While you all are on the subject, I am wondering if there is anything I am missing by NOT having a dedicated FM synth. I mean, I have FM capabilities in things like z3ta+, PSYN II, Synthmaster, and of course, Reaktor has some FM ensembles in it that I use on occasion, but is there anything to having a full-fledged, dedicated FM synth that can create sounds I am lacking from my current collection that includes everything Cakewalk (except Square I and the sfz+), and a few other non-FM stuff like PHOSCYON, Retro-GS, Microtonic, and Intakt (a sampler).

do you like FM synthesis? If you like it so much that you feel you need a dedicated FM synth, than the new Biohazzard is a fantastic machine. I like FM synthesis, and then when I demo'd biohazzard I said to myself... hmmm, well.... Do I like this enough to spend the time it will take to learn inside and out?

I mean, its software, its not hardware, its not 250 thousand dollars for a massive studio with a lot of toys, its 2500 dollars, and you will have more synths than you have time in your life to learn.

For example... Reaktor, Vaz, Tera, and oh lets just say Reason 4..... would you need another synth?


Maybe I am just a synthesis know nothing, but really, every time I open Rapture, I am just... WTF? I can do this? OMG? listen to the way the envelope can do this!!!

I like wavetable. This is by far my favorite type of synthesis. BUT!!! beyond that, I like to have FM capability. For example, when using Tera, I rarely use the FM module alone, but I am always dialing in FM setting on the main Module...

This is good for my workflow, great for my sounds...

but, I really, at this point, can blink, and program Tera 3.. Its a time investment. I put a lot of time into her, and I am getting good results. That is why I am waiting for the new Cakewalk. I plan to put a lot of time into the new synth when they release it...

Ok, am I 100% going to by it. nope, not until I see it can I answer that question. But, based on Rapture, I am 99.9% sure I am buying the new cakewalk synth when it is released. and I am ready for a new synths, so I think that is why I started this thread....

Its a total question of time one has to put into their music.


For me,

I think I would like to learn 1000 computer synths... but that is illogical. so its like... hmmm, a small handful of " key " " choice " " powerful " and "unique " vst/au is what I like....

but that does not work for everybody....


its only a question you can answer man,... Do you feel like you are missing something in your music tools??? ok, get an FM synth...

I don't feel like I need one for myself... but truthfully I am dying to know



Where is the new cakewalk supersynth!!! I swear its like its been abducted by aliens... What could possibly be taking these people so long

LOL LOL LOL

ORIGINAL: Trusty

While you all are on the subject, I am wondering if there is anything I am missing by NOT having a dedicated FM synth. I mean, I have FM capabilities in things like z3ta+, PSYN II, Synthmaster, and of course, Reaktor has some FM ensembles in it that I use on occasion, but is there anything to having a full-fledged, dedicated FM synth that can create sounds I am lacking from my current collection that includes everything Cakewalk (except Square I and the sfz+), and a few other non-FM stuff like PHOSCYON, Retro-GS, Microtonic, and Intakt (a sampler).

For me the answer is yes, I am missing something. The complete solution, and really the only product of its kind is NI's FM8 (successor to NI's FM7). This synth has the classic Yamaha FM configuration with operators and modulators, plus a bunch of other features which bring this technology from the late 1970s and early 1980s into the now. I just love the way it sounds from the demos on NI's site, and I'm about to download the demo version now. These other synths which have FM as one of a number of sound generating methods are not going to be as complete a solution, IMO. Now Toxic looks really great, and I'm sure it's a great choice as well. But for me, I first of all like the sound of FM8's MP3 demos more than Toxic, and second, as the owner and user of a number of Yamaha FM hardware synths, FM8 makes more sense to me.

I like the idea of focused, dedicated synths. Take Sytrus for example. Sounds great and does alot of things well, but what is it unique at? I see FM8 (or Toxic I guess) as a perfect complement to Rapture. Primary colors if you will. With just those two synths I think one could get a whole lot of sonic mileage without ever having to go further in purchasing additional sound generators.

btw, I just remembered, this forum has a bug with os x safari, so there is no edit previous post button...

anyways, Nick, I imagine fm8 is right for you. and its probably only me in this world who is such a stickler when it comes to distortion... anyways, enjoy FM&

I am still dying for the new cakewalk. I get so impatient... I think maybe we will see it soon. hopefully by the end of april. or early may or something...


oh I didn't mean to go so silly with the fanboy post above...

ckatrun411 - I'm taking your word on Tera, especially as regards the "multi-colored shards of glass". When I get a chance I'll get the demo and really check it out. I know it's gotten a lot of good press. You obviously know about "real" distortion versus digital recreations.

Here's a question: I've got a track that needs distorted guitar. Nothing to involved - just some pop lead lines and power chords. I don't care if it's an actual guitar. Maybe I could cover these parts with Tera if you say it "shreds" the way it does. What do you think?

ORIGINAL: ckatrun411

does anybody think that the new synth will be more powerful than anything that can be made in Reaktor or Max???

anything that can be made in reaktor (or max)? No - it likely won't. Reason being because you can design almost anything in reaktor (it'll likely take you a loooong long time though). Will it sound as good? Well, that depends on the design of the filters, analog modeling, and other aspects that make it more than just a bunch of simple math equations...

Tone2 said that about Gladiator, but that hasn't taken the software synth market by storm...