FM8 Techno Arpeggiator

In this exclusive video tutorial by Jonny Strinati we’re taking a look at how to make a wicked tech style FM8 arpeggiator.

In this tutorial, our own FM8 Guru, Jonny Strinati, demonstrates how to create a wicked tech style FM8 arpeggiator. As a two Operator synth, this style of instrument could easily fit into most techno songs straight out of the box, but with a little of modification it could be used for almost anything genre. The possibilities with this sound are truly endless!

Start this FM8 Techno Arpeggiator by programming the Operators. In the FM Matrix, activate Operators E and F. Route them both through the Filter (Operator Z), and the route the Filter to the Output. In the Ops menu, set the Waveform of Operator F to Square. For Operator E, set the Waveform to 1+8 and the Ratio to 1.5.

Next, we’ll add a little bit of feedback. Back in the FM Matrix, route operator E to modulate Operator F at a level of around 32. Set Operator F to feedback on itself at a level of around 17, and Operator E to feedback on itself at al level of around 38. Now we have the basic part of the sound done.

In the Master menu, increase the number of Voices to 4. Set the Detune to about 25 and bring the Pan up to about halfway. Set the Analog to about 70.

Under the Arpeggiator menu, you can program your own arpeggiation or you can simply load a preset. For this tutorial Jonny loads the preset “melancholic.”

For the Effects lets add a Phaser, Reverb, and PyscheDelay. Sync the Phaser and take the Dry/Wet up to about 65. With the Reverb, increase the time to about 60, and bring the Dry/Wet down to about 35. For the PsycheDelay you’ll want to decrease the time to about 25, Sync it, and then decrease the feedback and Dry/Wet a bit.

Finally we can set the Filter. This is where the sound will come to life! Start by lowering the Cutoff of the first filter to 11. Make sure the it is being Routed to Filter 2 and it is in serial mode. Next, we’ll make sure that the Filter is getting sent to the Envelope by turning up the Env Amt to about 66. Then for the Envelope, we’ll take the shape down to create a more plucky sound. We’ll drop both the Attack and Sustain to achieve this.