2024/01 - dawless winter session #2 with DIY gear and MUCH reverb

video upload by Stereoping

"Drowning the lead synth - which imperturbably repeats it's themes - in the dark and endless reverb of a Roland #DEP5. Other guests beside the DIY gear: FB01 through Dynacord #VRS23, Moog #Matriarch, Boss SX700 which got modulated by fader on the phaser mid frequency while processing the Wersi CX-1 HiHats. A Volca Sample also contributes a bit of background beat."

2024/01 - dawless winter session with DIY gear and some FM Synths

video upload by Stereoping

"The title sais it all, just a recording of a relaxed MPC evening session. Playing with the sweet spot of a modded #Waldorf #Pulse which was sent through a Roland #DEP-5. Other featured gear: two DIY drumboxes, #Yamaha #FB01, two #TX7 detuned and hard panned, #Dyncord #DRP15, two Ibanez BBD delays and a Dynacord #VRS23."

Luminous Trilogy & A CATALOGUE OF FM MATERIALS by Element433 ( a.k.a. Pere Villez)

via Element433 (Pere Villez)

"When I made the popular YouTube series 'FM Catalogue of Materials', many viewers commented that they would love to see some more of the 'music tech as cinema' style created in the videos.

My new project 'Luminous Trilogy' release, does exactly that. In part 1 'WTD', synths and synth technical diagrams, together with Pure Data/Max patches, become casual parts of the film's environment, which is set in an alt near future. Part 1 was realised with analogue modular, whereas Part 2 "Breath" was scored using binaural audio, VCV rack and live Indian tablas. Part 3 'Contrails' uses physical models, Samplicity's Berlin Studios and vintage FM hardware."

Update: Element433 has made the VCV patch and assets used in the film "Breath" below a free download. You can find instructions on downloading the patch and setting it up here: http://tinyurl.com/e433WpBrvcv.

Luminous Trilogy

video uploads by Element433 ( a.k.a. Pere Villez)

"Three music shorts around the theme of light, from incandescent urban folklore set in the near future, electric neon glowing medussae to impossible skies, all to the sound of dark ambient and techno-world music"

Playlist:

Walking The Dulzaina - Luminous Trilogy - Part 1

Walking The Dulzaina is an edited one-shot music film which details the manic walkthrough time-lapse of an imaginary synthesised dulzaina (Spanish folkloric instrument) being taken for a walk through the "Las Vegas" like dressed streets of a small village festive celebration set somewhere in the near future.

The visuals are nods to the Bladerunner, Lynch, Weirdcore and Kubrick where the glow of transparent neon CRTs, display technical diagrams with a music technology theme. Some suddenly slide up from the ground, while others cross from one side of the street to another.

The music is inspired by minimalism, industrial techno synth-folk where Steve Reich and Techno meet Raymond Scott and 1960's BBC radiophonic.

Musical Equipment Detail:

Intro: Moog Subharmonicon through Fairfield Randy's Revenge ring modular - into two crunchy Elby Systems stereo valve preamps and out into a stereo pair of Doepfer A-199 spring tanks).

Dulzainas: Buchla Easel Command sometimes untreated and sometimes solo through a J.H. 'Son of a Storm Tide' stereo analogue studio flanger (built by Van Daal Electronics (second dulzainas and very low transition whoooses). Buchla and Subharmonicon sync locked and clock divided by Ornaments and Crime clock divider.

Final wormhole sequence: Subharmonicon through stereo A-199 Doepfer spring reverbs and Paulstretched.

This work is not sponsored by any the manufacturers mentioned. They are personally purchased pieces of equipment.

Album:
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/ele...

CLICK FOR MORE »

Bad Gear - Yamaha TX81Z

video upload by AudioPilz

Click on the AudioPilz link above for additional Bad Gear posts. Remember you can click on any YouTube name to bring up additional posts.

"Become a Patron and get access to music clips from the show, additional content, Bad Gear samples and even more AudioPilz madness

https://www.patreon.com/audiopilz

Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools. Today we are going to talk about the Yamaha TX81Z FM Tone Generator. Is this classic Yamaha FM synth nothing but the home to the iconic 80s bass, the legendary Lately Bass preset? Can it be worse to operate than the Yamaha DX7? Will rack synthesizers ever look good on social media?

