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Synth FM configuration NS2 / NS3

Posted: 21 Nov 2021, 17:00
by florence
Hi

I'm wondering if someone could advise how to reproduce on NS3 an FM program initially done on NS2.

Original patch is here:
post148250.html?hilit=personal%20jesus#p148250

The NS2 Synth settings are:
NS2 FM 211.png
NS2 FM 211.png (63.44 KiB) Viewed 2973 times
My question: FM 3-OP 2:1:1 means Carrier + Modulators, frequency ratio 2:2:1
What would be the NS3 equivalent?

Right now I'm trying on NS3:
OSC1: Classic Sine
Config: 13 FM2 (3 operator setup)
OSC Ctrl: 54% (to mimic the 5.4 NS2 Shape ctrl?)
OSC 2 Pitch: Sub (to mimic the free ratio?)

Is my interpretation correct?

Re: Synth FM configuration NS2 / NS3

Posted: 21 Nov 2021, 22:45
by WannitBBBad
I'm sorry, I wish I could help you. If someone can provide a MP3 from their Stage 2 recreating these settings, it would be much easier to build something "equivalent". Good luck!

Re: Synth FM configuration NS2 / NS3

Posted: 22 Nov 2021, 11:13
by maxpiano
That 2:1:1 configuration should be a chain of 3 cascaded operators connected like this

OP1(2f)->OP2(f)->OP3(f)-> output

so it is not just one modulator over one carrier as the first OP modulates the second that modulates the third, while reading NS3 manual it sounds like with FM3 config you have 2 modulators in parallel. I would suggest that you rather try with a DualFM where OSC 2 (modulator) is not a sine wave but a square wave (to approximate the result of a 2:1 FM).

(As Mr_G says having a sample/mp3 of the original NS result would be a great help for you to get close to it.)

Re: Synth FM configuration NS2 / NS3

Posted: 22 Nov 2021, 14:13
by florence
thanks for for your inputs !

For sure having the NS2 MP3 could be great.

I never really investigated on the FM part of my Nord (and never had FM synth neither). But wanted to better compare both version, and understand how it works.

One more question, table below lists the NS2 FM configuration.
NS2 FM.png
NS2 FM.png (222.38 KiB) Viewed 2769 times
.. and NS3 options:
NS3 FM.png
NS3 FM.png (193.51 KiB) Viewed 2769 times
1. Is it correct to say NS3 FM1 (DUAL FM) is equivalent to the NS2 2-OP family?
2. How to interpret all (+FB) ? Is there an equivalent on NS3?
3. On NS2 are all 3 operators type cascaded? or is the 3-OP (+FB) something equivalent to NS3 FM2 (Triple FM)?

Re: Synth FM configuration NS2 / NS3

Posted: 22 Nov 2021, 14:33
by maxpiano
1. I'd say "yes" for configurations without feedback (FB), for the others see next point

2. +FB means that the topmost modulator of the algorithm also modulates itself (feedback) and that implies that the resulting waveform (driving the next OP in the chain) is affected by this "self-modulation"; there doesn't seem to be any equivalent on NS3 so you need to take that into account somehow (like using a more harmonically rich waveform on the NS3 OSC2 = modulator, to mimic the FB results)

3. they should always be cascaded yes, the Nord Wave manual has a more detailed description of that FM implementation (remember NS2 synth is derived from the NW); I am not sure how the NS3 Triple FM works, as I wrote before the manual is not so clear about that and provides no additional info, reading it again it could be equivalent (3 ops cascaded) but then it is unclear if/how you can specify the frequency ratio of the 2 modulators "embedded" in OSC2 in that config, since you have only 1 OSC2 Pitch control.

If you wish to compare the NS3 FM algorithms/behaviour to a standard FM, you can use a freeware FM Synth like Dexed (you can simulate the NS2 configurations on it too) and play with NS3 parameters to try to replicate the sound you get from Dexed for a given configuration = algorithm, FB, frequency rations & modulation amounts.

Re: Synth FM configuration NS2 / NS3

Posted: 22 Nov 2021, 15:33
by florence
thanks for all these valuable inputs !

Re: Synth FM configuration NS2 / NS3

Posted: 22 Nov 2021, 18:01
by maxpiano
florence wrote:thanks for all these valuable inputs !
Yw! Just a small giving-back for your amazing work on the Nord Programs viewers :thumbup:

Re: Synth FM configuration NS2 / NS3

Posted: 23 Nov 2021, 14:16
by cookie
@Florence, still interested for me to load the NS2 program and make an mp3 ?

Fred

Re: Synth FM configuration NS2 / NS3

Posted: 23 Nov 2021, 14:36
by florence
If you can, yes please

Re: Synth FM configuration NS2 / NS3

Posted: 02 Dec 2021, 03:40
by cookie
On my to-do list for tomorrow !

Fred