Primal Audio FM4 v1.1 iPad-WiDOW
WiDOW | January 27 2014 | 30 MB
FM4 is a four operator FM synthesizer for iPad. Modelled on the first commercially available FM synths from the 1980s FM4 provides the same gritty sound, with a modern interface, and without being bound by the limitations of the original units. For example we have thrown in an arpeggiator, a thick unison mode, and a pitch envelope with a tweakable curve ideal for percussive sounds. Thus FM4 is capable of producing a multitude of sounds, ranging from punchy basses, crystal-clear bells, and lush pads, to organic textures, striking drums, and piercing leads.
DISTINCTIVE LO-FI CHARACTER
At the heart of FM4 is our digital FM modelling engine which has been carefully modelled on original hardware units from the popular DX series. Every aspect of the hardware — from envelope curves to sine-table sizes and quantisation errors to digital-to-analogue converters — has been meticulously analysed. Combined with complex math and countless hours of tweaking parameters, we have successfully recreated that dirty, cutting sound of the original units.
FM SYNTHESIS MADE SIMPLE
Over time FM synthesis has garnered a reputation of being arcane and difficult to master. We think that this is not deserved. To prove our case we have given FM4 a carefully thought-out, simple and intuitive, yet powerfull, user interface — with every parameter being available on a single page. No menus, tabs, or jumping from page to page. Our every-knob-matters principle facilitates a modern workflow, encourages exploration, and allows for faster programming yielding instant sonic results.
HIGHLIGHTS
-4 OPERATORS: configurable via eight different routings
-3 SOUND ENGINES: modelled on 1980s hardware units
-8 WAVEFORMS: derived from classic FM synths
-UNISON: 2x, 3x, and 4x — works in polyphonic mode
-MICROTUNING: with eight different temperaments
-ARPEGGIATOR: tempo-syncable with up, down, up-down, and random patterns
-CONNECTIVITY: supports Inter-App Audio, Background Audio, and MIDI (Audiobus is planned)
-POLYPHONIC: 8 voices on iPad-mini/iPad 2, 24 voices on iPad Air
-128 PRESETS: organised into eight banks — user presets can be imported/exported through iTunes