[sdiy] FM Sytnthesis, was: Yamaha PSS460 users?

[groovyshaman at snet.net]

Joe,

As usual, it all depends on how much $$$ you have to spend!  DX-7's are all
over eBay at reasonable prices.  This is what I would recommend.  They are 6
op synths with plenty of algorithms and 61 keys.  A cleaner sounding better
built DX-7 is the DX-7IID and DX-7IIFD (the FD has a floppy drive).  I own a
DX-7IIFD with an E! expansion board - love it.  The next step up is the DX-5
is a dual Dx-7 with more algorithms and 76 keys.  The DX-1 is the big daddy,
a Dx-5 with 76 weighted, after-touch sensitive keys, but big $$$.  A cheaper
alternative to the DX-7 is the DX-9, a 4 op synth.  The cheapest is the
DX-100, a 4 op synth with tiny keys.  If you already have a midi capable
synth, you might want to go for a FM synth module instead of a full blown
keyboard, like the TX-7 (DX-7), TX-81Z (DX-11) or TX-802 (DX-7IID).

Read more at http://www.vintagesynth.com/

George

----- Original Message -----
From: Joe Kramer <musetrap at earthlink.net>
To: <groovyshaman at snet.net>
Sent: Monday, August 12, 2002 3:49 PM
Subject: Re: [sdiy] FM Sytnthesis, was: Yamaha PSS460 users?


> Dear George,
>     Thanks for your explanation.  I think I'm getting the hang of it--and
I like
> it!  I never realized what powerful sounds FM could make, although I
always
> vaguely knew it was out there.  I like the simplicity (and small size) of
the
> PSS460, but If I were motivated to go further, which next-step FM keyboard
would
> you recommend?  Thanks again!
>
> Regards,
> Joe Kramer
>
> groovyshaman at snet.net wrote:
>
> > Joe,
> >
> > Two op FM synopsis: a synth voice created from two sine wave generators
that
> > can be used as sound sources and/or modulators for each other, depending
on
> > an algorithm.  Example algorithm:
> >
> > Op1 -> Op2
> >
> > Operator 1 is used as a modulation source for Op2.  The output from Op2
is a
> > FM modulated sine wave.  Op1 can be set to track Op2 as a frequency
ratio,
> > or it can be static.  Either or both operators can track the keyboard.
> > Another example algorithm:
> >
> > Op1
> > Op2
> >
> > Both operators are independent - this is like two drawbars of an organ.
> >
> > There are also 4 op (Dx-9/11/21/27) and 6 op (DX-1/5/7) systems.  In
> > addition, the original Yamaha synth engines (DX-1/5/7/9) used sine waves
for
> > operators/modulators.  Later FM synth engines (DX-11) could use other
waves
> > as sound sources, which can make for more complex timbres.
> >
> > Operators can be used in serial or parallel, and can feedback, depending
on
> > the algorithm.  The more operators, the more complex sounds can be
created.
> > Also, the more algorithms that are available, the wider the palette of
> > sounds you can create.  A 2 operator system would be pretty limited.
> >
> > Some good books to learn more about FM synthesis:
> >
> > Yamaha DX7 Digital Synthesizer
> > Yasihiko Fukuda, 1984 Amsco Publications
> > softcover 139 ppg, ISBN 071190653X
> >
> > FM Theory and Applications - By Musicians for Musicians
> > Dr. John Chowning and D. Bristow, 1986 Yamaha Music Foundation
> > hardcover 195 ppg, ISBN 4636174828
> >
> > Cheers,
> > George Kisslak
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Joe Kramer <musetrap at earthlink.net>
> > To: <synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
> > Sent: Monday, August 12, 2002 1:29 PM
> > 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
>
>
>
>