I’m just a fan of your great tutorials Joe. Akai dropped this great and complex synth without a shred of tutorials, which is fine with something like MiniD but this instrument really needed something like what you’re kindly giving us. Without your videos I wouldn’t even given it a second glance, now it’s my favorite with Mini D. Akai should give you kudos!
Hey Edgar, thanks. I really appreciate the feedback and it makes me happy to know these are helping! I actually think the Mini D could have used a little more explanation too. Most of it is pretty straightforward if you have some experience with subtractive synths. But there are a few things in it weren’t immediately obvious to me anyway I’ll probably do a short video on that one as well at some point.
That’s a pretty killer deal. I got this the first time the MPC instruments bundle went on sale, so I paid quite a bit more than that for it. No regrets for me. This should make it an easier decision for anyone who was on the fence about OPx-4 though!
Joe, would love it if you did more of these videos on other MPC plug-ins. My vote would be for the Mini D, but only if you really enjoy that one. Thanks
Nice lesson, very instructive. We're did you get all these informations about the specificities of the OPx-4? Are you part of the design team? One more question, what do you use to visualize the periodic signal and the frequencies analysis? I subscribed by the way, sure you'll give us more interesting content!
Hi - thanks for subscribing! The specifics of OPx-4 are in the user guide which you can find on the AIR Music Tech website. Here's a direct link. cdn.inmusicbrands.com/air/2022/V11/AIR%20OPx-4%20-%20User%20Guide%20-%20v1.1.pdf No, I'm not employed by AIR or part of the design team. As for the rest of the FM terminology, can't remember where I learned it. Probably from the Yamaha DX7 manual too many years ago haha. The oscilloscope and frequency analyzer are from the Melda Productions FreeFX bundle. www.meldaproduction.com/MFreeFXBundle
I have one issue w OPx4 that you may have an answer for. So, OP1 is self modulated 15% for a kind of saw style thing. Now, I want to modulate the filter w an lfo. I use lfo1 and set it in mod matrix slot 1 for that lfo source to modulate filter cutoff. But I give the lfo a delay and a fade in to have a nice transition. No matter how I try, phase, sync, ... there is a jump of frequency that is anything but smooth. I have my own init patch which removes all the extra stuff from Akai's Init. Ideas?
It’s hard to tell without seeing your patch. Did you try to use just the fade in without the LFO delay? If you use both, when the delay period is over, the LFO immediately kicks in at whatever amplitude it’s at (with the fade in). So that can cause a jump.
I’ve owned a Yamaha Dx synth, used a variety of FM plug-ins, and played with some modern FM synths - Opx4 has been a huge let down for me. No algorithms, No feedback, no ratio scaling? I feel like this was developed with sound designers in mind & not musicians who want/ expect a traditional FM GUi. The raw waves don’t even offer a pure “sine” wave. That’s not FM it’s a new-creative sound designers tool, & should be marketed as such. It’s neat, don’t get me wrong. I’m sure there’s some cool modulating pad sounds I can make with it. Filters cool. Sample layers? Excessive cpu use. Modulation routings? Waay over my head. I get it: FM is “supposed” to be complicated. But why make it even harder? I just want to make some simple bass sounds using a pure sine fundamental- & I can’t even do that! Opx4 is a perfect example of “shoot for the moon” and fly past Jupiter, Voyager, Alpha Centuri- & now your in a black hole of confusion. Excuse my frustration. I’ll quit trying to make bass sounds and start making pads.
Hey Benja, thanks for watching! Sorry to hear you’re disappointed with OPx-4. Personally, I find it easier to use than my DX-7. But I can appreciate where you’re coming from. Most FM synths I’ve used do stick to that algorithm framework, or at least offer the option. This modular matrix approach - while more flexible in my opinion - is kind of a departure from that and can take a while to wrap your head around. I’ve considered doing a video showing how to port a DX-7 patch or two to OPx-4. Do you think that would help you get your bearings?
From what little I know about binaural beats, I think the tools are probably there. You can use the offset controls on the operators to get very specific intervals in Hz.
@@joefilbrun amazing!!!! I’m going to have to dig in I sold my Force but I believe I want it back after that Update I loved the Force I was just getting out and wanted to not log all my things from the west coast back home lol
For me, it totally was, to have such a complex, programmable synth like this on my standalone device. It’s very difficult for me to say whether it’s worth it for you, though.
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This is a fantastic practical introduction to FM synthesis in general. Thanks!
These are the only worthwhile videos about OPX4 inside the internet
thanks a lot for these tutorials. big ups. 🙏🤘✊
Hey @xselfcreative, thanks for watching and glad to hear they are useful!
Thanks again. And a really nice toning bass patch thanks for that also too. 🏄♂✊🙏🙏
Thanks xself - glad you enjoyed it :)
I’m just a fan of your great tutorials Joe. Akai dropped this great and complex synth without a shred of tutorials, which is fine with something like MiniD but this instrument really needed something like what you’re kindly giving us.
Without your videos I wouldn’t even given it a second glance, now it’s my favorite with Mini D. Akai should give you kudos!
