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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : CMM2 FM synthesizer.
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| JoOngle Regular Member  Joined: 25/07/2020 Location: SwedenPosts: 82 |
When I saw the ARM processor in the CMM2, and the Yamaha sound parts, it struck me how similar that was to the construction of a very expensive synthesizer I have (The top of the line Synthesizer from Yamaha - the Montage). It has a similar ARM processor, and it comes with 2 parts of synths. One is the Sampler part, this is similar to the .mod playback the CMM2 already have, which is essentially just a rompler (a Waveform playback and manipulation device), the only addition is the software that allows you to manipulate samples, adding VST filters (which is software filters for special effects added to the waveform, and you can essentially tweak any sound sample to beyond recognition and make entirely new sounds). It has an FM-X synthesizer, which is one of the most advanced FM synthesizers to date (minus the Formants found in Yamaha FS1R, that was the most advanced, but limited by that times memory capacities). If I'm not mistaken, an FM-synthesizer emulator could be written based on either 4 or 6 operators considering the Basic speed of the CMM2, if done in Assembly, probably all the way to 8 operators. How FM synthesis works: It's basically sound waves generated from an Modulator and a Carrier. You can read more about this on the wiki, it's simple, yet beyond my scope to re-explain here. Why? Because the CMM2 makes it simple to make an interface to external parts like digital rotary encoders as well as analog sliders since the CMM2 comes with a lot of analogue ports. In future MMBasic, a FM-synth routine coded in RISC assembly would be a terrific way to make music for games on the CMM2, and adding a midi port to CMM2 is literally a walk in the part. It could even be USB compatible. FM sound is a simple way to create incredibly lush amazing sounds and instruments (virtually any known sound made can be made digitally with FM synthesis, and it doesn't have to use that much processor power, and it will save on sample space as it uses zero sampling space, just algorithm generated sound synthesis. Now in all fairness, the Yamaha montage uses 2 of the similar ARM7 processors, but one of them is basically used for the Touch screen interface and music software, while the other is used for all the sound complexities of that instrument, this is an instrument that cost in the range of 3000-4000$, out of the scope of most music hobbyist, there's a cheaper version called the MODX with HALF the polyphony on FM-X that the Montage has. Any thoughts about this? |
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hitsware2 Guru  Joined: 03/08/2019 Location: United StatesPosts: 734 |
I like the concept ( music is started me on computers ) It would be great for experimentation , but for actual music making , I think it would be hard to beat Sonic Pi or some such . ( One can concentrate on the music rather than the technology ) I am not sure , but think that ( perhaps ? ) since the CMM2 will play Mod Files that an Amiga type system ( write your wave shapes ) might be ( relatively ) easy to implement . my site |
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| capsikin Guru Joined: 30/06/2020 Location: AustraliaPosts: 342 |
I didn't know much about FM-synthesis before I read your post. I would be interested to see this, mainly if it's in Basic and I can read the code. |
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| Daren Newbie  Joined: 05/08/2020 Location: United KingdomPosts: 25 |
Interesting idea, I love FM synthesis. There is a program for the Gameboy called Nanoloop which has a simple kind of FM synthesis, it is surprisingly capable, although obviously not as sophisticated as the Yamaha. www.nanoloop.de Something like this on CMM2 would be great! Edited 2020-08-05 18:58 by Daren |
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| JoOngle Regular Member Joined: 25/07/2020 Location: SwedenPosts: 82 |
Yes, the Yamaha FM synthesizer is on ARM anyway, so if we could find the code or use source code to compile it as a part of MMbasic that would open up a whole new world on the CMM2, especially when it comes to making music for the games. Especially since FM synthesis can be used to emulate pretty much any imaginable sound, and it will not use up precious memory as .mod files with samples would, not to mention - it would sound better too. I will def. be looking into this. |
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| hitsware2 Guru Joined: 03/08/2019 Location: United StatesPosts: 734 |
> Yes, the Yamaha FM synthesizer is on ARM anyway, You mean as in OPL-3 ? Or am I way out of date ? my site |
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| JoOngle Regular Member Joined: 25/07/2020 Location: SwedenPosts: 82 |
In 2016, Yamaha introduced the Yamaha Montage, it's processor: The main CPU is an AM3352BZCZ80 ARM microprocessor with an 800MHz CPU clock. It is a Texas Instruments Sitara ARM Cortex-A8 single core MPU. Now...if we could get the FM-X engine source code from there... |
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| JohnS Guru Joined: 18/11/2011 Location: United KingdomPosts: 4139 |
I suspect that CPU is quite a bit faster than the one in the CMM2. (They're unlikely to hand the source code out anyway, as you intimate.) John |
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