Korg Opsix Sound Design - Kinda Tutorial

The KORG opsix is a 6 operator FM synth with a lot of different modulation modes, and routing possibilities.
More about KORG opsix: www.korg.com/
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Web: www.truecuckoo.com
Video gear used: kit.co/TrueCuckoo/studio-vide...

[@korsmakolnikov]

I think this is one of the best fm synthesis tutorials I ever saw, far beyond the synth itself.

[@truecuckoo]

Thank you so much!! ❤️

[@aretwodeetoo1181]

@@truecuckoo I agree. Your patient and curious personality is really suitable to FM exploration and bringing us into that world. This was amazing. Subscribed.

[@UdettoCBS]

I am no Sound Engineer, no Pro musician, just some random low skilled hobby musician. So saying that, i don't understand half the stuff you are talking about but i just love watching your videos. So extremly relaxing to watch and i am learning all the time

[@truecuckoo]

Glad to hear that mate! 🙏🏼

[@dannyroessler]

the joy of sound painting

[@nichttuntun3364]

❤

[@1980VINZ]

I really want to thank your parents for giving you life.

[@truecuckoo]

Thanks mum and dad, your rock! ❤️

[@JG-ib7xk]

Calm down

[@yeoldmedic7572]

@@JG-ib7xk 😂😂😂

[@griffinenoch8030]

Dunno if anyone cares but if you guys are bored like me atm then you can stream all of the new movies and series on instaflixxer. Been streaming with my girlfriend for the last few days :)

[@wellsmark5356]

@Griffin Enoch Yup, been using instaflixxer for years myself =)

[@jeremjerem]

Metroid !!! 😍 Even years After...i remember that atmosphere...so lonely...a soundtrack masterpiece

[@truecuckoo]

Yeah it’s amazing how so many of the Metroid games have epic soundtracks.

[@quadrupole6904]

Finally, someone really digs into some weirdness with this synth. Beautiful. Also, this demo is a Masterpiece. Thanks so much!

[@kapilkrishnamurthy3939]

That last patch and your performance were just genius. So beautiful, so eerie and such masterful use of the instrument. Amazing!

[@deanwalliss8739]

Your trick-release envelope technique is just brilliant. I was initially a bit disappointed at the Opsix only having ADSRs instead of 4-rate, 4-level EGs, but your workaround blows that out of the water. Just fantastic.

[@truecuckoo]

🙏🏼 Thanks Dean! Yeah with the 3 extra envelopes tricks like these are very possible with a little modulation knowhow.

[@Puckrocker]

Thanks for the sweet, mellow sounds to start my day with. Not what you typically expect when you click on a video about an FM synth.

[@Brendan-Black]

Somehow this synth slipped under my radar. Those unexpected glitches and circuit-bent-esque noises are oh-so satisying. This could easily end up being the ultimate FSU machine. 😎 Nice vid as usual, Cuckoo! I may pick this up.

[@0phylum0sinter0]

Thanks for making videos that consistently answer interesting questions regarding gear - this one does a great job of just showing the workflow... so many other channels just blast through some presets and turn a knob or two and think that counts as a feature video. It's great to find you, keep it up!

[@truecuckoo]

Thank you so much! 🙏🏼

[@johnfunk7568]

Thanks Dr Cuckoo!! You convinced me FM is worth learning and I got an Op six to do it with.

[@DJ_TideWave]

I can listen to you all day long! You decrease my blood pressure. 😛😄 You have a very calm voice. On top of that you have a lot of cool gear and I learn a lot by watching your videos. 😊

[@truecuckoo]

🙏🏼 nice chill times, mate! 🍵

[@brunodadivore9606]

Great, as usual! All of the sudden FM sound design appears endlessly creative and affordable.

[@lawr.h]

You sound like you're having fun. It makes me happy 💛

[@lykhq496]

man love your videos . it always get me excited to do patches and music and learn more about it . and i really like the korg and consider to buy one

[@laurentluigi2461]

Mister Cuckoo !!!! You're the man !! Thanks for being a true Cuckoo. Your reviews are always fun and very instructive.

