So cool to start off from scratch learning about FM synthesis with this synth! It's like the only FM synth that's ever been close to being accessible and it'd be awesome if it made FM available to a whole new generation of musicians.
I really enjoyed how you approached this instrument. FM synthesis is complicated to fully grasp especially when compared to subtractive synthesis, while not completely impenetrable the terminology and interactions between carriers and modulators aren't necessarily intuitive without extensive study. You try to intuitively understand everything in a very casual yet educated way, and use experimentation with your hands on approach. This is a very unique style that would resonate well with many of us and it is much appreciated. Also, you understood the DX conceptually sufficiently well to create your own patch! As a final note, I also learned enough about the interface to see it is miles better than the DX7 and am happy that I ordered one. Sure it can't duplicate every sound the DX7 but it is a very powerful instrument in it's own right. Thank you for the wonderful video!
Thank you for this thoughtful comment! I appreciate your words. yes i've always had this way of exploration. Though i'm not sure if I could have grasped it with the original DX7, I have messed around with a friend's Yamaha sy22 and I struggled, I believe the DX7 is just as difficult. I hope your Reface DX arrived and you're enjoying it, i'm certainly still enjoying mine. And it's my pleasure!
7:23 - There's also a more advanced PDF reference manual, just for the Reface DX. The English language version is called Reface DX Reference Manual reface_en_rm_a0.pdf It's the only one that gets its own manual, AFAIK - but also the only one that needs it :)
fm is a complex thing to master, subtractive synthesizers are easier obviously but reface dx has something from both sides, you have complex waveforms like square at op level...this is due to try to make fm easier for all. however learning how fm works gives a great advantage even if you work with analogue subtractive synths, because to get good results with fm you have to think in terms of harmonic spectras, modulation indexes and so on...it's an hard way but gives you a very good understanding of sound in general, a very good exercise for ear and mind.
The reface DX is such a versitile synth. To overcome the limitation of storing only one voice, my dad created a midi sysex patchbank storage device for me. This way I can have a library of custom sound with the need to overwrite the built-in sounds. There are also software programs that can load and save midi sysex patch information. The patches are quite small files.
That's very interesting. I was planning to do something similar using a raspberry pi or another small single board computer, but I haven't made up my mind about the kind of screen / interface I would want it to have. Can you share more information about your device?
What a relief for the Modern Talking... lucky they were you did obfuscate them :-D When I was a child I always thought that they were singing "Yamaha, you're my soul..." :-D maybe is because the the clip one of them had a huge keyboard :o))
Thank you so much for this video, I needed it! I purchased the DX and thankful this is still posted after 5 yrs! You were very helpful and entertaining😊. Can’t believe you found no use for that stupid Chopper 😂😂.
You got it mostly right with Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release. Sustain is at what level the sound will stay at as long as you keep a key pressed down. As soon as you release the key then the release value takes over and sound will fade out fast or slow. EDIT: LFO Is Low Frequency Oscillator. It's like a sound wave but usually below the audible range. It can be set just as your Oscillator for sound like Sine, Square, Saw etc. You can link that to a filter, volume, pitch etc to get a moving sound. And if you then combine that with an Envelope you could have a vibrato that fades in for example the longer you keep the key pressed.
I tend to dive in and learn without reading any theory so I do appreciate you filling me in with the terminology and info that I miss along the way! Synths are indeed fun! As i´m discovering with this DX! :o))
The DX is an FM synth (Frequency Modulation) They are a bit more tricky to get a grasp on in my opinion but more powerful too. What that means is you begin with a simple waveform then you use more wave forms to shape it (that would be the operators I think) or shape filters. Now things get really interesting if you slightly detune the operators too and combine them in interesting ways. I've never used that synth or the old DX7 so I don't know how complex the mixing matrix is but the principles are always the same.
Thats interesting, so in a way if I get used to FM, i'd find say something like an analogue synth a little easier? Hmm I will mess around with detuning the operators, literally it's like molding the sound like clay on a potter's wheel to get the shape you want.
I'm pretty sure based on other videos here that you can layer different sounds on your loops other than just the currently selected one. I'm waiting on my DX to arrive at my house right now, can't wait! Thanks for the upload.
Flange vs phaser: you can do a phaser effect the same way as a flanger effect, though with a shorter delay time than a flanger. Phasers can also be done by cutting notches into the signal afair.
