@@truecuckoo I agree. Your patient and curious personality is really suitable to FM exploration and bringing us into that world. This was amazing. Subscribed.
I am no Sound Engineer, no Pro musician, just some random low skilled hobby musician. So saying that, i don't understand half the stuff you are talking about but i just love watching your videos. So extremly relaxing to watch and i am learning all the time
Your trick-release envelope technique is just brilliant. I was initially a bit disappointed at the Opsix only having ADSRs instead of 4-rate, 4-level EGs, but your workaround blows that out of the water. Just fantastic.
Dunno if anyone cares but if you guys are bored like me atm then you can stream all of the new movies and series on instaflixxer. Been streaming with my girlfriend for the last few days :)
It may or may not make an interesting topic... but as I listen to more and more demos of new hardware synth technology as well as the huge variety of VSTi, I start to think about what really works with the music I want to make. Something I find appealing about the Opsix which is why I will probably get it (and why I have numerous older FM hardware in my studio) is that it can fit or can be designed to fit in context in a musical piece. Seems a lot of hardware and software manufacturers are competing for the most motion and constantly evolving thick or complex textures. These sounds are fun no doubt but they take up so much space that they leave little room for composition that utilizes harmony, counterpoint - space, etc. FM as well as classic mono synths don't seem to hog as much sonic space. I think I'm going to really dig the subtlety as well as the diversity that the Opsix has to offer. Cheers.
Exactly how i think about Omnisphere patches... single patch takes up whole spectrum.. cant fit them anywhere properly without bunch of editing.. im getting opsix too in a few days
You are totally right, FM and the nonharmonic overtones it can generate gives you access to SO much more of the sonic spectrum! They are so surgically rich. You can only fit so many harmonics of a fundamental before they all clash and phase each other in and out. FM avoids all that. Great observation!
I can listen to you all day long! You decrease my blood pressure. 😛😄 You have a very calm voice. On top of that you have a lot of cool gear and I learn a lot by watching your videos. 😊
Thanks partly to this demo, I bought an Opsix - so thank you! (I would have got a PolyBRUTE, but didn't have the budget.) I've already had a lot of fun discovering ways to achieve various things. The virtual modulation patches are useful, I'd even say essential, for some situations: I'm very glad they included that feature. Overall it's a great little machine: it's small; it's light (I can just about lift it between thumb and forefinger!); and it sounds really nice on headphones... I think it's a good synth to sling in the car if you're going away for a few days, actually. A mobile experimentation lab. Nice job, Korg!
I have no intention of getting this synth. But seeing you use it so sympathetically (I just seem to make raspy noise on my Digitone half the time) is really relaxing while I work. Hopefully some of the operator and modulation principles are being soaked in by my brain for use later on the Digitone :-) Edit: the raspy stuff starts at approx 25 mins XD
Fantastic video, really learned something about how to *explore* FM synthesis, looking for the unexpected sweet spots. Much more useful than the usual features walk through’ tutorials’. Massive thank you!
Thank you so much James! Yeah with FM synthesis I think you have to embrace the idea of exploring. It’s really hard to predict every outcome. Once you get more versed, you’ll know where to look for the sweet spots. But you still need to explore, even when you’re becoming more familiar with it. I love that aspect of fm synthesis.
A very pleasant video that gave me a good overview and deeper insight into the sound structure of the synth. As many have already written here, you have a very calm manner and do your thing that makes this clip so exciting.
Thanks! Oops I thought it was the Modwave video. Was a but quick to reply. I was so eagerly anticipating the release of the Opsix, being a true FM nerd. So I dug deep and found it to be quite enjoyable and nice to work with. Sound wise though, FM sounds has so much personality, and on a personal note I slightly prefer other FM platforms over this one. But it’s still a great synth, at a great price.
@@danielsonderhoff5882 yeah the Opsix is very reliable, and great value for the money. Extreme depth and modern sounding. I guess my ears are charmed by the legacy, that’s all. MegaFM is very wonky, and limited compared to this modern synth. But it would never be a replacement for the Opsix. And something like the Digitone is a very different and more technical experience too, but with extreme clarity in the sound. Speaking from the heart, I honestly think Volca FM has much more clarity than Opsix, and this surprised me, since it’s coming from the same company. Is it just imagination?
Thanks for making videos that consistently answer interesting questions regarding gear - this one does a great job of just showing the workflow... so many other channels just blast through some presets and turn a knob or two and think that counts as a feature video. It's great to find you, keep it up!
Thanks for playing this and walking us through it. I prefer the mellow sounds myself. I think I would still buy the megafm first if I was going to buy an fm synth. It just sounds fantastic. This does sound good though
Somehow this synth slipped under my radar. Those unexpected glitches and circuit-bent-esque noises are oh-so satisying. This could easily end up being the ultimate FSU machine. 😎 Nice vid as usual, Cuckoo! I may pick this up.
The MegaFM certainly has a more retro sound, what with it being a retro synth, but the Opsix does have way more capabilities in terms of sound generation, what with it being a 6 operator synth instead of 2 4 operator synths.
