Yamaha FS1R Editor for iPad

Update: you can find a TB MIDI Stuff port here that does not require The Missing Link.

TouchOSC editor for the Yamaha FS1R. 80 pages and months in the making. This editor was made with TouchOSC and is currently mapped for The Missing Link. You can, however, re-map it for Osculator or other, but it is fairly large - over 1000 parameters. Every single parameter controlling sound on the FS1R is covered. You can find the editor here and on The Missing Link forum here.

Click each pic for the full size shot.

The full editor is actually split into five editors, one main editor and four Operator editors (one for each part). Pictured here are the unique editing screens to give you an idea of the sheer number of parameters available on the FS1R. This is one massive synth consisting of FM, Formant and subtractive synthesis.

Main editor (16 pages/tabs): fseq editing, common controls, Part1 control (if you look at the tabs you can see Part2 - 4 as well), LFO & Filter, Formant Algorithm selection, FM Algorithm selection, Reverb, Variation Effects (two pages), Insert Efects (three pages), and EQ.

Operator editor (16 pages/tabs x 4 editors): Below EQ are two screen grabs for the Operator edit pages. Each of four parts on the FS1R has a total of eight voiced operators and eight unvoiced operators. Each voiced and each unvoiced operator has the same set of parameters.

Note there are a couple of quirks to this editor. The FS1R has a few parameters that are higher resolution than The Missing Link supports. You can get from 0 to max, but fine tuning is best done on the FS1R itself.

Some parameters are only applicable based on other parameter settings. I tried to capture these, however I did a much better job with the effects section and later in the editor. If you look at the FX pages you will see color coding for each slider. This is because the effect parameters on the FS1R share the same sysex but do different things depending on which effect is selected.

If you use the editor and find any other quirks let me know.

The great thing about the editor, in this case specifically, is that it will allow you to explore the FS1R without hunching over the rack and flipping through menus. It's all laid out in full screen in front of you. You can flip through pages and just explore and try things out. For a synth this complex it really does help in learning how each parameter effects a given sound. You can set the mix levels down for all but one part, focus on it and then bring other parts back in.

As with all TouchOSC based editors, you can also jump values, while on the FS1R there is no number pad so you have to go the full range from point a to point z. If you look at the Algorithm screens for example you can see with this editor you can directly select any algorithm you want.

If you look at the top screen you can play the fseqs start and end times like an old school sampler - think Akai S612 sliders.

The one thing I do wish the FS1R did was update it's screen to the parameter being edited, that way you can use both. If anyone knows if this is possible, let me know.

Click each screen to get a taste of what the FS1R can do.

TouchOSC - hexler - iTunes
The Missing Link
iPads on eBay

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TouchOSC FS1R Editor - First Screenshot

Something I'm working on for the Yamaha FS1R and TouchOSC with The Missing Link. This is the Operator parameters page. There are 8 Voiced and 8 Unvoiced operators in the FS1R. Multiply that by four parts and you are looking at 64 pages. Unfortunately TouchOSC does not appear to support a method I can use to select Operator and Part, so I'm looking at manually mapping every single control you see here times 64. It's probably going to take a while, but it is coming. I might make the editor available once Part 1 is complete. If anyone is interested, let me know. The one plus with TouchOSC is I can edit this on my Mac vs. directly on the iPad, which for a template this size makes the difference between being committed and simply giving up. I should say these pages are the last ones I need to complete before the editor will be complete. I have finally cracked the FS1R open. BTW, this editor will require The Missing Link as TouchOSC does not currently support sysex directly and the FS1R requires sysex for advanced editing. BTW, if your wondering what's up with the color scheme of my editor, it matches the FS1R.

