I recently acquired a TX, and had been a bit too intimidated by FM to do much more than play around with the presets. This video provided some excellent information going forward with it! Thank you.
One cool thing to do with presets is tweaking the Level (Output) of the operators. Just by doing that you can gradually change the color of the sound. A bit like what you do with a filter with analog synths. If you wanna get crazy, try scrolling through all the algorithms while you play preset.
..thanks professor.. very helpful video.. I have 4 TX81Z's, 3 volca fm's, DX100 and an Opsix.. I am now able to make the patches I want with any of them.. it only took 25 years.. lol
Thank you. This tutorial should be enough for any noob to deal with the tx beyond the presets. I think a controller like the stereoping one is really helpful tho to make editing less cumbersome.
Nice fast paced tips...one of my favorite synths, I bought mine from a porn broker who though it was a FM Radio...$20.00 AUD ha!.....opened up a whole new world of sounds and the selection of different wave forms (not all sine like a DX) make this unit NASTY far more aggressive with only 4 operators!
great video! I use the free edisyn editor and free sysex librarian - removing the tricky interface from the equation makes the TX81Z almost as fun, inspirational and immediate as a subtractive synth - yet still gives you the great depth, sound and flexibility of fm. More TX81Z vids please!
Now it makes sense (editing patches) when you do it on this hardware module as apposed to what it looks like on a software synth. I feel more comfortable grabbing a module now. I can also see that I will need the controller you have because I remember playing with a module (an Emu Proteus in the early 2k's) and it was a pain using the panel buttons. Thank you very much.
Wow, I have an TX81Z laying around somewhere... Will connect it to my studio-setup someday soon. It even has special setup to go with the Yamaha G-10 synthguitar. :)
Nice, don't give away all the secrets, lol, we gotta have some FM anonymity. (Cool demonstration, especially the sounds which are showcasing to people the elements of the natural FM synthesizer styles)
Haha, I think FM will always be under-rated don't worry :) There's this whole mystique surrounding FM programming that makes it appear unattainable. It's funny many have all been searching for new sounds and new forms of synthesis, when something like FM exists and seems relatively unexplored.
gstormelectro yeah, lol, no one wants to learn this. I enjoy it and can understand how it can deliver cool sounds. It has very large range, and the scope is based on a natural sine and it's fluctuations. I'm still currently working in some sounds for some new music, just taking some time because the past year I really had no time. FM is fun to me and it yes, it's allurement isn't for everyone.
Excellent tips. I just ordered one of these. In its way to me as we speak. Really getting into Fm bass sounds. So this was very helpful. Any specific tips for bass?
With bass sounds you want certain envelope dynamics as a given so that will vary little from patch to patch. So go ahead and start with existing bass patches, then play with different algorithms, op tunings, etc. The trick at 7:02 is really good for bass - algorithm #5 w/ two sound components 1) the attack transient 2) body of the sound. That one can get real funky.
60 Knob looks cool,and can handle sysex. Less expensive by 100 USD even w/ enclosure. Stereoping has less physical knobs, but 3 layers of knob assignments. I'll be interested how the 60 Knobs gets along w/ TX81Z.
I was wondering if anyone knows whether or not this was a synth used on the 1990 Score to Night Of The Living Dead? Someone was siting it as one of them on gearslutz but thought I’d post here in case someone who uses it could recognize it in the score?
![Yamaha TX81Z FM Synthesizer Patches Bank 2 [Demo #4] (no FX)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/x-J4u13-JdE/mqdefault.jpg)
Been trawling around, and this is officially the most useful video on the TX81Z and FM synth programming on the web. THANK YOU.
Good. I'd hoped to demystify some of the FM, er, mystery.
Thanks for the info... I've ignored editing Yamaha gear just because of this confusing FM synthesis, you just opened my eyes to this.
Actually, you are the BOSS. You actually know the fm process. This is huge.
Sir, this is a Yamaha video.
Roland is one isle over.
Great vid. There are thousands of videos explaining what FM synthesis is but not so many that give tips on how the parameters affect the sound.
I recently acquired a TX, and had been a bit too intimidated by FM to do much more than play around with the presets. This video provided some excellent information going forward with it! Thank you.
One cool thing to do with presets is tweaking the Level (Output) of the operators. Just by doing that you can gradually change the color of the sound. A bit like what you do with a filter with analog synths.
If you wanna get crazy, try scrolling through all the algorithms while you play preset.
..thanks professor.. very helpful video.. I have 4 TX81Z's, 3 volca fm's, DX100 and an Opsix.. I am now able to make the patches I want with any of them.. it only took 25 years.. lol
Just bought a TX81Z. Your video was super helpful. Thank you.
Fantastic. Thanks. Texas zee is BOSS.
Thank you. This tutorial should be enough for any noob to deal with the tx beyond the presets.
