Another update hit Github just now, v3.1. Haven’t updated yet but will give it a try later today:
New Features:
-Transpose preset up to 3 octaves. Hold voicing and press preset up or down
-Preset number is displayed after a couple seconds of inactivity
-New Wide3/4 modes optional (can be activated with the tool)Bug Fixes:
-Fixed bug causing some faders not to update screen
Some decent small changes there. I’d really like to see some new way safer way to save presets though, not sure if there’s a button combo that would work well.
The manual got updated too, and now has a section on the envelope looping -
That really is a killer feature to have on an FM synth, haven’t had much time to play around with it more but I’m really looking forward to experimenting with some ideas it gives me.
That’s an original feature from the mega drive I think. The Plogue Chipsounds MD has it, although the envelopes are fixed shapes.
my review:
With the Opsix I’ve got more than enough FM on hand, but I still love checking this thing out.
Couple more small firmware updates I missed -
R3.3 Updated June 7th 2023
-optimised factory reset (faster and also clears SSEG)
R3.2 Updated June 4th 2023
Bug Fixes:
-Fixed display issue during SYSEX dump send/receive
I use the Opsix, MegaFM, just got a Digitone, as well as the Blast Beats and TR8s FM models (so underhyped they are basically all sweetspot). Not to mention software. The MegaFM (and Blast Beats) create tones and textures that are at least for me impossible to duplicate with any other synth. They can be wild and unpredictable however.
Great review/performance, as always. This part really spoke to me:
I’ve been spending a lot more time with my synths lately: trying to spend at least an hour a day with them when I can - which often ends up being more now that it’s become a habit and I’m spending more time having fun than learning.
It’s mainly been the Digitone and Syntakt, but the more time I spend with them, the more I’ve found myself wanting some kind of control surface to try and get that knob/fader-per-function experience, rather than having to jump around pages (especially on the Digitone).
This led to me questioning whether they are actually the right devices for me, if I have to buy an expensive control surface for them - and I might have my answer now.
Funny thing is: when I was deciding what I wanted to pick as my first ‘big’ FM synth purchase, it was between the MEGAfm (mk.1) and the Digitone - but everything suggested that the Digitone was a more capable device, and easier to use for FM beginners. Now I’m not so sure.
Don’t get me wrong - the Digitone is great, and some people really know how to get the most out of it. But I feel like I am spending all of my time doing homework jumping around pages when trying to craft sounds for it rather than playing it.
I think this is why I don’t really ‘get’ samplers either. It feels like too much prep work is required beforehand (unless you are a wizard with them).
The answer for some might be to use presets or buy sound/sample packs and pick the ones you like, but that’s not really what I’m looking for.
I’m realizing now that too many of the performances/demos/tracks people upload from synths like these are all pre-programmed and there’s very little actual playing or improvisation going on, beyond the odd filter sweep or slight parameter tweak.
“Simple” synths that only have one track, rather than 4–12 of them, with knob/fader-per-function like the MEGAfm - even if they appear to be more ‘basic’ on the spec sheet - may be what I’ve been looking for.
The BlastBeats might be slightly less deep than the MegaFM - and certainly much less deep than the DigiTone - but it sounds just as raw and brings you multitimbrality. In that sense, you get a very good compromise between the MegaFM and the DigiTone, IMHO.
Having owned both, I loved the MEGAfm but the sweet spot of Digitone ended up bigger, and the Elektron sequencer is always useful for automating parameters.
The MEGAfm tone was great, and it was a lot of fun, but my flow was slower. It’s probably time investment on my end, and the Elektron workflow made the 'tone a lot easier to adopt.
Edit: Yeah, I imagine the BlastBeats might be a good balance there with a larger sweet spot than the MEGA. But I didn’t want to risk ;D
I had the BlastBeats and I own currently two Digitones. The BlastBeats has a great sound but the UI was very confusing to me, no visual feedback on the parameters and no catch value with the faders made it impossible to use in live situation for me. On the other side, I find the Digitone UI very good. It sounds totally different, more generic and classic but it’s possible to go on a gritty & harsch territory. With some key parameters and ctr all (detune, harmonics, feedback, modulation levels), it’s possible to drastically change the sound of an entire pattern in live situation and go back very quickly on the saved pattern.
I would be very happy if a firmware update introduced a lo fi mode to emulate OPL3 sound and maybe several wavetables to choose from for the harmonics parameter but it’s still a very good synth.
Another small firmware update -
R3.4 Updated June 14th 2023
-Fixed a bug causing pitch bend and fat effects to hit wrong frequencies when the preset was transposed up by one or more octaves
-When velocity is connected to LFO1, the depth knob controls the range.
Good to see it’s getting a lot of development. There’s still a little way to go for stability though I think. I’m still having issues where the looping envelope timings aren’t saving correctly in patches, has anyone else experienced that?
Also I think there’s some errors in the current manual, it refers to using the vibrato depth knob in setup mode for various things when I’m pretty sure you want to use other knobs as per this reference -
I’ll email Alex about these things.
Hey I would really love it if you have the time to describe how you designed those MegaFM sounds. They are amazing.
Thanks. I can’t really remember exactly what I did there, but it’s basically a case of using all four operators and looping their envelopes, I think algorithms 6/7/8 are probably best for this. I think it’s just the ar, dr, and sr parameters that affect how quickly the loop repeats, and with a bit of tweaking you can set up some interesting polyrhythmic stuff. You can use the number readout when you move a fader to get more precision if needed, and LFOs can be utilised if you want even more variation.
If you have the MEGAfm in one of the stereo voice modes like wide6 you can end up with that odd auto panning effect too. I still need to experiment a bit more with it to see what’s possible.
Still playing around with this thing and getting lost in it, just two notes this time.
Man.
I was between the Opsix and MEGAfm when I was last looking for a new FM machine. I love my Opsix, but I might still get one of these in the future.
The are very complimentary.
For someone who is pretty ignorant about chips, does anyone know how easy it is to source YM2612 chips (for a prospective mk2 owner)? They seem readily available on Ebay but also ‘brand new’…
I had looked into it a bit until I was made aware the chips the in the mk2 are not as “swappable” as I’d hoped.
Apparently there is some counterfeit chips out there so if the price is to good to be true…probably is.
Try to find a reputable seller if possible. Keep in mind you may have a return window but you usually have to cover return shipping which tends to make the return worthless.
