Every course/explanation I've found on FM synthesis always felt like a science class I was taking. Thanks for this easy explanation which made me understand FM synthesis even better. I'll probably pick this great synth up down the line.
@@thepuzzledsage haha yea but I guess most science teachers are so bad at teaching that it’s a general concensus that science classes are boring. But my actual point was that this kind of approach to explaining FM gets you going faster and be creative with it from the get go.
As Ryan said the basic principle is very simple. I read a great book by Simon Cann called How To Make A Noise - Frequency Modulation Synthesis. It really is a great book.
They're ***good*** videos too, some of these tutorials are both great demonstrations of what each one can do, and some of the best synth crash courses out there.
Have to agree with this. Reason may be lagging behind every other DAW in terms of functionality, but nobody else makes videos like these guys. Don't know why they got rid of the humor, that was one of the best parts, but still very good videos. And this synth is also amazing. IMHO, the best synth so far from RS.
@@chuckaudio3191 And that's why they should release it as a separate VST. Objekt is the main Reason why I still pay the yearly sub for Reason (although I always wait for a 50% off sale). I probably won't renew though, but I would buy it as a plugin, as many other people I presume, who are not interested in paying 200$ a year for a single instrument. And by the way. why does it take these people so long to release new stuff?
This is seriously one of the best synth tutorials I've ever watched. Ryan, you have a real gift for this. Thanks so much for explaining things so clearly.
FM is really harder to understand than the few words that he said here. The comparison with the microwave is just nonsense. On a microwave you have start, stop and timer button (the bare minimum). Knowing how each function is implemented WILL NOT change the way the microwave will behave and WILL NOT help you to cook better. How a microwave works internally can be just seen as magic, and it's cool for most people. In a synthesizer, being FM or not, if you don't understand what's behind the scene and why and how things are working you WILL NOT be able to make any good sound design... For example if FM is using sine waves it is because the way it works using more complex wave forms will just generate noise quickly. Why ? You can't know just listening what he said, nor than it is not FM but Phase Modulation... Experimenting how a microwave runs to use it without reading the manual is possible. But you can experiment your whole live with complex synthesizer without understanding anything because the way it works internally is too sophisticated to be guessed just by trying and making errors. So I understand that FM details can be boring. Like solfege is boring, like learning to write is boring, etc. learning can always be boring. But only those who learnt can understand... It's the price to pay. So try again to listen to more complete courses about FM if you are interested in. You'll learn something. Here you learnt nothing. As you certainly don't speak French and as I'm not here to ad my own channel I will not let the links to my videos about FM synthesis. So my advice is really free. Do not believe you learnt something here. It's just an ad for a software that tries to make you believe it is simple to make you buy it. The guy is certainly good, but here he is saying nothing. I'm sure he learnt how FM work. And he is lying when telling you there's nothing else to know...
@@KNHSynths Really not a fan of that microwave joke, eh Olivier? Everyone's entitled to their opinion but I stand by what I said, which is that to BEGIN to understand FM Synthesis you don't need to understand the intricate details. I was saying that most FM tutorials I see start off with deep dives into the science and puts people off from actually understanding it. I also don't agree with you that learning to make music has to be boring and include a price to pay. That's an outdated music conservatory mindset that I've seen over the years. Learning music can be fun too. It SHOULD be fun in my opinion, which is what I aim to do in my videos (not make ads). As for advanced FM sound design, if people want to understand it more and go deeper into the how and why FM works the way it does there's plenty of videos out there on RU-vid for them. Thanks for watching.
@@RyanHarlinI was talking to Juan Luis, I was not opening a direct discussion with you. If that was the intention, I would have written to you directly. The problem is the understanding of this person and not your commercial work, which is very well done.
@@KNHSynths I agree what you say about microwaves comparison...by the way, talking about "waves" in both cases. Microwaves cooking is actually not cooking at all, but FM synthesis is close to high musical cuisine. However, I think the goal of this video, apart of selling their daw, is trying to show that in order to experimenting with FM you don't need to be a mathematical genius but a music lover with passion, creativity and patience to design better and better sound. Of course, If you have a chance to learn some theory, it can be so helpful to enhance your understanding, like music theory help you to create more rich and complex compositions, but at the end what you need to make music is love, bravery and musical common sense.
