Budget FM Synth Comparison - Volca FM | Model Cycles | Liven XFM

[@ronpritchard6720]

The Volca FM has 6 operators, not 3 as per your video, which is the same as the DX7, but there is only 3 note polyphony on the Volca V1. The new Volca FM2 has 6 voice polyphony 🙂

[@MattGreerMusic]

I see. Makes sense. Honestly been forever since I looked at the specs for this thing.

[@krsTBedfordStudios]

Great video Matty, good to see a direct comparison like this 😀

[@minimal.camera]

Nice, I love my OpSix and was looking for a more portable version of its 'user algorithms' functionality. Looks like the XFM has it!

[@bahutu802]

I love your clear and concise way of presenting the stuff you talk about! I think, in theory, the Volca FM is the most powerful of those 3 devices (6 OPs as opposed to 4 on the Liven for example), but sadly, all parameters (envelopes, feedback, curves, detuning, waveshapes etc.) are kind of hidden in the EDIT menu, so you'd have to scroll through an endless list of 30 parameters or so, which makes it almost impossible to build patches from scratch on the device itself.

[@CNTRRNDM]

What a great video! I really like the Volca FM...oh yeah, btw, if you have Microtonic, the PO-32 can also be turned into a great FM synth

[@minimal.camera]

I do have the PO-32 but don't have Microtonic - do you happen to know of a sound pack I could download to test out the FM capabilities? I've wanted exactly that workflow from my PO-32.

[@CNTRRNDM]

@@minimal.camera the PO-32 is crazy good, right?🤯 sure, you could try my FM patch or the drums and distortion one...sorry for the shameless plug there😁

[@LORANBELTRAM]

great video ...thank you very much !!!!!

[@DawlessHouseMusic]

Cool video. I have the FM and had the Cycles. The Liven I'm interested in.

[@MattGreerMusic]

It's a really nice, sound design machine.

[@RobG1729]

Oh, you should check this performance for dawless house. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHqleoOYnZx1q7c

[@jesusrocks7500]

Waiting for my XFM to be delivered today. Thinking seriously of buying another for backup. What a powerhouse! Versitile polymetric 4 track sequencer. Flexible fm synth design. Cross fading and morphing patches with in-depth editing. Battery power and more for less than a Microfreak! So amped.

[@MattGreerMusic]

It's an amazing value and truly one of my favorite synths for in depth sound design. Congrats.

[@modulblok-e3168]

The 8bit is 👍🏼 4 looper tracks one 4 external instrument mic or record player and real nice sounds ,,,i love both the same

[@dyscotopia]

I really love my Model Cycles. The sequencer is very specisl and I really love the sound quality. It just sounds really rich. I know there are are some limitations on what you can do with the fm engines but it's per knob functionality makes it easy to experiment with (and keep in tune!) compared to more typical dx style programming. And I can get some excellent snares out of it 😉

[@stephenxian]

How does the Modal Skulpt compare to the Liven XFM?

[@lit2021]

There's also Yamaha Reface DX which is a miniature recreation of the DX7 with 4 operators instead of 6.

[@Dork2099]

My Liven XFM arrives Friday. Had a long, tough journey to choose it over the Lofi 12 or the 8 Bit Warps. Telling myself I’ll learn the workflow on the XFM then move on to the more specialized Liven boxes.

[@MattGreerMusic]

I hope you enjoy it.

[@DetroitMicroSound]

I'll never sell my Xfm, or my 8bw.

[@modulblok-e3168]

Take al 3 🙂👍🏼

[@modulblok-e3168]

@@DetroitMicroSound never ever 👽👍🏼

[@DetroitMicroSound]

@@modulblok-e3168 Legends in the making. My keys are just now getting worn in, quieted down, mechanically. 😄

[@Art_Travel_and_Hobbys]

Often time simple is better because it forces you to be more inventive with less bells n whistles... Great demo

[@cresshead]

also yamaha reface Dx similar price to model cycles and liven fm

[@girlinagale]

What are those perspex overlays you use with the Liven xfm?

[@MattGreerMusic]

It's FM synth edit overlay. It comes in the box with the XFM.

[@girlinagale]

Ah I've got further through the video so I understand now, do overlays come with the synth as standard?

[@MattGreerMusic]

Yes they do.

[@WrightFlyer1903]

As noted already both Volca FM and DX7 are 6op so in theory VFM should take any DX7 or Dexed patch. Also note that while the sound editing in VFM is a menu diving nightmare it has envelopes for each op. For Liven XFM you are quite right that the 4 way routing of ops is great for avoiding the strictures of fixed algos but it DOES have those too if you want to go "old school". With the editing overlay on look what's written between the Shift and Function buttons! Press the two together then you can pick algos. You'll have to revert to the manual to see the algos available. While most will probably just use "free routing" the fact is the algos may be a quick way to get a patch edit started. Select algo then mess with the mod/carrier routes after that.

[@MattGreerMusic]

Yep. Good discussion points. Thanks for these comments.

[@vasil3089]

thank fuck for loopop

[@nodaysback8390]

I was the 420th viewer 🙂

[@denverneale5769]

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