Quality demo. At first I was thinking I wouldn't buy one, but the tones evoke so many glorious, drug-fuelled memories from clubbing around North London during the late 80s - like Derrick May's "Nude Photo" and "Security" by the Beat Club, to Baby Ford's "Fordtrax", I think I'm gonna have to bite the bullet. And besides, to get the same control and colours of tone within the eurocrack world would cost thousands. Korg is definitely on a roll, an analog/FM hybrid drum machine would be superb, - kind of KR55 meets Basimilus Iteritas. love to ALL, feel no hate
Hey Cu, I finally read the manual and it is surprisingly simple, once I read the manual. On the surface, it doesn't make any sense, but after the short and simple manual, it makes total sense. there are things I wish it did, but it feels like they made that thing do just about everything, except load samples. I had a SY77 and that was a unique machine, I regret selling. it would use samples as an operator..
Thank you for the great deep dive into this synth. I am looking foreward a lot for my unit. I didn't know it's so versatile. Reminds me on the Blofeld for its huge modulation options. This is the kind of FM machine I was looking for. It might be the first synth making FM really easy to program and understand. If this was the intention, Korg succeeded. I got several FM and PD hardware synths; but they all are a pain in the ass to program: so I can't wait to lay my fingers on the Opsix, exploring the vast sound capabilities... your video is a great inspiration. 😊 Cheers!
Super cool synth, explained in a smooth direct to the point way, I was about to get opsix after your video, but ended up buying Wavstate after watching the other video .. obviously wavestate can design the same sounds but also beyond that , also in 64 polyphony.
you sold me at 5:38 when you just nudged the fader levels to manually test out the envelope for the op.. some other fm synths are just too awkward to comfortably do that
Thanks. I'm waiting for the Microkorg 2 as well. It feels like they probably announced it a little bit too early. Let's hope it'll get ready for manufacturing soon! The Opsix is sort of more complex, in many ways. But in my early tries with the Microkorg 2 it's no slouch, and seems pretty versatile as well.
Damn good. Thanks man. Well done, well played. Got in on that deal for the OP and was looking around for some vids that were spot on without overwhelming. Super stoked to jump into FM . It'll be here tomorrow. Thanks my brother and bad ass job man. BRAP on! :)
I'm a bit surprised - this doesn't actually seem that much easier to edit than the Yamaha SY77. I'm guessing it is, obviously, but once you get used to something like the SY77/99, the workflow is pretty decent. They only fail in that their ADSRs are like, ridiculously complex. Great sounds and tutorial. Thanks for sharing. SY77 benefits are: magnificent 61 key keyboard, excellent series of algorithms (with up to 3 assignable feedback loops), crap effects which sound great in a way. Once you updated the screen, it looks great too. That said - being able to load DX7 presets and having an better/newer workflow shouldn't be underestimated. I just don't mind the SY77 workflow personally.
As I progress through this video I tend to agree, the programming basics are the same, however, SY77 has only one data entry fader, where in opsix you have 6 knobs for ratio, 6 faders for level and 6 more data entry knobs , that seems to make a very important difference, for example as cuckoo uses the fader to have a feel of the envelope he will program. I'm impressed by the opsix, it has a very nice sound, relatable to the SY77, and that editing interface is inspiring me to try to implement a configuration for the BCR 2000 and my TG77 module.
@@JobimSynthMusic Yeah. I agree with you. For a price comparison, the SY77 is still a good alternative, especially with the 5 octave keyboard with aftertouch and loopable envelopes. The filters are 'ok' and I don't think they're as special as people make them out to be, especially because I can't get the filter to self-resonate by pitch. If that's possible, I've never figured it out. Seems like a great synth (the Opsix) though. Korg is carrying on the legacy that other manufactures have abandoned. This should have been Yamaha's, but they've slept way too long on it.
As someone who wanted to buy the SY99 but couldn't find one so bought the opsix instead as a sort of "consolation prize", I kinda agree it can be seen as an alternative, but to be honest, a few hours after my opsix arrived I was glad I didn't buy the Yamaha. Don't get me wrong, I'd still consider buying SY77/SY99/TG77 if I had unlimited space, they are truly impressive (especially for over 30 year old synths), but the possibilities with the opsix are just mind-blowing. I only wish it had more advanced envelopes, like Yamaha's, because one can make software EGs arbitrarily complex at negligible cost, so I don't understand Korg's decision. Maybe they were afraid it would be too intimidating? I'd be fine with additional envelope stages and loopability being hidden behind some special button combination or global setting. Who knows, maybe they will add that in a future update... (please, Korg!)
Hi! What a great video, really! I'm totally blind and your video is really great; the way you describe the steps for creating your sounds is fantastic. Have you ever used the randomize function of the OPSIX? If so, could you explain how to use the various knobs to customize the randomizer? Being totally blind, I don't understand what the paramethers are. Thx for your help and congratulations for your great videos.
I wonder if the desktop editor has decent screen reader compatibility. I'm pretty sure it has mouseover tooltips, which I know aren't entirely sufficient all by themselves but at least are a lot better than the hardware unit offers. I suppose it all really hinges on whether it supports the tab key and/or arrow keys to navigate. It's not a totally separate desktop editor like the microKORG has, but is actually part of the VST version of opsix. Which I find a bit annoying to be honest, bundling that functionality together rather than just releasing a free tool like they used to. But at least they give a heavy discount for the hardware owners...? Even so, I can't try it myself to answer you because I don't want to pay _any_ extra. Anyway, as I understand it you can live edit sounds on the desktop while playing on the hardware, or preview sounds on the computer (since it _is_ a full soft-synth) and later push them to the hardware. But again, I don't actually own the VST version to check, I only have the hardware.