If in doubt, just watch this one video again that I showed you once where Bob Moog explained the ADSR envelope and synthesizer waveform/filter/modulation and everything on the Minimoog Model D. However, bear in mind that he explained that on a subtractive analog synthesizer. Which is ONE version of Sound synthesis among many. The ADSR is pretty much the same on the FM synthesis too, however since you can change the ADSR for Carrier and Modulator of each operator (pretty much a duo oscilator that manipulates each other and allows much different sounds than analog subtractive synthesis) it has a lot more effects on the overall sound. FM synthesis is rather complex but VERY very fascinating, especially when you see how different Operator combinations can create different sounds.
I love this video. This is how I play around with my Raface DX too. "Facebook button" makes me laugh every time you say that. And a Commodore Amiga! And a MiniDisc player! Love it.
the algorithms thing is like... the scheme for the routing of the way things fit together... so you have four operators, which each make a sinewave, and then they modulate each-other... they change each-other... but there's different ways of them changing each-other, and that's what the algorithms are for... they change the arrangement of how the operators modulate each-other
Surprised you learnt this much about synthesis this fast, especially as FM synthesis is the hardest type to learn. you are diving in at the deep end! attack: how long it takes to get to maximum strength. decay: the moment the attack finishes, the decay starts, and the decay is how long it takes to go from the maximum strength to the sustain level. (If the sustain level is zero, the envelope will "decay" out until you let go of the note, then the release starts. If the sustain is on full, changing the decay will do nothing, because as the decay goes from max strength to the sustain lvl but if the sustain level is also max strength then it has no room to go down.) sustain: after the attack and decay finish, the sustain level is how loud the note will be for as long as you hold it. sustain is very different to the other settings on an envelope. release: how long it takes for whatever strength the envelope is at to fade to zero, and starts whenever you release the key (even if it is still in the attack or decay time). the reason I referred to the height of the envelope as "strength" instead of "amplitude" is because envelopes can be used for more than just amplitude, they can be used to control anything, for example filter depth (the higher the envelope, the brighter the sound). here are some common envelope settings and how they work so you can get a better grip on them. Organ: full strength for the whole time the note is pressed. atk: very short to none dcy: any sus: full rel: very short to none realistic pluck: a transient that carries on decaying independent from wether you are or aren't holding the note. atk: very short dcy: as long as you want. sus: none rel: again any you want, but make sure the release and decay are the same size. bowed strings: initially quite loud, but as you hold the note it stabilises. these specifications are quite broad as it really depends on what sort of strings you want. atk: as long as you want, but at least long enough to be noticeable dcy: same situation as attack. sus: somewhere between 30% and 90% generally. again, depends on how you want your sound to be. rel: as long as you want. again enough to be noticeable, but I would have it medium to long. as for saving your sounds, I have heard there is a free app you can save them to. no idea how it works, but there are definitely tutorial videos out there. let me know if there is anything at all about any synths you don't understand, as you can probably tell I am happy to help ;3
Fantastic video Maddi. My first proper synth was a DX21 and although I loved the sounds it made programming it was a nightmare! Although I did get quite good at it in the end, I really don't miss all that button and menu diving and the tiny screen. I too bought a Reface DX and love it. It's so easy to program and just mess around on coming up with new sounds. You really show what is capable with this synth and it's great that the audience is learning along with you. I love your enthusiasm all the way through this and the joy you share in making music with this brilliant little synth really shines through. The world needs more happy, funny and clever music makers like you. You really made me smile 😃 watching this, thank you Maddi.
Aha somebody who can actually compare the original DX synths with the Reface DX! Thats the beauty of doing it this way, hopefully the audience is learning with me and i'm also learning from some of them! Thanks so much for your kind words! I really appreciate it! :o)
MsMadLemon Right, but the Amiga has sequencer software for it too. You could record your mods to a digital media like minidisc or even cd-r and use the Amiga with sequencer and patch software and a mixer to recombine the two. Then you could get more than one voice out of the DX reface at the same time!
I think the best way to get to know an instrument is completely turning off the mind, kicking the manual into the corner and just play around with the synth. it is so much more fascinating to tinker around and change values and see what it does. Especially with the reface that seem to be so much more intuitive and userfriendly than the original DX7 and DX21.
i agree actually, this reface was way more user friendly, I never tried messing with the DX7 but the Sy22 interface for me is a nightmare to understand and get to grips with.
ugh, yeah. The SY22 is a parameter-editing nightmare… Tried it, but never really bothered again making own presets on it. It's capabilities weren't that much of a big deal anyway.