RS innovating the interface as much as anything else. It's impossible to overstate how important that is for computer music making. Well played, can't wait to try it!
John Chowning is a smiling man right now! Well done Reason Studios! Well done! You not only outdid yourselves, you also managed to one up both John AND Yamaha!! This is a Very Good Synth.
Hey John! Thanks for saying that. It's nice to know they're watched and enjoyed. I'll be doing more stuff with Algoritm with future videos, for sure. It's personally my favorite of the instruments we've made in many years. I find myself going to it by default most times now. /ryan
This seems to be a very rationally designed, I love it! The role of the engineer is to use reason so the customer does not have to, you start with the simplest thing everyone wants and move to the detailed complex options at the fringes later, all too often, we get the basics mixed in with the not so basic, or never get to the basics at all. In a way we could term "FM Synthesis" as DOPPLER SYNTHESIS which is what it really is. A frequency vibrato implies fluctuation in the SPEED of MOTION in the natural world. Now if we modulate frequency we might think we could go no higher than infinity and no lower than zero, but we can if it is a Doppler synthesizer, we can actually invert time such that we modulate BEYOND infinity and zero! This is what a sonic boom is, when we start to move faster than sound sound is INVERTED IN TIME which is a DOPPLER effect, a Doppler synthesizer could do exactly the same thing and simulate the effect of motion that is X numbers of times faster than sound! I'd like to see a super sonic "FM synthesizer" or is that what we already have?
Reason Studios, you guys are amazing, yesterday I told a friend of mine that I wish I had some solid FM synthesizer in Reason and today I have this... Thanks! :D
I spent 2 days 38 years ago at Yamaha in Milton Keynes getting a DX retail expert certificate from Dave (everyone of a certain age will probably know Dave from Yamaha. I truly came out none the FREAKIN wiser..... but made a cool Rhodes sound. I spent the next 35 years in the music business and until watching this video I had no idea how FM synthesis really worked. I know there is a lot more to it but thanks for the FM 101 lesson. I just remember strange dna type graphics on the dx7 for the various algorithms.... And switched off.
We have so many sounds, so many synths, so many loops, so many samples. Only one sequencer in Reason, and it's been the same for years. Let's get a BETTER SEQUENCER!
I know you probably don't want to here this, but using the Reason Rack VST and Bitwig as my DAW is like the best workflow of all time. At this point you should give up on Reason being up to speed with the modern DAWs. Clearly that isn't the direction they are heading. I think of it like when you get an Akai controller. Sure, it comes with software that's basically a DAW. But many people instead take advantage of using the controller for more advanced programs. Why not get the best of both worlds and use Reason in Bitwig? It's light years ahead as a DAW and works flawlessly with Reason Rack. I think it should be obvious at this point that the rack is now priority number one. Literally the only thing that makes Reason special is the rack. Everything else required in a DAW it sucks at and has for years now compared to some other software. If you don't want all the bells and whistles of Bitwig and just need something with a nice sequencer, then Reaper is literally only 60 bucks with an unlimited free trial and zero bloatware. It has a great sequencer and workflow. You can even do scale highlighting and many other features if you really dive in. Customize all the keyboard shortcuts to be the same as Reason and make it work for you. That's the beauty of Reaper it's like a blank canvas with infinite possibilities. At least give the trial a try and if you don't like it you can uninstall without worrying about it clogging up your computer. The developer is a genius and the community is very helpful. Those would just be my suggestions I've put a lot of time and thought into these programs.
Ryan you are hands down the best music educator in the world and your tutorials are the reason I bought Reason. This is the first time FM synthesis has made any sense to me. Thank you so much! Ps. I'll never pay for Reason subscription. I want to own my gear, not rent it.
I've been running around in circles with daws trying to find the perfect system to work through, somewhat denying myself that reason is an absolute treasure chest...one of its basic features like: CV modulation-To-VST parameters, and the ability for those modulation signals to be merged, chained and split is simply lightyears ahead of the game. Alot of us use it like a traditional linear daw, but I think when you approach reason more as a [modular music production environment], its soul comes to light.
