083 – FM Synth Programming

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I finally found a decent editor to use with my TX81Z synthesizer. It’s called OPFOUR and was created by Katsuhiro Chiba. The application can be downloaded on his software page here. His page is in Japanese but the application is in English. I don’t know how many people reading this will need or want it, but perhaps my experiences will help somebody. The software is for Mac OS X and it works really well – you simply assign the sysex in and out and it’s able to show the currently loaded patch and all of its settings. To save my patches, I have to use the panel on the synth, but this is the only editor I have been able to get working on my mac, so I can’t complain.
 
Today’s project was to create a pad sound using the TX81Z, so I decided to learn more about FM Synthesis. I found a great resource here. It’s an introduction to FM Synthesis using this particular synthesizer and its menus. I’m excited to do more with this thing, creating more pad sounds and using it in my music. Here’s hoping that this vintage synth holds up. The sound that goes with this post is the result of my experimenting today. I only added a little bit of delay and reverb in Logic and what you hear was recorded in one pass so you can get an idea what the patch sounds like.
 

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