Inside Synthesis - FM Synthesis Tutorial

Still haven't cracked the code of FM synthesis yet?  Assuming you've read my tutorial or you just want a quicker explanation, Inside Synthesis has thrown together a nice video explaining some of the basic concepts of FM synthesis.  This is actually a really great video for the basics, so you can get your head around some of the difficult parts.  Inside Synthesis promises more videos on FM, so you'll have to be on the look out for those, too.

Lightwaves Interview

 

Lightwaves by lightwavesmusic

LIGHTWAVES is Jan Rosenfeld's newest DJ project, consisting of infectiously catchy synth hooks, thumping beats, and smooth talkbox robot vocals.  Jan formerly sang for Yes Giantess, the 80s nostalgic synth pop band that would make even Prince jealous of with their rich analog sound.  Lightwaves has recently released his first two singles (as heard above) and two dance remixes of Savoir Adore and Freelance Whales.  When he isn't producing his next big single, he's filling the dance floors in clubs around DC and NYC.  I caught up with Jan about where his sound comes from, his synth gear, and what's coming next for Lightwaves...

FM Synthesis: A short beginner's guide

As many of you know, the Yamaha DX7 is often one of the first synthesizers you come across while searching for a well known, cheap vintage synth. The DX7 is not a usual synth, however; it uses a different form of programming called Frequency Modulation. FM synthesis is not the type of thing you can learn from just by fiddling with knobs, especially since the DX7 uses only one knob for a data input. Last summer I owned a DX7 for a couple of months and purchased a used book on how to program it from someone online. While I eventually sold the DX7 because I found the user interface for programming too difficult, I still use FM synthesis on my computer using Native Instrument's FM8, a solid program that offers visual representations of the waves you're using and a spectrogram of the different frequencies and their harmonic content. For tutorial purposes, I will be demonstrating on a browser based FM synth from Angry Octopus (who's more recently created the famous Webotribe, a browser based version of the soon to be released Monotribe).