INTRODUCTION TO FM SYNTHESIS

Introduction to FM synthesis with Bobeats. A great way to support is to become a Patron: / bobeats
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Excellent FM Tutorials
►Yamaha: www.yamahasynth.com/modx-cate...
►Floyds Steinberg FM Tutorial: • FM synthesis basics ex...
►MadFame Algorithm Tutorial: • Yamaha DX7 FM Synthesi...
►Synthesizer Keith FM Bass Tutorial: • FM Bass Patch Programming
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[@nabooka316]

Another way to explain fm synthesis is to show how it occurs in the real world. Eg. when you strike a bell, cymbal or guitar string, the energy travels through the metal as transversal waves that bounces of the edges and intermodulates in much same way as a fm algorithm.

[@mb2776]

Thx, that actually helped me a lot to figure out how a sine can turn into something else just by modulating it

[@nikhilpranav6915]

So, FM Synthesis can make a synth sound like a physical instrument?

[@nabooka316]

@@nikhilpranav6915 Yes - FM synthesis can emulate physical instruments to some degree, but mostly metallic and string type sounds

[@ben1210]

This and the Andrew Huang tutorial, best FM descriptions for everyone (not just beginners)

[@BoBeats]

Thanks matie

[@ASLUHLUHCE]

Lol Andrew's 'tutorial' barely covers anything

[@electronicsoundfactory8528]

All tutorials boggled my mind until I watched a random video last week demonstrating Dexed where they actually show how it works

[@mathias841]

@@electronicsoundfactory8528 which video ?

[@lulrik1]

Hey men, as a french who dont really speak very well english. I understood everything thanks to your good diction. Thanks a lot !

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks for the shoutout, Bo. Excellent in-depth video. Your visual style is noteworthy, too.

[@CommissionerManu]

Perfect timing, I grabbed a second hand Volca fm just the other day to dip my toe in the fm waters 😊 . Love these types of videos from you @BoBeats!

[@supernonkey]

Very digestible, Thanks BoBeats--now I will be able to tell all of my non-music geek friends about the difference between carriers and modulators, phase and amplitude envelopes! They will love it!

[@AlexBallMusic]

This was great Bo. Clear and practical.

[@BoBeats]

Cheers Alex

[@Jobo47]

Hey Bo I've been playing music for 7 years and producing for 2, and your videos have greatly helped to not be afraid of and understand synthesis, plus your reviews are the best, Thanks!

[@clintwestwood4545]

You are an amazing human being. Bless your soul, sir.

[@matthewcarrico9739]

I've been composing music and making beats for quite a while. Thank you for explaining this and introducing me to something I should have learned about years ago.

[@Chasing_Thoughts]

Haven’t seen your new uploads in my recommended lately, I saw this and immediately clicked. I’m an fm fanboy as of recently, so this is great content.

[@lundsweden]

The way I've tried to understand FM is to just examine one operator (OP) and one modulator (MOD). The OP is the part we hear, starting with a pure sine wave with the first gen FM synths, like the DX7. The MOD is a bit like vibrato, but higher frequency. As the frequency rises, more harmonics are introduced. This is in a way the opposite of an analog subtractive synth, which starts out with harmonically rich waveforms, then using the filters to remove some of the harmonics. The complicated part is how the envelopes of the MODs interact. The algorithms (ALG) are different recipes for how the OPs and MODs affect one another. You can stack 6 sines with no MOD interaction to create a simple drawbar organ model. I think from memory this is ALG 32 on the DX7 (or Dexed, Korg Volca FM). I can't remember exactly why, but ALG 14 is great for bass. One method I used to use was just change OPs and see what happened. Occasionally this led to some very happy accidenta. One positive of FM is that it is difficult to get tired of it. You could study it for years and still not reach the bottom of its sonic potiential. A good antidote to GAS (Gear Aquisition Syndrome).

[@mayabartolabac]

playing around with FM synthesis myself i don't think i'll even get tired of free VCV rack lol

[@morgunkorn_]

You're an absolute savior, I learnt quite a lot and own a MODX so it's just perfect :) Thank you Bo, very nice video!

[@Ronenlahat]

So far the best FM tutorial

[@tedpedersen123]

Fantastic breakdown of FM. Thank you for making this!

