Five Formidable FM Synths for Your Synth Rig - Daniel Fisher

Shop FM synthesizers featured in this video 👉 imp.i114863.net/0JNEoN
More videos like Five Formidable FM Synths for Your Synth Rig 👉 • Keyboard Demos & Reviews
Here are Daniel Fisher's three Synth Clips videos on FM Programming:
FM Synthesis: A New Explanation
• FM Synthesis: A New Ex...
FM Synthesis: LFOs
• FM Synthesis: LFOs - S...
FM Synthesis: Editing Existing Presets
• FM Synthesis: Editing ...
Daniel Fisher, Sweetwater's FM fanatic, presents an FM synth lightning round. These five formidable frequency modulation synths cover a lot of sonic ground that’s familiar in some cases and groundbreaking in others. At their core, FM synths layer modulation at high audio speeds for a sound that distinctly departs from the most common synthesizers, subtractive synths. The result is additional saturated harmonic content that gives these synths their beloved rich timbre. Synths on display include traditional keyboard-style FM synths like the Yamaha MODX series and some sequencer-style synths such as the Korg Volca FM 2 and the Elektron Digitone. Check it out!
0:00 - Intro
0:40 - FM Synthesis: A New Explanation
0:51 - Korg Volca FM 2
2:21 - Basic FM Description
3:28 - Elektron Model:Cycles Synthesizer
7:08 - Elektron Digitone Synthesizer
9:10 - Yamaha Reface DX
12:44 - Yamaha MODX
17:34 - Thanks for Watching!
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#Sweetwater #DanielFisherSweetwater #DanielFisher #Korg #Yamaha #Digitone #Elektron #Reface #FMsynths

[@sweetwater]

Sweetwater’s synth guru Daniel Fisher highlighted five of his favorite modern FM synths! Which one will you add to your synth rig? Let us know in the comments, and shop them all here 👉 imp.i114863.net/0JNEoN

[@jloiben12]

You should really have a series going through, in detail, practical ways to make fm patches (ie - brass, guitars, winds, etc). Many people would be willing to get into fm synthesis if there was an easy way to learn how to make actually useful sounds

[@sweetwater]

Hi Jared. Start here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4ecp4R9ptSCa8U The next two tutorials after this one will also help. -_Daniel_

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

I chose the RefaceDX for learning FM. I am already a 54 year musician designing voices on keyboards, so I understand subtractive very well....which did little to translate to FM. But thanks to just a $300 investment I am getting very comfortable with FM. Such a great interface on the Reface, high quality sound, usable MIDI looper, and I don't feel limited at all with just 4 operators. Then layering FM with subtractive I get really outstanding sounds to orchestrate in my compositions. Some FM designs stand on their own, but most are best layered with subtractive. A world today, fantastic, I get to compose, then fit my sound design perfectly to the song, perform it, record it, add my own effects design, and complete the song...all on 100% hardware in the corner of my office. Glad I lived long enough to live in this age of creativity.

[@kevincowart362]

14:50 That Dogs bridge was excellent, such an underated album and song

[@screamingstrings76]

Digitone made me love FM, it can do just about anything I need, and it sounds SO good!

[@christdolphin69]

damn close to the perfect synth/instrument/groovebox

[@garyprater8139]

I like the small DX keyboard. If it had the original DX 27/100 presets would be even better!

[@budgetguitaristcom]

I really like the Volca. Great for the money. Gotta admit, though, I rely on the Dexed plugin. 6 ops, can open DX 7 patches, sounds great, free... but I understand that some people prefer hardware, and that's what this gear is for.

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

I would have thought the Korg OpSix was the number one hands on sound design tool for FM today?

[@sweetwater]

Hi Wilderness Music. The opsix by Korg has been discontinued. -_Daniel_

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

@@sweetwater Short run, that is disappointing. But the RefaceDX I bought from you is a great learning tool and synth, so I still have FM in the studio!! 😊😊

[@johnnulf624]

@@sweetwater will Kong continue to sell the plugin version?

[@cjlewis79]

Loving my digitone. Volca was my first FM experience and moved up.

[@kevinmortimer1883]

the little volca is a beast

[@normdurkin6425]

.. missing the best one the opsix.. good thing I have 2. 👊👍😁

[@sweetwater]

Hi Norm. The opsix by Korg has been discontinued. -Daniel

[@normdurkin6425]

@@sweetwater ..yes it's too bad but I have 2 opsix's in mint condition.. I have other fm synths besides.. but I honestly believe that the opsix is the digital synth of the century..

[@Jesoteric]

@@sweetwaterMach II is now available

[@norjia]

far as i know fm synthesis never really went away. a lot of it just moved to the computer for a long time. stuff like serum and vital all support FM even if not in it's full capacity.

[@ZetaCarinae]

Opsix is where its at, although I admit I like partially because it goes so far beyond just FM synthesis.

