Expert Controller for Yamaha VL1

video upload by Robert Skerjanc

"Demonstration of the hardware prototype. It can edit the complete physical model of the VL1. Musically not much enlightening, but showing some first impressions. See also my home page: https://vl1.skerjanc.de/?p=23"

"This is my vision of an ideal hardware controller for the famous Yamaha VL1 synthesizer. After my experience of making a HW controller for the FS1R, I decided to create an new user interface that deals easily with hundreds of parameters to control this beast. The case is designed as a 19″ rack mount, the same size as the VL1m module. As the name implies, it can edit all physical modelling parameters as you were able with the Yamahas Expert Editor for Macs.

Individual dials for all parameters rendered quite impossible, so I found a way to divide the parameters into several pages of 16 parameters and show the content on an OLED displays.

You have 7 groups on the front panel: Global, Control, Effect, Driver, Physics, Pipe and Modifier. Each group has several buttons and LEDs to indicate the current selected parameter page. In the next image you see that the page for editing breath noise and excitation is selected, and the 16 dials are assigned to the belonging parameters.

The dials are endless encoders with haptic clicks. The displays are divided in two halves, upper display half describes the parameter name and value for the upper dial and vice versa.

That’s it: you have a good overview about the whole context and you can easily dive into all parameters."

You can find additional pics and details at https://vl1.skerjanc.de/?p=23.

Yamaha - FS1R - FM Tone Generator

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"1998 ultra classic 19" rack synth from Yamaha, FS1R. As we all know, this machine sounds like nothing else, with its 16 operators of FM synthesis / Formant shaping."

8 x 8 Op - (8 pitched, 8 unpitched), each with: attenuation envelope & frequency envelope

Programming is like painting a mural through a keyhole. There are external editors though including an iPad editor I created years ago. Note this listing is not mine.

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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.

Edisyn 26 Free Open Source Patch Editor Released

You can find it here.

"Edisyn is a free open source patch editor for a number of synthesizers. Version 26 has new editors for the M-Audio Venom, Waldorf Kyra, and Casio CZ-230S. Version 26 also has several new patch exploration tools, including real-time morphing between four patches, and merging of random patch pairs from your synthesizer. Version 26 also has many bug fixes and improvements.

Edisyn runs on the Mac, Windows, and Linux.

At present Edisyn supports: the Alesis D4 and DM5; Casio CZ series; DSI Prophet '08, Mopho series, and Tetra; E-Mu Proteus 1/2/3, Morpheus, and UltraProteus; Kawai K1, K4, and K5; Korg MicroKorg, MicroSampler, SG Rack, and Wavestation SR; M-Audio Venom; Novation Drumstation and D Station; Oberheim Matrix 6, 6R, and 1000; Preen FM2; Red Sound DarkStar; Roland D-110, JV-80, and JV-880; Waldorf Blofeld, Microwave XT and XTk, and Kyra; most Yamaha 4-Operator FM Synths (such as the TX81Z and DX11); Yamaha FB-01; Yamaha DX7, TX7, TX216/816, Dexed, Korg Volca FM, and other DX7 compatible synths; Yamaha FS1R; Yamaha TG33, SY22, and SY35; Tuning standards and MTS; and generic CC, NRPN, and RPN control.

Edisyn has infinite levels of undo, a broad spectrum of patch exploration and creation tools (mutation, merging, nudging, morphing, blending, and evolutionary methods), and a wide array of other useful features. Try it out!"

Yamaha FS1R w/ Original Box

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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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New Patch Base iPad Editor for the Yamaha TG77 & SY77

via Coffeeshopped

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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 FM/Formant Shaping Tone Generator/Synthesizer

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via this auction

You can find an iPad editor here.

"16 Operator Fm Synth. 8 voiced (like DX/TX but more) + 8 unvoiced, per voice- used for un-pitched vocal sounds like consonants, etc. (like nothing else out there). 4 part Multi, but better in single mode. No manuals but they are downloadable...

Yamaha FS1R Specifications:

Synthesizer Section

Tone Generator : Formant Shaping / FM Synthesis, LFO1/LFO2/Dynamic Filter/Pitch EG/Filter EG
Maximum Polyphony : 32 (without Filter) / 16 (with Filter)
Number of Multitimbral Parts : 4 parts (16 MIDI channels)
Operators : 8 Voiced Operator + 8 Unvoiced Operator per Voice
Algorithm : 88
Effects : 15 (Reverb), 28 (Variation), 40 (Insertion)
Performances : 384 (Preset 256/User 128) to be made up of up to 4 part of Voice programs as layer/split
Number of Voices : 1536 (Preset 128 x 11 bank + User 128)"

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Yamaha FS1R FM Formant Synthesizer SN PJ01005

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"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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YAMAHA FS1R Formant FM Synthesizer

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"YAMAHA FS1R plus extra soundbanks and editor fully working and in excellent condition"

Yamaha FS1R FM Rack Synthesizer SN PH01101

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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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Hawkeye - Neutron Blender (MFB Dominion I and friends - live)

Published on Jan 27, 2017 Maelstroem3

"Test-driving the MFB Dominion I and some friends, live-sequenced on the MIDIbox sequencer V4! :-)

I recently removed my computer/DAW from the synth setup, as I don't use it any longer (indeed i never used it, since the MBSEQ was finished many years ago :-)). The space that was occupied by the display was now available for another synth. After some long research and considerations, i chose the MFB Dominion, as I think it offers something new for me. In short words: it is fantastic! I still have to explore it more in-depth, as has a really powerful synthesis/modulation engine, but the first weeks with it were awesome! Thanks, MFB! :-)

Gear used:
Mono analog lead #1: Dominion I
Mono analog lead #2: Alesis Andromeda
Mono analog wall of noise: Moog Little Phatty, live controlled by the MBProgramma Patch Editor
Dry FM bassline: Yamaha FS1R, live modulated with the onboard encoders
Warm analog-ish (but fully digital) portamento pad: JD-990 through Polivoks DIY VCF (the left filter knob in the video... Thanks, J! What a deal, both of these are truly awesome!)
Drums: Elektron Machinedrum UW
FX: Strymon Timeline and Bigsky
Mixed through a Mackie 1604, directly recorded on a tascam .wav-recorder.

