[sdiy] Yamaha PSS460 users?

Mon Aug 12 20:04:30 CEST 2002

The TX-81Z is a four operator, the DX-7 is a 6 operator.

In FM synthesis one operator can either be a sound source,
a modulation source... sometimes both (not positive of the last one
in the Yamaha synths)

The order or configuration of the operators is called the
algorithm.

It might be

1 -> 2 -> 3 -> 4

where #1 modulates #2, the result of #2 modulates #3 etc.

Another might be

1 ->
2 ->
3 ->
4 ->

which has no modulation, its just additive synthesis like the
drawbars on a Hammond organ.

H^) harry

--------Original Message--------  

From: musetrap at earthlink.net
To: synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
Sent: Aug 12 2002 10:29
Subject: Re: [sdiy] Yamaha PSS460 users?

>Dear Kevin,
>>  No cool individual
>> sliders on the 480, but you can select any one parameter at a time and
>> twiddle with the value as you play.
>The PSS460 provides a five-detent slider each for WAVE, SPECTRUM, MODULATION,
>ATTACK, and DECAY, although some of these functions are not immediately
>intuitive.  SPECTRUM seems to change the octave while also adding harmonic
>content, and MODULATION seems more like ring modulation, adding metallic
>belllike overtones.
>> The digital synthesizer is 2-operator FM, I think . . .
>Please educate the uninformed (me): What is "2-operator FM"?  Are there higher
>number operator FM systems?
>Regards,
>Joe Kramer