Yamaha FS1R Synthesizer
Thu, 2009-09-24 16:46
The Yamaha FS1R synthesizer has always interested me. Now I might be able to get one on the cheap. Bidding at the mo and it looks good... Not absolutely mint but seems ok. No major probs. Anyone have one? Is it a nice synth to have? Easy to find extra material for it? It seems like a great synthesizer. I have had other Yamaha synthesizers before, the DX7 was nice. Opinions?
Fri, 2009-10-09 00:09
#2
I've owned an FS1R since '99. And I hafta say that without question, she'z the best rack in the bizness....(sorry, Madonna!). It'z not very well-known in the mainstream, but any hardcore muso or producer worth their salt knows just how special this machine iz. It'z like have multiple DX-7's on steroids......plus a whole lot more.
Without question, the best FM/digital synth I've ever had the pleasure of werkin with. Ya do need to be a bit of a genius to get your head 'round one in terms of programming. So sadly, I'm not very adept at calculating algorithms & what-not. So I just do some basic parameter tweaking & call it good.
But the factory presets themselves are nothing to turn your nose up at. In fact, a few patches are some of the finest I've ever had the pleasure of using in my 20-plus years of werkin with synthesizers. In particular.....there's one factory preset called "SuperArp" which iz one of the most spot-on Arp 2600 patches I've ever heard this side of the real thing. I use it quite often in my line of werk.
They're getting increasingly rare on the used market. Because the folks who have them, generally won't part with them unless it'z an absolute necessity. And so it iz with me. I can't ever see myself parting wayz with her. But they do occasionally show up on eBay. Generally between $425 and $600 (USD). Don't take my wurd for it, mate.......see for yourself.
But I promise you this much.........once you plug her in & run thru her presets, you'll be smitten for good. Might wanna consider a move to Holland afterward, I hear it's legal for man & machine to wed there.
Come to think of it........where that bloody passport?
Sun, 2009-11-22 19:03
#3
I've wanted one since I saw the brochure way back. It's definitely on my list of things to own before I die.
Mon, 2010-04-05 17:06
#4
The FS1R is the only 8(+8)op FM hardware synth available & has significantly more algorithms available than any other Yamaha FM synth, the nearest rival being the SY/TG77 with 45 algorithms to the FS1R's 88, as far as I know. There are also eight forms of oscillator wave available to each voiced operator, keeping in mind that the DX7 only had a sine wave oscillator on each operator.
Freeware patches are still thin on the ground, though there is an editor available. As usual, programming is not as problematic, if you use a computer editor, compared to the LCD display, though it's still difficult until you have some experience of FM synthesis. Expect to pay a minimum of €400 for one, until everybody realises that it's unique, though difficult, in it's abilities, if you wish to go beyond presets!
Some patches:
http://www.levente-zone.co.uk/Synths/fs1r.html
Patch Editor:
http://synth-voice.sakura.ne.jp/fs1r_editor_english.html
Formant Sequence Editor:
http://www.xs4all.nl/~niff/fs1r/
Mon, 2010-08-23 11:53
#5
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Thu, 2010-08-26 22:13
#6
I don't _love_ mine, but I do like it. My chief complaints are: not enough LFOs; and the sound is very smooth, a bit damped, not aggressive or "strong" (I wish I could flip a switch and use the gritty TX81Z waveforms!)
Otherwise, it's amazing. If you like noodling with FM synthesis, it will keep you entertained forever. It has a variety of waveforms. The formant waves are impressive, but took me a while to use effectively. It's hard to create useful patches (for every 10 patches I start, I throw 9 in the trash) but when you hit that 1-out-of-10, it's incredible, jaw-dropping textures, modulations that you can't foresee.
Make sure you use a software patch editor -- don't edit patches using the tiny buttons on the FS1R's front panel, or you'll want to pound your head on the nearest table.
Eventually an FM software synth will emerge that blows the FS1R away, but that day hasn't come to pass, yet.
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It is Yamaha's ultimate FM monster, and capable of really interesting sounds. But it is notoriously difficult and complex to program. But it is in high demand, one of those odd synths that make future classics. I'd like one :-)