Moog Music Forum

I'm completely new to FM synthesis and thought I'd give it a go now that I've gotten my Voyager. Even though I've checked out some tutorials, I don't really know where to start. It would be great if someone could give me a starting point like "set osc 1 to ... osc 2 ... mod 1 to ... and then tweak parameter x and y. Just so I get in the ballpark of FM sounds that aren't just wacky and atonal. Would be much appreciated since I'm eager to learn but easily bored if I don't get a decent start.

All the Moog synthesizers are subtractive synthesis machines, not FM synthesizers.

If you want to explore FM synthesis, not to be confused with FM modulation which the Voyager can do to some extent using an audio oscillator as a modulation source, than you should look for that type of synthesizers.

I know it's not an FM synth, but it has some FM capabilities. And since I want to explore what I can do with a Voyager, that's something I'd like to learn more about.

Compared to, let's say, a Yamaha DX series or Casio CZ series synth, the FM capabilities of a Voyager are severely limited...
In other words, you won't be able to create anything more than something wacky and atonal...

Sorry I can't be of more help to you, but I don't know much about FM except using a fast LFO, or oscillator, to modulate the frequency (FM) of a destination like another oscillator or the filter cutoff or the amplitude (AM) of the VCA.

Yesterday I went over with my Voyager to a friend who owns a Model D. He was very eager to discover what the Voyager sounded like and was capable of, so I took a step back from it and just watched and listened. We didn't dig very deep, but one thing that caught my attention was filter modulation. He sent osc 3 to filter with a high res and filter env shaping. Nice basses! And I also was very glad to hear some nice percussion like sounds that still had tonal qualities (I'm not that fond of sound fx or atonal stuff). I will definitely try to work more with modulations even when I'm only practising my keyboard skills or just playing along to some tunes, I realise now how much it matters and have gotten a way in. Didn't really know where to start before.

After that I took the Voyager to another friend who's more into playing, way more. So I let him solo through presets and watched him do his thing with the performane controls and keyboard lead tricks. It was almost a little dirty when I stood there like "yeah, you work that pitch bend!" "Give that mod wheel..." But I got some great ideas there too!

Too bad I didn't get to practise it when I got home. So I haven't been sleeping that well. All the ideas arr still floating around in my head. Got to get it out of my system.

There is the Voyager instruction video:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0BF4BF76E71BE6C6

I think this playlist leaves off the chapter about the modulation section, but this is also available on DVD and it s worthwhile investment to get to know your instrument a little better.

There are also Moogerfooger instructional videos along these lines, but they are more of a product demonstration rather than a genuine tutorial. These were shot by a forum member.


Check out the wikipedia page for info and follow those sources and maybe that should get you going in the right direction. Then get a DX7.

Might just get that DVD, I already paid a bunch for the synth so buying something that helps me use it nearer its potential seems like a no brainer.

But I think I'll do without a DX7