ADSR is called the envelope, the other part, which is what the envelope modifies is the waveform, a much more complex part of a synthesizer is how waveform is produced. The DX modifies the frequency modulation combines waves, not layers them (although it can) but combining them to modify a single waveform. The Moog series uses filters to modify the waveform, where LFO (low frequency oscillators) can modify the filter cutoff and resonance. Roland D-50 uses a PCM sample during the attack and uses a synth wave for the rest of the envelope. Most studios have a combination of different types of synthesizers, because they have different sounds. I really like the reface series. I have a Yamaha Motif, but it's not portable (for me) at all because it weighs like 75 lbs. I wouldn't mind replacing it with a couple much lighter Reface keyboards. I have a small midi controller and a laptop I can move around easily, but I really do prefer keyboards that can make their own sounds that I can modify.
I never knew it was possible to play music live on the Amiga. I recently watched a Shot97 video where he used a basic midi cable to connect to the computer. Do you have a proper interface or just a wire job? He uses Music X because he claims it delivered a very smooth analogue sound, so may be worth a look?. I used to dabble with Octamed, but with samples and not a keyboard as I cant play instruments. I believe Octamed 7 has the midi controls but not sure about Octamed v4 I normally use. They are both on CU Amiga cover CDs. I also use Protracker v3.61 sometimes as this seems more compatible with some MODs. Anyway, great video as always, lots of views and likes. :) btw, voting for the next Lemon Open Round game ends in 7 days time, someone suggested Arabian Nights?
i have a proper Midi interface, though it's quite simple inside (yes I opened it out of curiosity) :o)) I really need to give Music X a go, i've been heairng good things about it lately. I used to try and mess about with Octamed v5 which actually came as a coverdisk, I liked it but never got on with it, I think Soundtracker Pro 2 (CU amiga coverdisk) spoiled me with regards to interface, it is just so natural for me. Way more than the other Pro tracker/noise tracker etc. Thank you! :o) for voting, yes it was one of the Lemons, Mike Glover, who suggested that on my video, actually that would be a good one.
Wow that looks really a complicated to create own sounds with that tiny display and the few controller. Is there a Software for PC to edit own instruments in a much essier way?!
It is a little complex but not to bad, bear in mind i'm a novice. It was even tougher apparently on the original DX7 interface. This is self contained so there's no way to edit ones own instruments and then copy them onto the DX.
nope, not that I know of unfortunately, this is a downside to it. However it doesnt make this a bad product, I still think it's excellent and bought it already knowing this. It just depends on how one will use the DX
Amazing - your keyboard just posted a status update on FaceBook! Apparently it's p***** that it's favourite chainsaw sound was swapped out. On the plus side it likes its new home, and apparently is enjoying the new batteries.
Lol!! Wait..My keyboard has a facebook page now? Darn it's a little under aged! Discipline time! Told it not to touch that facebook button until it was at least 3 (16 in keyboard years) .. Where's that weird dubstep type sound! Well maybe i shouldnt be so harsh, it's enjoying it's new home ;o))
it's like... attack, decay and sustain are about how long it takes to get through those stages, and sustain is different... it sets the volume of the note after the attack and decay stages and before the sustain stage
you know what I think these keyboards are small because they want you to play two keyboards when you're playing with both hands... so my plan is to get two of these reface keyboards... probably this one and the organ one or the synth one... whichever combines best with this... because yeah these keyboards are too small to play two-handed
I don't have one (yet) but it's supposed to have been added in the v1.3 firmware update. See: reface CS,DX,CP,YC Version 1.30 Supplementary Manual v130_Manual_en.pdf Under New reface DX Functions > Master Tuning (M.TUNE) : Master Tuning and Master Transpose can be set on the Tuning screen that has been added as Page 2 displayed by using the [FUNCTION] button. {picture} M.TUNE (Master Tuning) 414.8 to 466.8 (Hz) Shifts the pitch of the entire instrument in 0.2-Hz steps. This can be very useful when you wish to tune your reface to the pitch of another instrument or a CD. 440.0 (Hz)Returns the Master Tuning to the factory default setting (440.0 Hz). M.TP (Master Transpose) -12 to +12 Adjusts the sound produced by the keyboard in semitone units (where 12 semitones equals one octave). This allows you to, for example, change the key of a song while still playing the same keys on the keyboard. NOTE The MIDI Settings screen, the System Settings screen, and the Job screen can now be found on pages 3, 4, and 5
Also, in UpdaterGuide_en.pdf, which comes with the firmware update, it says: Confirming the Current Version reface DX While holding down the F#3, A3, and C#4 keys, press the [] (Standby/On) switch. (The version number appears on the screen)
And to answer your question. You can't make the sounds on the DX7 Reface velocity sensitive. The synthengine is not capable of it. The keyboard itself of the Reface is velocity sensitive if you use it as a MIDI keyboard but you won't be able to play velocity sensitive DX7 sounds on this thing. Sorry :(
Weird. According to my informations the engine wasn't capable of it. Either that was regarding a preview model that wasn't finished yet or someone wrote a lot of bull. lol. Ah well… guess I was wrong then.