[@hifimidi]

I love this video. It definitely took a lot of the mystery out of FM synthesis, which always made me not even want to get into it. Great work!

[@LB-pp7pu]

16:28 Italian moment! Great video, it's been very useful for me, thanks!

[@sirgashmbe_nwa5397]

I've used FM a lot and it really isn't as nightmarish as people think it would be. The most important part that people ignore is the level scale. If you want a balances sound in all the ranges you should learn how to use it. It's a bit like a keytrack but more flexible and useful as it has curves and sometimes a break point. It's best to start at the break point, which may be centre by default, as this area changes the least with level scale amendments. This is because this is the start point and as we get further away the curve can have a wider range. So get the tone right at the centre. Now go to the highest range and change the levels scales (it's basically another amplitude amount of the carrier/ modulator) and try decreasing some of the weird and annoying digital sounds you may have. This makes for a smoother and more natural sound. In the lower range increasing the same digital sounds can add much needed harmonics to make the sound less muddy, and add a lot of phasing modulation which sounds good. You could also use level scale as a type of EQ. You could have one carrier/modulator to be used specifically for each side of the level scale.

[@TheInterGalacticFederation]

Thanks Bo. Got me motivated to explore more of my Montage 7...

[@georgekay372]

Wow this is cool! I’ve had my DX7 for a few months now and getting into it further has always kinda scared me, but now I’m gonna go for it! Thank you so much for this video, Mr Bob Eats! I’m gonna make some dope synthwave!

[@BoBeats]

Do it!! ♥️

[@user-se4zx6ri1k]

This video is genuinely amazing. Please make more content like this!

[@BoBeats]

Thank you!!

[@ultramet]

This is a great video explaining something rather arcane quite well. It also is why I stick with FM synths with presets..lol

[@goodboid]

Perfect intro! Thanks!

[@suga4all]

Great video! Thanks a lot for sharing. Keep on with these great tutorial videos. Interesting idea to think about FM as a kind of modular synthesis approach. It never occurred to me but now as you say it ... I have to go experiment with my MODX now :-)

[@BobMcCarroll]

Great video, Bo. I love my MODX 8, especially the FM engine. Still, I wish there were more videos like yours that go into some of the finer points of programming the beast.

[@kimmy_future4265]

thank you for this! it's all starting to make sense!

[@yheru86]

Great Video. Thanks for your easy explanations 🙌🏽

[@alexdbf2281]

With mad fame, best video on fm

[@jjdekay6969]

Thank you Bo for the well done explanation. I had a Yamaha DX21 in 1991 as my first synth. I always said "This thing is made like a tank but whoever designed the language was a sadist!" LOL! I eventually got something easier- A yamaha CS6X with the DX7 exp card and voice editor....menu diving is not one of my favorite hobbies.

[@garaughty]

Such a clear, excellent demo/tutorial on a much misunderstood subject !

[@matthewdeakin9939]

Great explanation as always Bo, it’s really helped! :)

[@Temporalmixproductions]

This is the best hardware FM system I've ever seen. I still prefer FM8, but cool keyboard for sure.

[@SukieOOO]

Thanks heaps ! i have always loved FM synthesis because it is beautiful complex digital sound that is quite unique , i just got the Plogue chipsynth MD and this video was very helpful !

[@maxmatson1578]

I have a Volca FM and I found this useful thank you!🎹🎧💫✨👽👍✌

[@lamentpnw8662]

Oh shit your the guy who made the circuit soundpacks i bought

[@BoBeats]

thanks for buying it and supporting what I do :)

[@christianwheeler8386]

This video is soooooo good.

[@dorian3017]

Yo this was the perfect intro thank you!

[@brutusmuerto]

Thank you, very informative and helpful... Just got Volca FM recently, and that definitely is quite a journey to say the least :D

[@sunycan]

항상 감사드립니다.

[@MatanIzhak]

hey man thanks for the excellent explanation in this video !

[@BramBramsBerg]

Hi I have found your video really useful to learn more about the FM Synthesis. This method was also used in some arcade, console and PC videogames in form of the YM2151, YM2612 or YM3812 yamaha sound chips used during 80s and 90s. They bring me such good memories of my childhood...