TB MIDI Stuff iPad Editor for the Yamaha FS1R

TBStuff ported several pages of my Touch OSC editor for the Yamaha FS1R. That editor was mapped for The Missing Link. This TB MIDI Stuff port works with CoreMIDI over USB so you do not need The Missing Link for it to work, although it will work with it over wifi as well. A cool thing about this editor is that communication via USB is two-way, meaning if you change a parameter on the FS1R, it will also show up on the editor. Also, this editor shows you the value as you edit so you can dial in edits more precisely. Currently there are templates for the following pages: fseq, Cmn, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and EQ. More may follow as TB MIDI Stuff has time, but I thought any of you with an FS1R wouldn't mind giving these templates a try. You can find them here.

TB MIDI Stuff on iTunes:

iPads on eBay

Update: you can find other user templates on the TBStuff forums here. And, of course, if you create any yourself, feel free to join and share.

New Yamaha FS1R iPad Editor For Patch Base

Yamaha FS1R Voice Editing with Patch Base

Published on Feb 7, 2018 Coffeeshopped

via Coffeeshopped, makers of Patch Base:

"Patch Base 2.10 adds an editor for the most complex FM synthesizer I've ever encountered: the Yamaha FS1R. This thing is a beast. First of all, it has 8 operators for FM synthesis! Imagine the possible chaos. And, each operator has both a "Voiced" and "Unvoiced" part. The Voiced part is your tone generator (similar to the DX7), and the Unvoiced part is essentially a noise generator with its own envelopes, frequency controls, and bandpass filter. The Voiced part also supports multiple waveforms (the FS1R calls them "spectral" forms), including a formant generator. Basically, you can make this thing sound like it's talking. It is hands-down the most amazing FM synth I've ever used, and I've only begun to scratch the surface of sound design with it.

And starting today, FS1R owners can go deeper with this synth, too. Like the FS1R itself, this editor was the most complex FM editor I've created so far. The current algorithm (out of 88 possibilities!) is shown in the top left, and also serves as the selector for which operator you want to edit. Each operator shows the output levels of the voiced and unvoiced parts of the operator, which helps give an overview of the structure of the patch. With 8 operators, a lot of patches won't even use all of them!.."

Yamaha FS1R Editors

Two Editors:

FS1R Editor Ver1.30 (top)
FS1R Editor 1.1 (bottom)


Update: Free editor here

Grokking the FS1R: Part 1- The FS1R Spectral waveforms

YouTube Uploaded by NoisyLittleBugger on Mar 16, 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 1: A quick look at the FS1R waveforms and their basic shaping parameters .

Apologies for the background hiss - attempting to eliminate. In any case, Youtube audio cannot do justice to the output of this fabulous device.

Software used:

FS1R editor - http://synth-voice.sakura.ne.jp/fs1r_editor_english.html
Reaper - http://www.reaper.fm/
S(m)exiscope vst - http://bram.smartelectronix.com/plugins.php?id=4

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

Grokking the FS1R: Part 2- A First FM Patch


Update:

Grokking the FS1R: Part 3 - Simple 2-Operator FM with variable modulator waveforms.

Yamaha FS1R Unleashed

Robert Skerjanc

"A small session controlling the FS1r Synthesizer live with a custom hardware controller."

Custom controller for the Yamaha FS1r. Almost looks like custome eurorack modules.

Curious how many of the FS1r parameters it controls. I once made an 80 page editor with Touch OSC with over 1000 parameters. It was ported to TB MIDI Stuff. There is also an editor for Patch Base here and free Edisyn 26 editor here. Without an editor it's like trying to paint a canvas through a keyhole.

