IDM Mailing Archive

Dear Batz,

quoted 4 lines This is aditive synthesis. You have to add harmonix rather than subtract them

>This is aditive synthesis. You have to add harmonix rather than subtract them >as with most >analogue synths. You have to think backwards as opposed to using analogue >gear.

If I'm not mistaken, only a few of the algorithims are "additive", the bulk being pure FM.

quoted 3 lines IMHO FM synthesis, although digital in this particular case, makes the

>IMHO FM synthesis, although digital in this particular case, makes the >closest aproximations to the sounds produced by Valve (Tube) synthesiszers >of the late 40s and 50s.

What, if may I ask, are the (plural!) "Valve (Tube) synthesiszers of the late 40s and 50s", and how did you become so intimately familiar with their sounds? Digital fm synthesis is now extremely cheap (TX802 = $400!), and is capable of effects that cannot be done with any analog modular. HOWEVER, an analog modular with LINEAR FM inputs on its oscillators (such as Serge) approaches the level of control and flexibility, and, I think, exceeds the sonic character of digital FM, albeit at a MUCH higher cost. Let me explain: Linear FM allows complex sidebands (non harmonic overtones) to be generated without altering the fundamental. When the amount (index) of audio frequency modulation applied to an osc is under voltage control, you have a dynamic index which can be varied by eg's or ANY other audio or sub-audio voltage in the system. Of course the osc doing the modulation will be voltage controllable as well, so its pitch, too, can be dynamically correlated (or made not to correlate) with that of the "carrier" or target osc. This leads to tremendously complex timbres, which are not limited to the processing bandwidth of a digital "computing" instrument. Any microprocessor is limited in the number of calculations it can execute it a given period of time, whereas with analog it's a matter of straightforward PHYSICS: equal and opposite reaction to any stimulous (modulation). This allows, in my experience, for a hell of a lot more interesting detail in the resulting sound. Both are great to have available, but until digital FM synths are given a huge boost in MIPS (maybe the Kyma system?), analog will retain certain advantages. I'm not an engineer, nor am I an "expert". These are simply my observations based on long experience. Danny