Thanks for watching and listening!
Hawkeye/Maelstroem Records"

Yamaha FS1R Synth Module

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via this auction

"Very sought after FM synth module in good condition and fully working.

There's a great free editor available online.

Loads all DX7 patches too.

Complete with mains lead and both manuals."

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MATRIXSYNTH Review and Overview of the Novation UltraNova

Hi everyone, you might remember, back in July I posted some pics of my newly acquired UltraNova, and mentioned that review posts would eventually follow. Well, I’m happy to tell you the first post is here. The UltraNova is one powerful synth, so to make the overall review a bit more consumable, it will be broken up over time. This first section includes an Overview, the Oscillators, and the Mixer sections. When new sections go up, I will be sure to let you know via a new post.

As with most of my reviews, I will say this one goes pretty deep into the synth engine and all editable parameters. If you are the type of person that likes to dissect and explore all of the available parameters on a synth, then this post is for you. I will touch on what each parameter does and will call out any interesting features and limitations as I do so. There are some pretty special parameters on the UltraNova that give you control beyond most other synths. Hopefully this review will give you some insight into what makes the UltraNova special.

Overview & Quick Comparison to Previous Nova Synths

The Novation UltraNova, released back in 2010, is a 20 voice virtual analog & wavetable synth with three oscillators, two ring modulators and one noise source per voice. The UltraNova also features two audio ins that can be assigned to the oscillator section and/or a 12-band vocoder. It’s worth noting that the Novation Nova from 1999 featured a 40-band vocoder, while the Supernova II from 2000 featured a 42-band vocoder. The UltraNova is a monotimbral synth while the 12 voice Nova was six part multitimbral and the Supernova II (24, 36, or 48 voice) was eight part multitimbral. The UltraNova supports up to 5 simultaneous effects per patch. The Nova supported 42 simultaneous effects, while the Supernova II supported up to 56. The Supernova II also supported FM synthesis while the Nova and UltraNova omit it.

The UltraNova, however, is the first Nova synth to feature wavetable synthesis. An interesting side note is that all of the oscillators on the UltraNova are actually stored as wavetables, including the standard waveforms. According to Novation, “The wavetables in the Supernova series are all calculated. The wavetables in the UltraNova, even the standard analogue waves are wavetable oscillators. This change in oscillator generation was first used on the A-Station and K-Station and subsequently in the KS series, X-Station and Xio.” This allows the UltraNova to have some advanced tricks when it comes to the oscillator section, which will be covered in detail below.

I asked Novation about the lack of FM synthesis and they told me, “FM would have been a lovely addition to the UltraNova, but it would have been asking too much of the DSP to be able to run everything the UltraNova can do and also add in FM. The wavetables were a really good way to introduce a new (to Novation) type of synthesis that is able to cater for some of the synth sounds that FM is known for and also to be able to create lush evolving pads.”

The UltraNova features two routable filters per voice with a total of 14 filter types to chose from including 6dB (no resonance), 12dB, 18dB, and 24dB with Lowpass, Bandpass and Hi-pass modes. The Nova and Supernova II lacked a 6dB mode.

As for hardware, although the UltraNova may have fewer knobs per function than its predecessors, it is extremely well laid out and super intuitive to use. Along with both keyboard velocity and aftertouch, the UltraNova has touch sensitive knobs. They literally respond to touch and can be assigned to various parameters. Worth noting, velocity is configurable, however, aftertouch is not. I found the aftertouch to be good, but it does require a little extra force than I prefer; it’s good for not accidentally triggering it, but not so good for subtle, natural performance.

Please note the above comparisons with the Nova and Supernova II were only for quick reference. The UltraNova of course is its own synth with a few tricks up its sleeves that are lacking in the original Nova line, including a level of control over the synth engine often only found in the modular realm. It sounds incredible, and for the price, currently only $599 new, it is an extremely flexible and powerful synth. You get the current top-of-the-line Novation Nova synth engine with new wavetables and more. The UltraNova is both a performance oriented synth as well as a synth programmers dream. It can be configured for easy access to specific parameters for a live situation, or you can dig as deep as you want with a clearly well thought out interface.

That said, let’s dig in.

The following review and overview will essentially go over the signal flow of the UltraNova followed by performance controls including the arpeggiator and the hardware interface. I’ll go into a little detail on what each feature can and cannot do in an attempt to give you a detailed idea of what the synth is capable of. Because my reviews tend to be a bit on the longer side, I will be posting the sections in chunks over time to make it easier on you to consume and for me to compose.

First we start with…

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YAMAHA FS1R w/ 1.20 OS

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"YAMAHA FS1R, OS 1.20, in excellent condition, fully working, with extra soundbanks, in MID format, on CD for a total of 1152 new sounds. Editor/librarian and original manuals included."

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Yamaha FS1R with Original Box

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"OS version 1.20 (latest), comes with all three manuals, algorithm instruction card, power cord and original box."

8-Op FM and Formant synthesizer.  You can find an iPad editor for the FS1R here.

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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

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If you have an iPad, check out the editor I created for the Yamaha FS1R here and ported to TB MIDI Stuff here.

Yamaha FS1R SN OX01469

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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 Synth SN PI01253

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via this auction

You can find an iPad editor for the FS1R here.

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