Thanks to Anders Enger Jensen for showing that rack synths can indeed look Instagram-worthy:
https://eoxstudios.bandcamp.com/

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
01:10 Overview Yamaha TX81Z
01:27 UI and basic tweak
01:39 Presets
02:06 Lately Bass Preset
02:25 Lately Bass vs. Solid Bass comparison (Yamaha FB01)
03:02 Additional Waveforms
03:28 Compatibility (Yamaha DX21, Yamaha DX27, Yamaha DX100)
03:37 Envelopes, LFO, Midi Delay, Chords, Pseudo-reverb
04:11 Multitimbrality, Polyphony, Outputs, Menus
04:33 Pricing
04:43 Hate
05:11 Jam 1
06:07 Jam 2
07:14 Finale
07:44 Verdict"

Yamaha FB-01 | A Cult Classic!

video by Espen Kraft

"Yamaha FB-01 from 1986. By many considered cheap and bad, but it's the opposite. Just like the TX81Z, it has the ability to really cut through a track, especially in the important mid frequencies.

The first multi timbral sound module from Yamaha at the time, (the TX816 can be considered multi timbral though) and flexible in how you wanted to set up the midi channels and polyphony, but then the Roland MT-32 came along and blew this out of the water and the FB-01 was discontinued just the year after, in 1987. However.....
.....In the years to come afterwards, this little module has gained somewhat of a cult following. Websites dedicated to its worship came along and different genres within synth music started using it and modding it. Mods to reduce the noise, mods to increase the output gain and other stuff.

I'm using the FB-01 editor you can find here: https://sourceforge.net/projects/fb01...
Some of the patches I use in the video can be found here: http://mmmazes.blogspot.com/2010/05/f...

The demo track is only FB-01 except for the drums. All the sounds are either factory presets or sounds found through the banks above.

Cheaper than a TX81Z, but for how long?"

Yamaha TQ5 FM Desktop Synth SN PNO1020

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

via this auction

"This is a really nice example of the top of the line 4 operator Yamaha synth module.

Generally less well known than its predecessors the FB01 and the TX81Z it is better featured also possessing stereo effects, 8 note polyphony, 8 part multi timbral and an 8 track sequencer a card slot for ROM or memory and a fast edit feature.

There are 99 preset voices, 99 user voices already programmed and I am including an RCD102 Contemporay ROM which integrates seamlessly giving instant access to nearly 300 voices in all."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Analog synthesizers live demo 7; feat. Kraftwerk and Vangelis ; please use headphones

video by Synthe_64

"please use headphones: since this is recorded live, the mixing is not very good, but when you use headphones you will hear all extras like bass, wind, phasing, panning etc.
In this demo you can hear the mighty analog synths: Moog minimoog ( 1973 ), Korg MS10, Yamaha CS10 and Roland SH2.
More recent are the Roland U220 and Yamaha FB01 midi modules. The newbies are the Arp Odissey ( Korg ) and Arturia Microbrute. The modulars are Pittsburgh Modular and Doepfer Dark Energy along with the Dark Time.
Rhythm provided by the Akai Rhythm Wolf.
Everything is played live. No prerecording, post editing or mixing."

Analog Synthesizers live demo 8; feat. Pink Floyd; please use headphones for best result

"please use headphones: since this is recorded live, the mixing is not very good, but when you use headphones you will hear all extras like bass, wind, phasing, panning etc.
In this demo, the solo's are played with a Minimoog ( 1973 ) and a Roland SH2. The bass partion is from the Yamaha CS10 and de ARP Odissey. Chords are played with 2 Roland JV1010 modules and a Yamaha FB01.
The modulars are mainly Pittsburgh and Doepfer. Sequencers are Pittsburgh, Doepfer dark time and the Korg SQ1. Additional drum is done by the Korg monotribe and the EMW T-drum module. Finally some FX from Roland, Yamaha and Alesis.
Everything is played live, no post production. I don't use midi , everything is connected trough CV, Gates and clock signals."

