4 Operator Analog FM Synthesizer & FM Tutorial

We had the Intellijel Rubicon 2 through-zero oscillators in, so we decided to build a ridiculous modular frequency modulation synthesizer with four of them. They are routed through a 4MS VCA Matrix for easier routing of FM “algorithms”. A Quadra and Make Noise Maths are used to generate envelopes and LFOs that can modulate FM amount. Since we had this synthesizer put together we decided to make a quick tutorial about how FM synthesis works.
Rubicon 2 available here: www.perfectcir...
#PerfectCircuit #synth #eurorack

[@mikeexits]

Thanks. Analog FM has always been a curiosity of mine, ever since I realized all of the FM synths I had seen or heard of were digital.

[@bogma808]

I usually use software fm synthesis. The analog kit in the video looks cool.

[@Euclidfreeman]

Whatever that is between 25 seconds and 45 seconds is awesome!

[@PerfectCircuit]

FM is great for making these types of sounds, where a deep bass sine wave can have harmonics that are added by modulation without losing the bass frequencies.

[@ebmmicrocms]

Nice detail to show us a sine wave modulating your voice at 4:16

[@laokoon303]

:D

[@mwatkins0590]

my favorite fm trick is liking the video so much i click teh subscribe button twice in a row

[@setphaser]

love that oscilloscope module! thanks for explaining this, i was worried i was missing something in particular with FM synthesis

[@MultitrackCassetteFans]

Great explanation & demo - thanks for posting this!

[@Matthewsavant]

The Rubicon and Dixie combo is ace 👌🏽

[@wiegraf9009]

Ah yes the cursed analog fm. Nice!

[@robertsyrett1992]

Sync your carrier to your modulator and mess with the pitch and index to create cool new waveforms.

[@PerfectCircuit]

We will have to try this out, thanks for the suggestion.

[@磁鬼頻率]

And it helps with pitch tracking

[@NiamorH]

great demo, as always!

[@PerfectCircuit]

Thanks!

[@MrSilkydrew]

Mad synth module, looks like NASA designed.

[@dgmono]

"This system is designed with a voltage-controllable matrix mixer and four through-zero oscillators. This allows us to route any four-operator FM algorithm and control the FM index with envelope generators." Sometimes learning about modular synthesis feels like taking a graduate-level physics course (ugh)

[@mikeexits]

As someone who dropped out of college (Computer Science major; realized I didn't want to do this for the rest of my life and really isn't my thing), reading this was a confidence booster considering terminology like this comes pretty naturally to me. Maybe I'm not as stupid as I've been lead to believe. I know this wasn't your intention in writing this, but thank you regardless.

[@ZElTGElST]

Digital FM is an aberration. God saves the analog FM! (even if a little bit more expensive)

[@raspberry144mb3]

An analog FM synth trick I use is to use a non-resonating high pass filter to temper sounds.

[@ryanpwm]

Like high passing the modulator wave before it gets to the carrier?

[@raspberry144mb3]

@@ryanpwm No.

[@cornoc]

@@raspberry144mb3 lol, instead of just saying no, why don't you explain what you meant?

[@graphene1487]

@@cornoc my thoughts exactly. Ohh but he couldn't be bothered with an explanation.

[@BurkhardusX]

For what reason you use the 4MS VCA Matrix?

[@StanAllDay]

big ups

[@bluename4]

what are experiences on how the "intellijel rubicon 2" compares to the new "joranalogue generator 3"?

[@MODUS_OP]

Pre-ordered a Rubi2. Stoked! Are those shipping soon?

[@PerfectCircuit]

We don't have an exact eta yet, but we know Intellijel is getting a batch of stuff ready to send to us soon.

[@MODUS_OP]

Woohoo! Can't wait!

[@rnx317]

super nice video obviously but man, packing a whole system with complex fm in every aspect of the game only to do like 2 minutes of saying "how cool is this" without even trying to get into working the voice let alone patching it is a proper shame no less. love it nonetheless obviously ❤

[@bluename4]

how does the "intellijel rubicon 2" compare to the new "SSF ZPO"?

[@ryanpwm]

blue name it doesn’t really. The ZPO is kind of “faking” it, but not as strong as that statement sounds. Now the Generator 3 by jornalogue. That’s some real shit.

[@bluename4]

@@ryanpwm what's so shity with the "ZPO" and the "Generator3" that is not the "Rubicon2"?

[@ryanpwm]

blue name I meant to say that the generator 3 is amazing. American expression “that’s is the shit!” “Shortened from, that’s some cool shit” based on the American reference of stuff. Someone’s stuff can be “their shit.” Generate 3 is amazing. You can play just the harmonics lmao. It’s a game changer.

[@bluename4]

😅

[@WARDISWARD]

Dude is trying to sound like he's a bad b-movie actor