How to Edit Mass Parameters in TouchOSC

If you remember my FS1R TouchOSC editor post from yesterday, I mentioned that it would be a while before I completed it due to the sheer number of pages and parameters that needed to be manually edited. You can copy and paste a page in the TouchOSC Editor, but then you have to click on every single control and edit. I wished there was an easier way to simply copy and replace. Well... It turns out there is!!! Hans of The Missing Link came to the rescue via a tip from control_man here. Apparently TouchOSC files are XML files and can be edited as follows:

1. add a .zip extension to the TouchOSC template filename
2. unzip - this will give you index.xml
3. edit index.xml
4. zip index.xml into an archive
5. change filename + extension of index.zip to templatename.touchosc

Note that Touch OSC requires a unique name for each control (click the above image so see - BTW, that is the very start of my FS1R editor), so I did the following to make it easier:

1. I created blank pages in my template for those I wanted to duplicate in the TouchOSC editor itself
2. I opened the template in XCode
3. I grabbed the chunk between the Page tags for the page I wanted to duplicate
4. I pasted that into TextEdit
5. I did a search and replace all for name=” with name=“0
6. I did a search and replace all for the hex values I wanted to change, in my case 0x60 0x02 to 0x60 0x03
7. I did a control all and pasted it into the first new blank page in XCode
8. I repeated steps 5-7 for each page substituting name=” with name=“1 0x60 0x02 to 0x60 0x04 and so on.


I was able to create five new pages pictured to the left in under ten minutes. This is literally going to save me days worth of work.

Thank you Hans!!!

Note this is also being covered in the hexler forum here.

iFSeq v1.2.1 and iFS1R v1.2.2 Wired and Wireless CoreMIDI Editor Now Available

"Apple has just released iFSeq v1.2.1, our dedicated FS1R Formant Sequencing Synthesis editor / add-on to iFS1R, and also iFS1R v1.2.2. [pictured]

iFS1R v1.2.2 offers [iFS1R - iControlMIDI]:
• Editing in Part 1 or 2 or 3 or 4
• Graphical representation of the 88 algorithms; just touch an algorithm icon on iFS1R, it is selected on your FS1R, no needs for the FS1R user manual any longer."


YouTube Uploaded by iControlMIDI on Jul 31, 2011

"iFSeq v1.2.1 offers [iFSeq - iControlMIDI]:
iFSeq can be used as a self contained application or complementing iFS1R, our FS1R FM Synthesis editor.
iFSeq provided all the Formant Sequencing parameters:
• Performance
• Voiced and Unvoiced Operators
Plus we duplicated from iFS1R the key Formant Sequencing synthesis Operators parameters that have a crucial sonic impact like:
• FSeq On/Off switch
• Track Number
• Skirt
• Transpose
• Resonance
• Algorithm (normally you should use Algorithm 1 for Formant Sequencing synthesis, but we let you experiment with all 88 algorithms)
• Feedback (normally you should set Feedback = 0 for Formant Sequencing synthesis, but we let you experiment with all 8 values)
All other parameters can be edited on iFS1R if you wish do have in depth experience.

We completely automated the Formant Sequencing synthesis workflow in order to put your FS1R to ‘re-synthesis mode’, when you assign the Formant Sequencer to Performance Part N (N=1, 2, 3 or 4 as selected on the Settings page) on iFSeq, iFSeq will automatically:
• Assign the Formant Sequencer to Performance Part N (N=1, 2, 3 or 4 as selected on the Settings page)
• Assign all Voiced Operator Waveform to Formant (you should only use Formant waveforms if you wish to do Formant Sequencing synthesis, but this can be individually changed on iFS1R)
• Assign all Voiced and Unvoiced Operator FSeq switches to On (this can be individually turned On/Off on iFSeq subsequent Pages)"

iControlMIDI - editors on iTunes
iPads on eBay

Grokking the FS1R: Part 5 - Formant Choir Dissection

YouTube Uploaded by NoisyLittleBugger on Mar 30, 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 5: Formant Choir Dissection

The FS1R was primarily marketed for it's formant synthesis and Formant-sequencing (FS) abilities.

In this video I dissect a non-sequenced formant patch. Performance B008 - Choir uses formants and noise generators to mimmick the human vocal tract. Formants provide the vowel sounds, whilst the Unvoiced (noise) operators provide the consonants and/or breath.

