FM Synthesis. A Catalogue of Materials. 02 Wood

This is the second instalment from the "FM Catalogue of Materials" synthesis cinematic videos.
These are intermediate level F.M. synthesis, so they require a little knowledge of synthesis in general.
Most of the patches are either percussion or sustained sounds and thus the amplitude envelopes should be obvious at intermediate level (either decays or sustains). The operator levels are found by following each example’s operator steps as they are switched on and then comparing the video with ones own trials.
Each video contains the blueprint for the synthesis of the basic sound of physical resonant materials such as metal, wood, air, strings as used in musical instruments. Some of the videos cover more abstract electronic sounds and SFX.
The parameters on the videos are from the VOPM free FM plugin. They are the same as the Yamaha FB01 and CX5M. They will work on most Yamaha 4 operator FM synths. They work well on, Preen FM2, Korg early FM synths and NI FM7 and FM8 too
www.geocities.jp/sam_kb/VOPM/
Synthesis Parameters
The idea behind this series is to provide the most universal F.M. parameters (mainly frequency ratio data) from which to create variations of the "material" timbres in the videos. You will be surprised how much variation is possible by changing the fundamental frequency and the inharmonic frequency of the bells.
Ratios, how to:
If you are using VOPM, FB01, DX100, CX5 use the CXRatio column. Example:
The first number in the CX ratio is the "Mul" or ratio multiplier (0.5 to 15) and the second number is the "DT2" in VOPM or "IF" on the FB01, CX5 etc). The Detune is more of a standard fine detune you find on any synth's oscillator and is for adding chorusing, beating frequencies etc.
If you are using a DX compatible synth use the DXRatio columns and use that number in your operator frequency.
LFO. This is the most important parameter for creating the "woodiness".
The LFO wave must be a random wave (sometimes called Sample and Hold)
Set the speed to max and then dial in depth/intensity until you get the wood texture. You will also notice it creates ambient reverberation. Unfortunately the DX7 LFO's are to slow to create this effect. On the Sy77 and TG77 use a noise operator as an alternative.
1. Make sure you have the correct algorithm.
2. Start with the first operator as the loudest operator (full level). Then get the level for each subsequent operator. Follow the order in which they are switched on in the video and experiment to get the timbre as close to the videos as possible.
2. The envelopes are pretty easy to work out and are fairly obvious if you listen to each operator as it is switched on in the video.
Unfortunately because of time constraints, I am unable to offer support.
E44 Music:
tinyurl.com/e433HyFlw
E433 Wordpress:
tinyurl.com/ctvzecks
Bandcamp:
tinyurl.com/e433bndcmp

[@VCVRackIdeas]

oh man, your videos are more like movies about synthesis. so - you are the first in the world synth movie maker, thank you and long live to your channel! very inspiring

[@element433]

Thank you ever so much. It's great for ones work to be appreciated. Movies. You hit the nail on the head :-)

[@harmannsmith5653]

Worthwhile successor of legendary JEXUS!!!

[@unfa00]

I am not sure I learned that much about FM synthesis, but that sure was something unique and inspiring.

[@element433]

Thank you very much!

[@dubzy21]

I don’t get it but at the same time this is everything I’ve been looking for… thank you

[@geephlips]

I love that second of anticipation before the context video. Because what follows is audio and video behaving almost like two operators modulating each other.

[@MrKayMrKay]

I have no words to describe how I feel after watching your three videos, some of the best sound designs I've ever heard. And those images, oh my! This is brilliant! Thank you

[@element433]

Thank you very much for your words and watching it!

[@McN4styFilth]

I have no idea how I arrived on this video but I'm glad I did.

[@thalesofthewell]

Your videos are beautiful, and we need more of them!!!

[@JoelGilardini]

wonderful series of videos, looking forward to try out few these sounds with my Digitone. Thank you a lot!

[@theRiver_joan]

These are refreshingly cool and interesting patches. Thank you!

[@Grobda]

Marvellous videos. I appreciate you taking the time to show how the sound develops as each operator is introduced! Really helps illustrate how each sound is built.

[@craig_z]

In a deluge of synthesis videos, you offer something unique and valuable.

[@element433]

Thank you ever so much!

[@Almanacs]

Awesome, thanks for sharing this.

[@flamgirlant7595]

These are the coolest videos on youtube and it's not even close.

[@PspiralifeTutorials]

Awesome can’t wait to try this thanks!

[@tehedx]

Wow, these sounds have a horror like feel, but are still very gentle without screaming treble and such. Nice job!

[@robotriddims]

fantastic vid

[@foenzie]

thank you good patch ideas!!

[@stealthbopper]

Wow, these sumptuous videos certainly are cinematic - a feast of beautiful imagery combined with those otherworldly FM sounds. The synthesis information almost seems like the icing on an already very rich cake. Thanks for all your time creating these!

[@element433]

Thank you!

[@endrick3520]

Can't stress enough how helpful and inspirational this video is. I watched it multiple times and will come back to it again for sure. thank you so much.

[@element433]

Thank you so much!. I am so glad it has helped. Makes my day!

[@endrick3520]

@@element433Great. I'm transferring your ideas to the sy77. Have you already experiences with this synth?

[@element433]

Yes. I bought one a few months ago. I’m translating all my libraries now and they’ll be available soon. Great machine

[@adiquinn1]

thank you so much for making this!

