Chapter 1: Basics
Chapter 2: Effects and Arpeggiator
Chapter 3: Hard and Easy
Chapter 4: Operators and Envelopes
Chapter 5: Advanced Synthesis and Routing
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The Modulation Matrix & LFOs (15:13)
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FM8 as a Subtractive Synth (9:43)
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Routing External Audio into FM8 (8:59)
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The XY Morph Pad In-Depth (9:13)
Chapter 6: Sound Design
Unleash the true power of Native Instrument's FM8 virtual synth! FM8 master Al Swettenham breaks this monster synth down, step by step, so you can grasp the amazing power and creativeness of FM synthesis.
Al begins with the important basics such, as an introduction to the synth, a detailed overview and how to use the main Browser & Attributes page as well as the Master page. Next, Al jumps into FM8's powerful effects and arpeggiator and introduces you to "Expert Mode" as well as the "Easy / Morph" page. Al then reveals the Operators and Envelopes sections, advanced synthesis and routing and finishes up with custom FM8 sound design.
If you use Native Instruments FM8 for your productions, get the most out of it and see how truly powerful it really is. Tune-in to the wonderful world of FM synthesis... Watch "FM8 Explained" today.
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Reviews
Submitted 3 months ago
Very Good.
I felt daunted by FM8 and its apparent complexity. But this tutorial explains very well each feature in a pleasant way. Thank you very much.
I am a: Hobbyist, Musician, Cubase
Submitted 7 months ago
Excellent Presentation
I am just now digging into all the NI Synths that are included in the Komplete 11 Bundle. I needed an introductory course to the FM8 and this by far exceeded my expectations. Thank you!
I am a: Semi-Pro, Musician, Pro Tools
Submitted 9 months ago
Eye opening Tutorial
This Course was a great eye opener for a FM8 which i usually only used for pads... Wow did i learn SO much. Thank you for this.
I am a: Professional, Producer, Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Reaper
Submitted 1 year ago
I like
Straight forward and simple
I am a: Beginner, Musician, Producer, Beat Maker, Audio Engineer, Cubase, Pro Tools
Submitted 1 year ago
Good for beginners of fm synthesis
It's easy to follow if you are trying to learn fm synthesis
Submitted 1 year ago
Fantastic!
Thank you for creating this. It's so thorough, and fun.
I am a: Student, Hobbyist, Musician, Producer
Submitted 2 years ago
Brilliant. Clear and easily understandable.
This is easily the best tutorial on FM8 that I have seen so far.
I am a: Hobbyist, Musician, Cakewalk Sonar
Submitted 2 years ago
Thorough and practical, highly recommended !
Thorough and practical, highly recommended ! Thorough and practical, highly recommended !
I am a: Semi-Pro, Producer, Sound Designer
Submitted 2 years ago
Excellent Tutorials !
Loved this tutorial, very well explained, makes difficult concepts easy to understand.
I am a: Professional
Submitted 2 years ago
Can't handle this guys voice.
I really tried to get thru this one. But the guys' voice just gets on my nerves after a while :( I managed to get thru the absynth one, but couldnt do this. Great teacher, but the voice is truly hard to listen to. It kind of sounds like he's panicking. An update would ensure my subscription.
1. When did you start dabbling in music?
I've been dabbling in music for as long as I can remember in one way or another. As a toddler, my Dad used to sit me at the piano while he played and I'd just bash the keys! But it was in my early teens that I first started trying to write electronic music and learning to program MIDI. I wasn't great at it then but I really enjoyed it and I knew from then on that all I wanted to do was music. When I was 14 I made a CD of my own self made house tunes and persuaded them to sell it in my local record shop down the road. The tracks were pretty basic but I sold all 20 copies!
2. What training have you had?
I did an A-Level in Music Technology, it was pretty retro; we were recording onto analog tape with a Tascam MSR-16 and there were usually only about 8 or 9 channels on the 16 channel desk actually working at any given time! Then I did a BA (Hons) in Popular Music Production at the University of Huddersfield, they were a lot better equipped! I also spent a year working as a trainee studio engineer at ICC Studios, a great recording studio down on the south coast of England. That was really where I cut my teeth, learning to use with Pro-Tools and SADiE. It was hard work but also great fun. ICC was also where I learned the people skills necessary to be a studio engineer. Helping musicians feel comfortable and relaxed so they can give a great performance is a vital part of the job and those skills have come in very handy when working with vocalists on my own music.
3. When did you get into recording?
I first got into recording when I did my A-Level, before that I was really just making crude general midi tracks using a really basic version of Cubase called Cubasis AV. That was a really important step on the road to becoming a producer, before then I didn't really know how to use EQs and compressors effectively. Given that most of my experience up to that point had been teaching myself how to use various bits of software to write dance music, getting some proper training in micing up guitar cabs and drum kits, all using analogue equipment was really valuable.
4. People you have worked with/for?
I'm one third of Rebel Sonix, audio visual bass merchants based in Brixton, London. I joined after having done a few collabs and remixes with them over the last year. I've also worked with Adam Freeland, most notably on a dubstep remix of the James Bond theme for the launch of the videogame Goldeneye Reloaded. I've remixed several tracks by FeralisKinky, the UK's first ever white, female raga vocalist, and I remixed Delirious' last ever single before they broke up, which was a real honour since I remember going to their gigs as a teenager! Other artists I've worked with include Whiskey Pete, Adam Fielding, Steve Leach, Tom+Olly and You And What Army. I get approached quite a lot to do remixes and collabs and I try to do as much as I can, with the inevitable consequence that I'm always really busy!
5. Why are you so good at training people?
I've spent more than 10 years now learning about studio recording, computer composition and sound design and music production. As a producer I never stop learning because I'm always trying to improve my own production skills. I'm comfortable working in a diverse range of genres as well as a diverse range of software and plugins. I also believe I'm clear, concise and articulate (a trait I've absorbed via osmosis from my parents who are both teachers.) But most of all I'm really passionate about this stuff, music production is my life and when I discover something new I get really excited and want to tell people (just ask my wife!)
Products by Al
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tutorial videoABSYNTH 5 Explained
The true power of the incredibly deep ABSYNTH 5 virtual synth by Native Instruments is fully explored and revealed by NI super user Al Swettenham. If you use this mega synth, you owe it to yourself to unlock its true capabilities, features and functions. Tune in with Al now!
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tutorial videoFM8 Explained
Unleash the true power of Native Instruments FM8 virtual synth! FM8 master Al Swettenham breaks this monster synth down, step by step so you can grasp the amazing power and creativeness of FM synthesis. LEarn the ins and outs as well as how to create popular sounds using Native Instruments FM8.
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tutorial videoMaking Trap with Reason
Reason super user Al Swettenham is back with another series and this time it's all about Trap! Join Al as he shows how to use Reason 7 to create all the characteristic genre tropes of this hugely successful genre of bass music as he creates a track from the ground up.
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tutorial videoMONARK Explained
Do you use REAKTOR 5's ensemble MONARK in your productions? Groove 3 resident trainer Al Swettenham is here to show you the ins & outs of this monophonic subtractive synthesizer, as well as how to use it creatively.
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tutorial videoPatch Design in Thor
Do you use the mighty Thor virtual synth in your productions? Well, Reason wizard Al Swettenham will show you some cool ways to get huge sounds out of Thor in this power packed micro series.
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