I am collecting articles that explain the theory behind formant synthesis, with Frequency charts for common formants - see http://stimresp.wordpress.com/tag/formant/.

Essentially, the formant operators on the FS1R can be thought of as band-passed oscillators. The frequency and bandwidth of these formants can be changed to approximate the resonant qualities of real-world acoustic sounds, instruments, speech, etc.

The human voice can be approximated by at least three formants in parallel set at different frequencies. Research has produced charts that map the frequencies for common vowels and consonants - so in theory these can be used to make the FS1R say whole words. However the temporal aspects of such a patch would be too complex to program, as even 64 operators may not be enough. Changing the frequency and bandwidth is possible using MIDI knobs/automation, but the results are still far from convincing.

Yamaha's answer to this is/was formant sequencing. I will look at the formant sequences in a later video.

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/
Camstudio - http://camstudio.org/

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

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.""

Yamaha FS1R FM Rack Synthesizer SN PH01101

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

via this auction

If you own an FS1R and iPad see my editor here.

"It is almost impossible to describe the sound, flexibility and power of this machine without playing and hearing it. The FS1R is capable of any sound you can imagine.

The FS1R would be not for everyone, but a gem for the one who is seeking something special.

There are some small marks on the rack ears from mounting and on the top plate. This is a 240 Volt version.

In 1998, after several years without producing a single FM synthesizer, Yamaha released a new FM powerhouse...the FS1R. This little beast is far from your average FM synthesizer. Not only is it an eight-Operator variant, as opposed to the six- and four-Operator FM of the DX/TX lines, but it also features a new technology called Formant Shaping Synthesis. Formants are the spectral patterns making up the sounds of human speech. This allows for the creation of vocal like timbres but can also be applied in many different ways to create incredibly unique sounds that you won't find on any other synths.

DX7 aficionados will like the fact that the FS1R has almost complete compatibility with 6-Operator FM synths: you can send, via MIDI, a patch from a DX7, for example, and the FS1R will convert it to an identical-sounding patch in the new synth. A lot of the preset Voices actually come from the DX7's library. It's also possible to program sounds from DX7 sound charts, finding an algorithm that has an equivalent layout to the DX algorithm and turning off the unwanted Operators.

The complexity of working with the synth is far outweighed by the amazing sounds that it's capable of. It truly sounds like nothing else out there. From huge evolving pads, to shimmering EPs, fantastic organs, screaming leads and booming basses.. this synth can sound industrial and cold one minute, and then warm and almost analogue the next. With some time dedicated to learning how to edit the patches, or create your own from scratch, there's really no sound that this synth isn't capable of making."

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Free Editors for the Oberheim Matrix-1000, Yamaha FS1R, and Waldorf MicroQ

You will find the following on this site in French. Googlish here.

* Editor for Oberheim Matrix 1000 and MacOS9
* Editor for Oberheim Matrix 1000 and MacOSX (native)
* MIDI Harmoniseur for MacOSX
* Editor for Yamaha FS1R integrated into JSynthLib, Print multi-tools in Java and running on Linux, Windows and MacOSX.Ceci said I do not stand over the code but as it is open source anyone can change .
* Editeur MacOSX (natif) pour Yamaha FS1R => en cours
* Publisher MacOSX Waldorf micro Q

via Joel, who used the Micro Q editor, on the Waldorf list:
"It really is very hard to grok the full power of an instrument when you can only see into it from a tiny window. Well designed synth editors really let you see the big picture. Thanks also to the free MQeditor I recently found here I'm now able to really get serious about making new sounds on my MicroQ - it was fine from the front panel, but now I've come to understand the Modulation and routing sections much better, and to get a better feel for what my synth is capable of."