I just ordered one of these....thanks for the quick tutorial and letting me know where to save my first INIT patch - overwrite the stupid chainsaw noise :)
Hi. This is the best one for me. I'am not sure I good understand. Do You have played on amiga pro-tracker application by MIDI interface from keyboard ? Of course one track. If yest You have cancelled 1k years mythology about only Atari ST/STE music RULEZ :) Super thank You ...this was very intrested movie from all. Electronic and music connection is the artist in Your hands. I hope for more :)
Hi Andrzej, yes I connected the keyboard onto a tracker program and used the keyboard through MIDI, you will see it in the next video (Friday) where I do a full project using Amiga and MIDI keyboard. the only advantage of the ST is that it has a MIDI interface built into the machine, and the Amiga you have to buy one, the only difference :o) Thank you for the comment and kind words! :o)
I 'm very intrested Your next exprorers and discovers :) Maby I know sorry I feel where are you going to (electronic music maby), but now is very super still amiga is on the center.
Well there is no direction really, I go back and forth between subjects all the time :o) Amiga will always be a big part of my videos for sure as it's my favourite computer system
Quite the opposite. Once you have the hang of it(which I already had in 1986 when I bought my DX100) it took me weeks. Been prgming stunningly realistic acoustic sounds since then on my DX11
Where do I meet smart girls like this ??? Good for you most ladies I know spend there free time shopping or getting their hair and nails done .. I swear iv never met a woman into anything remotely interesting.. good vid . You should get a real Yama dx7 one day and you could spend a lifetime learning and tweeting ... I also suggest a Waldorf Blofeld for leaning synthesis it’s very visual
@19:45 Giana Sisters title screen tune, (video game from 1987). 😊
I really appreciate this video! I've just ordered a reface DX and I'm clueless, this helped me understand what I'm getting myself into
So cool to start off from scratch learning about FM synthesis with this synth! It's like the only FM synth that's ever been close to being accessible and it'd be awesome if it made FM available to a whole new generation of musicians.
korg volca fm
I really enjoyed how you approached this instrument. FM synthesis is complicated to fully grasp especially when compared to subtractive synthesis, while not completely impenetrable the terminology and interactions between carriers and modulators aren't necessarily intuitive without extensive study. You try to intuitively understand everything in a very casual yet educated way, and use experimentation with your hands on approach. This is a very unique style that would resonate well with many of us and it is much appreciated. Also, you understood the DX conceptually sufficiently well to create your own patch! As a final note, I also learned enough about the interface to see it is miles better than the DX7 and am happy that I ordered one. Sure it can't duplicate every sound the DX7 but it is a very powerful instrument in it's own right. Thank you for the wonderful video!
Thank you for this thoughtful comment! I appreciate your words. yes i've always had this way of exploration. Though i'm not sure if I could have grasped it with the original DX7, I have messed around with a friend's Yamaha sy22 and I struggled, I believe the DX7 is just as difficult.
I hope your Reface DX arrived and you're enjoying it, i'm certainly still enjoying mine. And it's my pleasure!
I suffer from being a miserable git from time to time but your infectious chirpiness makes me smile.
7:23 - There's also a more advanced PDF reference manual, just for the Reface DX. The English language version is called Reface DX Reference Manual reface_en_rm_a0.pdf
It's the only one that gets its own manual, AFAIK - but also the only one that needs it :)
fm is a complex thing to master, subtractive synthesizers are easier obviously but reface dx has something from both sides, you have complex waveforms like square at op level...this is due to try to make fm easier for all.
however learning how fm works gives a great advantage even if you work with analogue subtractive synths, because to get good results with fm you have to think in terms of harmonic spectras, modulation indexes and so on...it's an hard way but gives you a very good understanding of sound in general, a very good exercise for ear and mind.
@18:33; Quite a "smooth" reference to Sade there! ;)
Looks like a cool synthesizer there; I'm sure you will enjoy creating new sounds with it.
