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Hardware FM Synthesizers...

i've been looking at some hardware synths lately...nothing for immediate purchase hehe...but just to kinda see what is out there.

what has mostly caught my eye of course is the Yamaha line. i was looking inparticular at the SY-99 as opposed to the older DX series.

i guess i'm just curious what else might be out there to check out. of course there is the synclavier, but that's not very realistic haha. i've been experimenting with FM for quite sometime now and someday i'd like to consider a hardware version...any thoughts on what else i should possibly consider? i'm not quite sure who else has made hardware FM synthesizers...


i'm also considering maybe just getting FM8...but it's actually more expensive than some of hardware synths out there lol...i dunno

not only fm but check the yamaha FS1R out.. it's imho the best "current" fm hardware synth in this direction.

check out Yamaha's DX200. It's more hands-on tweakable than your average FM rig.

We have one of those (FS1R) in Studio C at the Art Institute. It's pretty funky sounding.

You may also want to investigate the Nord Lead 3. It a traditional analog synth with a lot of FM capabilities added.

You'll have to buy one used, because they just discontinued them.

thanks guys...


just looking over some of the suggestions...


they all look pretty powerful and are good suggestions and they all look pretty affordable...so good on that.

looking at the FS1R...this looks pretty powerful. i'm not too familiar with Formant Synthesis so i might have to read up on this abit...

looking at the Dx200...looks pretty comparable to the Sy-99, but with some expanded built in fx and larger preset bank. i might lean towards a keyboard synth however since my my main interest is pad sounds...unless i get a nice MIDI controller to go with everything...


anyway, anymore suggestions are welcome hehe...thanks for the responses so far. i'll have to look at all of these a little closer and decide in time which direction i'd like to go.

Nord Lead 3 might be a little pricey for a first hardware synth...also i'll have to check out Sinus Modulation...not too familiar with the similarities and / or differences to FM

edit: i see you have one in your studio though Eric J hehe...which is awesome . it is a very nice synth

I wouldn't recommend you get a hardware FM synth, they're notoriously difficult to program, you need a book to even get a sine wave going on those things, people I know have them (DX7s mainly) and they say they sound crap exept for 80s style cheesiness. Get FM8 instead and a nord lead 3 or something. The reason I say that is because FM synthesis is really easy on your cpu because FM was always digital anyway, whereas virtual analogue is quite CPU heavy as you have to model various characteristics. So, basically its a waste of time and money to buy a hardware synth for FM.

Software FM synths are hard enough to use, I wouldnt go hardware.

I heard a quote somewhere that 90% of the DX7s that were returned for servicing still had the original patch bank. UNTOUCHED. lol.

A FM synth is not a bad idea since it costs far less than software and has a real resale value.
It all depends on whether you are comfortable using hardware or not.

quote:

Originally posted by Pjotr G check out Yamaha's DX200. It's more hands-on tweakable than your average FM rig.

I had one that I sold a year ago - great box with awesome sounds. Also somewhat easy to program when hooked in through your PC via midi. I sold it for more than I paid for it.

If you want to go the software route, the only choice is NI FM*, which is one of the best soft synths you can buy.

looking at some of the later responses i understand the reactions, but the programming is actually one of the things i like about FM Synthesis. i'm just as interested in the sound design aspect as actually making the songs. most of the people i look up to and strive to be like are master programers...one of the attractions of FM Synthesis to me at least is that it has endless possibilities and not everyone can handle it.

quote:

Originally posted by Floorfiller not everyone can handle it.

can YOU handle it?

quote:

Originally posted by ASFSE can YOU handle it?

lol hahaha...touche. ok i just give up hahaha

quote:

Originally posted by Floorfiller looking at some of the later responses i understand the reactions, but the programming is actually one of the things i like about FM Synthesis. i'm just as interested in the sound design aspect as actually making the songs. most of the people i look up to and strive to be like are master programers...one of the attractions of FM Synthesis to me at least is that it has endless possibilities and not everyone can handle it.