I think a controller like the stereoping one is really helpful tho to make editing less cumbersome.
Nice fast paced tips...one of my favorite synths, I bought mine from a porn broker who though it was a FM Radio...$20.00 AUD ha!.....opened up a whole new world of sounds and the selection of different wave forms (not all sine like a DX) make this unit NASTY far more aggressive with only 4 operators!
Adam Jones a porn broker sold this to you? Like way back in the day?
You read that correctly. Porn broker. Hopefully Adam Jones washed it thoroughly before inserting anything into its jacks.
Lol !!
Sure it can get nasty !!
Dude so well said and such a great primer on yamaha fm synthesis
great video! I use the free edisyn editor and free sysex librarian - removing the tricky interface from the equation makes the TX81Z almost as fun, inspirational and immediate as a subtractive synth - yet still gives you the great depth, sound and flexibility of fm. More TX81Z vids please!
Now it makes sense (editing patches) when you do it on this hardware module as apposed to what it looks like on a software synth. I feel more comfortable grabbing a module now. I can also see that I will need the controller you have because I remember playing with a module (an Emu Proteus in the early 2k's) and it was a pain using the panel buttons. Thank you very much.
You're welcome :D
Yes. I've got a TX 81z, I love it !
Thanks for this tutorial !
About to pick one up second hand, can't wait to try it out. Great explanation, thanks so much !
I just started using mine and I was craving a decent tutorial. Thanks so much!!
I always feel like there is much more to be discovered with this one.
great stuff
Great FM synthesis explanation.
Thank you!
Welcome!
Excellent content! I hadn't realised that this could also be used as an additive synth.
Wow, I have an TX81Z laying around somewhere... Will connect it to my studio-setup someday soon. It even has special setup to go with the Yamaha G-10 synthguitar. :)
Great tips. I've got the DX11 (keyboard version of the TX81Z) and I'm still digging into the architecture, and this helps.
Dx 11 is not zee.
Thanks for the great video - you give some really useful strategies for programming this beastie
Excellent video!! Just picked one up and your videos have been super helpful
Best ever.
sweet!
Many thanks. That was so helpful.
amazing!
Thanks for the tips!
Welcome. Would you be interested in seeing more?
ya for sure!
Nice, don't give away all the secrets, lol, we gotta have some FM anonymity. (Cool demonstration, especially the sounds which are showcasing to people the elements of the natural FM synthesizer styles)
Haha, I think FM will always be under-rated don't worry :) There's this whole mystique surrounding FM programming that makes it appear unattainable. It's funny many have all been searching for new sounds and new forms of synthesis, when something like FM exists and seems relatively unexplored.
gstormelectro yeah, lol, no one wants to learn this. I enjoy it and can understand how it can deliver cool sounds. It has very large range, and the scope is based on a natural sine and it's fluctuations. I'm still currently working in some sounds for some new music, just taking some time because the past year I really had no time. FM is fun to me and it yes, it's allurement isn't for everyone.
Thank you
Excellent tips. I just ordered one of these. In its way to me as we speak. Really getting into Fm bass sounds. So this was very helpful.
Any specific tips for bass?
With bass sounds you want certain envelope dynamics as a given so that will vary little from patch to patch. So go ahead and start with existing bass patches, then play with different algorithms, op tunings, etc. The trick at 7:02 is really good for bass - algorithm #5 w/ two sound components 1) the attack transient 2) body of the sound. That one can get real funky.
Thanks so very much.
Works with the TQ-5 Too :)
thanks u
G-storm could you please make a eurorack interface for the TX81z...or just a great unit that would cover all the bases of this classic FM synth !
Have you checked out Akemie's Castle?
Indeed I have...it looks like the 60 knob by Bastle might be a cheaper (and more knobs) option than the steropping.
60 Knob looks cool,and can handle sysex. Less expensive by 100 USD even w/ enclosure. Stereoping has less physical knobs, but 3 layers of knob assignments. I'll be interested how the 60 Knobs gets along w/ TX81Z.
Nerd-tastic! I do not have a Texan yet, but this makes me want one!!
I was wondering if anyone knows whether or not this was a synth used on the 1990 Score to Night Of The Living Dead? Someone was siting it as one of them on gearslutz but thought I’d post here in case someone who uses it could recognize it in the score?
Nice:-)
It kills me that the hardware patch editor is two to three times more expensive than the TX81Z 😭😂!
lol true. I justify things in that it can work w/ a variety of other synths.
@@gstormelectro If I had more than one FM synth, I'd get it in a heartbeat
Can you play two different sounds at the same time on this thing I'm using a mpc with it can't seem too
I think performance mode for multi-timbral.
michael johnston play 8 programs at once, read the manual and goto performance mode
👍😷🇨🇦