The reface DX is such a versitile synth. To overcome the limitation of storing only one voice, my dad created a midi sysex patchbank storage device for me. This way I can have a library of custom sound with the need to overwrite the built-in sounds. There are also software programs that can load and save midi sysex patch information. The patches are quite small files.
That's very interesting. I was planning to do something similar using a raspberry pi or another small single board computer, but I haven't made up my mind about the kind of screen / interface I would want it to have. Can you share more information about your device?
Thank you so much for making this video. You have no idea how much this is helping me understand FM.
in the 80's you would go straight to the top of the charts :0)))
Hahah aw you're too kind! Thanks :o))
What a relief for the Modern Talking... lucky they were you did obfuscate them :-D When I was a child I always thought that they were singing "Yamaha, you're my soul..." :-D maybe is because the the clip one of them had a huge keyboard :o))
This is a very helpful and cute demo. Thank you!
Amiga??? Fantastic! I was a huge Amiga 1200 fan back the mid to late 90s. Also used it for midi and audio, with Protracker and OctaMED:)
You're quite the fast learner. Have fun and enjoy!
Thanks Shawn! I still have a lot to get my head around, but the interface really helped :o)
Thank you so much for this video, I needed it! I purchased the DX and thankful this is still posted after 5 yrs! You were very helpful and entertaining😊. Can’t believe you found no use for that stupid Chopper 😂😂.
You got it mostly right with Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release.
Sustain is at what level the sound will stay at as long as you keep a key pressed down. As soon as you release the key then the release value takes over and sound will fade out fast or slow.
EDIT:
LFO Is Low Frequency Oscillator. It's like a sound wave but usually below the audible range. It can be set just as your Oscillator for sound like Sine, Square, Saw etc. You can link that to a filter, volume, pitch etc to get a moving sound. And if you then combine that with an Envelope you could have a vibrato that fades in for example the longer you keep the key pressed.
Thank you for the info!
Synths are so much fun :D
I tend to dive in and learn without reading any theory so I do appreciate you filling me in with the terminology and info that I miss along the way!
Synths are indeed fun! As i´m discovering with this DX! :o))
The DX is an FM synth (Frequency Modulation) They are a bit more tricky to get a grasp on in my opinion but more powerful too. What that means is you begin with a simple waveform then you use more wave forms to shape it (that would be the operators I think) or shape filters.
Now things get really interesting if you slightly detune the operators too and combine them in interesting ways. I've never used that synth or the old DX7 so I don't know how complex the mixing matrix is but the principles are always the same.
Thats interesting, so in a way if I get used to FM, i'd find say something like an analogue synth a little easier?
Hmm I will mess around with detuning the operators, literally it's like molding the sound like clay on a potter's wheel to get the shape you want.
That Technos thing that you have! at 26:29! what is that!
I'm pretty sure based on other videos here that you can layer different sounds on your loops other than just the currently selected one. I'm waiting on my DX to arrive at my house right now, can't wait! Thanks for the upload.
Flange vs phaser: you can do a phaser effect the same way as a flanger effect, though with a shorter delay time than a flanger. Phasers can also be done by cutting notches into the signal afair.
If in doubt, just watch this one video again that I showed you once where Bob Moog explained the ADSR envelope and synthesizer waveform/filter/modulation and everything on the Minimoog Model D. However, bear in mind that he explained that on a subtractive analog synthesizer. Which is ONE version of Sound synthesis among many. The ADSR is pretty much the same on the FM synthesis too, however since you can change the ADSR for Carrier and Modulator of each operator (pretty much a duo oscilator that manipulates each other and allows much different sounds than analog subtractive synthesis) it has a lot more effects on the overall sound. FM synthesis is rather complex but VERY very fascinating, especially when you see how different Operator combinations can create different sounds.
You have a best channel for me. My passion synth and retro computer
I love this video. This is how I play around with my Raface DX too. "Facebook button" makes me laugh every time you say that. And a Commodore Amiga! And a MiniDisc player! Love it.
Is it confirmed that you can't have different voice banks on the Looper?
You are dope!!..Thanks!
the algorithms thing is like... the scheme for the routing of the way things fit together... so you have four operators, which each make a sinewave, and then they modulate each-other... they change each-other... but there's different ways of them changing each-other, and that's what the algorithms are for... they change the arrangement of how the operators modulate each-other
can i do modulation on the reface dx with arturia minilab?
Does it has a drums patch, and a sequencer?