I have a bit of analog Moog gear I really love. I had always loved the DX7 ( first release ) and always thought it was such a cool synth. I had a few plug-ins that emulated it and then one day last spring I had a brain wave....WHY DONT I JUST BUY A REAL DX7?! So I did. I love it. I have been having a ton of fun with it. I have been making awesome sounds with it. But I find even with loading sysex and such It is very hard to learn and not easy to change parameters on the fly. Then I see this. Now I am thinking I want this synth too! Even if I buy one I will always have this DX7, such and awesome synth. If you want swing by my channel and you will hear it in some of my music. Always love your content and delivery Cuckoo! Thank you for the video. Much love from northern Canada.
If you download Dexed it's pretty much a software editor for the Dx7. You can send your finished patches to the synth, and save entire banks, eliminating the need for cartridges. That's what I do anyway. I'm tempted to do what the person above me says as well!
Nice video as always. A couple of questions. 1.Can you fine tune the ratio to like 1:250? 2. Can you loop the envelopes? 3. Is there a S&H function like on the Elektron Digitone where it holds the current trig at that position? Would be sweet to know!
Right now it’s not multi layered, nor split of full patches. You can set up a patch to seem like that. Like three operators on the left, three on the right. But it’s not the same thing. BUT it seems capable of doing it. When changing patches you can hold one sound, while loading a new sound and play that new sound while still holding the old sound, with rich polyphony. I think they could technically offer this in a future software update, should they want to.
@@truecuckoo thanks. That's a severe limitation to one voice at a time with 32 voice polyphony. I'm a FM fan former owner of the Yamaha dx7 II fd with the e board and tx802 and tx81z FM modules. Each one of those allowed stacking of up to 8 voices which allow for insane sounds that I miss so much. My mind goes crazy when I think of all of the potential lost. Just think, with all of the added algorithms synth features eq effects sequencer arp motion on this, and the unlimited potential, but only if it allowed you to layer And split those sounds. I am hoping an update changes that. I am thinking the Yamaha modx FM engine with 128 polyphony splitting layering etc arp sequencing 8 operator would be Way more versatile, but it has no after touch and does not have this classic button friendly lay out. I am hoping a software or hardware upgrade can change this as FM is not very hard on computers. I wonder if a more powerful processor can be installed. It also needs way more program storage. Like 100 time more. So people can make store share sell and connect sounds. FM is like 100th if the file size of samples. Otherwise it looks like I will find a used montage or modex but just fit the FM.
@@Tigerex966 I think you are on the right path... for a few hundred bucks more a modx serves up "eight" FM engines within a single performance. Other specs: multitimbral, 61 keys, incredible effects, motion control, larger touch screen, AWM2 engine, strong documentation/support and the list goes on. The OPSIX has it's value and place and for those reasons it's a welcome addition to the FM synth market. Hopefully the street price will make it a more attractive alternative to the MODX?. Yamaha does have controlling interest in Korg so I suppose they are friendly cousins.
So cool how you added some kind of damper noise to the EP. Many just stick to the original DX7 preset, but there certainly is room for improvement. Great video, you managed to master this device in a fairly short time I suppose?
Thanks mate! Yeah I think it has a good logic structure, which is always helpful when learning a new electronic instrument. Although it takes more time to find the sweetspots.
@@truecuckoo Thanks to your video I played the Opsix yesterday evening in a different way. Less fear to dive into features there were unknown or didn't seem so important to me before. It's like having bought tools to paint, but you're showing how and what to paint! Oh, somebody already compared you to Bob Ross :)
Great video, amazing patches at the end there. Obviously a hugely deep synth. Is the user algorithm one global slot or per patch? Or are there multiple slots for user algorithms?
Hey man, fantastic demos here! I love your detailed and happy videos. :-) I just get an Opsix, and started to make my own presets. The first is an analogish bass line, See You bass Line from Depeche Mode. Yeah, it's strange to use it like this, but it can do this also! I am very happy with the result, very nice possibilities! Can you please tell me, how to "link" EG's? I want to adjust the ADSR EG of the first and the third operator in link mode if possible. (to adjust them together) Is it possible? Thanks, cheers!
I agree that would be a cool feature. In the meantime you can either use the copy utility, or if you really need the envelopes to be the same while tweaking the parameters you can use one of the global EGs instead and set the per-operator ones to no attack, full sustain, full release, effectively bypassing them.
I don't know about its durability yet, but I do wish it was easier to access and had a bump similar to F and J keys on computer keyboards, because I keep pressing "write" instead while creating sounds at night with lights off.
A short story about true love..... Once upon a time there was a man called True Cuckoo, he made online tutorials. I learn't alot and fell in love..... The End. :)
Wot not multitimbral , 1988 tx81z or fb01 could (and had metal case) , is this progress?, 90 percent of the tones auditioned here are capable on the tx minus fx processor
Whenever I see a synth that has oscillators that could go into LFO ranges, first thing I try is to "ping" the resonant filters, modular style. I set some sharp-edged waveform like saw or short pulse, set frequency really low, and filter resonance near self-oscillation. This technique works beautifully with my Nord Lead 3, and analog synths, but not on all synths that I tried. Could you be so kind to confirm that this works on Opsix? If it does, it could theoretically have 6 different "ping" sounds at the same time, which would be freaking awesome.
