… frequency modulation synthesis …

FM synthesis is a mathematical approach to electronic tone creation popularized by keyboards in the 1980’s. Unlike previous analog electronic keyboards, the implementation of stable digital tone generation allowed for consistent and predictable modulation of a carrier signal which …

… NERD MAX OUT …

So … FM synths are great at sounding like “duck quacks” and “clangs”. I do not have nearly enough “duck quacks” or “clangs” in the music I create right now. I am currently looking into some VST instruments to produce more FM tones.

FM synthesis was also used (to a certain degree) in early video game consoles from Sega and TurboGrafx.

Here is an example of FM synthesis at its finest. (Recorded from my TV speaker)

[audio:rt2.mp3]
Residence of Terrible- Rolling Thunder II (Sega Genesis)