Analog synthesizers live demo 9; feat. Jean Michel Jarre; please use headphones for best result

"please use headphones: since this is recorded live, the mixing is not very good, but when you use headphones you will hear all extras like bass, wind, phasing, panning etc.

CLICK FOR MORE »

FB-01 Trials

All Yamaha FB-01. "The sounds at the end are what you get if you feed it too much sysex at once!"

---

Side note: the FB-01 shares the same sound engine as the CX5M. See this post. You can find additional posts featuring the FB-01 here and here. Unfortunately, Blogger treats dashes differently, so FB-01 and FB01 bring up different results. Go Blogger! :)

Analog synthesizers live demo 7; feat. Kraftwerk and Vangelis

Published on Jul 14, 2019 Synthe_64

"This is my seventh live demo. You can hear the mighty analog synths Moog minimoog ( 1973 ), Korg MS10, Yamaha CS10 and Roland SH2.
More recent are the Roland U220 and Yamaha FB01 midi modules. The newbies are the Arp Odissey ( Korg ) and Arturia Microbrute. The modulars are Pittsburgh Modular and Doepfer Dark Energy along with the darkTime.
Everything is played live. No post editing or mixing.
Your comments are welcome and if you need further info you can send an Email to Synthe_64@yahoo.com."

Yamaha FB01 demo track

Published on Feb 23, 2019 ikworgek

"Track made with the Yamaha FB01 synthmodule. All sounds from the FB01. some reverb and delay. Sequencer: Korg SQ-1. recorder: Korg D-1200."

F.M. Synthesis. A Catalogue of Materials. 02 Wood

Published on Nov 2, 2018 Element433

All parts here.

"This is the second installment from the 'FM Catalogue of Materials' synthesis cinematic videos.
These are intermediate level F.M. synthesis, so they require a little knowledge of synthesis in general. Each video contans the blueprint for the synthesis of the basic sound of physical resonant materials such as metal, wood, air, strings as used in musical instruments. Some of the videos cover more abstract electronic Sounds and SFX.

The parameters on the videos are from the VOPM free FM plugin. They are the same as the Yamaha FB01 and CX5M. They will work on most Yamaha 4 operator FM synths. They work well on, Preen FM2, Korg early FM synths and NI FM7 and FM8 too
http://www.geocities.jp/sam_kb/VOPM/

Synthesis Parameters
The idea behind this series is to provide the most universal F.M. parameters (mainly frequency ratio data) from which to create variations of the 'material' timbres in the videos. You will be surprised how much variation is possible by changing the fundamental frequency and the inharmonic frequency of the bells.

LFO. This is the most important parameter for creating the "woodiness".

The LFO wave must be a random wave (sometimes called Sample and Hold)
Set the speed to max and then dial in depth/intensity until you get the wood texture. You will also notice it creates ambient reverberation. Unfortunately the DX7 LFO's are to slow to create this effect. On the Sy77 and TG77 use a noise operator as an alternative.

Levels and Envelopes
Level and envelope data varies quite a lot depending on the model of F.M. device you have so they were omitted here, however, it is fairly easy to work them out by listening and following the order in the video.

1. Make sure you have the correct algorithm.

2. Start with the first operator as the loudest operator (full level). Then get the level for each subsequent operator. Follow the order in which they are switched on in the video and experiment to get the timbre as close to the videos as possible.

2. The envelopes are pretty easy to work out and are fairly obvious if you listen to each operator as it is switched on in the video.

Unfortunately because of time constraints, I am unable to offer support."

