FM Synth Sounds

etnate · Post by **etnate** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 4:58 am

Having worked with FM synthesis enough in the past; ideas I've been working on recently using the E2 have me gravitating towards FM-type sounds and it made me realize that the E2 is brilliant in it's ability to sound like an FM synth. I've never used a (v)analogue synth that could so easily sound like an FM synth before and I really think this is a great strength to the E2 that perhaps is being overlooked. It isn't as if it's some hidden trick that you have to look for. The edit knob in many cases easily alters the sound into an FM-quality sound. Otherwise using one of the modulation routes or a combo of both that and the edit knob will get you convincing FM sounds.

Does anyone else here that has experience with FM synthesis feel the same way? I'm sure it can't do everything an FM synth could do but if you're going for an FM synth feel you can easily get that with the E2.

I know people have their gripes but as far as synthesis goes, for a 400 dollar box I've really enjoyed the raw synth side of this machine.

Tarekith · Post by **Tarekith** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 6:46 am

The VPM OSC's are basically doing FM, that's why it sounds like it

Steinberger · Post by **Steinberger** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 8:55 am

You're right and if you want to absolutely swim in FM you can jack your electribe2 into your iPad with the CCK and use FM4 app which is stellar IMHO.

http://www.primal-audio.com

hoolak · Post by **hoolak** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 11:49 am

I'm been producing music on my computer using a range of FM synth VSTi, mainly YM2162 emulations (the Yamaha FM chip found in Sega Megadrive/Genesis). I've been doing Megadrive-esque original pieces, so you can imagine my excitement when I found my e2 VPM osc-type could produce some YM2162 style magic. Modulating the OSC edit control does give you the best results. It obviously depends what sound you are after, of course.

Amidst my excitement, I made a video...

Making Megadrive FM Bass on e2

Re-Member · Post by **Re-Member** » Fri Apr 24, 2015 6:33 pm

hoolak wrote:I'm been producing music on my computer using a range of FM synth VSTi, mainly YM2162 emulations (the Yamaha FM chip found in Sega Megadrive/Genesis). I've been doing Megadrive-esque original pieces, so you can imagine my excitement when I found my e2 VPM osc-type could produce some YM2162 style magic. Modulating the OSC edit control does give you the best results. It obviously depends what sound you are after, of course.

Amidst my excitement, I made a video...

Making Megadrive FM Bass on e2

That's a pretty cool video. I don't have the Electribe 2 yet, but I'm able to mangle some decent FM type sounds on my Korg R3 using the VPM feature as well. I remember seeing in the manual that it also does "Xmod" which can get you similar sounds.

Just recently I got a DX11 and it's insane how many weird lo-fi sounds I can mangle out of this thing. Everything about it sounds like the Sega Genesis, haha. I've been working on a album for the past year to start gigging with soon that's largely analog colliding against FM sounds, but lugging all my gear around is a pain. I'm hoping that the Electribe 2 (or maybe the Sampler version) can replace a lot of this stuff in a live situation.

hoolak · Post by **hoolak** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 8:54 am

Thanks!

Korg Gadget's Chiangmai is another great place to generate FM sounds. The Chiangmai is a Variable Phase Modulation synth very capable of making Megadrive/Genesis type sounds. From metallics to gulping bass

hoolak · Post by **hoolak** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 8:54 am

oops double post boo boo!

ghostly606 · Post by **ghostly606** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 9:31 am

hoolak wrote:Thanks!

Korg Gadget's Chiangmai is another great place to generate FM sounds. The Chiangmai is a Variable Phase Modulation synth very capable of making Megadrive/Genesis type sounds. From metallics to gulping bass

Looks a bit like an FM Volca! Now that would be incredible...

hoolak · Post by **hoolak** » Tue Apr 28, 2015 8:47 am

Woah. A Korg Volca FM Operator sounds perfect. With a paint job similar to the DX7?

stlkr · Post by **stlkr** » Thu May 07, 2015 3:26 pm

i'm still trying to pull some synthwave style sounds from e2.
similiar to Perturbator, Miami Nights etc

roblabs · Post by **roblabs** » Thu May 07, 2015 3:47 pm

its definitely possible to do with the e2. I did a live synthwave set with it last month.

Re-Member · Post by **Re-Member** » Thu May 07, 2015 4:20 pm

I remember when Musikmesse happened this year, a few music sites posted speculation of there being a new Volca possibly coming out. I kept thinking "Volca VPM! Volca VPM!" but it never happened.

stlkr · Post by **stlkr** » Fri May 08, 2015 12:18 pm

roblabs wrote:its definitely possible to do with the e2. I did a live synthwave set with it last month.

teach me master