Yeah thats cool, to get really deep into the programming and make original and interesting sounds. But the best thing for this is a computer. Most FM hardware only has 3/4/5 operators, native instruments has what 7? plus two filters, noise osc, plenty of waveforms etc etc. plus more modulation than you could ever want. So you can actually program, not only easier, but more deeply in software. Hardware will not give you more options for FM.

Also, synth's resale value is dependant on demand, I could be wrong (often am) but I can't see there being much demand for FM in hardware in future, what I do see are a lot of used FM synths all over the place...

Again, its your choice, if your in love with the idea of a hardware FM synth then go for it and enjoy it, 99% of good music is confidence in and love for your instruments, so if it gives you good vibes then its probably going to work.

quote:

Originally posted by kitphillips Yeah thats cool, to get really deep into the programming and make original and interesting sounds. But the best thing for this is a computer. Most FM hardware only has 3/4/5 operators, native instruments has what 7? plus two filters, noise osc, plenty of waveforms etc etc. plus more modulation than you could ever want. So you can actually program, not only easier, but more deeply in software. Hardware will not give you more options for FM. Also, synth's resale value is dependant on demand, I could be wrong (often am) but I can't see there being much demand for FM in hardware in future, what I do see are a lot of used FM synths all over the place... Again, its your choice, if your in love with the idea of a hardware FM synth then go for it and enjoy it, 99% of good music is confidence in and love for your instruments, so if it gives you good vibes then its probably going to work.

yeah i've been playing with the FM 8 demo the last couple days and it's pretty powerful...i might just get a nice midi controller and use that bad boy...i definitely see your point

quote:

Originally posted by Eric J You may also want to investigate the Nord Lead 3. It a traditional analog synth with a lot of FM capabilities added. You'll have to buy one used, because they just discontinued them.

Nord leads are not analog.

Pardon me, virtual analog

quote:

Originally posted by thecYrus not only fm but check the yamaha FS1R out.. it's imho the best "current" fm hardware synth in this direction.

I second that. It does not get much more FM than FS1R. COMPLEX AS HELL THOUGH! Consider yourself warned. Oh, and do try to dig up an editor for it, if you do end up getting it.

quote:

Originally posted by echosystm Software FM synths are hard enough to use, I wouldnt go hardware. I heard a quote somewhere that 90% of the DX7s that were returned for servicing still had the original patch bank. UNTOUCHED. lol.

Brian Eno said that in his interview with FM mag. He is considered a DX7 wiz, and some of the engineers were gloating to him that 90% of DX7s were not programmed. He said that it's not a failure on user's part - its a failure on your part to make the synth programmable.

For a fist synth, FM synthesis is EXCEPTIONALY overwhelming.

I'd get a Yamaha AN1x - has FM capabilities, built-in analog-style sequencer, and CHEAP! you can probably get one for about $300-$400.

FS1R is a very very powerful synth but was not my cup of tea. DX200 is .... essentially a DX7 card inside a drum machine with static drum sounds. You might as well get a Motif with PLG board in it.

My personal recommendation - get a AN1X (fantastic kbd controller, my favorite - and I have a few available to me ATM: Roland A-70, Virus Ti Kbd, PolyEvolver... I use Yamaha for its key feel) and purchase FM8. You'll be set.

quote:

Originally posted by kitphillips Most FM hardware only has 3/4/5 operators, native instruments has what 7? plus two filters, noise osc, plenty of waveforms etc etc. plus more modulation than you could ever want. So you can actually program, not only easier, but more deeply in software. Hardware will not give you more options for FM. Also, synth's resale value is dependant on demand, I could be wrong (often am) but I can't see there being much demand for FM in hardware in future, what I do see are a lot of used FM synths all over the place...

FS1R has 8 operators. It's resale value is holding very steady due to its rarity.

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