[@Garflips]

It may or may not make an interesting topic... but as I listen to more and more demos of new hardware synth technology as well as the huge variety of VSTi, I start to think about what really works with the music I want to make. Something I find appealing about the Opsix which is why I will probably get it (and why I have numerous older FM hardware in my studio) is that it can fit or can be designed to fit in context in a musical piece. Seems a lot of hardware and software manufacturers are competing for the most motion and constantly evolving thick or complex textures. These sounds are fun no doubt but they take up so much space that they leave little room for composition that utilizes harmony, counterpoint - space, etc. FM as well as classic mono synths don't seem to hog as much sonic space. I think I'm going to really dig the subtlety as well as the diversity that the Opsix has to offer. Cheers.

[@silviocavuzic8152]

Exactly how i think about Omnisphere patches... single patch takes up whole spectrum.. cant fit them anywhere properly without bunch of editing.. im getting opsix too in a few days

[@chrisharringtonguitarist]

Thanks for all your video Cuckoo. They're so helpful. The key release part of this video was a huge lesson for me. Thanks again!

[@truecuckoo]

Thanks mate! Glad you liked it. That particular method can definitely be applied anywhere there's an extra Envelope to be patched.

[@BroodXindustrial]

Damn good. Thanks man. Well done, well played. Got in on that deal for the OP and was looking around for some vids that were spot on without overwhelming. Super stoked to jump into FM . It'll be here tomorrow. Thanks my brother and bad ass job man. BRAP on! :)

[@jamesalbert1376]

Fantastic video, really learned something about how to *explore* FM synthesis, looking for the unexpected sweet spots. Much more useful than the usual features walk through’ tutorials’. Massive thank you!

[@truecuckoo]

Thank you so much James! Yeah with FM synthesis I think you have to embrace the idea of exploring. It’s really hard to predict every outcome. Once you get more versed, you’ll know where to look for the sweet spots. But you still need to explore, even when you’re becoming more familiar with it. I love that aspect of fm synthesis.

[@coreyriddell1759]

Ah! Sliders for amplitude are really cool for quickly trying out rough modulation envelopes! It hit me watching you program the epiano sound.

[@davidsteffens3952]

Wow, you got some great sounds out of this. Looking forward to trying it out

[@howdragonsdisappear]

not disapointed once more. Coming from the synth demo at start and just feel happy and relaxed at the end.

[@danielsonderhoff5882]

A very pleasant video that gave me a good overview and deeper insight into the sound structure of the synth. As many have already written here, you have a very calm manner and do your thing that makes this clip so exciting.

[@truecuckoo]

Thanks! Oops I thought it was the Modwave video. Was a but quick to reply. I was so eagerly anticipating the release of the Opsix, being a true FM nerd. So I dug deep and found it to be quite enjoyable and nice to work with. Sound wise though, FM sounds has so much personality, and on a personal note I slightly prefer other FM platforms over this one. But it’s still a great synth, at a great price.

[@danielsonderhoff5882]

@@truecuckoo ...but the MEGEfm II is "Out Of Stock" 😥 . I like the old SY 99 (Yamaha) but it has no USB connectivity

[@truecuckoo]

@@danielsonderhoff5882 yeah the Opsix is very reliable, and great value for the money. Extreme depth and modern sounding. I guess my ears are charmed by the legacy, that’s all. MegaFM is very wonky, and limited compared to this modern synth. But it would never be a replacement for the Opsix. And something like the Digitone is a very different and more technical experience too, but with extreme clarity in the sound. Speaking from the heart, I honestly think Volca FM has much more clarity than Opsix, and this surprised me, since it’s coming from the same company. Is it just imagination?

[@chazotron600]

Always impressive and whimsical my friend.

[@truecuckoo]

❤️

[@drewm5350]

Thanks for the tutorial-ish overview mate. Lovely sounding synth indeed.

[@omniphoriusvcf907]

Cuckoo + Opsix = easy understanding of FM. What a wonderful video, man!

[@truecuckoo]

🙏🏼

[@macronencer]

Thanks partly to this demo, I bought an Opsix - so thank you! (I would have got a PolyBRUTE, but didn't have the budget.) I've already had a lot of fun discovering ways to achieve various things. The virtual modulation patches are useful, I'd even say essential, for some situations: I'm very glad they included that feature. Overall it's a great little machine: it's small; it's light (I can just about lift it between thumb and forefinger!); and it sounds really nice on headphones... I think it's a good synth to sling in the car if you're going away for a few days, actually. A mobile experimentation lab. Nice job, Korg!

