Dimitree Posted January 13, 2011 Report Share Posted January 13, 2011 hi everyone I'm not new to midibox, but just today I came across the MIDIbox FM and MIDIbox SID. I have a midi keyboard that I usually use with VST plugins, but I'd like to have a synth module to play when I don't want to use the pc. Now my question (sorry for the ignorance about synth): is the FM module a sound module able to do the same things like the Yamaha DX7 and its plugin N.I. FM8 (that I like to use)? I'm sure midibox software can cover the whole lot of settings-parameters, but what about the sound capability? Are the presets on FM8-DX7 just combinations of the sounds inside the chip? many thanks Dimitri :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK. Posted January 13, 2011 Report Share Posted January 13, 2011 The OPL3 is limited compared to DX7 (only 4 instead of 6 operators) and also FM8 (no additional Fx), but it's good enough for cheap GM sounds, and perfect for experimental sounds. :) Best Regards, Thorsten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dimitree Posted January 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2011 (edited) thanks for the reply Thorsten I don't hava undestood very well the "operator" definition.. I checked what a single operator provide (on the FM project page) but I don't understand how many operator could I need. maybe I could help if I explain how I use FM8: I usually use 1 preset at once with no additional FX (at least not inside FM8), and no arpeggiator. I usually prefer pad sounds, soundscapes, and electric piano too. Edited January 13, 2011 by Dimitree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
widdly Posted January 14, 2011 Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 (edited) The midiboxFM is a very different synth to the FM8 despite both being FM. The things labelled A-B-C-D-E-F in the FM8 square matrix thing on the advanced page are the operators. It's like an oscillator and an envelope combined. The matrix in FM8 lets you setup any combination of Operators you want where as the OPL3 has only 4 preset routings. FM8 also has a filter and a wave shaper ( G and H on the matrix). FM8 envelopes are very sophisticated, they have unlimited breakpoints, tempo sync and can be used as LFO's as well as operators. Additionally there are two tempo synce LFO's in FM8. The OPL3 built in envelopes are quite limited with only a small range for the adjustments. TK has implemented an additional Envelope and two LFO's in the MidiboxFM which can tempo sync. The MidiboxFM has a wavetable sequencer that is pretty unique and doesn't have an equivalent on the FM8. I like the Midibox FM for bass sounds (similiar to the famous lately bass), percussion clicks and blips and for weird fx. I wouldn't use it for e-piano sounds because of the 4ops and limited op ratios. Pads and soundscapes are do able and they tend to sound lofi and glitchy. Edited January 14, 2011 by widdly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dimitree Posted January 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 thanks, that's a great explaination :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dimitree Posted January 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2011 now this is another stupid question, maybe the most stupid on the forum, but I had this doubt: can I play the MBFM with my keyboard, so sendind Note-on Note-off events, or it's just CC/sequencer controllable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nILS Posted January 29, 2011 Report Share Posted January 29, 2011 It takes Note Events as well (actually that's the main thing it does). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dimitree Posted January 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2011 It takes Note Events as well (actually that's the main thing it does). great, I was sceptic since I haven't seen any video of MBFM used with keyboards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Echopraxia Posted January 29, 2011 Report Share Posted January 29, 2011 I'll have to post a video :) MBFM is one of the greatest sound design synths I have ever had the pleasure to use. In one hour I made over 60 unique sounds. Of course I did not save any patches :) I was sampling as I went along. That leads me to its one drawback. Polyphony is limited when you have all four tracks going. The synth sounds awesome when you set all four tracks to one midi channel and hit some keys on your keyboard. If you do build it I strongly recommend to do the full control surface with the matrix because there are so many controls to adjust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
latigid on Posted January 30, 2011 Report Share Posted January 30, 2011 (edited) <Insert sammichFM here/> Edited January 30, 2011 by nILS inserted sammichFM :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trilader Posted January 30, 2011 Report Share Posted January 30, 2011 <Insert sammichFM here/> Sorry for hijacking this thread, BUT: When will the sammichFM be released/the kits shipped anyway? Regards -trilader Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nILS Posted January 30, 2011 Report Share Posted January 30, 2011 When it's time. There'll be an announcement on the forum, no worries, you won't miss it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shuriken Posted January 30, 2011 Report Share Posted January 30, 2011 (edited) When it's time. There'll be an announcement on the forum, no worries, you won't miss it. Can't wait....i am sure it will be a worthy replacement for my half finished MBFM. Edited January 30, 2011 by Shuriken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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