Seeking a hardware FM synth

tpantano · Post by **tpantano** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 8:48 pm

Hello, all!

I'm currently in the market for something different. The majority of synths I own, both hardware and software, use subtractive synthesis with minute variants in filter tonality, oscillator design and features between them– my Korg R3 gets a little bit more complex than most with its formants and VPM, and Razor is an entirely different beast. However, I'm in the market for something very different.

While I could always acquire a copy of FM8, I know that I'll never use it due to my psychological stigma against softsynths. So, what are some recommendations for FM-based synths? Or perhaps many-band formant synths?

I'm not aiming for the bells and e-bass patches that most people tend to create with their FM synths; rather, I'm after a synth that will allow me to create shrill dissonances, piercing shrieks, and booming, crisp, groan-y synth basses with ample fifth harmonics added in.

DX7 is obviously a classic, though I don't know how well it'd suit my purposes. The FS1R is very cool, though I've mostly seen pad demonstrations from it.

The more knobs, the better. I'm also open to suggestions of other unique synths, like those with wavetables, or bizarre and complex additive engines. Could be old, new, a classic, obscure- I don't particularly care.

Thanks!

synthjoe · Post by **synthjoe** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 9:22 pm

Some contradicting requirements here...
FM synth with many knobs will be something difficult. You can ge a programmer, perhaps - even thoguh those for FM are far between on the market.

The sounds you describe are possible to get with most FM synths, starting even with the most basic 4-op. I'd have suggested FS1r, but it seems you already have your opinion on that. Without an editor it would be very difficult to work with - but the 1RU format is very handy.

The next best appears to be the SY99, then the SY/TG77 series. You'll also find some form of FM on other manufacturers' kit (Korg DS-8, Alesis, Kurzweil), but to me FM = Yamaha. Unfortunately, I'd be hard pressed to name a current model that has good FM, but perhaps someone else will chime in (I have no experience with the Kronos engine, maybe it is something to explore yet).

Hope this heops.

tpantano · Post by **tpantano** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 10:20 pm

synthjoe wrote:Some contradicting requirements here...
FM synth with many knobs will be something difficult. You can ge a programmer, perhaps - even thoguh those for FM are far between on the market.

The sounds you describe are possible to get with most FM synths, starting even with the most basic 4-op. I'd have suggested FS1r, but it seems you already have your opinion on that. Without an editor it would be very difficult to work with - but the 1RU format is very handy.

The next best appears to be the SY99, then the SY/TG77 series. You'll also find some form of FM on other manufacturers' kit (Korg DS-8, Alesis, Kurzweil), but to me FM = Yamaha. Unfortunately, I'd be hard pressed to name a current model that has good FM, but perhaps someone else will chime in (I have no experience with the Kronos engine, maybe it is something to explore yet).

Hope this heops.

Hmmn, by knobs I more meant controls in general. I'm looking for something that's fairly straightforward to manipulate from the box itself- if it needs a software editor, I might as well go for FM8.

If you recommend the FS1R, I'll certainly look into it more.

zukskywalker · Post by **zukskywalker** » Thu Nov 15, 2012 2:47 am

You might want to take a look at the Yamaha DX-200.

Yoa · Post by **Yoa** » Sat Nov 17, 2012 6:51 pm

As a proud owner of a DX7, I must say it is an excellent choice. If you can find one with Grey Matter's E! Card, you're set!

If portability and effects are an issue, the Korg 707 is always a fun choice (though it can sound a bit cheesey, though all FM is like that). But I agree, having used almost all of the Yamaha DX series synths, I'd say that's where you should look.

If I need effects, I either synthesize them in or use an array of analogue gear and/or vst's to get the sound I want.

tpantano · Post by **tpantano** » Sat Nov 17, 2012 8:35 pm

Thank you for all the suggestions, everyone! I'll be perusing ebay for a bit, my current favorite is actually the FS1R, but that's likely due to the fact that I can't find one for sale.

I'd appreciate more suggestions; something that has an easy to understand FM matrix (where you can easily tell which operator is modulating what) would be perfect.

BobTheDog · Post by **BobTheDog** » Sat Nov 17, 2012 11:21 pm

For easy to visualise FM8 has to be the way forward, it's a quality synth.