[@BramBramsBerg]

By the way, I build a MIDI Synthesizer based on the real YM2612 chip used in the SEGA Megadrive / Genesis. You can check it here: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWXai3SVZ6ygabM

[@BoBeats]

Wow! You made that?? A patron of mine linked it today. Super cool

[@JonMostMusic]

fantastic lesson!

[@jylquency]

Thank you!! This video really help me to understand FM synthesis♥️♥️

[@morin1997]

Thank you so much! You have a great charisma in teaching! :)

[@mathias841]

Thanks a lot ! Great video

[@thierryruquier9416]

Thank you, Bo for this presentation. I'm currently considering buying an OPSIX, and your video is really helpful.

[@BoBeats]

Most welcome!!

[@totothedog8830]

Thank you very informative

[@JohnMark61355]

I have a Digitone and I found this video to be very helpful; thank you.

[@DomSigalas]

Brilliant job Bo :)

[@BoBeats]

Cheers matie!

[@jgh548]

Great, simple intro. Inspired me to do more work with the MOD-7 engine in my Kronos.

[@benkohut3121]

Hoooooly I still have so much to learn (and understand) about patches on a DX100

[@BoBeats]

Want to pick up a Yamaha MODX? Use this affiliate link: EU: thmn.to/thoprod/550543?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/2rEyeM

[@markcory215]

i dont mean to be off topic but does any of you know a trick to log back into an Instagram account?? I was stupid lost the login password. I appreciate any tricks you can give me!

[@deshawnvance3562]

@Mark Cory instablaster ;)

[@juanpatino8440]

Amazing ❤️

[@DavidDeLuge]

Fantastic video! I recently got the Dirtywave M8 and want to learn its FM synth engine. This video is a great starting point. Thank you.

[@BoBeats]

thanks for checking it out!! There's a vid coming this summer that will talk alot more about FM stay tuned for it

[@DavidDeLuge]

@@BoBeats great stuff. Thanks for the heads up. I get notifications for all of your videos and so won't miss it 😁👍🏻

[@ZackGeragosian]

This was an immensely helpful video! I already had a good idea about a lot of these concepts individually, but this video helped me understand how to use all these techniques in unison to create some cool sounds. Great video.

[@howardanderson3061]

Hey Bo, great presentation on FM synthesis....your intro is so dead on. Some of us know very little about synthesis....like almost nothing lol You did such a great job of introducing and explaining the FM format so that anyone unfamiliar could understand it.... Excellent work!

[@dajjebajje]

Tack. Volca FM är billig men många gånger vet jag inte vad jag håller på med. Väldigt lite info som visas samtidigt

[@Helicopters_in_Caves]

great introduction to fm synthesis, would help me a lot with my fm synthesizer, if i only had one :(

[@BoBeats]

I will never say Moe Dee X (for more weird synth pronunciations check my IG & Stories: instagram.com/bobeats)

[@ganjabudweedful]

NEVER pronounce it moe dee x, for the synth culture

[@ToyKeeper]

The only way I've found to pronounce it without bothering anyone is "Montage Dee X". It seems like both "mod X" and "moe dee X" raise hackles. Out of the two though, I agree that "mod X" sounds better.

[@JeremyShaver]

You really opened my mind. Thanks man. Im on an iPad Pro and just bought a new synth called Sunrizer by Beepstreet. Im going to apply what ive learned. Ill try to remember to get back with you on my results. Work work work

[@ata000001]

This seems to be one of the things which divides people of the synth world... MO-DX or MOD-X... (it’s MO-DX by the way... :) and I call my MODX7 as the MO DX7... as I just want to have the DX7 as a part of the name, even the 7 in the MODX only refers to the octaves of the keybed...)

[@fortheloveofnoise]

I hope one day we get some crazy DX synth with like 10 operators and a knob per function interface....but such a synth would need to be bigger than an OB-Xa.

[@jgh548]

Korg Op-Six may be the answer to your prayers!

