FM instrument learning resources?

Started by Domarius, October 25, 2019, 08:11:58

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Domarius

Now that OpenMPT has FM support, what's the best way to go about understanding how to manipulate the OPL settings?

My plan is to just find as many as I can and experiment, but if there is a good place to start learning about how to get certain kinds of effects I'm keen to know.

Is there a good place to find a lot of them at once?

Saga Musix

Try searching YouTube for "FM synthesis explained", there are plenty of tutorials and explanations (e.g. this one) and while they are not specific to OpenMPT, the same principles apply. The OPL chip that is emulated in OpenMPT is just a cut-down version of the Yamaha DX7 with less operators, so most information on the DX7 also applies to OPL.
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Midori Mizuno

http://javelinart.com/FM_Synthesis_of_Real_Instruments.pdf this might come in handy too, if you like reading more than watching videos

Domarius

Quote from: Saga Musix on October 25, 2019, 09:16:27
Try searching YouTube for "FM synthesis explained", there are plenty of tutorials and explanations (e.g. this one) and while they are not specific to OpenMPT, the same principles apply. The OPL chip that is emulated in OpenMPT is just a cut-down version of the Yamaha DX7 with less operators, so most information on the DX7 also applies to OPL.
Thanks, I just needed a good search term :) I was trying "FM instruments" and "OPL instruments".  Ah that guy, I have already watched so many of his videos!
Quote from: Midori Mizuno on October 25, 2019, 10:01:37
http://javelinart.com/FM_Synthesis_of_Real_Instruments.pdf this might come in handy too, if you like reading more than watching videos
Thank you, this is useful as well.  Already after a quick skim I see something useful like having the modulation frequency integer multiple of the carrier frequency for different kinds of instruments, and fractional multiples for dissonant sounds...
When I was messing with it, all I got was really glitchy sounding effects...

ASIKWUSpulse

#4
There's this video too https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq3cuuxdMKc
and was supposed to be a series? part 2 never got released ???
My favourite chord transition: Fmaj9 -> Gadd9 :D (I also like it's ±1 semitone variants)

Domarius

Hey that was enlightening as well! Like the Andrew Huang one - short but really well explained concepts with visuals. :) Thanks!