Shame it's software though if you have a thing about it.

tpantano · Post by **tpantano** » Sat Nov 17, 2012 11:38 pm

BobTheDog wrote:For easy to visualise FM8 has to be the way forward, it's a quality synth.

Shame it's software though if you have a thing about it.

I did mention this very synth in my original post >_>

Great concept, but I have a software stigma. When I acquire a softsynth, I rarely touch it. I can't explain why.

Also, anyone- any thoughts on the Korg DS-8? It's only 4-OP, but seems quite nice.

synthjoe · Post by **synthjoe** » Sat Nov 17, 2012 11:53 pm

tpantano wrote:...my current favorite is actually the FS1R, but that's likely due to the fact that I can't find one for sale.

That is the case usually... Availability was not one of your questions, was it?

(sorry for the lame joke)
You might get better luck by looking up local pages dedicate to second hand gear, but it is not 'very' easy to find one for sale. I guess that is supposed to be a good sign.

tpantano · Post by **tpantano** » Sun Nov 18, 2012 12:24 am

synthjoe wrote:
tpantano wrote:...my current favorite is actually the FS1R, but that's likely due to the fact that I can't find one for sale.
That is the case usually... Availability was not one of your questions, was it? (sorry for the lame joke)
You might get better luck by looking up local pages dedicate to second hand gear, but it is not 'very' easy to find one for sale. I guess that is supposed to be a good sign.

We used to have a great chain around here, Daddy's Junky Music, who dealt almost exclusively in used gear. They had great selections, would have the occasional Triton or famous drum machine pass through every once in a while. Sadly, they went outta business.

Yoa · Post by **Yoa** » Sun Nov 18, 2012 12:28 am

THAT was a bad day. I feel partially responisble, too, because a few days after I bought a guitar from them and had them fix it (it was used) they went under. Now all I've got is Guitar Center.

tpantano · Post by **tpantano** » Sun Nov 18, 2012 1:32 am

Yoa wrote:THAT was a bad day. I feel partially responisble, too, because a few days after I bought a guitar from them and had them fix it (it was used) they went under. Now all I've got is Guitar Center.

Same. And regarding synths, the Guitar Center near me seems to only stock super popular gimmicky options like the Microkorg (not insulting it though, it's a great synth– but it's sales are mostly due to it's cult status, I must say) and occasionally a keyboard synth when it's brand new, like the GAIA. Otherwise, all arranger keyboards and monstrous engines like Kronos.

BobTheDog · Post by **BobTheDog** » Sun Nov 18, 2012 7:44 am

tpantano wrote:
BobTheDog wrote:For easy to visualise FM8 has to be the way forward, it's a quality synth.

Shame it's software though if you have a thing about it.
I did mention this very synth in my original post >_>

Great concept, but I have a software stigma. When I acquire a softsynth, I rarely touch it. I can't explain why.

Also, anyone- any thoughts on the Korg DS-8? It's only 4-OP, but seems quite nice.

Yes thats how I knew you had a thing about software!

How about a Nord G2 or a Kronos then?

tpantano · Post by **tpantano** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 4:49 am

I just purchased a Yamaha TX81Z on impulse– it was very low-priced, and available from a seller very close to me, meaning I should receive it very shortly. Now I just need to work out how to get JSynth to work.

Regardless, I'd still love to hear your suggestions! The TX81Z ran me a lot less money than I thought it would (and now I'm noticing that the DX7s are running very cheap as well @_@), and should I decide to expand my FM library more-so after experimenting with the TX81Z, I'd love ideas of what's available.

Thanks!

billbaker · Post by **billbaker** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 1:53 pm

Re: Daddy's - yeah, I was shocked to see that they'd gone under.

GC does stock the new and trendy, but they also have a pretty large and searchable used gear section. I've not seen FS1 lately, but there's a lot of used gear there and it's worth looking through.

You can also, I think, set up an auto search on Ebay that will let you know when a particular item (like the FS1R) comes up for sale.

It's much more ROM-pler based, but you might have some cheap fun from a preset hardware standpoint with some of the old Emu Proteus 2K era racks, particularly the XL (extreme lead). Emu's the only synth I've really seen that had fully realized edgy/industrial sounds as part of their sound set for presets - not a whole bunch but some. And they are for the most part dry - so they sound good before you mangle 'em using your own outboard processing. You can usually pick these units up for under $200.

BB