FM drum synths

KrisM · 2013-12-03T01:51:07.000Z

Housecliche · 2013-12-03T02:37:08.000Z

+1 to preenFM2 - if you can get one - runs of ten units selling out fast - and it can load dx7 patches…

RyanElektric · 2013-12-03T02:58:14.000Z

Oh and another +1 on preenFM 2. I want one…

The FS1R isn’t that great for drum sounds…It can do percussion but it really lack low end and is better for creating like wood tocks fm claps- organic sounds- rather than traditional drums.

I don’t see the point of getting a 6 (or 8!) operator FM synth make FM drum hits. I’d say if you ALSO want a great bass synth and and a synth that can do those classic pad and choir sounds that transport you to the 1980s, get a 6op FM- The two best, in my opinion, are the previously mentioned TG77/85/90 (called the SY series in 'board form) or the TX802/DX7II (basically the same synths- but you can grab a TX802 for about $200).

The SY/TG series are workstations in the sense they have ROMpler-type samples onboard, but you can layer them with the on board wavs and even do some Wavesequencing-type synthesis.

The SY/TG 99 is the one to look for- it has expanded memory and the ability to load your own waveforms+a beefy FX section which, apparently, really brings it into “classic synth” territory.

tsv · 2013-12-03T03:26:02.000Z

Thanks for mentioning the PreenFM2! Looks very cool.

teevee · 2013-12-03T10:06:55.000Z

""KrisM"":

PreenFM2 - http://ixox.fr/preenfm2/

Somehow I think Yamaha FB01 sounds better than this
PreenFM2 sounds too clean

154 · 2013-12-03T13:53:05.000Z

Yamaha RY30/RM50

dionysiananarchy · 2013-12-03T13:58:58.000Z

the fb seems to getting more popular, i got mine like 4 years ago for 25, there was 1 or 2 vids i could find on YouTube, in the last few months i have seen a bunch more,

i also found a bunch of presets online, so decent drums, its a really goof synth, you cant edit it from the front, thats a big part of the reason its inexpensive, but with most yamaha fm editing from the front sucks anyway.

killer for bass as well

run it thru my a4 for great anal filtering.

KrisM · 2013-12-03T18:46:47.000Z

""teevee"":

Somehow I think Yamaha FB01 sounds better than this
PreenFM2 sounds too clean

yeah well. It’s DAC is a lot cleaner/more moden unfortunately. The FB-01 has a 16-bit DAC vs 18 (12+6) in the PreenFM, and iirc it was only technically 16 bit; it was fed by a 10-bit serial connection. I’d have to look up the specific chip to be certain.

I’m actually keen to try my hand at making a modular digital FM out of my Patchblocks when they arrive. 10-bit 20kHz, yum

Also, I feel dumb for not saying the OP-1 lol. One of it’s synth engines is called FM Though it will still be output through a 24/96 DAC

duplex · 2013-12-03T23:32:38.000Z

""RyanElektric"":

The Nord Drum 2 looks like a capable drum synth. I don’t know if it has a noise channel (EDIT: it does- “There is a redesigned noise section that includes a filter envelope with resonance and decay.”) I’m still waiting to hear good demos…

The FM engine sounds pretty amazing in the new OS update. Thing goes far beyond a mere drumsynth.

See all likes of ND2 OS v2.1 Demo 1 JB by nordkeyboards on SoundCloud | Listen online for free

Damn, that sounds good. I was pretty underwhelmed by the sound demos I heard from the ver. 1 OS, but this is in a different league.

dionysiananarchy · 2013-12-04T03:31:12.000Z

i got the 1, its heavy as fuck, it does a lot and can still be found new for like 200, its great for that, but for 600 its a bit much

RyanElektric · 2013-12-04T08:48:49.000Z

""dionysiananarchy"":

i got the 1, its heavy as fuck, it does a lot and can still be found new for like 200, its great for that, but for 600 its a bit much

I think the 2 is probably worth the money with all the updates- 6 individual outs, transmits MIDI now and can be a trigger to MIDI interface, and a new, better synth engine. The new resonace modeling really hits hard and the FM engine is kind of makes the ND2 a unique synth in an of itself- The bitcrushing effect nice too.

