Synclavier FM engine the other FM engines

[vcs3]

This question is about the power of the vintage Synclavier II 12 op FM synthesis
vs the synths with FM like the DX7, the powerfull FS1r and the FM softsynth.

Is it worth to have a Synclavier for FM?

[VCO8]

I'd say so, if you were willing to spend $10,000. They were made at a time when digital synths had lots of character. I think each voice on it had it's own d/a converter. Also, the '80-'83 models had an 8-bit system making it even more gritty than a DX7. Later models had a 16-bit system which threw away some the character (but they had more features, like Sample-to-disc, etc.) You can designate each generation by the keyboard. (earlier ones had a wooden-colored one and the later ones were piano-black).

They were also capable of additive and re-synthesis (later models did, anyway)

If you have $10,000 and room for a mini-fridge-sized computer system, I'd get one. It's got more character than a FS1R and you can program it unlike a DX7.

[Walter Ego]

Others more capable than I can attest in better detail that the DKI Synergy is capable of FM as well. I suspect that more actual programming is necessary though. Hideaway Studio or Silikon both have experience with these, I believe. It's not an answer about the Synclavier, but in response to the last post.

[calyx93]

Scroll down to see our member CZ Rider explain the particular style of FM implemented.

http://www.vintagesynth.com/forum/viewt ... p?p=529142

[CS_TBL]

The chance that you'll be using 12 operators for one sound (one 'thing', like one xylophone) is pretty slim. And then using two 6-op synths (or two instances of a 6-op softsynth) is just more practical. To me it wouldn't be worth spending several grands on to have 12 operators that you'll be using as a 2..3 carrier FM-structure. FM8 has an input-operator, so you could still feed it an FM-structure (summed carriers) from another instance. Still kinda like having 12 ops but without having a 12x12 matrix with 100% flexible routing possibilities.