A bit late, but yes, it does - check out Oscillator Sink's channel. I think it's the video on ring mod and filter operators. Also, there are several filter implementations to choose from, some of them self-oscillating more easily than others. So you can have 6 different oscillators with different waveforms, frequencies and envelopes, each pinging its own filter, and each filter can be a different type with different cutoff and resonance. Add global filter, 3 EGs, 3 LFOs, 3 FXs, and the mod matrix... the possibilities are freaking awesome indeed. Almost like a modular. However, if you make the same operator to be both a filter and the LFO that pings it, it's probably a bit hard to make it harmonic, because cutoff is relative to operator's pitch, which you want to set at a very low fixed rate. I think it's more realistic to have one oscillator ping 5 filters, or 3 oscillators ping 3 filters (individually or combined, whatever you prefer), 5 oscillators ping 1 filter, or any similar combination. Although with some clever use of the global filter and LFOs these numbers could be higher. And you can always abuse polyphony and key tracking (possibly via the mod matrix) to get dozens of pings with different parameters ;) Even better, don't limit yourself to one sharp edge per wave cycle - there are several other waveforms with sharp edges to choose from (most notably sample & hold) and with wavefolding you can make as many sharp edges as you want! (but an operator can't be a wavefolder and a filter at the same time)
I cant decide between this one and the digitone. I already had de TQ5 which I loved and Im familiar with FM. Maybe this is easier to use but the Digitone has more posibilities? Is the sound warmer in the digitone? Thanks so much for your videos !!
![[MV] A leap of faith...ความเชื่อใจครั้งสุดท้าย (From "Petrichor the series")](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/U1piZH2CNXA/mqdefault.jpg)
I think this is one of the best fm synthesis tutorials I ever saw, far beyond the synth itself.
Thank you so much!! ❤️
@@truecuckoo I agree. Your patient and curious personality is really suitable to FM exploration and bringing us into that world. This was amazing. Subscribed.
I am no Sound Engineer, no Pro musician, just some random low skilled hobby musician. So saying that, i don't understand half the stuff you are talking about but i just love watching your videos. So extremly relaxing to watch and i am learning all the time
Glad to hear that mate! 🙏🏼
the joy of sound painting
❤
Your trick-release envelope technique is just brilliant. I was initially a bit disappointed at the Opsix only having ADSRs instead of 4-rate, 4-level EGs, but your workaround blows that out of the water. Just fantastic.
🙏🏼 Thanks Dean! Yeah with the 3 extra envelopes tricks like these are very possible with a little modulation knowhow.
Finally, someone really digs into some weirdness with this synth. Beautiful. Also, this demo is a Masterpiece. Thanks so much!
That last patch and your performance were just genius. So beautiful, so eerie and such masterful use of the instrument. Amazing!
I really want to thank your parents for giving you life.
Thanks mum and dad, your rock! ❤️
Calm down
@@JG-ib7xk 😂😂😂
Dunno if anyone cares but if you guys are bored like me atm then you can stream all of the new movies and series on instaflixxer. Been streaming with my girlfriend for the last few days :)
@Griffin Enoch Yup, been using instaflixxer for years myself =)
Metroid !!! 😍
Even years After...i remember that atmosphere...so lonely...a soundtrack masterpiece
Yeah it’s amazing how so many of the Metroid games have epic soundtracks.
It may or may not make an interesting topic... but as I listen to more and more demos of new hardware synth technology as well as the huge variety of VSTi, I start to think about what really works with the music I want to make. Something I find appealing about the Opsix which is why I will probably get it (and why I have numerous older FM hardware in my studio) is that it can fit or can be designed to fit in context in a musical piece. Seems a lot of hardware and software manufacturers are competing for the most motion and constantly evolving thick or complex textures. These sounds are fun no doubt but they take up so much space that they leave little room for composition that utilizes harmony, counterpoint - space, etc. FM as well as classic mono synths don't seem to hog as much sonic space. I think I'm going to really dig the subtlety as well as the diversity that the Opsix has to offer. Cheers.
Exactly how i think about Omnisphere patches... single patch takes up whole spectrum.. cant fit them anywhere properly without bunch of editing.. im getting opsix too in a few days
You are totally right, FM and the nonharmonic overtones it can generate gives you access to SO much more of the sonic spectrum! They are so surgically rich. You can only fit so many harmonics of a fundamental before they all clash and phase each other in and out. FM avoids all that. Great observation!
That bass clonk sound early on 6:00 is so rhythm is rhythm! I love it ! 😂
Ah! Sliders for amplitude are really cool for quickly trying out rough modulation envelopes! It hit me watching you program the epiano sound.
Very nice with the EP. Especially the detail with how it sounds when the hammer lifts up from the string (or what you call it).
🙏🏼
You wizard, you. That story at the end had me so drawn in. I want more synthesizer youtube campfire stories back with FM synths!