[@nym053]

Very nice with the EP. Especially the detail with how it sounds when the hammer lifts up from the string (or what you call it).

[@truecuckoo]

🙏🏼

[@squishmusic]

This is probably the best AND only 'FM storytelling' video on YT :))

[@frankgibson8960]

I’ve never been this early!! Can’t wait to watch!

[@Q-BOT]

You wizard, you. That story at the end had me so drawn in. I want more synthesizer youtube campfire stories back with FM synths!

[@ainsworththemusician]

Seems like a powerful machine. Thanks for the great introduction to it!

[@ctd_audio]

Awesome video as always Cuckoo, also - your jumper is 10/10. Want it! xD

[@crimsonweather]

Thanks for the video. This is how the Digitone keys should have looked like IMO Well done KORG with a simple, usable interface

[@NewNoise1]

I could listen to this kind of music allday. I love synths

[@Gillesmassin]

28:23 *accidently summons the devil* Cuckoo: "wow, hehe. "

[@mkpatashnik]

Oh man, I was expecting this from Korg. I am glad I've managed to wait for it. Another synth to have into consideration.

[@mapindicator]

Keep up the amazing work 🎶😎🎶

[@BigBadWolf..............]

Thanks for playing this and walking us through it. I prefer the mellow sounds myself. I think I would still buy the megafm first if I was going to buy an fm synth. It just sounds fantastic. This does sound good though

[@nsjx]

god how many hours i played that game. appreciate very much to in-depth look. been eyeing it. will check out yr patreon this weekend

[@THEELECTRODANDY]

Always good your tutorial, Mr Cuckoo 🙏🏻

[@juanperezpianistaflamenco]

Amazing video, and you have an amazing calming effect (at least on me) thanks!

[@_greenleader]

Always fun to learn from the FM king!

[@hashx6360]

Super cool synth, explained in a smooth direct to the point way, I was about to get opsix after your video, but ended up buying Wavstate after watching the other video .. obviously wavestate can design the same sounds but also beyond that , also in 64 polyphony.

[@davidbanner7972]

Thank you that is incredible how you just taught me so easily what to do

[@trevorcannie4826]

Lots of great fm options out there right now. I was looking at the megafm but this one seems very friendly with how cuckoo presents it.

[@autumnbrushtail]

The MegaFM certainly has a more retro sound, what with it being a retro synth, but the Opsix does have way more capabilities in terms of sound generation, what with it being a 6 operator synth instead of 2 4 operator synths.

[@LongEarthTradingCompany]

Lovely, I feel I would probably end up in about the same sonic territory. Great work!

[@Some_Cat_]

What an amazing instrument. 🥰

[@nichttuntun3364]

Thank you for the great deep dive into this synth. I am looking foreward a lot for my unit. I didn't know it's so versatile. Reminds me on the Blofeld for its huge modulation options. This is the kind of FM machine I was looking for. It might be the first synth making FM really easy to program and understand. If this was the intention, Korg succeeded. I got several FM and PD hardware synths; but they all are a pain in the ass to program: so I can't wait to lay my fingers on the Opsix, exploring the vast sound capabilities... your video is a great inspiration. 😊 Cheers!

[@sinewaymusic]

Epic ending. You're as skilled as you're entertaining to watch. 🌟

[@brucebennett5338]

sweet! i just got one of these. so cool!

[@NewNoise1]

This guy explains it better and I understand what he means. Pretty cool!

[@Strages_Powers]

sick demo re, well done

[@truecuckoo]

🙏🏼

[@yilvenin7733]

Amazing,What a great machine!

[@InFamousProductions]

Hey Cu, I finally read the manual and it is surprisingly simple, once I read the manual. On the surface, it doesn't make any sense, but after the short and simple manual, it makes total sense. there are things I wish it did, but it feels like they made that thing do just about everything, except load samples. I had a SY77 and that was a unique machine, I regret selling. it would use samples as an operator..

