Yamaha FS1R

This is one of the most complex sysnths ever created. You could write a book dedicated to the dx 7, and this is a lot more powerful than the DX7 so I guess this one deserve's an encyclopedia. It has 8 operators, and 8 unvoiced operators. It has 88 algorithm's. When the filter section isn't in use it has 32 voices but with the filter on the number of voices drops to 16. It also has "FSEQs" which make speech like modulations. Its efx are quite nice for a synth, but they aren't "Phat" like the effects on the access virus. 4 parts multi timbral.

Price paid

$500

UTILIZATION

Editing this synth is a miserable experience from the front panel. This is as bad as it gets. So, be advised that if you are adverse to using software editors you will struggle with this synth. It was designed with a software editor in mind I think; no one rack space sized synth could amiacbly accomodate so many parameters with a hardware interface; I doubt a synth which take's up an entiure rack could do that either. WIth software its a breeze, without software its torture.

SOUNDS

The sound quality has greatly evolved from the dx7's: Better converters, more waveshape's and algorithms, more operators, a filter, vocal formants... The presets are awful, and it take's a lot of time to program this synth. If you ever buy this synth you should buy some sort of book which explains FM synthesis and understand how the different ratio's of operator pair frequencies lead to different sounds, and accordingly that interacts with the algorithms. if you don't have some basis for setting your feet down at first you will want to sell it since it's a tricky beast. This is related to sound imho, because FM synthesis is much more powerful than subtractive. Instead of having a LP filter to blanket out partial frequencies with an FM synth different ratio's of operator pairs and their settings can control the partial content, or sideband frequencies as they are called by FM synthesists. And, with an FM synth the range of control is far more precise which in a nutshell means there's many more opportunities for things to get ugly, I mean really ugly if you don't know how to program it, or if you have bad taste(which is kind of subjective). Over all though I'd say it's sound is quite punchy. Its filter isn't a VA filter, its very Yamaha'ish, and is useful, but a lot of the stuff you'd control with filter cut off or resonance can be achieved without a filter on an FM synth. The filter is great for acidy sounds though, and there's even a 18 db. filter if you want to do FS!R faux TB 303 impressions.

OVERALL OPINION

This thing is built like a tank and quite stable. This will take you to the top, it will win the war, impress the girls, get you points in your next contract, and of course it doesn't take up much space.

When I first bought it I didn't like it because I didn't know how to use it. You must be very careful with the FS!R because, as i previously stated, if you don't know what your doing you will not find the superb sounds it is capable of producing- and that would be a shame. Used in a cool context this thing shine's, especially for a little contrast to Analog or Sampled sounds. Heck, this thing can make really hard sounds and buzzy noise or really soft pure sounds...it can even sing(literally) or pierce your ears with sounds similar to a guitar feeding back. Also FM synths are capable of a far wider sp

a compilation of FM synthesis has thrust his paroxisme.le fm with its rich spectrum, wearing a processor effect qualité.tres nice machine for clever programmer

UTILIZATION

this is the merde.c is a plant too gaz.espace reduced for a workspace agreable.trop parameters of the millimeter square lol.

SOUNDS

fm sound par excellence. dynamic effects and a breathtaking, it's beautiful it's alive, it has no desire to sell it by listening to the factory preset. every sound is beautiful. if you also like the sound then fm is the icing on the gateau.une machine capable of imitating everything, analog sounds, sound, special effects, human voice (it is unclear how leather eggs but we can imitate cooking eggs in the pan)

OVERALL OPINION

it will replace your old dx7 which has been quoted, gentillement.a keep ringing in his set of synth unless you need money. lol

This is a great tool, compact (1U) and nice design ...
Software to manipulate the device through the computer's available on the net, so practice
especially since it offers a number of standard paramtrages

UTILIZATION

It is true that the menu did not may be the most empty dpart to him but you can lower the overall score because of this that MRIT lgre imperfection and then is the tame animal is normal! a time-consuming

SOUNDS

The sounds are incredibly ralistes I think notement to electric guitar or Ether, the simulator B3 possde a prsence any evidence and groundwater (Pads, FX ...)

OVERALL OPINION

A tool efficiency and clean

Trs beautiful MODEL 1 u rack with 2 x 4 knobs endless CHARACTERISTICS see if cited in other reviews.

UTILIZATION

I advise directly through an editor on PC is because synthse trs drives (4000 paramtres) and ergonomics on the top rack is not (small buttons and not just space Wheel value for the incremented / dcrmentation).
The manual is correct, any way, for the edition of FM, it is best to be understood by even.
Otherwise, I think the rack is fairly organized.

SOUNDS

Submitted really need the synthse FM. Oprateurs with 16, 88 algorithms, filters rsons + shapes, is a monster fs1r synthse o can be any expression.
For sound, we like it or not.
I mainly used To create leads, because the discordant squence synthse Fm provides sounds trs rich harmonies.
The FS1R trs is surprising in the low register / subs o one can reach a trs deep in the sound.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 5 years.
What I like most is:
- Sound
- The potential cratif
- Russian marriage between fm, formant filters and
- The edition that multitasking quickly switch between preset performance mode when editing sound.
- The 4 outputs.
- The look (Sympa color!)

What I like least is:
- Ergonomics (I prferais 3 U rack with more controllers, one value knob and buttons that are big + - sore fingers!) Because I like working on the machine too.
- The number of user presets (128 only while the machine is proposing 11 banks of 128 presets non ditable)
- I wish that the 16 reverbs, 28 variations, 40 inserts 3-band equalizer and a correspond indpendant effect block on each side and thus have effects specifically developed to rglages each four shares as on machines such as access to c Virus (except the reverb in this case) but the Yamaha would cost much + money!

Despite its few dfaults the fs1r for me is the FM synth + the powerful ever created by Yamaha.
5 years ago, I think I bought the rack in the 750 euros that the silent era really cheap because the fs1r with 4-way multitimbral is the equivalent 4-DX7 overpowered (level synthse, The DX7 did not have filters or formants oprateurs and 6 / 32 algorithms). I therefore report quality excellent price especially when you see her now cte Used (400 euros for dernirement acqurir the equivalent of 4 DX7 overpowered, it's worth it when even! !)

With exprience, I would do well on the same choice, I think even one day a m'quiper 2nd MODEL.

PS: I work a lot with the Native Instruments FM7, and even if I like the possibilities of the latter and ergonomics, I think he's a sweet + wise +. At sound reproduction, the fs1r + has always given satisfaction that the Fm7.

Last Updated on 11/05/2005: Finally, APRS years of use, even when I sold the rack for a 2nd m'quiper Clavia G2 Engine which offers FM as the synthse fs1r but is much faster + program, offers 30 to 40 times more memory used, effects processors compltement indpendants on each share ... I would stay nanmoins trs attach the rack to me discovering the synthse FM in better conditions with a DX7 o TX802.