I can listen to you all day long! You decrease my blood pressure. 😛😄 You have a very calm voice. On top of that you have a lot of cool gear and I learn a lot by watching your videos. 😊
🙏🏼 nice chill times, mate! 🍵
Thanks partly to this demo, I bought an Opsix - so thank you! (I would have got a PolyBRUTE, but didn't have the budget.) I've already had a lot of fun discovering ways to achieve various things. The virtual modulation patches are useful, I'd even say essential, for some situations: I'm very glad they included that feature. Overall it's a great little machine: it's small; it's light (I can just about lift it between thumb and forefinger!); and it sounds really nice on headphones... I think it's a good synth to sling in the car if you're going away for a few days, actually. A mobile experimentation lab. Nice job, Korg!
Thanks for the sweet, mellow sounds to start my day with. Not what you typically expect when you click on a video about an FM synth.
Thanks for the video.
This is how the Digitone keys should have looked like IMO
Well done KORG with a simple, usable interface
I have no intention of getting this synth. But seeing you use it so sympathetically (I just seem to make raspy noise on my Digitone half the time) is really relaxing while I work. Hopefully some of the operator and modulation principles are being soaked in by my brain for use later on the Digitone :-) Edit: the raspy stuff starts at approx 25 mins XD
Fantastic video, really learned something about how to *explore* FM synthesis, looking for the unexpected sweet spots. Much more useful than the usual features walk through’ tutorials’. Massive thank you!
Thank you so much James! Yeah with FM synthesis I think you have to embrace the idea of exploring. It’s really hard to predict every outcome. Once you get more versed, you’ll know where to look for the sweet spots. But you still need to explore, even when you’re becoming more familiar with it. I love that aspect of fm synthesis.
Love my Opsix. It has replaced lots of my modular and is a controller as well.
Thanks Dr Cuckoo!! You convinced me FM is worth learning and I got an Op six to do it with.
A very pleasant video that gave me a good overview and deeper insight into the sound structure of the synth. As many have already written here, you have a very calm manner and do your thing that makes this clip so exciting.
Thanks! Oops I thought it was the Modwave video. Was a but quick to reply. I was so eagerly anticipating the release of the Opsix, being a true FM nerd. So I dug deep and found it to be quite enjoyable and nice to work with. Sound wise though, FM sounds has so much personality, and on a personal note I slightly prefer other FM platforms over this one. But it’s still a great synth, at a great price.
@@truecuckoo ...but the MEGEfm II is "Out Of Stock" 😥 . I like the old SY 99 (Yamaha) but it has no USB connectivity
@@danielsonderhoff5882 yeah the Opsix is very reliable, and great value for the money. Extreme depth and modern sounding. I guess my ears are charmed by the legacy, that’s all. MegaFM is very wonky, and limited compared to this modern synth. But it would never be a replacement for the Opsix. And something like the Digitone is a very different and more technical experience too, but with extreme clarity in the sound. Speaking from the heart, I honestly think Volca FM has much more clarity than Opsix, and this surprised me, since it’s coming from the same company. Is it just imagination?
I like that picture-in-picture effect you create with the mirror.
edit: typo
This is probably the best AND only 'FM storytelling' video on YT :))
I can definitely hear the metallic vibes of the Yamaha YM2612 chip.
Thanks for making videos that consistently answer interesting questions regarding gear - this one does a great job of just showing the workflow... so many other channels just blast through some presets and turn a knob or two and think that counts as a feature video. It's great to find you, keep it up!
Thank you so much! 🙏🏼
A little meta, but your visual effects for the brinstar's lament section was incredible, well done!
❤️🙏🏼🎮
Thanks for playing this and walking us through it. I prefer the mellow sounds myself. I think I would still buy the megafm first if I was going to buy an fm synth. It just sounds fantastic. This does sound good though
Somehow this synth slipped under my radar. Those unexpected glitches and circuit-bent-esque noises are oh-so satisying. This could easily end up being the ultimate FSU machine. 😎 Nice vid as usual, Cuckoo! I may pick this up.
Lots of great fm options out there right now. I was looking at the megafm but this one seems very friendly with how cuckoo presents it.
The MegaFM certainly has a more retro sound, what with it being a retro synth, but the Opsix does have way more capabilities in terms of sound generation, what with it being a 6 operator synth instead of 2 4 operator synths.
I could listen to this kind of music allday. I love synths
Quality demo. At first I was thinking I wouldn't buy one, but the tones evoke so many glorious, drug-fuelled memories from clubbing around North London during the late 80s - like Derrick May's "Nude Photo" and "Security" by the Beat Club, to Baby Ford's "Fordtrax", I think I'm gonna have to bite the bullet.
And besides, to get the same control and colours of tone within the eurocrack world would cost thousands.
Korg is definitely on a roll, an analog/FM hybrid drum machine would be superb, - kind of KR55 meets Basimilus Iteritas.
love to ALL, feel no hate
Wow! A "Futurama" Holophonor (32:45, 39:35), complete with colourful images!
Cuckoo + Opsix = easy understanding of FM. What a wonderful video, man!
🙏🏼
not disapointed once more. Coming from the synth demo at start and just feel happy and relaxed at the end.
Hey Cu, I finally read the manual and it is surprisingly simple, once I read the manual. On the surface, it doesn't make any sense, but after the short and simple manual, it makes total sense. there are things I wish it did, but it feels like they made that thing do just about everything, except load samples. I had a SY77 and that was a unique machine, I regret selling. it would use samples as an operator..