Hey Edgar, thanks. I really appreciate the feedback and it makes me happy to know these are helping! I actually think the Mini D could have used a little more explanation too. Most of it is pretty straightforward if you have some experience with subtractive synths. But there are a few things in it weren’t immediately obvious to me anyway I’ll probably do a short video on that one as well at some point.
This whole channel is a soundesign golden nugget
Thanks. That’s the goal!
Recreating the Lately Bass, the legendary Bass sound from the 80s would be awesome
Hey Dynattic - I'll give that some consideration!
@@joefilbrun wow that would be amazing ♥️♥️♥️♥️
Awesome video. 👌 waiting for a sale !
Thanks! Yeah, I imagine they’ll run one again before too long.
Great video. Covers all the basics. Well done.
Another cool and usefull video of this series! Thanks Joe!
Glad you liked it, Giacomo!
Thanks so much for this & for the link to the manual.
Very useful!
It's on sale right now for $30 (normally $150)
Yip I got it 🙌
That’s a pretty killer deal. I got this the first time the MPC instruments bundle went on sale, so I paid quite a bit more than that for it. No regrets for me. This should make it an easier decision for anyone who was on the fence about OPx-4 though!
Joe, would love it if you did more of these videos on other MPC plug-ins. My vote would be for the Mini D, but only if you really enjoy that one. Thanks
I really enjoy all of the synths. Thanks for letting me know you’d be interested in some videos about them. I’ll put it on my list!
@@joefilbrun Looking forward to it!
Which analyzer are you using please?
Nice lesson, very instructive. We're did you get all these informations about the specificities of the OPx-4? Are you part of the design team? One more question, what do you use to visualize the periodic signal and the frequencies analysis? I subscribed by the way, sure you'll give us more interesting content!
Hi - thanks for subscribing! The specifics of OPx-4 are in the user guide which you can find on the AIR Music Tech website. Here's a direct link.
cdn.inmusicbrands.com/air/2022/V11/AIR%20OPx-4%20-%20User%20Guide%20-%20v1.1.pdf
No, I'm not employed by AIR or part of the design team.
As for the rest of the FM terminology, can't remember where I learned it. Probably from the Yamaha DX7 manual too many years ago haha.
The oscilloscope and frequency analyzer are from the Melda Productions FreeFX bundle.
www.meldaproduction.com/MFreeFXBundle
I have one issue w OPx4 that you may have an answer for.
So, OP1 is self modulated 15% for a kind of saw style thing.
Now, I want to modulate the filter w an lfo.
I use lfo1 and set it in mod matrix slot 1 for that lfo source to modulate filter cutoff.
But I give the lfo a delay and a fade in to have a nice transition.
No matter how I try, phase, sync, ... there is a jump of frequency that is anything but smooth.
I have my own init patch which removes all the extra stuff from Akai's Init.
Ideas?
It’s hard to tell without seeing your patch. Did you try to use just the fade in without the LFO delay? If you use both, when the delay period is over, the LFO immediately kicks in at whatever amplitude it’s at (with the fade in). So that can cause a jump.
I’ve owned a Yamaha Dx synth, used a variety of FM plug-ins, and played with some modern FM synths - Opx4 has been a huge let down for me. No algorithms, No feedback, no ratio scaling? I feel like this was developed with sound designers in mind & not musicians who want/ expect a traditional FM GUi. The raw waves don’t even offer a pure “sine” wave. That’s not FM it’s a new-creative sound designers tool, & should be marketed as such. It’s neat, don’t get me wrong. I’m sure there’s some cool modulating pad sounds I can make with it. Filters cool. Sample layers? Excessive cpu use. Modulation routings? Waay over my head. I get it: FM is “supposed” to be complicated. But why make it even harder? I just want to make some simple bass sounds using a pure sine fundamental- & I can’t even do that! Opx4 is a perfect example of “shoot for the moon” and fly past Jupiter, Voyager, Alpha Centuri- & now your in a black hole of confusion. Excuse my frustration. I’ll quit trying to make bass sounds and start making pads.
Hey Benja, thanks for watching! Sorry to hear you’re disappointed with OPx-4. Personally, I find it easier to use than my DX-7. But I can appreciate where you’re coming from. Most FM synths I’ve used do stick to that algorithm framework, or at least offer the option. This modular matrix approach - while more flexible in my opinion - is kind of a departure from that and can take a while to wrap your head around. I’ve considered doing a video showing how to port a DX-7 patch or two to OPx-4. Do you think that would help you get your bearings?
Can you make binaural beats or hz music with this ??
From what little I know about binaural beats, I think the tools are probably there. You can use the offset controls on the operators to get very specific intervals in Hz.
@@joefilbrun amazing!!!! I’m going to have to dig in
I sold my Force but I believe I want it back after that Update I loved the Force I was just getting out and wanted to not log all my things from the west coast back home lol
Is this plugin worth buying
For me, it totally was, to have such a complex, programmable synth like this on my standalone device. It’s very difficult for me to say whether it’s worth it for you, though.
On sale right now for $30. Definitely.
@@awjaaa Where was that sale? On akai website? I want this for 30. Or maybe Jura and MiniD