FM Synthesis Tutorials by Element433

Published on Aug 30, 2018 Element433

Playlist (Descriptions for each below):
1. FM Synthesis. A Catalogue of Materials. 01 Metal
2. F.M. Synthesis. A Catalogue of Materials. 02 Wood

CLICK FOR MORE »

NYZ - NTE GDN => Behind the scenes with the Yamaha FB-01

Photo Credit: Calum Gunn * all other pix by NYZ *

"The new NYZ - NTE GDN tape on Conditional is just out [limited edition of 50 copies]! Matrix heard on the synth grapevine that it heavily featured the Yamaha FB-01 operating in a secret sysex mode, so he asked me if I'd write a little about how it was used. You can check the album out on the Conditional Bandcamp page here, release date July 6th =>

and have a listen while reading. Its also available from Boomkat [with track previews] =>

Boomkat review => "Blinding new batch of synth and computer music chaos from Dave Burraston’s cultishly regarded NYZ. With such a wild variation to his purist approach it’s perhaps silly to draw comparisons or contrasts, but these are patently some of NYZ’s sweeter treats, such as the curdled harmonics of ‘ARTOFNYZbitcompander’ and the funky lil’ vamps of ‘RLD syncs’ for more insatiable and curious listeners. In other words it’s fucking ace!"

and Norman Records =>

Norman Records review => "9/10 Conditional unleash this beautifully wild and playful tape from David Burraston aka NYZ. Here he harnesses the spectrum splitting potential of John Chowning’s FM synthesis to birth and animate ludicrously cute and cuddly synthetic creatures that come to life before our very ears. What even are these little mutant alien lifeforms? Where is this strange place in which they dwell?

The overall experience of imbibing these sounds is a lot like an experience I once had watching Teletubbies on acid, where I thought the little blighters were actually communicating directly to me. This world NYZ has created and its inhabitants are clearly fantasy, but it’s so brilliantly, vividly realised and skillfully executed that if you just let go of the shackles of reality and submit yourself, it can be an authentic place where these things live and breathe, eat and sleep and go through their life cycle. We get to hang out with them as they speak, sing, laugh and cry. I’d much rather hang out with these chirpy little fellows because humans are the absolute worst. For music to get a miserable, misanthropic, curmudgeon bastard like me to grin like a child holding a cookie the size of its head is quite an achievement.

This tape is just so much fun - it's like a little utopia for the most part, but there are occasional darker moments - at times it feels like the big bad wolf or some kind of predator is lurking with intent to gobble up our little friends. Burraston’s custom-built MANIAC Cellular Automata Sequencer is instrumental in giving life to these sounds - a tool that gives this work a unique voice and an unpredictable energy that seems to organically flow through his machines. This music is most certainly unconventional even by avant-garde standards, and although on the surface is definitely weird and kinda eccentric, it taps into something deeper. Like Victor Frankenstein’s unorthodox scientific experiment in Mary Shelley's novel where scientist becomes an architect of life. This place, it's lifeforms and their language seems bewilderingly genuine - a sonic virtual reality -- a hybrid analogue/digital world where what is “real” and synthetic is blurred."


So why am I interested in the strange and esoteric Yamaha FB-01, and what are these secret sysex codes? Well, first up its a nice little 8 voice FM synth, and I'm well known for being a bit obsessed with FM [see the NYZ - DRN4 Declassified article]. Secondly, its a kind of in-between synth, arriving after the first 4 operator synths, such the DX21, but before the TX81Z which featured a full microtonal tuning table. Its this inbetweeness that really interested me, and its really the only first gen sine wave only 4op that can be micro-tuned, albeit in a very roundabout way via some secret sysex codes.

CLICK FOR MORE »

FM Synthesis, Preserving Preset Data

Published on Jun 15, 2018 Element433

"Digital data, including synthesiser data is gradually eroded as new incompatible technologies emerge.

This video tests how F.M. synthesis data from a 1985 machine is preserved, by step conversion, across 3 decades, from one machine to another as new technologies arrived. Did it work?

From 1985 till 2017, features the Yamaha CX5m, FB01, N.I. FM8, VOPM VST and the shiny new Preen FM2 hardware.

Goodies for FM8, DX7, VolcaFM, PreenFm2, VOPM etc below

GOODIES:

Presets for VOPM VST/AU, converted from my original CX5m 80s:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Xu0...

for DX7, Korg Volca FM, N.I. FM7/8 (LFOs are slower on DX compatible machines so they might need adjusting):

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1dx9...

FEATURED:

Preen FM
http://ixox.fr/preenfm2/

SAM VOPM
http://www.geocities.jp/sam_kb/VOPM/i...