[@SteveEngledow]

Amazing video dude 👌👍🙏

[@DanChippendaleMusic]

I have no intention of getting this synth. But seeing you use it so sympathetically (I just seem to make raspy noise on my Digitone half the time) is really relaxing while I work. Hopefully some of the operator and modulation principles are being soaked in by my brain for use later on the Digitone :-) Edit: the raspy stuff starts at approx 25 mins XD

[@brianwolle2509]

magnificent vid. glad i bought one

[@Straymute42]

A little meta, but your visual effects for the brinstar's lament section was incredible, well done!

[@truecuckoo]

❤️🙏🏼🎮

[@jml19221]

32:46 Tweaks so much it travels to another dimension. 😜 Love the review brother you are a genius!!!

[@iantanner7579]

Quality demo. At first I was thinking I wouldn't buy one, but the tones evoke so many glorious, drug-fuelled memories from clubbing around North London during the late 80s - like Derrick May's "Nude Photo" and "Security" by the Beat Club, to Baby Ford's "Fordtrax", I think I'm gonna have to bite the bullet. And besides, to get the same control and colours of tone within the eurocrack world would cost thousands. Korg is definitely on a roll, an analog/FM hybrid drum machine would be superb, - kind of KR55 meets Basimilus Iteritas. love to ALL, feel no hate

[@deadscenedotcom]

Outstanding, dude. You schooled me. I'll be picking of the plugin. :)

[@LesSondiers]

Kinda mega tutorial 😆 ? Happy to see you with that one 👍👊 take care !

[@truecuckoo]

Kinda sorta 🤗 I left out the sequencer, and some other things. And it’s below 1h.. so perhaps a Kilo tutorial?

[@GT300KR]

I love your channel content! you got a sub here good sir.

[@truecuckoo]

Thank you Robertsn! 🙏🏼

[@silentype3008]

I like that picture-in-picture effect you create with the mirror. edit: typo

[@BucF16]

Very well done

[@deepseadiver8191]

Magic hands. So good.

[@thepith]

I can definitely hear the metallic vibes of the Yamaha YM2612 chip.

[@Terre-Sauvage-Music]

Hi cuckoo. Fantastic job thanks

[@TRUEiMPROrecords]

I started by skipping to 10:33 and looked at the screen and the pitchwheel thinking "Behringer has finally driven Korg insane, holy shit!"

[@ruxiwang9571]

omg it's out?!! I just saw the prototype last week!

[@MusicalDistractions]

Just love how you found the ghost from AOL past around 28 minutes in.

[@GirlfightClub]

Dang that’s some serious ASMR at the end!

[@truecuckoo]

Haha 🙏🏼

[@ropeburn6684]

You seem like exactly the kind of guy I'd love to nerd out with over a few beers and then have a fun little bleepy bloopy jam.

[@itsdrawkcab5899]

Soooo amazing!!!

[@silvertongues2]

That bass clonk sound early on 6:00 is so rhythm is rhythm! I love it ! 😂

[@e8root]

28:23 Opsix gained self awareness and spoke to us "hi, woah, yeah, hi!"

[@marcwav]

Great vid!

[@truecuckoo]

Thanks!

[@solidaudio6764]

Great Video👍 You‘re awesome.

[@weepwow]

Love my Opsix. It has replaced lots of my modular and is a controller as well.

[@pbannink3814]

Really cool!

[@toslinked]

wonderful

[@ryanmelvey8764]

this thing looks super cool. i love FM e-piano. i just wish the keyboard was bigger so you could fully play it

[@yeoldmedic7572]

Im fine with 3 octaves but bring back batteries and onboard speakers ala yamaha pss and casio ct.

[@DigitalStains]

Well, now I have to buy this one as well. Thanks haha

[@biancoziegler7618]

"you plant your organisms over to samus, in hope of her recognizing the beauty of your lifeforms"

[@CO5MA]

Funky tutorial, thanks!

[@bikegarrett]

Hoping you are staying groovy, been missing some #true cuckoo....that synth sounds like it was made from awesome sauce

[@eduugr]

I cant decide between this one and the digitone. I already had de TQ5 which I loved and Im familiar with FM. Maybe this is easier to use but the Digitone has more posibilities? Is the sound warmer in the digitone? Thanks so much for your videos !!

