Yamaha DX7 Manual - Algorithms

quick manual | algorithms | dx max(4): options, pictures, destroy and repair

Algorithm types

Each of the 6 oscillators (called "operators") consist of only sine waves.
Sine waves can be changed by the modulator. It gives side band frequencies below and above of the carrier.
They interact with each other through 32 different "algorithms".
The 32 algorithms are created using only 12 unique building blocks.
Top-down: red=modulator, blue=carrier (the sound that is modulated).
Feedback: more feedback makes more of a saw of the osc. Too much feedback introduces noise.

Stacked - 1 or more modulators connected in series to a single carrier
- there can be multiple parallel stacks
Branch - multiple modulators connected to a single carrier
Root - a single modulator connected to multiple carriers

to beef up the carrier sounds
Carrier-only - multiple operators in carrier position, no modulators

nice for organ sounds

FM generated waveforms

only 4 parameters we need to change:
- algorithm selection
- operator output level
- feedback level
- coarse frequency

triangle - no feedback on modulator needed
  output level coarse freq coarse freq
for other pitch
modulator: 50 2.00 1:00
carrier: 99 1.00 0:50


sawtooth - feedback needed
  output level feedback
modulator: 75 7
carrier: 99  
square - same as tri and saw together
  output level coarse freq feedback
modulator: 75 2.00 7
carrier: 99 1.00  

FM generated filter sweeps

make a sawtooth
go to the envelope generator of the modulator
decay the eg to 0, to decrease the impact of the modulator on the carrier, so the carrier goes to sine

Envelope generators

modulator eg's change the tone over time
carrier eg's change the volume over time

thank you madFame

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