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FM12

12 oscillator 32 algorithm Stereo FM synth

 (10 Votes)
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2.17.2025 (Updated 1 month ago)
14.3MB
April 28, 2024
Reaktor 6
FM

DESCRIPTION

Note!!! Before using FM12 turn the volume down as some patches might be loud.

This version offers midi note micro tuning which is essential for blending this instrument with sampled sounds. FM12 can be used alone or to blend in with sampled instruments to add expression and realism. Two of the three demo's combine FM12 with sampled piano's. Join the discussion to learn more at https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/42576/user-library-fm-12-questions/p1?new=1

This synthesizer has 6 operators, 12 oscillators, 12 envelope generators and 32 algorithms to work with. 6 of the envelope generators control the volume of each operator and the other 6 control the pitch of each operator. Each operator has 2 oscillators and each one has it own harmonic. The second operator can also be a fixed frequency. The second operator can join the first oscillator or frequency modulate it. You can also crossfade between the two oscillators. Each operator also has two break points for level scaling and a master output volume. The outputs on the bottom of the 32 algorithms have stereo panning, keyboard spanning and deep base centering.

In general, this instrument is geared up for musical dynamic expression when using a velocity sensitive keyboard although it works well with other controllers. Please join the discussion to learn more about it and how to get the most out of it.

COMMENTS  (24)

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Studiowaves
6 days ago
The filters worked out pretty good. The high end is better controlled. Much less raspy for some things. Added a demo with FM12 doing the sympathetic resonance for a sampled piano. The res is a bit to loud but that's what it is.
Studiowaves
1 week ago
Guys, I'm thinking of adding a filter on the output of each operator. Looking for suggestion right now. A simple low pass a few octaves up would allow for stronger frequency modulation with out the raspy of extra sharp tones. Doing so will offer a whole new ballgame of useable instruments. The problem is the added CPU but it should be ok for instrument that use fewer notes. I was also thinking of the using the envelope generator to govern the filter parameters so the result is not a simple filter. I can picture the change in sound making really nice, elaborate sounds but the choice of filter needs to use little cpu and produce the best results for. I'm thinking of a low pass that tracks the frequency of the main harmonic but feel some sweeping of resonant filter would give the instrument more contour. Any suggestions?
Studiowaves
2 weeks ago
Thanks Bindlestiff, I like the way the key velocities give it expression. Tonight I had two of them running and mixed and matched patches until I found something I liked and played a few hours. God knows I need the practice. lol
bindlestiff
2 weeks ago
As a modeled instrument, it is just excellent and versatile for cool prepared-piano sounds; but what floors me is the frequency integrity - the bass sounds hold together even waaay down there. Amazing build in the often dicey fm realm.
Studiowaves
2 weeks ago
Brett Lavallee, There is a long freestyle piano jam at the bottom of the discussion link.
Studiowaves
1 month ago
Your welcome Bindlestiff, There's a couple of pointers in the forum link. It's about important initial calibrations to get off to a good start.
bindlestiff
1 month ago
This has developed quite excellently! Thanks.
Studiowaves
1 month ago
Hi Brett, here's a link to a discussion about FM12. https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/42576/user-library-fm-12-questions/p1?new=1
Brett Lavallee
1 month ago
Is there a link to your music page somewhere please
Studiowaves
1 month ago
View B also shows a block diagram of the operators. Also turn on the tips in need be and let me know if something isn't clear.
Studiowaves
1 month ago
You can now fine tune each midi note. Useful when blending with a sampled piano that's stretch tuned or creating your own stretched tuned instrument.
Studiowaves
5 months ago
Hi guys, I've been working on some new patches for wind instruments. I only have a breath controller so I can only do so much. If someone has some midi files to share using a wind controller in all of its glory, I'd love have some to help me program new patches in the next update. Feel free to message me in the Reaktor forum. Thanks
windplayer
7 months ago
@Studiowaves: Thanks for your information. This helps!
Studiowaves
7 months ago
Windplayer, There's a master filter on the bottom left. It's a low pass. You can also turn down the master fm strength to the right of that, It basically produces more harmonics. Also in the mono section (on the left) it says "WIND". In the mode you can control the volume and filter. They light up when you press the button. The wind knob can be assigned to whatever midi control you desire. I think it's defaulted to the mod wheel. If you need anything else go into the forum and ask a question about FM12. We can't post pictures here.
windplayer
7 months ago
Thanks for your synth! Is there anything like filter cutoff frequency in your ensemble? I did not find it.
Studiowaves
8 months ago
Update 7-24-24 has several new sympathetic resonances to choose from. The last one is used in the demo. Enjoy!
Studiowaves
8 months ago
Added a second demo, fm12 adds colorful sympathetic resonance to a sampled piano.
Studiowaves
9 months ago
A good starter for learning FM synthesis is to watch the spectrum of the output by using a variety of tones for the operators. Kind of make a mental note of the overtones they make. Soon you'll find a suitable set of overtones that match the harmonics of the open strings when a single note is played with the dampers off or pedal down. The trick is to track the overtones of the instrument and try to match their volume changes with the envelope generator. Then when you step on the sustain pedal this program will blend in the sympathetic of the sampled piano with the pedal down. That kind of where the fun starts. You can end up with subtle vibrato of the sympathetic resonance and this can really fix up the sound. Definitely worth doing for myself and saw point in not sharing it. I hope someone else enjoys it. I like to play around with the Rodes ones in the piano section. It's pretty soothing and cool to hear vibrato actually slow down along with the volume. It feels like the tone was set into motion.
Studiowaves
9 months ago
Thanks Andrew, have fun
andrew aronson
9 months ago
this thing can do a killer fretless bass sound!
Studiowaves
10 months ago
oops, forgot to add info to the SYNC button. It resets all operators to 0 when a key is pressed. If this is off different notes can have different phase relationships among the oscillators producing a sort of round robin effect.
Studiowaves
10 months ago
Steven Sauve Sorry about that, The description assumes you have a velocity sensitive keyboard. It won't have any expression capabilities if all notes have the same velocity. I you do have a velocity sensitive keyboard then go into view B to set up a suitable velocity curve. There's 4 buttons to choose from. The top one leaves all velocities unchanged. The other three are adjustable.
Steven Sauve
10 months ago
Your description doesn't match this synth.
Studiowaves
10 months ago
Forgot to mention that there is a default keyboard on the left of the algorithms. The top one is straight in and doesn't affect the midi velocities. The other 3 can be adjusted in view B. You can also turn the display on and choose between the envelope of the oscillator or the audio. I think it is set at 40 voices to the cpu might be too high. There is an auto cpu reduction button on the top right and the level should be set to the cpu usage with no notes playing. It comes in handy when the sustain pedal is down and a lot of notes are played. It under clocks the envelope generators as the bar graph rises. It helps on some things.
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