Not really for me, though. But I find it incredible Nord doesn’t have more of an online presence with demos,etc. Because I bet more people would be buying them. It’s hard to really know what the ND2 does and how it does it by just researching on google.

dionysiananarchy · 2013-12-06T02:22:32.000Z

nord has really dropped the ball lately with most of what they have done lately,

the nord drum is just 1 way, even the new lead is a let down compared to wht it could be, it still isnt anywhere near a g2, its not even a lead 3…

the nord drum is great, the 2 they really pushed it into another level, but they left it to die…

when i messed with the 1, i was blown away, its great, its everything its demos were not, some of the hardest hitting digital drums i have heard,

the demos make it seem its only for 2nd rate kraftwork cover bands

johnny · 2013-12-06T09:31:57.000Z

I bought Nord Drum 2 after hearing it on demo in a store. I was actually looking for a second analog drum machine, something more compact than my DRM1 MKIII…but I was quite impressed. It is a big improvement on the ND1. The EQ and Drive are quite important for kicks, and the FM and other types of synthesis are brilliant. Haven’t had a chance to delve into the FM much yet but loving the sounds so far. One of the FM algos creates harmonics like chords which can sound like nice techno chord stabs, just from one voice. The best thing about the ND is the immediacy. It is very well thought out, because it is simple and fast, yet is capable of creating a wide scope of sounds.

johnny · 2013-12-06T09:45:26.000Z

""RyanElektric"":

6 individual outs

ND2 only has 2 outs (stereo). The extra 6 jack inputs are for triggering the synth engine.

altemark · 2015-04-01T23:48:15.000Z

VZ-10m - interactive phase distortion synthesis from Casio. Not FM strictly, but not including it would just be splitting hairs.

A sample pack w/ VZ-10m I made before selling mine:
http://www.freesound.org/people/altemark/packs/11890/

AdamJay · 2015-04-02T00:31:19.000Z

I feel like Nord Drum 2 is just about the perfect companion for MonoMachine’s 6 track midi sequencer.

Buddy of mine scored a ND2 for $300 because one of the trigger inputs was dodgy. Kinda jealous.

robotunes · 2015-04-02T03:22:53.000Z

korg er-1 is an fm drum synthesizer.

license · 2015-04-02T03:45:27.000Z

""ignatius"":

haven’t used it but probably the alesis micron

Technically true but I found this nightmarish to program, and I’m one of those guys who likes programming the TX81Z from the front panel. It’s like all the flakiness of the MicroQ, plus a bona fide “keyhole surgery” menu-surfing interface driven by crappy clicky little quinoa-sized buttons . The interface is about as bad as the Matrix 6R. On top of that, the envelopes are not snappy and I would not recommend them for drums. That said, it’s a beautiful idea on a high level, and some people can really make it sing, at least for melodic stuff. However the drum kit functionality (again, IMO) is garbage.

""154"":

Yamaha RY30/RM50

These are not FM, don’t even have vibrato, but I can vouch (at least in the RY30’s case) for weirdness that will likely appeal to Yamaha FM fans. Also just a pretty cool architecture all around; it’s great for what it is.

""altemark"":

VZ-10m - interactive phase distortion synthesis from Casio. Not FM strictly, but not including it would just be splitting hairs.

Delicious machine; I really enjoyed the short spell I had with one. I don’t remember using it for drums but what a great sound and that LCD display is beautiful.

My votes are on: Nord G1, TX81Z. Haven’t played with the Nord Drum but it’s on my lust list.
Monomachine can probably do it but I haven’t quite hit those notes yet on mine.

m4rkb · 2015-04-02T09:32:28.000Z

Nord Drum 1’s go for about £100 on eBay. The 2 might be a better machine, but hells, that’s cheaper than a Volca Beats (at least last time I looked…)

Even if you just sample it and sell, that’s pretty good values right there.

o-o-o-o · 2015-04-02T10:02:51.000Z

ND2 is lush. Get one. Now!