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Question about FM synthesis

Well more specifically modulating the pitch of a sine wav to make a metallic "donk" noise.

I've got a good sound from this using 3osc to generate the sine wave and then the pitch modulation option to change the pitch rapidly.

When I change notes playing (I tuned the pitch modulation when the note was C) the sound changes a lot and I lose the sound I was after.

My questions is this...

1. Is this the case for all sounds that have pitch modulated (because you are in effect changing the initial frequency you are working on, thus the modulation must be adjusted accordingly)?

2. What is the best work around? A. Sampling the sound I have made and let Fruity just pitch up/down the sample. OR sample the sound at different notes I want adjusting the pitch modulation accordingly.

FM Geeks represent.

do you mean the klubbheads base sound?

I am trying to learn FM synthesis myself.

FM Synthesis thread HERE

I need to learn more about FM synthesis

Do not use 3OSC for FM synthesis. Its a problem with the plugin. I tried modulating pitch on all waves of 3OSC and not only does that happen where different keys sound weird, but the effect sounds like shit imo.
Use a more competent synth for FM like FM8, Z3TA or V-Station. Stop using 3OSC, problem solved.

quote:

Originally posted by DJ Robby Rox Do not use 3OSC for FM synthesis. Its a problem with the plugin. I tried modulating pitch on all waves of 3OSC and not only does that happen where different keys sound weird, but the effect sounds like shit imo. Use a more competent synth for FM like FM8, Z3TA or V-Station. Stop using 3OSC, problem solved.

Hmmmm.

Except I love 3Osc. FM8 looks like a nightmare. I don't want to have to put in 2 years research and development just to find out what the fuck a synth does.

My mind don't work like that.

I wasn't aware v-station or Z3ta were FM? (I know 3Osc is subtractive too btw).

Well Z3ta and v-station aren't dedicated FM synths but compared to 3OSC they can do a lot more in terms of tones and variations. In all honesty 3OSC is so limited in terms of FM synthesis I have no idea why you would even pick that synth to do FM sounds. Its just lacking way too many controls/parameters that other synths give you.

Also FM8 is not as hard as you would think to learn. And its by far my favorite for FM. If you ever choose to attempt learning it there are 2 very specific vids on youtube that will help it "click" for you. I've watched every FM8 tut on youtube and they all just really suck except for these 2. So let me know if you're interested and I'll go find the links.

But basically I watched the videos for a half hour, and immediately felt like I understood FM8. I went into it and started programming patches left and right. The vids teach you exactly what you need to do to get started, and after that you won't be intimidated anymore.

I like 3OSC myself, but I like FM a lot better lol. It barely has any real FM potential and after playing around with it for a few hours I decided I'd never attempt using it for FM again. Really try and get a better synth. If you want something simple like 3OSC I'd say v-station would be a good choice to start. I do want to stress though that FM8 is really a lot more intuitive than you'd think and the best all around for FM. Good luck either way.

quote:

Originally posted by DJ Robby Rox Well Z3ta and v-station aren't dedicated FM synths but compared to 3OSC they can do a lot more in terms of tones and variations. In all honesty 3OSC is so limited in terms of FM synthesis I have no idea why you would even pick that synth to do FM sounds. Its just lacking way too many controls/parameters that other synths give you. Also FM8 is not as hard as you would think to learn. And its by far my favorite for FM. If you ever choose to attempt learning it there are 2 very specific vids on youtube that will help it "click" for you. I've watched every FM8 tut on youtube and they all just really suck except for these 2. So let me know if you're interested and I'll go find the links. But basically I watched the videos for a half hour, and immediately felt like I understood FM8. I went into it and started programming patches left and right. The vids teach you exactly what you need to do to get started, and after that you won't be intimidated anymore. I like 3OSC myself, but I like FM a lot better lol. It barely has any real FM potential and after playing around with it for a few hours I decided I'd never attempt using it for FM again. Really try and get a better synth. If you want something simple like 3OSC I'd say v-station would be a good choice to start. I do want to stress though that FM8 is really a lot more intuitive than you'd think and the best all around for FM. Good luck either way.

Well I'll be honest with you.

I Base my knowledge on a cracked version of FM7 I played on when I was 17 and thought fuck this. That was years ago.

Also I only wanted to try and make a "Donk" bass, just to see if I could using the pitch control. I got a decent sound, but as you did too came into problems when notes were transposed.

I really appreciate your input, does FM8 offer a decent free trail?

Might look into it.

There are cracks for FM8 too I'd honestly just get one of those.

Either way though just stay away from 3OSC. I own v-station, z3ta and sytrus and one day I may buy FM8 too but for now I mainly use it for experimenting. It can do donks very well and excells at bass and percussion imo. For leads though it tends to sound too harsh/abrasive. What I really like it for though are my distorted bass drone type sounds. I initially use to use trilian because it had those warm and massively deep analog drones (theres one preset called "taurus drone" specifically), but FM8 does brighter more dynamic ones that don't rob so much headspace. I'm still yet to find another synth that does drones as well as FM8.

Just the tone variations you can get are really cool. So you might be impressed at what it can do for donks.

quote:

Originally posted by DJ Robby Rox There are cracks for FM8 too I'd honestly just get one of those. Either way though just stay away from 3OSC. I own v-station, z3ta and sytrus and one day I may buy FM8 too but for now I mainly use it for experimenting. It can do donks very well and excells at bass and percussion imo. For leads though it tends to sound too harsh/abrasive. What I really like it for though are my distorted bass drone type sounds. I initially use to use trilian because it had those warm and massively deep analog drones (theres one preset called "taurus drone" specifically), but FM8 does brighter more dynamic ones that don't rob so much headspace. I'm still yet to find another synth that does drones as well as FM8. Just the tone variations you can get are really cool. So you might be impressed at what it can do for donks.

The donk was merely an exercise to see if I could do it with a 3osc. I could but it all went fudge when notes changed. I'm not keen on pirating stuff but I may well just sample before I buy.

I love drones too, check out the drones in this masterpiece.

Can you post the 2 youtube videos please?

Here yah go man. I had to go through a lot of bullshit tuts to find these so enjoy!

Part I

Part II


When I was looking I noticed he also had a part III I didn't know about so it might be worth watching too. I haven't watched it yet
but hopefully its good like the first 2.

Great work Robby! Thanks.

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