[@daveogarf]

Wow! A "Futurama" Holophonor (32:45, 39:35), complete with colourful images!

[@dani538]

Nice video as always. A couple of questions. 1.Can you fine tune the ratio to like 1:250? 2. Can you loop the envelopes? 3. Is there a S&H function like on the Elektron Digitone where it holds the current trig at that position? Would be sweet to know!

[@dalecutlemusic586]

I have a bit of analog Moog gear I really love. I had always loved the DX7 ( first release ) and always thought it was such a cool synth. I had a few plug-ins that emulated it and then one day last spring I had a brain wave....WHY DONT I JUST BUY A REAL DX7?! So I did. I love it. I have been having a ton of fun with it. I have been making awesome sounds with it. But I find even with loading sysex and such It is very hard to learn and not easy to change parameters on the fly. Then I see this. Now I am thinking I want this synth too! Even if I buy one I will always have this DX7, such and awesome synth. If you want swing by my channel and you will hear it in some of my music. Always love your content and delivery Cuckoo! Thank you for the video. Much love from northern Canada.

[@angh3ll202]

If you download Dexed it's pretty much a software editor for the Dx7. You can send your finished patches to the synth, and save entire banks, eliminating the need for cartridges. That's what I do anyway. I'm tempted to do what the person above me says as well!

[@spacekangoo9912]

Hello Cuckoo ... thank you for this great review ... any thoughts about the build quality ? the keyboard sounds a bit flimsy. take care 👍

[@sandorkis8813]

Hey man, fantastic demos here! I love your detailed and happy videos. :-) I just get an Opsix, and started to make my own presets. The first is an analogish bass line, See You bass Line from Depeche Mode. Yeah, it's strange to use it like this, but it can do this also! I am very happy with the result, very nice possibilities! Can you please tell me, how to "link" EG's? I want to adjust the ADSR EG of the first and the third operator in link mode if possible. (to adjust them together) Is it possible? Thanks, cheers!

[@tuesss]

I agree that would be a cool feature. In the meantime you can either use the copy utility, or if you really need the envelopes to be the same while tweaking the parameters you can use one of the global EGs instead and set the per-operator ones to no attack, full sustain, full release, effectively bypassing them.

[@cnfuzz]

Wot not multitimbral , 1988 tx81z or fb01 could (and had metal case) , is this progress?, 90 percent of the tones auditioned here are capable on the tx minus fx processor

[@craigmcginley]

Great video, amazing patches at the end there. Obviously a hugely deep synth. Is the user algorithm one global slot or per patch? Or are there multiple slots for user algorithms?

[@tuesss]

It's per patch :) Although I'm sure you've found the answer by now ;) Amazing possibilities for skilled synthesists.

[@syntheticjuice9279]

you sold me at 5:38 when you just nudged the fader levels to manually test out the envelope for the op.. some other fm synths are just too awkward to comfortably do that

[@ArtFluids]

When the person/thing was knocking/making sounds I thought "wow, now that is a cool sound"

[@truecuckoo]

Haha

[@PennDraken]

19:45 Big fan of that patch actually

[@claudgaran]

Hi! What a great video, really! I'm totally blind and your video is really great; the way you describe the steps for creating your sounds is fantastic. Have you ever used the randomize function of the OPSIX? If so, could you explain how to use the various knobs to customize the randomizer? Being totally blind, I don't understand what the paramethers are. Thx for your help and congratulations for your great videos.

[@kaitlyn__L]

I wonder if the desktop editor has decent screen reader compatibility. I'm pretty sure it has mouseover tooltips, which I know aren't entirely sufficient all by themselves but at least are a lot better than the hardware unit offers. I suppose it all really hinges on whether it supports the tab key and/or arrow keys to navigate. It's not a totally separate desktop editor like the microKORG has, but is actually part of the VST version of opsix. Which I find a bit annoying to be honest, bundling that functionality together rather than just releasing a free tool like they used to. But at least they give a heavy discount for the hardware owners...? Even so, I can't try it myself to answer you because I don't want to pay _any_ extra. Anyway, as I understand it you can live edit sounds on the desktop while playing on the hardware, or preview sounds on the computer (since it _is_ a full soft-synth) and later push them to the hardware. But again, I don't actually own the VST version to check, I only have the hardware.