Fourier-Analysis and FM-synthesis

[Thierry Rochebois]

This is the very principle of the Hammond organ!
This method has been used in electric organs since 1906 (telharmonium).

A multiple VCO versions was developed in 1966 by James Beauchamp.

I think that the best ANALOG synth of this kind is an RMI additive
synthesizer (it was used by Jean Michel Jarre on his hit Oxygen 4, it
was used for the chorus sound). The RMI also have a VCF...

By now, additive synthesis is quite rare as it is too calculation intensive...
But, new algorithms are being developed (FFT-1) by Xavier Rodet and
would allow the creation of new additive (and addictive) synthesizers (Oberheim).

Kawai is also working on this concept (K5000).

Thierry Rochebois
http://www.ief.u-psud.fr/~thierry (synth prehistory,research,paradoxical music...)