Surprised you learnt this much about synthesis this fast, especially as FM synthesis is the hardest type to learn. you are diving in at the deep end!
attack: how long it takes to get to maximum strength.
decay: the moment the attack finishes, the decay starts, and the decay is how long it takes to go from the maximum strength to the sustain level.
(If the sustain level is zero, the envelope will "decay" out until you let go of the note, then the release starts. If the sustain is on full, changing the decay will do nothing, because as the decay goes from max strength to the sustain lvl but if the sustain level is also max strength then it has no room to go down.)
sustain: after the attack and decay finish, the sustain level is how loud the note will be for as long as you hold it. sustain is very different to the other settings on an envelope.
release: how long it takes for whatever strength the envelope is at to fade to zero, and starts whenever you release the key (even if it is still in the attack or decay time).
the reason I referred to the height of the envelope as "strength" instead of "amplitude" is because envelopes can be used for more than just amplitude, they can be used to control anything, for example filter depth (the higher the envelope, the brighter the sound).
here are some common envelope settings and how they work so you can get a better grip on them.
Organ:
full strength for the whole time the note is pressed.
atk: very short to none
dcy: any
sus: full
rel: very short to none
realistic pluck:
a transient that carries on decaying independent from wether you are or aren't holding the note.
atk: very short
dcy: as long as you want.
sus: none
rel: again any you want, but make sure the release and decay are the same size.
bowed strings:
initially quite loud, but as you hold the note it stabilises. these specifications are quite broad as it really depends on what sort of strings you want.
atk: as long as you want, but at least long enough to be noticeable
dcy: same situation as attack.
sus: somewhere between 30% and 90% generally. again, depends on how you want your sound to be.
rel: as long as you want. again enough to be noticeable, but I would have it medium to long.
as for saving your sounds, I have heard there is a free app you can save them to. no idea how it works, but there are definitely tutorial videos out there.
let me know if there is anything at all about any synths you don't understand, as you can probably tell I am happy to help ;3
Fantastic video Maddi. My first proper synth was a DX21 and although I loved the sounds it made programming it was a nightmare! Although I did get quite good at it in the end, I really don't miss all that button and menu diving and the tiny screen. I too bought a Reface DX and love it. It's so easy to program and just mess around on coming up with new sounds. You really show what is capable with this synth and it's great that the audience is learning along with you. I love your enthusiasm all the way through this and the joy you share in making music with this brilliant little synth really shines through. The world needs more happy, funny and clever music makers like you. You really made me smile 😃 watching this, thank you Maddi.
Aha somebody who can actually compare the original DX synths with the Reface DX! Thats the beauty of doing it this way, hopefully the audience is learning with me and i'm also learning from some of them! Thanks so much for your kind words! I really appreciate it! :o)
Wow that sound you made at the end is the closest to a real piano I’ve heard on FM. Great job
Wow. Your amiga tracks are cool 😊
Won't the Amiga with sequencer and patch software make the limitations of the Looper moot?
moot?
i'm basically just using it as a Midi controller on the Amiga. With soundtracker pro at least anyway.
MsMadLemon not needed. if you are recording to the Amiga and layering with it.
I dont understand what you're getting at, Tracker programs like soundtracker/protracker etc work differently to a sequencer.
MsMadLemon Right, but the Amiga has sequencer software for it too. You could record your mods to a digital media like minidisc or even cd-r and use the Amiga with sequencer and patch software and a mixer to recombine the two. Then you could get more than one voice out of the DX reface at the same time!
Another option would be a Multitrack recorder like a Tascam 4 track or 8 track Portastudio. :]
I think the best way to get to know an instrument is completely turning off the mind, kicking the manual into the corner and just play around with the synth. it is so much more fascinating to tinker around and change values and see what it does. Especially with the reface that seem to be so much more intuitive and userfriendly than the original DX7 and DX21.
i agree actually, this reface was way more user friendly, I never tried messing with the DX7 but the Sy22 interface for me is a nightmare to understand and get to grips with.
ugh, yeah. The SY22 is a parameter-editing nightmare… Tried it, but never really bothered again making own presets on it. It's capabilities weren't that much of a big deal anyway.
ADSR is called the envelope, the other part, which is what the envelope modifies is the waveform, a much more complex part of a synthesizer is how waveform is produced. The DX modifies the frequency modulation combines waves, not layers them (although it can) but combining them to modify a single waveform. The Moog series uses filters to modify the waveform, where LFO (low frequency oscillators) can modify the filter cutoff and resonance. Roland D-50 uses a PCM sample during the attack and uses a synth wave for the rest of the envelope. Most studios have a combination of different types of synthesizers, because they have different sounds. I really like the reface series. I have a Yamaha Motif, but it's not portable (for me) at all because it weighs like 75 lbs. I wouldn't mind replacing it with a couple much lighter Reface keyboards. I have a small midi controller and a laptop I can move around easily, but I really do prefer keyboards that can make their own sounds that I can modify.
