FM Synthesis

That Mega Drive and Japanese PC sound, LatelyBase, AdLib, gnarly metallic harmonics, icy/crystally caves…

I really don't have my head around FM synth yet, but I'd like to get one to learn about it. These're my notes on different machines. A lot unfortunately require dicking about in menus, but I'll probably be doing any patch editing in a DAW anyway. Kinda need to combine with reverb and/or other effects I think.

• Philips PMC 100
  Kinda dinky portable synth, can save data to tape, can make really long sequences. Seen for $200.
• Jomox Mod FM
  I have areal soft-spot for Jomox stuff for some reason, but they're all very $$$. Seems full-featured.
• Yamaha TX81Z
  Rack version of the DX11. Can be found for a good price compared to the DX synths. Leaning towards grabbing one. You have to use SysEx to change setting over MIDI, but it's popular enough that there are editors available that make it easy (The Ctrlr one looks good, but Ctrlr doesn't work right for me).
  • Should you buy a Yamaha TX81Z FM synth? - Guide on using it with a DAW.
  • Yamaha TX81Z Tone Module: Why I Use It - Hardware guide.
• Korg Volca FM 2
  Affordable option. Something about those dinky little knobs is offputting to me, but would actuallt be a great starting point I think…
• Korg Opsix
  Range of contemporary synths. Has a sequencer in there. Mixed opinions, but seems like a little bit of a different take on FM. Lots of presets.
• PreenFM2
  DIY FM synth you can by put together. Nice texture.
• Kodamo EssenceFM
  Contemporary rack-mount FM. Big touch screen, very editable, lots of audio outs.
• Yamaha FS1R
  
• Yamaha TG77
  

• FM = FM Channels.
• Ops. = Operators per FM channel.
• SSG = SSG channels.
• Rhm = Rhythm channels.
• ADPCM = ADPCM channels.

• Dexed - Open-source.

• Frequency modulation synthesis
• ORIGIN OF THE DX7 & FM SYNTHESIS - Good history video.
• SFUK 2023 - From DX7 to MODX+ - 40 Years of FM Synthesis - Talk that focuses on the DX7 family and MODX+. Almost feels like an ad for the MODX+ tbh, but still interesting.
• Collecting info on Yamaha FM soundchips
• John Chowning, Computer Music, DX7 & FM Discovery Interview with FM inventor.