28:23
*accidently summons the devil*
Cuckoo: "wow, hehe. "
I started by skipping to 10:33 and looked at the screen and the pitchwheel thinking "Behringer has finally driven Korg insane, holy shit!"
Thanks for all your video Cuckoo. They're so helpful. The key release part of this video was a huge lesson for me. Thanks again!
Thanks mate! Glad you liked it. That particular method can definitely be applied anywhere there's an extra Envelope to be patched.
Thank you for the great deep dive into this synth. I am looking foreward a lot for my unit. I didn't know it's so versatile. Reminds me on the Blofeld for its huge modulation options. This is the kind of FM machine I was looking for. It might be the first synth making FM really easy to program and understand. If this was the intention, Korg succeeded. I got several FM and PD hardware synths; but they all are a pain in the ass to program: so I can't wait to lay my fingers on the Opsix, exploring the vast sound capabilities... your video is a great inspiration. 😊 Cheers!
You sound like you're having fun. It makes me happy 💛
Super cool synth, explained in a smooth direct to the point way, I was about to get opsix after your video, but ended up buying Wavstate after watching the other video .. obviously wavestate can design the same sounds but also beyond that , also in 64 polyphony.
you sold me at 5:38 when you just nudged the fader levels to manually test out the envelope for the op.. some other fm synths are just too awkward to comfortably do that
Great, as usual! All of the sudden FM sound design appears endlessly creative and affordable.
Great video, I'm considering an opsix but I'm waiting for the microkorg2 to see which one I will go for.
Thanks. I'm waiting for the Microkorg 2 as well. It feels like they probably announced it a little bit too early. Let's hope it'll get ready for manufacturing soon! The Opsix is sort of more complex, in many ways. But in my early tries with the Microkorg 2 it's no slouch, and seems pretty versatile as well.
Always impressive and whimsical my friend.
❤️
Just love how you found the ghost from AOL past around 28 minutes in.
Damn good. Thanks man. Well done, well played.
Got in on that deal for the OP and was looking around for some vids that were spot on without overwhelming.
Super stoked to jump into FM .
It'll be here tomorrow.
Thanks my brother and bad ass job man.
BRAP on! :)
god how many hours i played that game. appreciate very much to in-depth look. been eyeing it. will check out yr patreon this weekend
man love your videos . it always get me excited to do patches and music and learn more about it . and i really like the korg and consider to buy one
I'm a bit surprised - this doesn't actually seem that much easier to edit than the Yamaha SY77. I'm guessing it is, obviously, but once you get used to something like the SY77/99, the workflow is pretty decent. They only fail in that their ADSRs are like, ridiculously complex.
Great sounds and tutorial. Thanks for sharing.
SY77 benefits are: magnificent 61 key keyboard, excellent series of algorithms (with up to 3 assignable feedback loops), crap effects which sound great in a way. Once you updated the screen, it looks great too.
That said - being able to load DX7 presets and having an better/newer workflow shouldn't be underestimated. I just don't mind the SY77 workflow personally.
As I progress through this video I tend to agree, the programming basics are the same, however, SY77 has only one data entry fader, where in opsix you have 6 knobs for ratio, 6 faders for level and 6 more data entry knobs , that seems to make a very important difference, for example as cuckoo uses the fader to have a feel of the envelope he will program. I'm impressed by the opsix, it has a very nice sound, relatable to the SY77, and that editing interface is inspiring me to try to implement a configuration for the BCR 2000 and my TG77 module.
@@JobimSynthMusic Yeah. I agree with you. For a price comparison, the SY77 is still a good alternative, especially with the 5 octave keyboard with aftertouch and loopable envelopes. The filters are 'ok' and I don't think they're as special as people make them out to be, especially because I can't get the filter to self-resonate by pitch. If that's possible, I've never figured it out.
Seems like a great synth (the Opsix) though. Korg is carrying on the legacy that other manufactures have abandoned. This should have been Yamaha's, but they've slept way too long on it.
As someone who wanted to buy the SY99 but couldn't find one so bought the opsix instead as a sort of "consolation prize", I kinda agree it can be seen as an alternative, but to be honest, a few hours after my opsix arrived I was glad I didn't buy the Yamaha. Don't get me wrong, I'd still consider buying SY77/SY99/TG77 if I had unlimited space, they are truly impressive (especially for over 30 year old synths), but the possibilities with the opsix are just mind-blowing. I only wish it had more advanced envelopes, like Yamaha's, because one can make software EGs arbitrarily complex at negligible cost, so I don't understand Korg's decision. Maybe they were afraid it would be too intimidating? I'd be fine with additional envelope stages and loopability being hidden behind some special button combination or global setting. Who knows, maybe they will add that in a future update... (please, Korg!)
32:46 Tweaks so much it travels to another dimension. 😜
Love the review brother you are a genius!!!
Mister Cuckoo !!!!
You're the man !!
Thanks for being a true Cuckoo.
Your reviews are always fun and very instructive.
This guy explains it better and I understand what he means. Pretty cool!
this thing looks super cool. i love FM e-piano. i just wish the keyboard was bigger so you could fully play it
Im fine with 3 octaves but bring back batteries and onboard speakers ala yamaha pss and casio ct.
Hi! What a great video, really! I'm totally blind and your video is really great; the way you describe the steps for creating your sounds is fantastic. Have you ever used the randomize function of the OPSIX? If so, could you explain how to use the various knobs to customize the randomizer? Being totally blind, I don't understand what the paramethers are. Thx for your help and congratulations for your great videos.
