.

volca fm2: A slow-attack patch is played and further degraded into lo-fi textures with ‪@ChaseBlissAudio‬ LOSSY."

Minimal Electronic w/ Prophet-10, Piano | Smokey Hill 2025-04-26 by atnr

video upload by atnr

"A piece created with the ‪@SequentialLLC‬ Prophet-10 and piano—minimal, immersive ambient music built from sustained synth tones and a looping piano motif.

Prophet-10: Uses a patch with long attack and release, processed with reverb via blueSky.

Piano (YAMAHA CP-88): Layered with versions processed through ‪@HologramElectronics‬ MICROCOSM, ‪@ChaseBlissAudio‬ GENERATION LOSS MK II, and ‪@strymon‬ NIGHTSKY."

Yamaha DX7 and Fractal Audio FM3 soundscape improvisation

video upload by MIDERA

"I think I'm getting worse at playing keyboard. Anyway, a friend wanted me to fix his DX7, but I can't find anything wrong with it so I tested it out for a little while and just made this brief piece.

Yamaha DX7
Fractal Audio FM3"

Yamaha Montage M & Genos 2 | SynthFest 2025

video upload by SynthFest France

Click CC on the bottom of the player for subtitles.

"La nouvelle série Montage M de Yamaha repousse encore plus loin les limites. Les synthèses FM-X et AWM2 se voient complétées par un moteur de synthèse complet AN-X, simulant les circuits analogiques et reproduisant leurs imperfections si musicales. Des écrans contextuels apparaissent à gauche du panneau, et le M8X signe le grand retour chez Yamaha du Polyphonic Aftertouch, longtemps après le CS80. Des commandes supplémentaires et une librairie sonores étendues en font un clavier ultime."

Googlish:

"Yamaha's new Montage M series pushes the boundaries even further. FM-X and AWM2 synthesis are complemented by a full-featured AN-X synthesis engine, simulating analog circuits and reproducing their musical imperfections. Contextual displays appear on the left side of the panel, and the M8X marks Yamaha's return to Polyphonic Aftertouch, long after the CS80. Additional controls and an extensive sound library make this the ultimate keyboard."

Update:

Yamaha Genos 2 | SynthFest 2025

video upload by SynthFest France

"Cyril Colom vous présente le Genos 2, l'arrangeur à la pointe de la technologie de Yamaha, issue d'une longue tradition de la marque.

Si vous pensez savoir à quoi vous attendre avec une démo d'arrangeur, vous risquez d'être surpris, avec la performance époustouflante de Richard Vecchi!"

Googlish:

"Cyril Colom presents the Genos 2, Yamaha's state-of-the-art arranger, a product of the brand's long-standing tradition.

If you think you know what to expect from an arranger demo, you might be surprised by Richard Vecchi's breathtaking performance!"

Yamaha SK50D Vintage Synthesizer w/ Lid and Legs SN 1570

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Reverb listing

CLICK FOR MORE »

Yamaha CS-70m Polyphonic synthesizer

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this eBay listing

CLICK FOR MORE »

Ambient w/ Field Recording in Tokyo, Piano ,MOOD MK II, Music Easel |Green Circle 2025-04-21 by atnr

video upload by atnr

"A piece built from field recordings captured near a forest in Tokyo, combined with piano and a ‪@buchlausa‬ Music Easel. Amid flowing water and rustling trees, electronic tones and piano lines emerge.

Piano (YAMAHA CP‑88): Performed live, then mixed as two layers—the dry signal and a processed version treated with LOSSY and ‪@gfisys‬ SPECULAR TEMPUS.

Music Easel: Routed through ‪@ChaseBlissAudio‬ MOOD for reverb, micro‑looping, and pitch shifting.

Field recordings: Sounds of a small forest and stream in a Tokyo residential area, recorded on an iPhone."

Ambient Music w/ MICROCOSM, MOOD MK II, EP-133 K.O.II | Whose Dream 2024-04-20 by atnr

video upload by atnr

"A piece created with the ‪@teenageengineering‬ EP‑133 K.O.II, YAMAHA CP‑88, and ‪@SequentialLLC‬ Prophet‑10—a minimal ambient track where piano, synth, and an ever‑shifting rhythm intertwine.

Prophet‑10: Plays the harmonic bed.

CP‑88: Performs a simple piano phrase. Its output is routed through the ‪@ChaseBlissAudio‬ MOOD MK II and‪@HologramElectronics‬ MICROCOSM, adding reverb while fading micro‑loops in and out.

EP‑133 K.O.II: The rhythm is processed by LOSSY, whose filter and packet‑loss effects keep the timbre in constant flux."

Yamaha SY35: Ambient Vector Synth with Ventris Reverb Pedal

video upload by App Sound (by Matt Sour)

"The Yamaha SY35 is a Vintage Synth featuring a Vector Synthesis engine. It's still a nice sounding machine with an unique digital LoFi timbre."

TX18Z - Ableton Live & Kontakt Pack by Cluster Sound

video upload by Isotonik Studios

"TX-81Z for Kontakt and Ableton Live captures the gritty, aggressive sound of this iconic FM synthesizer. Known for its punchy basses, raw leads, and percussive sounds, the TX-81Z is perfect for creating late '80s and early '90s dance music, offering rich overtones and solid, punchy tones used by artists like Fluke and Squarepusher.