Yamaha fs1r formant/fm synthesizer demos

"Demos and studies on FM synthesis and MIDI CCs using Yamaha fs1r synth module and Five12 Numerology sequencing software... Only the last track is multi--tracked, the rest are just one of the 4 layers in the fs1r. So no layers or splits etc... Any effects, with the exception of EQ and compression from Logic, are from the fs1r. Some examples feature sequencing and MIDI CCs from Five12 Numerology."

If you have an FS1R and an iPad, be sure to check out my Yamaha FS1R iPad editor here.

Yamaha FS1R 8 Operator FM & Formant Synth

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

via this auction

If you have an iPad you can edit it with this FS1R iPad editor by TB MIDI Stuff, ported from my 80 page TouchOSC FS1R editor for The Missing Link.   This is an incredibly powerful synth.  The original Yamaha DX7 only had 6 Operators.

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Yamaha FS1R SN OX01469

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

via this auction

Note this a re-list of the FS1R posted here.

The price is lower.  If you do a quick eBay search for other FS1Rs you'll find that some go for astronomical prices. The reason likely is because the FS1R in incredibly deep offering Yamaha's unique Formant synthesis as well as an 8-Op FM engine. The DX-7 only had 6 Operators. The FS1R can load DX7 patches but it is capable of far more complex sounds. There is also an iPad editor for the FS1R created by yours truly.

Yamaha FS1R FM Formant Synthesizer SN PJ01005

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

via this auction

"It is almost impossible to describe the sound, flexibility and power of this machine without playing and hearing it. The FS1R is capable of any sound you can imagine.

The FS1R would be not for everyone, but a gem for the one who is seeking something special."

For those with an iPad, I created an 80 page iPad editor covering over 1000 parameters for the FS1R here. Even if you don't own an FS1R it's a good way to see what the synth is capable of.

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the turning point

All Yamaha FS1r, 8 voices.

Update: track notes:

"Looking back at '15, I find it hard to believe that I've spent over 6mths analysing ONE 16-note arp!!!

It took me quite a while to understand the shape of the arp, by stretching it, compressing it, inverting it etc using only an event-list editor. Things started to click when I began to separate out the frequencies in the arp and assign them to different voices. The rhythms that already existed in the arp, became better defined.

I used the matrixsynth fs1r editor [here] to create some of the envelopes. There's no patch library feature on this app yet, so there was still a vast amount of buttonwork on the synths - yes, I used a pair of fsir modules and a QY700, nothing else whatsoever apart from the amp and monitors.

Being limited to 8 voices was a real challenge. We know that two oscillators produce a more complex sound than one, and I upped this massively by allowing 2 voices for the pad. The sub-bassline and the kick drum take up another 2, so that's one machine used up already, meaning that I only had 4 voices for everything else.

The levels of complexity needed in a sound, to make it interesting, should also not be underestimated, and required efficient use of fseq, lfo, and fx assignments. There's no cc happening, variation was produced using lfo to freq mod, amp mod, filter mod, and for the drum tracks, 32quantise against 16accent up, which are preset templates on the QY700."

Yamaha FS1r Demonstration

Yamaha FS1r Demonstration from Phil Anderson on Vimeo.

"Here's a video of the Yamaha FS1r playing a demonstration in Logic Pro, with examples of the music editor.

This is one of the coolest synthesizers ever made, and it's a shame it seems to be not on the radar.

The FS1r was basically the ultimate FM synthesizer from Yamaha, makers of the original DX7, but it will do much more than that, much, much more. It has an incredible array of algorithms, 8 operators, a very impressive filter, and formant sequencing. Plus it works in performances, with the ability to stack four of these together to create some awesome sounds. The internal DP effects are also very nice and smooth."

Yamaha FS1R w/ Original Box

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

via this auction

"Anyone reading this knows why they want it. Crisp sharp envelopes. Bright rich sound. Like MODX with addition of formant filters. Use FS1R free editor (PC/OSX) for easy access to entire synth engine. The sheer magnitude of parameters is very deep. A sound designer's dream machine."

You can also find an iPad editor for the FS1R here.

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