I wonder if the desktop editor has decent screen reader compatibility. I'm pretty sure it has mouseover tooltips, which I know aren't entirely sufficient all by themselves but at least are a lot better than the hardware unit offers. I suppose it all really hinges on whether it supports the tab key and/or arrow keys to navigate.
It's not a totally separate desktop editor like the microKORG has, but is actually part of the VST version of opsix. Which I find a bit annoying to be honest, bundling that functionality together rather than just releasing a free tool like they used to. But at least they give a heavy discount for the hardware owners...? Even so, I can't try it myself to answer you because I don't want to pay _any_ extra.
Anyway, as I understand it you can live edit sounds on the desktop while playing on the hardware, or preview sounds on the computer (since it _is_ a full soft-synth) and later push them to the hardware. But again, I don't actually own the VST version to check, I only have the hardware.
Oh man, I was expecting this from Korg. I am glad I've managed to wait for it. Another synth to have into consideration.
What an amazing instrument. 🥰
Magic hands. So good.
Thank you that is incredible how you just taught me so easily what to do
Epic ending. You're as skilled as you're entertaining to watch. 🌟
Seems like a powerful machine. Thanks for the great introduction to it!
Thanks for the tutorial-ish overview mate. Lovely sounding synth indeed.
Lovely, I feel I would probably end up in about the same sonic territory. Great work!
Wow, you got some great sounds out of this. Looking forward to trying it out
Dang that’s some serious ASMR at the end!
Haha 🙏🏼
Amazing video, and you have an amazing calming effect (at least on me) thanks!
Kinda mega tutorial 😆 ? Happy to see you with that one 👍👊 take care !
Kinda sorta 🤗 I left out the sequencer, and some other things. And it’s below 1h.. so perhaps a Kilo tutorial?
I have a bit of analog Moog gear I really love. I had always loved the DX7 ( first release ) and always thought it was such a cool synth. I had a few plug-ins that emulated it and then one day last spring I had a brain wave....WHY DONT I JUST BUY A REAL DX7?! So I did. I love it. I have been having a ton of fun with it. I have been making awesome sounds with it. But I find even with loading sysex and such It is very hard to learn and not easy to change parameters on the fly. Then I see this. Now I am thinking I want this synth too! Even if I buy one I will always have this DX7, such and awesome synth. If you want swing by my channel and you will hear it in some of my music. Always love your content and delivery Cuckoo! Thank you for the video. Much love from northern Canada.
If you download Dexed it's pretty much a software editor for the Dx7. You can send your finished patches to the synth, and save entire banks, eliminating the need for cartridges. That's what I do anyway. I'm tempted to do what the person above me says as well!
sweet! i just got one of these. so cool!
28:23 Opsix gained self awareness and spoke to us "hi, woah, yeah, hi!"
You seem like exactly the kind of guy I'd love to nerd out with over a few beers and then have a fun little bleepy bloopy jam.
Keep up the amazing work 🎶😎🎶
"you plant your organisms over to samus, in hope of her recognizing the beauty of your lifeforms"
omg it's out?!! I just saw the prototype last week!
Always fun to learn from the FM king!
sick demo re, well done
🙏🏼
Nice video as always. A couple of questions.
1.Can you fine tune the ratio to like 1:250?
2. Can you loop the envelopes?
3. Is there a S&H function like on the Elektron Digitone where it holds the current trig at that position?
Would be sweet to know!
magnificent vid. glad i bought one
Simple question, can you layer, split, stack sounds and is it multitimbral for different sounds on different channels?
No one has answered this.
Right now it’s not multi layered, nor split of full patches. You can set up a patch to seem like that. Like three operators on the left, three on the right. But it’s not the same thing. BUT it seems capable of doing it. When changing patches you can hold one sound, while loading a new sound and play that new sound while still holding the old sound, with rich polyphony. I think they could technically offer this in a future software update, should they want to.
@@truecuckoo thanks.
That's a severe limitation to one voice at a time with 32 voice polyphony.
I'm a FM fan former owner of the Yamaha dx7 II fd with the e board and tx802 and tx81z FM modules.
Each one of those allowed stacking of up to 8 voices which allow for insane sounds that I miss so much.
My mind goes crazy when I think of all of the potential lost.
Just think, with all of the added algorithms synth features eq effects sequencer arp motion on this, and the unlimited potential, but only if it allowed you to layer And split those sounds.
I am hoping an update changes that.
I am thinking the Yamaha modx FM engine with 128 polyphony splitting layering etc arp sequencing 8 operator would be Way more versatile, but it has no after touch and does not have this classic button friendly lay out.
I am hoping a software or hardware upgrade can change this as FM is not very hard on computers.
I wonder if a more powerful processor can be installed.
It also needs way more program storage.
Like 100 time more.
So people can make store share sell and connect sounds.
FM is like 100th if the file size of samples.
Otherwise it looks like I will find a used montage or modex but just fit the FM.
@@Tigerex966 I think you are on the right path... for a few hundred bucks more a modx serves up "eight" FM engines within a single performance.
Other specs: multitimbral, 61 keys, incredible effects, motion control, larger touch screen, AWM2 engine, strong documentation/support and the list goes on. The OPSIX has it's value and place and for those reasons it's a welcome addition to the FM synth market.
