Full Bucket Music has introduced a new software instrument that simulates the classic Yamaha FB-01 digital FM synth. The FB-02 brings the sounds of the conspicuous 4-operator FM sound generator module from 1986.
The original FB-01 is a multi-timbral module with up to 8 parts – sound editing is only possible via external editors (for example the respective software for the Yamaha CX5M computer who features the same sound module as the FB-01). Wolfgang and I agreed that I would only do the FM sound generation part – one can easily do the multi-timbral stuff in a DAW.
I never planned to do an FM clone, and it was a pretty tough job to get it halfway right, even with the original unit at my side. This is because the whole magic is done by a single chip, the Yamaha YM2164 (and the respective DAC chip) – you cannot look “inside” what it does. My major resource was the application manual for the YM2151, the famous predecessor of the rather poorly documented YM2164, and trial and error. Now here is my FB-02, and of course it does not sound like the original FB-01 – but you would not have expected that, do you? 😀
FB-02 features
- Simulation of the original FM sound generation unit.
- Original factory ROM and additional sounds.
- User interface can be used to edit the sound of the original FB-01.
- Program Browser.
- SysEx import and export.
- Resizable user interface (not “N” version.).
- Supports MTS-ESP by ODDSound dynamic micro-tuning.
The plugin is free to download in VST/VST3, AU, AAX and CLAP formats for Windows and Mac.
More information: Full Bucket Music
