also see M:C series tables http://yala.freeservers.com/2fmsynth.htm#Matrix
Programming FM synths, can be daunting indeed. As such I have come up with a few tips which you may find useful.
- Tip#1 – If youre using an identical pair of M:C ie 3:1 and 3:1 with the Carriers slightly detuned to fatten up the sound… you can usually short-cut this into a “one-into-two” ie 3:1+1 with detuned “C”s. It may not sound exactly the same as the original.
- Tip#2 – If youre using a pair of M:C where C is the same ie 7:1 and 9:1, you can usually short-cut this into a “two-into-one” ie 7+9:1… especially useful if youre running out of operators. It may not sound exactly the same though.
- Tip#3 – Fixed frequencies can be useful as an LFO. For “chorused” sounds, you can make one Modulator as a fixed low-frequency and itll sound like an LFO at work. This is commonly used with “in series” combinations eg Fix:M:C, although “two-into-one” combinations will also work eg Fix+M:C.
- Personal Sidenote – Personally, I find the timbre of “in-series” modulators to be less exciting than the “two-into-one” or many-into-one combinations. I normally only use the “in-series” like 1:1:1 for producing string-type timbres. I find the “many-into-one” produces more impressive timbres.