Hopefully the street price will make it a more attractive alternative to the MODX?. Yamaha does have controlling interest in Korg so I suppose they are friendly cousins.
So cool how you added some kind of damper noise to the EP. Many just stick to the original DX7 preset, but there certainly is room for improvement. Great video, you managed to master this device in a fairly short time I suppose?
Thanks mate! Yeah I think it has a good logic structure, which is always helpful when learning a new electronic instrument. Although it takes more time to find the sweetspots.
@@truecuckoo Thanks to your video I played the Opsix yesterday evening in a different way. Less fear to dive into features there were unknown or didn't seem so important to me before.
It's like having bought tools to paint, but you're showing how and what to paint! Oh, somebody already compared you to Bob Ross :)
Great video, amazing patches at the end there. Obviously a hugely deep synth. Is the user algorithm one global slot or per patch? Or are there multiple slots for user algorithms?
It's per patch :) Although I'm sure you've found the answer by now ;) Amazing possibilities for skilled synthesists.
I’ve never been this early!! Can’t wait to watch!
Awesome video as always Cuckoo, also - your jumper is 10/10. Want it! xD
When the person/thing was knocking/making sounds I thought "wow, now that is a cool sound"
Haha
19:45 Big fan of that patch actually
wait, i don't get it
you sold me a Mega FM like 3 weeks ago
whats going on
is this some sort of elaborate prank
Lol, relax, your MEGAFM is still most unique with its legacy dirty grit. I love it. This is something completely different.
The sliders was a great idea.
So which one is better? The megaFM or this one? Seems to me the megaFM has more character while this one is much more powerful.
Apples and oranges. Imo
Always good your tutorial, Mr Cuckoo 🙏🏻
Hey man, fantastic demos here! I love your detailed and happy videos. :-) I just get an Opsix, and started to make my own presets. The first is an analogish bass line, See You bass Line from Depeche Mode. Yeah, it's strange to use it like this, but it can do this also! I am very happy with the result, very nice possibilities! Can you please tell me, how to "link" EG's? I want to adjust the ADSR EG of the first and the third operator in link mode if possible. (to adjust them together) Is it possible? Thanks, cheers!
I agree that would be a cool feature. In the meantime you can either use the copy utility, or if you really need the envelopes to be the same while tweaking the parameters you can use one of the global EGs instead and set the per-operator ones to no attack, full sustain, full release, effectively bypassing them.
I like it but I hope they put a heavy duty shift button on it...you use it for way to many things
I don't know about its durability yet, but I do wish it was easier to access and had a bump similar to F and J keys on computer keyboards, because I keep pressing "write" instead while creating sounds at night with lights off.
Amazing,What a great machine!
Hello Cuckoo ... thank you for this great review ... any thoughts about the build quality ? the keyboard sounds a bit flimsy. take care 👍
You ARE the sound... recognise the BEAUTY... Submarinated!
oh lawdy korg gonna sell alot of these bad boys
Very curious on the price. This might be something to grab soon
A short story about true love..... Once upon a time there was a man called True Cuckoo, he made online tutorials. I learn't alot and fell in love..... The End. :)
❤️
Wot not multitimbral , 1988 tx81z or fb01 could (and had metal case) , is this progress?, 90 percent of the tones auditioned here are capable on the tx minus fx processor
Whenever I see a synth that has oscillators that could go into LFO ranges, first thing I try is to "ping" the resonant filters, modular style. I set some sharp-edged waveform like saw or short pulse, set frequency really low, and filter resonance near self-oscillation. This technique works beautifully with my Nord Lead 3, and analog synths, but not on all synths that I tried. Could you be so kind to confirm that this works on Opsix? If it does, it could theoretically have 6 different "ping" sounds at the same time, which would be freaking awesome.
A bit late, but yes, it does - check out Oscillator Sink's channel. I think it's the video on ring mod and filter operators. Also, there are several filter implementations to choose from, some of them self-oscillating more easily than others. So you can have 6 different oscillators with different waveforms, frequencies and envelopes, each pinging its own filter, and each filter can be a different type with different cutoff and resonance. Add global filter, 3 EGs, 3 LFOs, 3 FXs, and the mod matrix... the possibilities are freaking awesome indeed. Almost like a modular. However, if you make the same operator to be both a filter and the LFO that pings it, it's probably a bit hard to make it harmonic, because cutoff is relative to operator's pitch, which you want to set at a very low fixed rate. I think it's more realistic to have one oscillator ping 5 filters, or 3 oscillators ping 3 filters (individually or combined, whatever you prefer), 5 oscillators ping 1 filter, or any similar combination. Although with some clever use of the global filter and LFOs these numbers could be higher. And you can always abuse polyphony and key tracking (possibly via the mod matrix) to get dozens of pings with different parameters ;) Even better, don't limit yourself to one sharp edge per wave cycle - there are several other waveforms with sharp edges to choose from (most notably sample & hold) and with wavefolding you can make as many sharp edges as you want! (but an operator can't be a wavefolder and a filter at the same time)
I cant decide between this one and the digitone. I already had de TQ5 which I loved and Im familiar with FM. Maybe this is easier to use but the Digitone has more posibilities? Is the sound warmer in the digitone? Thanks so much for your videos !!