Reason user here since 2.5 to 11. I've waiting ages for basic features (multi-out instruments support for VST, better GUI, an up to date midi clock to name a few) When I switched to Studio One all my pain is in the past and I make music a lot faster. I've got everything I need. Stable midi clock? VCA? (you don't need them until you have them) Freezing tracks? Fx Events in a portion of your track? Mixer snapshots? My god I love Reason but is miles behind of the competition. Bitwig makes the modular approach very far away that Reason has and your hardware will have a new live with other DAWs. If was great but I will never go back to Reason at least as my primary and only DAW. Sad
@@ivangonzalez3523 I definitely agree, as a dedicated Reason user myself. I think Reason isn't in the same bracket as other daws in terms of project organisation, planning and forward workflow..more suited to projects based on a linear timeline. In terms of pure modularity Reason is the daw at the forefront. I tried Bitwig and it seems very concise, and more scoped around variable music production, in similar fashion to FL and Ableton, they definitely share a live performance stylised architecture. For pure modular and cyclic music production, Reason is the only one. RS haven't pushed the program as far as it could be, but if they ever do, it'll be in a league of its own..i think most of us music software users, whether noob or professional have to ask ourselves ..what are my requirements from the program? and which system is best suited to what I do? An audio engineer would flourish in Reaper, a composer in Studio one, but they'd quickly find limits in Reason and Bitwig, as would a sound designer and EDM music producer inversely. I think it ultimately comes down to the user, and not so much the daw, us modern music producers are spoilt in terms of the capabilities and power of every daw on the market.
This is far and away the simplest software implementation of FM (phase modulation) synthesis. I encourage all Reason users to explore this style of sound design. This is coming from a hardware FM user who sees the benefits in opening up forms of synthesis for all to better understand. Cheers to Reason Studios for this uniquely simple rack device.
I made an absolute banger with two of the generative presets. No shame. The sound design that comes ready made is extraordinary. Absolutely love this synth.
Picked this up today with the great deal of buying the bass line generator. And after some patch playing I was really blown away! I’ll start exploring more after this video! Thanx
I'm a Montage owner and I can say this plugin sounds a lot better, more harmonics on the fm side. Probably this is the most beautiful virtual synth created by the software industry in 20 years or more. All presets are terrific, they sound beautiful. I think all musicians will benefit from this tool. I bet Hans Zimmer will use Algoritm instead of Zebra.
When I saw "FM Operator", I had this flashback of 1981 when I bought the Yamaha DX7 ! The algorithms where actually back then the method of creating sound ! Although on the DX7 the algos could not be created on the fly, we had to use those provided. Nostalgia munchies ! This new synth seems very interesting. Thanks !
yes you're right ! This is a perfect example or a good demo in 3 simple steps. 1/ The vendor tells you the product is simple, hiding all difficulties 2/ you believe him and buy the product 3/ once at home you discover that things are more complex and that you are unable to use the product ! :-) What is not said is that a good vendor always worked hard to produce demo that look simple...it's a trap :-)
This is a very cool take on FM synthesis. As I'm a fan of physical modeling, I was about to get Friktion... but now I'm also interested in this little beast. Good job, ha ha...
@@dougroyce5784 I just counted, I think nine of their Rack Extensions have that little dice symbol. And I love it. Their "Lectric Panda Generates" series are dope as well.
Algoritm is pure madness! An FM sound designer dream come true :) If there was ever a video needing a proper Scope to be used along the clear explanation to show the actual waveshape, this would be it ;)
Okay, even though I still want more love for the reason DAW itself before I even consider buying more of your products, this device looks pretty dope. Add the desired improvements in v12 for the DAW and I'll consider staying a customer.
You’ll stay one anyway 😂😂😂 Good thing about the rack plug-in is not having to update versions and buy individual RE’s or now the subscription. We’re all eventually going to get this. Individually or with an upgrade.
A “heap” could be anything. With friktion and this synth IMO is enough for the update. Which they’ll probably have a few tweaks to the daw. I’m hoping for a video support. @@Pieter_Auper
@@dougroyce5784 Video support is top of my list. But there's much more to be done to make Reason as a DAW modern. I'm not talking about adding synths. I'm talking about the pianoroll and sequencer. For a musician that doesn't use reason as a plugin it is really dated by now. I could make another list but i guess we all know by now.