[@sweetwater]

Hi ZetaCarinae. The opsix by Korg has been discontinued. -Daniel

[@ianmorton1799]

So this is how I found out the opsix was discontinued...it was on my list to buy, just hadn't gotten to that spot on the list yet 😢

[@alexskibicki2262]

Awesome demo, Daniel. 😎 these synths sound phenomenal. I own a Korg volca fm(version 1) and it sounds killer. Especially since I can get sega genesis/mega drive type synths. My brother own a Yamaha reface dx and it is totally awesome.

[@martinjh999]

14:40 - That sound or similar was definitely used by Supertramp in The Logical Song or one of their other tracks I may have heard... Def reminded me of them...

[@christdolphin69]

damn this is nuts

[@lordbachus]

Modx does it all..

[@patrickarend8707]

I agree.

[@strettoasino9006]

DX7 the 🎹 that killed 🎸 on fm radio..

[@ryanperrault8174]

Cool video thanks for making it. I don't have a dedicated FM synth yet either hardware or digital but I'll get one eventually...just not sure which one yet.

[@kentaccordionist]

I have a sonicware liven xfm, and have just bought a secondhand dx100. Both are only 4 operator, but both sound great.

[@Jesoteric]

I chose the DX

[@m.richards6947]

I have the model cycles and really wish I'd purchased something with more than 2 fm operators. It sounds pretty tame even with the built in overdrive effect and there are a lot of traditional fm sounds you just can't get out of it at all. It does have a great sequencer though.

[@MrDaigoRiki]

This vid says a Korg Opsix is worthless, a Volca FM2 is better. OK! I’ve got a reface and it’s amazing.

[@jc3drums916]

No, it isn't featuring the Opsix because it's been discontinued.

[@KorhanErel]

I find it interesting that noone mentions Kodamo EssenceFM, which is a very advanced FM synth with looping envelopes, 300-note polyphony, 16-part multitimbral, MPE support, onboard USB Host for controllers, 8 separate audio outs and high quality sound. I guess they're really bad at marketing their products. I have one and have used it at many concerts - people were amazed at the sound quality.

[@elissitdesign]

Love my ModX. I suck at FM so I always end up with the typical sounds when programming them.

[@sweetwater]

Hi Designed Audio. Try watching my "FM Synthesis - A New Explanation" video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4ecp4R9ptSCa8U -_Daniel_

[@trebleboost7]

The Smart Morph feature on the latest OS for the MODX line is really cool for exploring textures. The MODX is really a great overall board.

[@robertsyrett1992]

5:30 an oddly compelling demo of the model: cycles.

[@dyscotopia]

Many people seem to like it more than the digitone. Not as powerful, but I can sit down with it for 20 minutes and get something really deep, whereas the digitone lscks the immediacy

[@dyscotopia]

I really like my Elektron Model Cycles. It's a fairly limited FM synth but the comprehensible control options and the beefy sound Elektron gets from its hardware make it just as fun to play with as my analog gear. (plus I think it might be my favourite sequencer, just above the circuit and arturia) I think FM got a bad rap is because it was hard to understand and the interfaces were not well suited to sound design or adding much in the way of interesting dynamics

[@SonicVibe]

I use the fm on my typhon

[@falconhoof6]

I bought a TX81Z to learn FM on. I am a fool. I then bought a DX100.

[@fjfrancois]

14:49 Doogie Howser, M.D. Lol

[@CrossCuntryFranco]

Nope, "Dogs" by Pink Floyd (chord progression indicates that).

[@tomlavelle8340]

Would the new Yamaha MODX+ be under this category?

[@patrickarend8707]

Yes, and it ups the polyphony to 128.

[@sweetwater]

And... The FM is the 8-Operator kind! -_Daniel_

[@hermask815]

No Opsix? So it’s really gone…..

[@martinjmusic]

I thought opsix was missing, too…

[@pooshNchums]

My first thought too since it’s by far the best FM workflow

[@nostandingonlydancin]

🤔

[@normdurkin6425]

..good thing I bought two opsix both mint one for $500 the other for $329 ,during the sale..

[@sectiondrecords4580]

Opsix Opsix Opsix

[@dpalaoro]

When you guys getting a new opsix?

[@AnnedakDragon]

DX7 is the way to go! Vive la Yamaha! #Yamaha #DX7 #1980s

[@MediaMusik777]

air hype fm engine is actually pretty good

[@kaonashiitoi3682]

Where's the OP6?

[@sweetwater]

Hi Kaonashi Itoi. The Korg opsix is no longer available. -_Daniel_

[@neonpop80]

Reface DX or Digitone?

[@suadcokljat1045]

Korg Opsix??! Ouch!

[@sweetwater]

Hi Suad Cokjat. The Korg opsix has been discontinued. -_Daniel_

[@dpalaoro]

I really just need something to replace my PSS-480's capabilities.

[@PLA.net-DANTE]

No crunchy, dirty, noisy, filthy and beautifully sounding megafm? 😢