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Conference napalm::commusic_v1

Title:* * Computer Music, MIDI, and Related Topics * *
Notice:Conference has been write-locked. Use new version.
Moderator:DYPSS1::SCHAFER
Created:Thu Feb 20 1986
Last Modified:Mon Aug 29 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2852
Total number of notes:33157

409.0. "Getting FM Synths To Sound Fat" by DAIRY::SHARP (Oh no! Not another Don Sharp clone!) Tue Jun 24 1986 18:15

This question was inspired by the note "Another help me spend my money."

How do you get an FM synth to sound fat? 

We've heard some theories but nobody has come up with the fact. Is it
de-tuning oscillators? Is it modulated delays? What is it? Surely with the
brains and equipment you COMMUSIC contributors have at your disposal you can
come up with the answer to this one. If you can't I'm cancelling my rhumba
lessons.

Don.
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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409.1Try theseHSKIS2::LEHTINENTimo Lehtinen, CSC HelsinkiTue Jun 24 1986 20:1138
    Many different methods. Apply depending on the type of "fatness"
    required. My examples are from DX-7, 'cause that's the only one
    I have but I think most of them work for others too.
    
    
    1) One operator on fixed frequency tuned below audio frequencies
       (1-18 Hz) modulating others. Gives a sort of leslie effect.
    
    2) Modulated delay i.e. chorus never fails.
    
    3) Harmonizing (either very little difference in freq or tuned
       to interval)
    
    4) Double tracking (either with n takes on multitrk deck or with
       n synthesizers). Altering the patch only slightly, for example
       modulation, lfo, etc. makes the sound "deeper". Using an 
       alltogether different patch makes it "larger". 
    
    5) The feedback param to "7" on the DX-7 and trying to avoid 
       the typical FM "brightness"
    
    6) Using a rack of 8 DX-7 modules :-) :-)
    
    7) Making patches that hold their tightness on the lower
       octaves so You can transpose them down by one or two octaves.
    
    8) De-tuning, obviously. 
    
    9) DX-7 string pathes are good starting points for a fat analog
       type sound. Lower one or two op's down by one octave, try to
       get rid of the stringiness, alter the envelope more organ like
       and there you are.
    
    10) And last but not least, using an FM synth MIDIed together with 
       an analog one is the best usage for both.
    
    
    Timo