[@demikross6669]

Love the hair man

[@sirgashmbe_nwa5397]

The Volca FM is better than I thought once I used the Synthmata online editor. I've made sounds in Dexed and sent them to the Volca FM but they don't quite sound the same. I think the best solution is to do the midi out mod. Make a sound with Synthmata. Save it to Dexed. Sounds like hard work but I feel you'll be able to get the best out of the Volca FM this way in terms of making original sounds.

[@ashhermosillo1384]

Thanks! Now I can easily design sound in my dx7

[@miscellaneous1276]

Is it Frequrency modulation or freaky modulation?

[@chriscopeman8820]

The explanation in this video is exceedingly clear and useful. Just what I need before trying to figure out my new DX7 V that came with my Arturia V7 collection. Thank you. If I wasn't such a thrifty old guy (aka cheap), I'd become a patron. Well, maybe I will anyway. You deserve it. I'll think about it. - Regards

[@BoBeats]

appreciate it buddy ♥️

[@vers1fier]

Additive synthesis and subtractive synthesis is like the inductive logic and deductive logic of creating sounds.

[@lkyemerson5681]

Bro your background music gets me every time I think I’m hearing trippie redds love scars

[@dox1755]

14:44 these chords reminds me of a Tron Soundtrack made by Daft Punk called Solar Sailer, what a lovely progression !

[@templarexemplar35]

Really good shit

[@ks3bigksudjoht180]

Here are two different questions: - Which Synthesizer should I use to manually change the amplitude, waveform and frequency of the single harmonics? - Is there even a way of hearing real sawtooth waves, if speakers always need some time to reset their position?

[@TenMilL]

A really good tutorial and ease of understanding. This is good info, helped me better understand FM and also the additional resources Bo points out are a great help. Clear, concise, and straight to the point. Bo has done it again! Bo makes a good point here, the carriers need to be highlighted by a different color in the MODX in the number block, this would help in ease of workflow in creating a new sound in FM on the MODX. This would seem like a simple change that could be made by a future update that would greatly improve the MODX especially for folks like me.

[@HelioLagoJr]

At first I thought that was a mega display and I was like: Dude, what a great idea! LOL

[@phuturemusic]

nice!

[@pekkagronfors7304]

Well. The first problem with FM synth (that is 80:s 90:s Yamaha) is the meny diving. Like my Yamaha V50 and SY77. You are cutting big corners with that app. Anyway. I'm enjoy your contents. As always.

[@BoBeats]

its not an app however :-) its the ui of the synth

[@fretnoize]

An editor is basically essential for those older synths if you want to have any fun with them. BTW, I love the V50, mine's in storage on the other side of the world right now but I miss it. The keyboard feel is my favorite of all the synths and controllers I've owned, though everyone prefers different things... For those that don't know, it's basically 2 TX81Zs with an effect module and drum machine and sequencer wrapped up into a keyboard.

[@sonicneutronic]

What a great in-depth introduction to FM synthesis Mr Beats, and not a Digitone in sight hehehe ...... ;)

[@BoBeats]

Maybe a follow-up with it?!

[@sonicneutronic]

BoBeats sure, my little joke was more about the non-traditional nature of the Digitone and how it simplifies the FM process, but yes, would make a great break-out feature in the follow up.

[@BoBeats]

The Digitone is very user friendly indeed!

[@LloydRobinson]

@@BoBeats please

[@spacetoilet]

Crazy thing about Fm is even through Bo kept it simple my head still exploded :/

[@mickandrews9458]

Thanks for the intro video. On the MODX/Montage, can VCFs etc. be used on the FM sounds?

[@fakt7814]

Me personally find claim "FM synthesis is difficult/complex" is at least controversial. Any synthesis if it's not trivial (like just passing saw or square through LPF/HPF/BPF/etc) is difficult. For example, If you're passing oscilator through a distortion or a saturator, even if it's just a regular hard clipper or tube amp (emulated or physical) with just one parameter "drive" it depends a lot on the phase response and frequency response of the signal what you'll get as a result. It means that if you'll put an allpass filter between a generator and a distortion you would hear the diffirence if and only if the distortion is not bypassed. If you're mixing two oscillators and they're detuned, it will cause filtering because their phases are not aligned. Chorus, flangers and reverb also create a lot of phase cancellation along the spectrum, etc.

[@sebgranath]

Are there times you wanna hear the modulators?

