Green Xenon

Are you talking about PM vs. FM?

Hi: Most so-called "FM synths" actually use Phase Modulation Synthesis. So why are they still referred to as FM? Wouldn't it be more appropriate to call them "PM synths"? Also, isn't the math involved in PM Synthesis significantly different from that in FM Synthesis? Does studying the math of FM synthesis do much good when it is actually a PM synth you're trying to design/build? Thanks, Green Xenon

Hi: What is the difference between AFM [Advanced Frequency Modulation] synthesis and FM [Frequency Modulation] synthesis? The former is used by synths like SY99, SY77 and TG77. The latter is used by synths like OPL3. Thanks, Green

Thanks. By AFM I mean Advanced Frequency Modulation, not Asymmetrical Frequency Modulation. However, the site you gave me discusses the latter, not the former. If you read the specs of SY99, SY77, and TG77, you'll find they use Advanced Frequency Modulation [AFM].

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_TG77 doesn't say what they "data" and "waveform" slots are for.

This is the ebay page selling TG-77 -- http://cgi.ebay.com/Yamaha-TG-77-TG-77-Rackmount-Synth-Module-MINT_W0QQitemZ290328825239QQcmdZViewItemQQptZKeyboards_MIDI?hash=item4398f24d97&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50 If you look at the images, you'll see two slots on the bottom-right of the front of the TG77 module -- these slots are "data" and "waveform". What are these slots for? Can they store MIDI files?

So all the YMF262s are OPL3 chips?

Hi: http://www.ic-distributors.com/HTML_ICD_Y-2.shtml lists three different types of YMF262s: YMF262-M YMF262MEZ YMF262S How are the above 3 different from each other? Thanks, GX

Hi: MBFM has uses a wavetable sequencer. Does this mean it sounds significantly different from OPL3? OPL3 uses pure FM. Also, is there a way to disable the sample-playback and just use the FM? I have an SB16 ISA card with OPL3, I like playing MIDIs through it. Will those MIDIs sound the same if I play them through MBFM. I hope so. Thanks a bunch, Green

In Motif, is there a way to use FM without the sample-playback synthesis? Does Motif's FM qualify as AFM? Also does Yamaha MM6 and MB-FM use AFM? I hope at least one of them does. I googled both of them and no sites gave me any info on whether or not they use AFM. There are times when I think I should build my own AFM synth so I can really make it the way I want. However, I need in-depth knowledge of complex mathematics -- such as Bessels functions. I am hoping I can learn it.

If I want it new but inexpensive, is my best bet to build it myself? Would this be less expensive than having someone else custom-building it?

Hi: Are there any companies that make customized MIDI keyboards from scratch? If so, how much would they cost? I asked because I would like a new SY99 keyboard. I like AFM [Advanced Frequency Modulation] synthesis and SY99 is the most advanced keyboard that uses it. I've checked throughout the internet for sale of SY99, all of them are "used". I don't trust used products. I prefer that they be "not used". Pretty much all keyboards using AFM synthesis are available as "used" only. Is there anyone out there who I can hire to build me an SY99 keyboard from the bottom-up? Will the cost be reasonable? Or I am better off learning AFM synthesis myself and then building my own AFM keyboard? Thanks a bunch, Green

What is best modern version of SY99? I am looking for a keyboard that has at least 61 keys [hopefully 88] that uses AFM [Advanced Frequency Modulation] synthesis and hopefully with RC&M synthesis as well. Is there any hope of me finding some AFM keyboard that is not "used"?

Again, I will have to go off-topic but thanks for your understanding. I'm not at all a germophobe. In fact, I like bacteria. It's the allergens [such as pollen, soil, and grass dust] that makes me sick. Also, I hate anything with a sticky texture [such as syrup]. If there is any sticky substance to any extent, there is a good chance I will feel it. Anyways, I like the idea of distilled water. I wonder if giving the entire SY99 a bath in distilled water will ruin it. Hopefully not. I'm used to the dust of my skin cells, so I could ignore it. If it gets too much I can wipe it off. As for a totally-sterile environment, I don't really need or want that. Majority of bacteria in the environment are harmless and many even protect us against the bad bugs.

So I can wash the SY99 in distilled water w/out harming it?