I never knew it was possible to play music live on the Amiga. I recently watched a Shot97 video where he used a basic midi cable to connect to the computer. Do you have a proper interface or just a wire job? He uses Music X because he claims it delivered a very smooth analogue sound, so may be worth a look?. I used to dabble with Octamed, but with samples and not a keyboard as I cant play instruments. I believe Octamed 7 has the midi controls but not sure about Octamed v4 I normally use. They are both on CU Amiga cover CDs. I also use Protracker v3.61 sometimes as this seems more compatible with some MODs. Anyway, great video as always, lots of views and likes. :)
btw, voting for the next Lemon Open Round game ends in 7 days time, someone suggested Arabian Nights?
i have a proper Midi interface, though it's quite simple inside (yes I opened it out of curiosity) :o))
I really need to give Music X a go, i've been heairng good things about it lately.
I used to try and mess about with Octamed v5 which actually came as a coverdisk, I liked it but never got on with it, I think Soundtracker Pro 2 (CU amiga coverdisk) spoiled me with regards to interface, it is just so natural for me. Way more than the other Pro tracker/noise tracker etc.
Thank you! :o)
for voting, yes it was one of the Lemons, Mike Glover, who suggested that on my video, actually that would be a good one.
Wow!!! No prior synth experience, and you bought a synth 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Wow that looks really a complicated to create own sounds with that tiny display and the few controller. Is there a Software for PC to edit own instruments in a much essier way?!
It is a little complex but not to bad, bear in mind i'm a novice. It was even tougher apparently on the original DX7 interface. This is self contained so there's no way to edit ones own instruments and then copy them onto the DX.
so it is not possible to load / transfer patches made with the original DX7 on this machine?! That is too bad..
nope, not that I know of unfortunately, this is a downside to it.
However
it doesnt make this a bad product, I still think it's excellent and
bought it already knowing this. It just depends on how one will use the
DX
Right! at last the great sound is all what matters :-)
Wait you CANpower it of usb only? Can it work like other small boutiques etc? Usb into a plug for power or the pc?
The Alesis Q49 can be powered via usb, not the Yamaha reface
@@MsMadLemon ah maaaan lol thank you for the teply. Going to buty it this week anyhow :D
for a plucky sound, you actually remove the attack stage so it goes right to the decay stage... so you almost got it right
Can it be used without being plugged into anything?
As standalone? yes it can.
Amazing - your keyboard just posted a status update on FaceBook! Apparently it's p***** that it's favourite chainsaw sound was swapped out. On the plus side it likes its new home, and apparently is enjoying the new batteries.
Lol!!
Wait..My keyboard has a facebook page now? Darn it's a little under aged!
Discipline time! Told it not to touch that facebook button until it was at least 3 (16 in keyboard years) .. Where's that weird dubstep type sound!
Well maybe i shouldnt be so harsh, it's enjoying it's new home ;o))
Haha :o)
What did you make that intro music with?
I made it on the Amiga in 1997 using a tracker program.
MsMadLemon thank you!
I just ordered myself this Reface DX and I’m so excited to start learning!!
Just got one great machine my second synth great sound from the speakers
it's like... attack, decay and sustain are about how long it takes to get through those stages, and sustain is different... it sets the volume of the note after the attack and decay stages and before the sustain stage
You can save on the Reface Capture app and Eco System!
wow that's nice AMIGA 1200!!!
this drinking glass make me nervous
Analog is way way easier than FM if you can get your head round FM your have no problem with analog.
I'm trying lol! I guess maybe that's why i'm drawn to the Yamaha Reface CS actually.
;) nice instrument.
you know what I think these keyboards are small because they want you to play two keyboards when you're playing with both hands... so my plan is to get two of these reface keyboards... probably this one and the organ one or the synth one... whichever combines best with this... because yeah these keyboards are too small to play two-handed
You can not change the tune of the DX (A=440Hz to 432Hz). I have searched, I haven't finded!