I used Reason 2.5 (I think), back in the day. My god (Thor 😀), it has come a long way! And, it is even more brilliant and inspiring. Sounds soooo good! I know what I’m going to spend my saturday on 🎧🎹 have a great weekend✌️
In the meantime you can use Reason Rack Plugin in MPE capable DAW - like Bitwig Studio or I think Live 11, too - and just map the MPE modulation to whatever parameters in Algoritm :)
@@usedusermoser Not true. If used in Bitwig, you can transmit MPE parameters to devices in Reason Rack Plugin. Although they won't be polyphonic anymore I don't think - that's true.
Looks good. Interesting take on FM. Makes it more ...... palatable? Does FM’s reputation for being difficult stem from what a complete PITA the DX7 was to program? Algorithm is a world away from that. I like the layout and look. Fits in with the Reason devices like Grain and Europa. Very cool. If they had a launched Reason+ at the same time of this it would have made it look a lot more attractive. In any case, Algoritm looks excellent.
Great tutorial, great introduction to FM synthesis - an opaque subject at the best of times, and great product. Will very likely buy Algoritm after seeing this. Thumbs up!
Great UX and GUI well done guys!! People will come in if you make a complete Reason overhaul of the old devices + the announced GUI scaling option i heard it's coming.
Study helps you focus. This is a re-hash or re-tool of what's been in Reason for decades. The entire software is a synth. If you spent time learning how to manipulate whats already there...you become Horus!
I learned music production on reason 11 at college once they do another discount during Black Friday or holidays I’ll consider getting reason plus to sue in cakewalk.
Started on the original DX7 & DX9 models, bringing in the other DX variants over the years. (Kids loved DX100s.) Obviously, when the REs came along I got those because of my experience with 6 & 4 operator FM. New challenge ahead! (Once my pension comes through. Hopefully without too many household bills hitting, I'll add!) Can't wait to trial it!
My favourite thing about Propellerhead/Reason Studios is that they always come up with cutting edge innovative synths that really push the envelope. That's why I'll always use Reason, I already getting mad ideas while watching this.
My God!! What a good look this makes !! I'm already looking forward to experimenting. One of the good things about taking Reason + is that I can start experimenting with this new synth.
I've learned more about FM synthesis from this video than from every FM tutorial on RU-vid, just as I have learned more about music production from using Reason than from anything else I've ever used. Now if I could just get my damned music computer fixed ... :(
The synth is really great. I am personally a massive live operator user, though it has it's several limitations, the biggest one being the possible wavehapes available. If however the list of available wave shapes were limited to those shown in this vid then I doubt there is enough variety in them to warrant this synth doing anything really genuinely new or better. if they let you upload your own wavetables then well this synth will literally be the greatest FM synth ever created, and possible ever to be created. Also i wonder if it has additive synthesis like Live operator. I've found though being able to detune each harmonic would be a great bonus.
Making me seriously considering switching to reason studio. I have been following for some time and you guys are making things that I don't see anyone else doing.
I have a synth repair/sales shop, with 7 various Yamaha DX synths here to fix up for sale (DX7IIFD, 2x DX21's, 3x DX-100's, and a SY77). I hope this doesn't de-value them! :D
I'm still waiting for when I was expecting the $9.99 per month advertisement to kick in. I can't afford the $99.99 yearly. And I can't afford the $19.99 per month either as making ends meet is amazingly difficult. Granted, I've composed 7 songs within the past month. And my compositions are geared towards compositions and not the mixing side of things because I'm not a sound engineer because I simply don't hear compression and stuff like that, but I'd like to get into stuff like that. But I can't if I can't afford it. I mean reason is a great product and I've had it since 1.5. And I love the new stuff that keeps being added. Makes sense?
yea, I'm not going to debate about the pricing of the subscription (I'll stick to just owning reason up front for now). "not hearing compression and stuff" is something most can't do at their first attempts. You don't need any outboard gear to master/mix, it can all be done in the box with Reason and sound great. I've been making music for 2 decades and only just had the courage to start mixing/mastering (for a few years now) but it's worth it.. I'd recommend watching youtube videos on specific topics. At first it'll go over your head, especially when applying but it'll pay off. have a good day ;-)