TX-CONVERT by Martin Tarenskeen
http://dxconvert.martintarenskeen.nl/"

Elektron Digitone- 3 Minute Review (& DX comparison)

Published on Apr 25, 2018 Luke Neptune

"In this vid i give my honest opinion of the Elektron Digitone and explain how i feel it compares to my Yamaha DX7, DX21, FB01 and SY77."

FM SYNTHS [Sample Pack] FREE DOWNLOAD by midierror

Download here:
rekkerd.org/midi-error-releases…synths-sample-pack/
www.audiobombs.com/items/1091/fmsynths

"Created on 3 classic FM synths (Tx81z, fb01 and dx7/tx816), midierror resurrects the sounds of the 1980s before contorting their descent into the sound systems of 2015. This pack contains all you need to beef-up your sound; with hard, evil synth tones, grizzly bass hits and twisted sound fx.

Containing in excess of 200 Oneshot sounds, FM Synths has over 150 loops; featuring FM lead elements, backing rhythmns and modulated FX at tempos to suit the modern electronic artist. Also included are over 100 FM Drum Hits and 13 Multi-Sampled instuments recorded over 5 octaves, enabling you to play the synth patches as they were originally.

Each of the sounds have been recorded direct from the hardware, with no processing or after effects - making them mean, clean and raw. Modulated loops have been recorded with live parameter changes for a living, organic quality.

Oneshots:
152 x Synth
124 x FX
51 x Bass

Loops
87 Drum Loops @ 90, 120, 140 175BPM
73 Modulated Synth Loops @ 90, 120, 140 175BPM
40 x Synth Loops @140bpm

Drum Hits:
14 x Cymbals
23 x Glitches
32 x Kicks
28 x Perc
23 x Snares
16 x Toms

Multi-Samples
13 x Multisampled Synth Sounds (217 individual samples)

All samples are 48000Hz, 24-Bit Wave files."

midierror Yamaha FB01 Editor Setup

Published on Apr 6, 2015 midierror

"Quick vid on setting up the editor. Get the FB01 receiving MIDI on Channel 1 from your DAW, then open the editor. Select the MIDI device it will receive on and press power.

Ensure the FB01 is set to receive all, and make sure both system and instrument channels are set to 1."

Alesis MMT8, Alesis HR16B, Yamaha FB01

Published on Aug 26, 2014 Pizza Synth

"Wrote midi sequences for the MMT with a little midi controller. Its just driving the FB01 and the HR16B (which has modded 808/909 eproms). Vox triggered from Ableton and FX in Ableton. Machines pretty much do their thing while i stand there and change patterns."

KORG 707 Vintage Digital FM Synth SN 000513

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

via this auction
abertronix (RSS)

When you think of FM synthesis you typically think of Yamaha and Casio's Phase Distortion synthesis. If you remember from this post, neither were actually FM synthesis?  What was KORG's method?

Update via MrLonghair in the comments: "Korg simply licensed use of the YM2164 for the DS8 and the 707. There's an FB01 in there basically, not a bad machine if you get it for the right price and need the cheesiest of neck-less all-in-one keytar action."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Yamaha FB01 SN 17112

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

via this auction

"4 OP synthesis like a DX-11. 8-way multitimbral operation with any number of voices (up to 8) on each part, over up to 8 different midi channels. Each voice can be routed to left, right or both outputs.

The synth will allow modulation to respond to wheel, after- touch, pedal controller or breath controller. Sysex dumps, etc. are supported. Voices can be copied to the 96 user patches, but editing requires an FB01 editor. There are 240 presets to choose from. Lots of electric pianos and organs, other keyboards, strings, brass, basses, some leads, a few percussion, some guitars, some SFX, etc.

Display is an orange LED, visible from pretty much any angle except below. 8 front panel buttons lead you through a list of functions that are summarised on top of the unit. The FB01 itself is 1/2 rack wide and was rack-mountable as a pair with an adapter Yamaha offered, a simple rack shelf would work."

Anyone know if an iPad editor for the FB01?