I don't have one (yet) but it's supposed to have been added in the v1.3 firmware update. See:
reface CS,DX,CP,YC Version 1.30 Supplementary Manual v130_Manual_en.pdf
Under New reface DX Functions > Master Tuning (M.TUNE) :
Master Tuning and Master Transpose can be set on the Tuning screen that has been added as Page 2 displayed by using the
[FUNCTION] button. {picture}
M.TUNE
(Master Tuning)
414.8 to 466.8 (Hz)
Shifts the pitch of the entire instrument in 0.2-Hz steps. This can be very useful when
you wish to tune your reface to the pitch of another instrument or a CD.
440.0 (Hz)Returns the Master Tuning to the factory default setting (440.0 Hz).
M.TP
(Master Transpose)
-12 to +12
Adjusts the sound produced by the keyboard in semitone units (where 12 semitones
equals one octave). This allows you to, for example, change the key of a song while
still playing the same keys on the keyboard.
NOTE
The MIDI Settings screen, the System Settings screen, and the Job screen can now be found on pages 3, 4, and 5
Also, in UpdaterGuide_en.pdf, which comes with the firmware update, it says:
Confirming the Current Version
reface DX
While holding down the F#3, A3, and C#4 keys, press the [] (Standby/On) switch.
(The version number appears on the screen)
Thanks!
And to answer your question. You can't make the sounds on the DX7 Reface velocity sensitive. The synthengine is not capable of it. The keyboard itself of the Reface is velocity sensitive if you use it as a MIDI keyboard but you won't be able to play velocity sensitive DX7 sounds on this thing. Sorry :(
But I did though lol 19:09
Weird. According to my informations the engine wasn't capable of it. Either that was regarding a preview model that wasn't finished yet or someone wrote a lot of bull. lol. Ah well… guess I was wrong then.
LFO stands for low frequency oscalator :)
Thanks! Now "Laffo" has a meaning :o))
Best Vid on the Yamaha DX reface by far.... : )
I just ordered one of these....thanks for the quick tutorial and letting me know where to save my first INIT patch - overwrite the stupid chainsaw noise :)
nice video! thanks! cool to see Facebook has a dedicated button 😂
did I hear you call the synth a 'stupid freq'? haha
ooh youuuuu! ;)
كم السعر
FM isn't that bad when you get used to it. It's basically waves feeding into others, with variation on the levels.
"Basically waves feeding into others" is an insult to FM. Every algorithm gives you different results, even with the same values for the operators!
midi sequence on amiga commodore wouaaa
Dx7 Tubular Bell = Top Gun
How do you write "envelope" in spanish? It's not "envolope" but "ENVELOP". Best regards and I like your work. Bye bye. Kisses.
Hahah I speak two languages other than English and i'm also dyslexic, so do excuse the errors ;o))
Thanks for the kind words on the videos.
Hi. This is the best one for me. I'am not sure I good understand. Do You have played on amiga pro-tracker application by MIDI interface from keyboard ? Of course one track. If yest You have cancelled 1k years mythology about only Atari ST/STE music RULEZ :) Super thank You ...this was very intrested movie from all. Electronic and music connection is the artist in Your hands. I hope for more :)
Hi Andrzej, yes I connected the keyboard onto a tracker program and used the keyboard through MIDI, you will see it in the next video (Friday) where I do a full project using Amiga and MIDI keyboard. the only advantage of the ST is that it has a MIDI interface built into the machine, and the Amiga you have to buy one, the only difference :o)
Thank you for the comment and kind words! :o)
I 'm very intrested Your next exprorers and discovers :) Maby I know sorry I feel where are you going to (electronic music maby), but now is very super still amiga is on the center.
Well there is no direction really, I go back and forth between subjects all the time :o) Amiga will always be a big part of my videos for sure as it's my favourite computer system
My latest video: ua-cam.com/video/sXSUlwu4yFo/v-deo.html
Creating music on the Amiga using the Yamaha reface DX via a MIDI interface :o)
omfg u did gotted one
Fm synthesis is one of the hardest to learn.
Quite the opposite. Once you have the hang of it(which I already had in 1986 when I bought my DX100) it took me weeks. Been prgming stunningly realistic acoustic sounds since then on my DX11
Where do I meet smart girls like this ??? Good for you most ladies I know spend there free time shopping or getting their hair and nails done .. I swear iv never met a woman into anything remotely interesting.. good vid . You should get a real Yama dx7 one day and you could spend a lifetime learning and tweeting ... I also suggest a Waldorf Blofeld for leaning synthesis it’s very visual
I don't like dub step either.
you are funny :)
Like your sexy and sensual voice more than that toy...😭😭😜
Honestly' that little keyboard is a monster.