An analog synth uses a continuous voltage to make a tone, the result is a smooth, warm sound (usually).

A virtual analog synth uses algorithms and 1s and 0s to approximate this continous voltage, the result is usually a less smooth, less warm and less robust tone.

An FM synth is a type of virtual analog synthesizer that uses multiple waveforms to make a sound. It adds them together (in a way). Note this is not additive synthesis. FM also is a feature on a lot of high end virtual analog synths that gives results that can only be understood when heard and many times when coupled with saturation give the sound life.

Hope this clears it up. Just remember, virtual analog is by definition an approximation of analog. If I put you in a room with my access virus (virtual analog) and my juno 106 (analog) the difference would be night and day. The virus sound would seem like it is coming out of the speaker cones. The juno sounds like it's just there, not emanating from the speakers but just there. The basses on the juno blow the viruses away. And remember, the virus is one of the most powerful virtual analogs.

William Orbit did most of the Madonna's Ray of Light album with a Juno 106. The result: One of the fattest, warmest records EVER!

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'k. Thanks!

They're just different ways of programming synths. Analog synth don't really get made any more today because they are so big. The Andromeda is part analog, but part digital.

The most common, and probably easiest form of synthesis is "subtractive" synthesis. This includes stuff life subtractor in reason, pro-53, the jp-8080, virus, etc. This is where you start with a sound and then through filters, you take parts away to get the sound you want.

Frequency Modulation is just a different kind of synthesis. FM-7, the Yamaha DX-7 are examples of FM synths.

Modular synth, like the nord modular, Vaz modular, is a type where you make your own synth. You start with nothing and add an oscillator and a filter and a ring modulator and amp filters and FM and reverb and an LFO and whatever you need to make the sound you want.

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