[@Some_Guy_Called_Raven]

Here you use the MODX but will this translate to my DX9? It has less options I believe. Bought it to support a friend, but really want to learn to create sounds.

[@johnnymidnight2982]

I've been considering Akemie's Castle for my eurorack. We're talking 5-voice polyphony potential in 38 hp! Not too shabby, but since the Castle has no heads-up display, I wonder if the dial-based interface might actually make FM tougher?

[@BoBeats]

I have not tried it but i suspect that it could also be more intuitive since you get rid of the ”programming” feel

[@Volcaniced]

WOW, how your Channel explodes :) I kneel down in front of your sucess!

[@BoBeats]

♥️♥️

[@Raphael3032]

To make a long story short: it's basically up to experimentation lol there's no way to predict how the modulations would work outside using pure sinewaves and even then when there are too much of them it becomes impossible again

[@orjis]

Me watching this to try to figure out Fm so I can start making music on an old soundcard with Yamaha OPL3 chip and it's 2 operator synthesis. (thought there's is also a 4op mode but that also eats a sound channel)

[@UncleCatfish]

BO BEATS. I read this Bob Eats at first 🤔 🎶

[@BoBeats]

Correct, my name is Bo :-)

[@UncleCatfish]

@@BoBeats hello Bo! 👋 new subscriber here. thanks for the amazing videos :)

[@mehdi-lp6kd]

Hi, where shall i start as a beginner ?

[@lowendcandy]

oh shit my name is Beau and i make beats too.. Guess ill watch your vid and subscribe.

[@playgroundofsound7683]

This fm synthesis is so interesting. What's some of the best fm synths to get? I'm looking for one I have my eye on hydra synth you think that can do fm well?

[@BoBeats]

Hydra can do many flavours of FM. Modx, Volca FM, Reface DX, Digitone

[@techroach6343]

I still have my rmx1.

[@eli-shulga]

Great demo and explanation. One thing still not sits well in my brain is what exactly the modulator oscillators modulating in the carrier? I do understand when you use LFO to modulate pitch (it modulates.. pitch). In modular synth its very clear what each module modulating because you manually patch it. But in case of FM synth the modulation parameter is usually can't be changed (like in DX7 or Dexed) right? So what does it modulating? Is it the frequency (like the name FM suggests :/) but then isn't it just adding to frequencies on top each other basically addictive synth? I mite said a bunch of nonsense so sorry in advance still very new to synths. Thanks :)

[@BoBeats]

So if I understand the question correctly: You are modulating the pitch of another oscillator using an oscillator. That is FM at its core. So you use one oscillator so add harmonics to the sound of another oscillator (remember, an lfo is a really slow oscillator!). Hope that helps

[@eli-shulga]

@@BoBeats "You are modulating the pitch of another oscillator using an oscillator" thats exactly what Im not fully understand. So in all FM synths (which don't let you control of what the carrier is modulating) The target parameter changed is the pitch? Also, does pitch and frequency are the same thing in this case?

[@UndeadBoogie]

I have that same espresso maker!

[@tonalaxis]

How to make a Bass, I mean Drone, Pad Bass type sound. Happens to me all the time. 😆

[@BoBeats]

🤣 story of my life 🤣

[@mikehydropneumatic2583]

Frequency modulation (phase modulation) and vocoders have something in common (modulator and carrier). What happens when you run a fart through a vocoder? A: fart modulation!

[@jonathanfrieze8497]

Hard to want to subscribe when you've got a ridiculous amount of adds but thx for what I could get threw

[@fritsvanzanten3573]

The yamaha-link in the resources had (slightly) changed. Is a dead link now.

[@ricochetsixtyten]

my fm synthesizing sounds like a robot with hershey squirts

[@winddealer1]

Here is a link to Manny's FM-X Tutorial series: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4jZhJqiq5ice6M&feature=emb_logo&ab_channel=Dr.Synth

[@prettypointlessvideo]

But what does Bob eat?

[@blaketto]

i watched the whole thing twice and still dont understand anything help

[@Dreadkid08]

I can explain FM synthesis in one sentence: All you are doing is controlling volumes and ratios of for what are, for all intents and purposes, glorified LFOs