[sdiy] FM Sytnthesis, was: Yamaha PSS460 users?

[Peter Grenader]

Although it has better DAC resolution, the 8 bit TX816 tends to have more
guts than the 12 bit TX802.   Trust me, I own one of each.

You get more options with the 802s (like microscales for one, more writeable
preset locations and sort of, kind of stereo outs) and a cleaner sound due
to the increased resolution, but the 816 is more robusk IMHO.

Neither of them is what I would call phat, but such is the nature of the
Yamaha's method of polyphony.

best,

P


on 8/12/02 2:06 PM, groovyshaman at snet.net at groovyshaman at snet.net wrote:

> Joe,
> 
> As usual, it all depends on how much $$$ you have to spend!  DX-7's are all
> over eBay at reasonable prices.  This is what I would recommend.  They are 6
> op synths with plenty of algorithms and 61 keys.  A cleaner sounding better
> built DX-7 is the DX-7IID and DX-7IIFD (the FD has a floppy drive).  I own a
> DX-7IIFD with an E! expansion board - love it.  The next step up is the DX-5
> is a dual Dx-7 with more algorithms and 76 keys.  The DX-1 is the big daddy,
> a Dx-5 with 76 weighted, after-touch sensitive keys, but big $$$.  A cheaper
> alternative to the DX-7 is the DX-9, a 4 op synth.  The cheapest is the
> DX-100, a 4 op synth with tiny keys.  If you already have a midi capable
> synth, you might want to go for a FM synth module instead of a full blown
> keyboard, like the TX-7 (DX-7), TX-81Z (DX-11) or TX-802 (DX-7IID).
> 
> Read more at http://www.vintagesynth.com/
> 
> George
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Joe Kramer <musetrap at earthlink.net>
> To: <groovyshaman at snet.net>
> Sent: Monday, August 12, 2002 3:49 PM
> Subject: Re: [sdiy] FM Sytnthesis, was: Yamaha PSS460 users?
> 
> 
>> Dear George,
>> Thanks for your explanation.  I think I'm getting the hang of it--and
> I like
>> it!  I never realized what powerful sounds FM could make, although I
> always
>> vaguely knew it was out there.  I like the simplicity (and small size) of
> the
>> PSS460, but If I were motivated to go further, which next-step FM keyboard
> would
>> you recommend?  Thanks again!
>> 
>> Regards,
>> Joe Kramer
>> 
>> groovyshaman at snet.net wrote:
>> 
>>> Joe,
>>> 
>>> Two op FM synopsis: a synth voice created from two sine wave generators
> that
>>> can be used as sound sources and/or modulators for each other, depending
> on
>>> an algorithm.  Example algorithm:
>>> 
>>> Op1 -> Op2
>>> 
>>> Operator 1 is used as a modulation source for Op2.  The output from Op2
> is a
>>> FM modulated sine wave.  Op1 can be set to track Op2 as a frequency
> ratio,
>>> or it can be static.  Either or both operators can track the keyboard.
>>> Another example algorithm:
>>> 
>>> Op1
>>> Op2
>>> 
>>> Both operators are independent - this is like two drawbars of an organ.
>>> 
>>> There are also 4 op (Dx-9/11/21/27) and 6 op (DX-1/5/7) systems.  In
>>> addition, the original Yamaha synth engines (DX-1/5/7/9) used sine waves
> for
>>> operators/modulators.  Later FM synth engines (DX-11) could use other
> waves
>>> as sound sources, which can make for more complex timbres.
>>> 
>>> Operators can be used in serial or parallel, and can feedback, depending
> on
>>> the algorithm.  The more operators, the more complex sounds can be
> created.
>>> Also, the more algorithms that are available, the wider the palette of
>>> sounds you can create.  A 2 operator system would be pretty limited.
>>> 
>>> Some good books to learn more about FM synthesis:
>>> 
>>> Yamaha DX7 Digital Synthesizer
>>> Yasihiko Fukuda, 1984 Amsco Publications
>>> softcover 139 ppg, ISBN 071190653X
>>> 
>>> FM Theory and Applications - By Musicians for Musicians
>>> Dr. John Chowning and D. Bristow, 1986 Yamaha Music Foundation
>>> hardcover 195 ppg, ISBN 4636174828
>>> 
>>> Cheers,
>>> George Kisslak
>>> 
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: Joe Kramer <musetrap at earthlink.net>
>>> To: <synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
>>> Sent: Monday, August 12, 2002 1:29 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [sdiy] Yamaha PSS460 users?
>>> 
>>>> Dear Kevin,
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>> No cool individual
>>>>> sliders on the 480, but you can select any one parameter at a time
> and
>>>>> twiddle with the value as you play.
>>>> 
>>>> The PSS460 provides a five-detent slider each for WAVE, SPECTRUM,
>>> MODULATION,
>>>> ATTACK, and DECAY, although some of these functions are not
> immediately
>>>> intuitive.  SPECTRUM seems to change the octave while also adding
> harmonic
>>>> content, and MODULATION seems more like ring modulation, adding
> metallic
>>>> belllike overtones.
>>>> 
>>>>> The digital synthesizer is 2-operator FM, I think . . .
>>>> 
>>>> Please educate the uninformed (me): What is "2-operator FM"?  Are
> there
>>> higher
>>>> number operator FM systems?
>>>> 
>>>> Regards,
>>>> Joe Kramer
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>