[@didierjoomun]

Great patches!!

[@RhettAnderson]

Great video. I'll try these on my FS1R.

[@element433]

Let me know how you get on!

[@musicthattouches17]

Class!

[@gribo.9543]

masterful

[@kegansimpson2893]

i knew wood was gonna be next haha. great videos, can't wait for more

[@element433]

:-). Which is next? ;-)

[@kegansimpson2893]

@@element433 🤔 glass. or stone

[@element433]

Nope! Cardboard! Kidding!

[@seleniticdawn]

I have been experimenting with my Reface DX using your videos as a general guide and having a wonderful time. The Reface interface is really a joy to program. Hopefully you find the time to make some more Catalogue of Materials videos in the future, they are an amazing resource.

[@element433]

Thank you, glad it is of help. Has been tricky in last year, hence the lack of new vids. Im just putting together the new studio, so hopefully should be up and running next few weeks. I dont have a Reface but it sure does look good and sounds great.

[@seleniticdawn]

@@element433 That's great to hear, I'll look forward to any updates :)

[@agerven]

Awesome again. Hah! Was wondering through the video: what makes the difference between wood and metal, other than the speed of sound. And guessed and had confirmed in the end that metal objects are usually uniform, e.g. the soundwaves pass through it unhindered. Wood on the contrary is not uniform at all, so passing through a wood object the soundwaves get all kinds of reflections. Hence the random LFO modulation. Thanks for making and sharing this and giving the FM community something to work on for the coming month(s). :)

[@element433]

Great observation. Nicely put! And thank you for watching

[@guillaumelebault1340]

Your 2 videos and sounds (Metal and Wood materials) are great, congratulations. I'm gonna try the DX ratios on my MODX to duplicate these sounds.

[@element433]

Remember the fast random LFO for the “woodiness”

[@guillaumelebault1340]

@@element433 Nevertheless I'm not sure the MODX LFO Max speed is able to reach 52hz

[@element433]

Does it have a noise operator? The Sy77 did. If it does you can use that one instead of the LFO patched to the carrier

[@guillaumelebault1340]

@@element433 Unfortunately there is no noise waveform operator on MODX/Montage. I haven't try yet to replicate the sounds

[@ish233]

Ah nice, have done some wood FM myself, still working on some for later.

[@harmannsmith5653]

Pacman cross was peak surreal

[@wavesequencer]

Cool videos augmenting the sounds too - I love a bit of FM synthesis, and designed my own 4 operator sound generator as part of a larger software modular synth.. this inspired me to create a few patches last night. I recognise the Gosport-Portsmouth ferry :) are you based there?

[@element433]

Ah, yes the ferry. That was a nice holiday. Thank you very much!

[@element433]

I would love to hear your modular with FM!

[@wavesequencer]

@@element433 www.dropbox.com/s/x4qutbajkp149b1/TubularBellExample.wav?dl=0 (bell sound inspired by your videos) + here's a test track made just with my modular synth - no external FX/processing (used as VST): soundcloud.com/wavestation/playtimesvae

[@element433]

Hi, apologies for not answering earlier. Your comment was held for review and I didn;t know this until today. Thank you for sending these. Good work with the bells! All the best E

[@InFlamer777]

please do one for water Mr. Element ;)

[@element433]

I am, I am, I am ;-)

[@element433]

All the water context shots are done now. But next up is loosely named "Kaos" as in the Greek word for Gas

[@hyewonsuk3082]

@@element433 I'm still waiting for your next video :) Cheers!

[@michaeladlj]

@@element433 we wait!

[@yairgrenade]

Waiting still 😔​@@element433

[@BecomingEugen]

i wonder how cloe can i get with these ratios on fm8

[@element433]

Very close. I have tried it and they sound superb. Use the DX column in the videos.

[@grigoris4372]

could this work on volca fm?

[@element433]

Its the one FM synth I haven;t got. If the envelopes are fast enough for the wood effect, the rest will abso work fine. If you have an editor just type in the frequencies. The envelopes are obvious as they are all percussion decays. Follow the vid and pause and copy the operator steps.

[@element433]

Sorry LFOs I meant not envelopes. If the LFO's are fast enough. Time to get a Volca FM I think :-)

[@RobinParmar]

If you get the Volca you will want to redo all of these for Dexed, and that way have compatible software and hardware versions of the patches. I would encourage this, since that's what I use. :-)

[@grigoris4372]

I will try it then! :D

[@AntonioTuzzi]

is missing all the informations about Envelopes

[@BecomingEugen]

it's about the texture not the form...

[@agerven]

@Antonio Tuzzi: You're right, but personally I like this series just the way it is, rather than downloading a sheet or sysex with all parameters.

[@AntonioTuzzi]

thanks!@@agerven

[@devonhansen7705]

the sounds themselves for the video are also recorded from the VOPM plugin?

[@element433]

It’s a mixture. The VOPM, FB01 and CX5 are the same and fully cross compatible in terms of parameters and sound. See my Digital Preservation video. Thank you for watching.

[@RageRaccoon]

is this an arg?

[@element433]

I do think of the Catalogue as a game/puzzle the user has to solve. It would be interesting to recreate them as a game based on it, though I don’t have the skills to do so. Thanks for watching