Voca FM

[loopman]

Hello,
I'm thinking to buy a Volca FM, but I'd have a couple of questions before to purcahse it
In your opinon or experience: Volca FM Vs DX7,Yamaha Reface and NI FM8 which are the real differences in the sound?
Is the Volca FM more or less tweak-able compared to the original DX7?


Does anyone have tried a free software called DEXED with the Volca FM?

At this time which is the best FM synthesizer?

Let me know,
Thank you so Much

[totalcult]

Haven't used the other synths so can't really compare.

But, here's a REALLY useful guide to using dexed with the Volca FM:
http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/news/arti ... ?id=129444

Do make sure you have MIDI kit (interface/cables etc) that's capable of sending sysex. Some useful pointers here: https://www.patchmanmusic.com/FormatInfo.html

The easiest and cheapest way to connect to most modern PCs and Macs is simply by way of an inexpensive USB to MIDI adaptor. They can cost as little as $40. We recommend the Roland UM-ONE MK2 USB MIDI Interface available in the USA from Patchman Music. The M-Audio UNO USB to MIDI interface and M-Audio MIDISPORT 1x1 also work well. These are inexpensive at about $40 and they seem to work very well with all types of sysex transfers. DO NOT use one of those cheap $5 interfaces- they do not work with this type of data. Stay away from them. Also we suggest AVOIDING the E-MU 1x1 USB MIDI interface, the Hosa USM-422 Tracklink USB to Midi interface, and the Miditech Midilink USB Interface- customers have told us they do not work for this purpose. Firewire interfaces often have MIDI ports on them as well but they are much more expensive. Once you get the interface make sure you get the very latest drivers for the interface from the interface maker's website (the drivers that ship with the interface are likely NOT the latest).

[jpeg]

Form my 2nd hand knowledge of watching youtube vid comparisons between all of the devices u mentioned including the original dx7, I conclude the following:

the og dx7 has the best sound due to the warmth and depth of sound, ie deeper more resonant bass tones and smother and warmer highs on pads, it just sounds bigger and richer.

both the NI and the DEXED seem to have a flatter tone and a more nasal quality to them so lack depth in mid and low range and the higher rangers lack that resonant analog warmth.

The Reface does sound smooth but loses something from the warm bottom end frequencies; and the Volca has a more scratchy/noisy overall tone it’s almost as it is at a lower bit rate than the reset, which can add to the dirty lo-fi retro character.

[Spheric El]

The Volca looks soo tempting.
little envelope controls leads me to say its more tweakable than DX7 (that has only one slider?). Also reface has less operators I think.
With a funky updated volca seq... seems a no brainer to me.Just I'm running out of space ,sockets and time ,but for the price...I will buy.

[loopman]

Ok guys,
But, If possible, I'm really interested to know if the DX7 (or an FM plug-in) has warmer and more deep sounds compared to the Volca. My fear is that the Volca could sound so much dirty/ lo-fi, like a "small radio eq sound"
Also, I'm very interested to know if the Volca is capable of ambient sounds too

Just my thoughts,
let me know

[jpeg]

have u searched on youtube for this u would get some idea of what ur asking by doing that obviously vocla can do ambient

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkASMvica_Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmB26__zXyY

[effemm]

The Volca is especially capable of some background noise. Some might call that 'ambient'...

[spirit68]

its not a matter of "sound", its a matter of workflow and handling.
If you want to modulate the sound of your sequence "on the fly", volca FM is a beast.
If you want to play your patches live via keyboard, go for dx7
If you want to deep-edit FM-Sounds, you might wanna try Dexed or FM8.
I tell you: You will hear huge difference in your music, but thats from of the workflow, not from the sound-engine.