Kontakt:
Primus synthesizer included
65 selectable waveforms
Ableton Live:
65 Synth Devices
5 Macro Control Templates
Device preview playback
Direct install into 'Packs' section

AVAILABLE HERE: https://isotonikstudios.com/product/t..."

Yamaha CS40M Vintage Duophonic Analog Synthesizer SN 2048

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Reverb listing

"Great condition, both visually and technically, has been freshly overhauled and adjusted in Japan.

The CS-40M is rare and has the ring modulator sound, for which CS-60/70/80 are also famous...

Duophone.
Programmable.
CV-Gate-VCF-VCA-controllable!"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Electronica w/ Prophet-10, Moog One, CS01, MOOD MK II | Catastrophic Derivative 2025-04-13 by atnr

video upload by atnr

"A piece created with the ‪@SequentialLLC‬ Prophet‑10, ‪@MoogSynthesizers‬ Moog One, and YAMAHA CS01—an IDM/electronica track where beats, bass, and synth layers intertwine.

A beat built in the DAW underpins:

Prophet‑10: synth‑bass line

Moog One: harmonic synth pad

CS01: lead part, routed through the ‪@ChaseBlissAudio‬ MOOD MK II for granular treatment and SPECULAR TEMPUS for reverb‑delay."

TMP-3-03 Vintage Synth TV Series from Benge

video upload by Memetune Studio

00:00 Opening Titles
00:17 Introduction
01:27 Switched On 80s
16:14 Synthesiser Club
19:48 Commercial Break
23:57 Patching Today
35:04 Little Black Boxes
38:53 Video Lab
44:22 Outro

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Episode three of the third series of the TV program from Benge, made at his Memetune Electronic Music Studio

The series explores his passion for vintage synthesiser instruments and studio gear and how he uses them in his productions and collaborations

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

It is divided into the following sections:

SWITCHED ON 80s - This third series takes an in-depth look into six classic 80s synthesisers, selected because of their interesting and unique attributes

SYNTHESISER CLUB - A short musical demonstration of a synthesiser classic or three, concentrating on 'families' of synths

COMMERCIAL BREAK - Some shameless Memetune shilling

PATCHING TODAY - A deep-dive into vintage modular systems and how to set up a patch on them, starting from scratch, this time using Cybersynthesis techniques to bring an element of surprise to the patches

LITTLE BLACK BOXES - A further look at some classic rack mount studio gear of the 80s and 90s

VIDEO LAB - A look at old video equipment and how to create experimental visuals, concentrating on a specific device in each episode

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

In THIS episode:

SWITCHED ON 80s - A detailed presentation on FM synthesis and its history, looking at the DK Synergy (as used on the Tron soundtrack), but mainly the Yamaha DX series of synths

CLICK FOR MORE »

Electric Grand Loop (w/ ‪@LanthanOIde‬ on Montage M, FGDP-50, J-6, Fender)

video upload by Floyd Steinberg

"Lanthan and me recorded this in around 4 hours using a Montage M keyboard and an FGDP50 finger drum computer and a Fender DG4 acoustic guitar, on a Zoom R20 multitrack recorder. The whole thing was mixed and mastered in Reaper afterwards, as can be seen in the video. Hope you like this.

HÄLP ZIS CHANNEL
https://www.patreon.com/floyd_steinberg
https://floydsteinberg.gumroad.com/
https://floydsteinberg.bandcamp.com/"

Yamaha AN1X Analog Physical Modeling Synth

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this VEMIA listing

Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.

VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.

"Neat and powerful modeling synth from Yamaha. In excellent cosmetic condition and of course 100% working."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Yamaha DX7IIFD w/ DTronics Programmer & Carts

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this VEMIA listing

Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.

VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.

"Yamaha DX 7 II FD with Dtronics large Programmer. In very good condition. The programmer is as new and works very well with the DX. Much better actually than the old blue Jellinghaus I had years ago. Working with the programmer is a whole new experience and you come across sounds you would have never found without it. I kept this over my DX 1 and DX 5 which I sold some time ago. I am including 2 multi bank ram cartridges"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Yamaha CS30

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this VEMIA listing

Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.

VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.

The Yamaha CS30 is a very powerful, flexible and often underrated synth. It's almost like a modular in its design and really rewards delving deep. This one is in lovely condition and has been in my studio since 2008 having been purchased in beautiful restored condition from RL Music in UK. It's been regularly serviced since then and comes with a lovely original Yamaha CS30 case. I am now retired, so selling off some prized studio equipment, otherwise I'd be unlikely to let this one go this one for sure.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Electronica w/ Prophet-10, CP-88, MOOD MK II , MU15 | April 2025-04-08 by atnr

video upload by atnr

"A piece created using the ‪@SequentialLLC‬ Prophet-10, YAMAHA CP-88, and MU15. A simple rhythm underpins the piano and the music box-like tones of the MU15, which are processed through the ‪@ChaseBlissAudio‬ MOOD MK II and GENERATION LOSS MK II.

The MU15 plays sounds like music boxes and harps via MIDI. Passing it through the MOOD MK II and GENERATION LOSS MKII produces a lo-fi yet sparkling character.

On the Prophet-10, I perform a simple synth pad, routed through ‪@strymon‬ blueSky for reverb.

The rhythm is constructed in a DAW by arranging samples.

The piano parts are played live on the CP-88."

Yamaha SK20 Synthesizer - Symphonic Ensemble, Vintage, Fully Tested SN 2690

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this eBay listing

CLICK FOR MORE »