KQ Tixie by Ryouta Kira (Released)

Gavinski

@MadGav said:

@Robin2 said:

@Gavinski said:

@Robin2 said:

@panthera86 said:
KQ Dixie = Dx 7 = 6 operator / 32 Algorithm FM

KQ Tixie = DX 100 / FB 01 / Tx81z = 4 OP FM / 8 Algs

https://gearspace.com/board/electronic-music-instruments-and-electronic-music-production/1348073-tx-81z-lately-bass-vs-dx7.html

In love FM synthesis but I certainly don’t claim to understand the intricacies involved in it. Sorry to get all Spinal Tap about it, but isn’t 6 operators, like, 2 better than 4? Isn’t 32 algorithms 24 better than 8? (Not trying to detract or imply criticism of either app, just curious.).

Dixie only has sine waveforms, so that would mean Tixie, which has others, has an advantage in that regard. Having fewer operators might make it easier to program, which might be seen as an advantage. Tixie is also mpe (though I don't know how good the implementation is) while Dixie isn't. The UIs are different, maybe Tixie is easier to program in that regard (I don't know, haven't used Dixie in a long time and haven't compared them, just worth mentioning that UI plays a huge part). UI/UX on both of these might not be regarded as overly accessible by the average user tbh.

Thanks @Gavinski, really appreciate that. Easier to program is a very good point which hadn’t occurred to me and yes, of course, UI does make a real difference. Cheers.

More operators is of course more powerful, but what those operators can do also matters. OG DX7 FM can only generate harmonics through FM between operators, operator feedback (1-op per algorithm iirc) and additive (mixing ops). The key difference of the other waveforms in later 4-op is for operators to start out with harmonics. So, rich sounds need less operators.

FWIW my favourite UI/UX for FM is Bleass Omega, but it’s only 4-op with sines and 1 feedback (aka gimped 6-op, like the earlier Yamaha 4-op models)

Informative comment, thnx Gav!

Fantastic

@Gavinski said:

@MadGav said:

@Robin2 said:

@Gavinski said:

@Robin2 said:

@panthera86 said:
KQ Dixie = Dx 7 = 6 operator / 32 Algorithm FM

KQ Tixie = DX 100 / FB 01 / Tx81z = 4 OP FM / 8 Algs

https://gearspace.com/board/electronic-music-instruments-and-electronic-music-production/1348073-tx-81z-lately-bass-vs-dx7.html

In love FM synthesis but I certainly don’t claim to understand the intricacies involved in it. Sorry to get all Spinal Tap about it, but isn’t 6 operators, like, 2 better than 4? Isn’t 32 algorithms 24 better than 8? (Not trying to detract or imply criticism of either app, just curious.).

Dixie only has sine waveforms, so that would mean Tixie, which has others, has an advantage in that regard. Having fewer operators might make it easier to program, which might be seen as an advantage. Tixie is also mpe (though I don't know how good the implementation is) while Dixie isn't. The UIs are different, maybe Tixie is easier to program in that regard (I don't know, haven't used Dixie in a long time and haven't compared them, just worth mentioning that UI plays a huge part). UI/UX on both of these might not be regarded as overly accessible by the average user tbh.

Thanks @Gavinski, really appreciate that. Easier to program is a very good point which hadn’t occurred to me and yes, of course, UI does make a real difference. Cheers.

More operators is of course more powerful, but what those operators can do also matters. OG DX7 FM can only generate harmonics through FM between operators, operator feedback (1-op per algorithm iirc) and additive (mixing ops). The key difference of the other waveforms in later 4-op is for operators to start out with harmonics. So, rich sounds need less operators.

FWIW my favourite UI/UX for FM is Bleass Omega, but it’s only 4-op with sines and 1 feedback (aka gimped 6-op, like the earlier Yamaha 4-op models)

Informative comment, thnx Gav!

Yep, and to be clear, if you do a simple test in any FM synth that has Tixie style multiple wave types, its very very obvious what that difference means. Sine waves being FM'able by sinewaves, plus feedback, was already an all the way to white noise amount of harmonics, but saws or squares FM'able by each other is just an order of magnitude more intense range of possibilities, and requires far less depth to get to the point of craziness. Native Instruments FM8 had it for years and years so it was always weird to me when DX7 type soft synths took the step back to only sines. Arturia's is another splendid one, probably the successor to FM8 (25 waveforms).

Actually without a 4 or 6 op FM synth, just any synth that has FM'ability, like Tera and Synthmaster, there's an insane amount of harmonic complexity in this functionality, of complex waves doing FM modulating of complex waves (EG, bass patch transforming back and forth into Transformer robot getting angry sound fx)

Grandbear

Phasemaker was supposed to have the TX81Z waveforms, right? (I know it has extra waveforms but I don't for sure if that's the synth that the manual refers to)

Robin2

Thanks @MadGav and @Fantastic, your explanations make perfect sense regarding the extra waveforms and what that means in practice. I also have Bleass Omega and like it very much but I’m very tempted by Tixie now you’ve explained the benefits of multiple waveforms. Cheers.