71 lines
		
	
	
		
			4 KiB
		
	
	
	
		
			Markdown
		
	
	
	
	
	
		
		
			
		
	
	
			71 lines
		
	
	
		
			4 KiB
		
	
	
	
		
			Markdown
		
	
	
	
	
	
|   | # OPL FM synthesis instrument editor
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|  | 
 | |||
|  | The OPL FM editor is divided into 7 tabs: | |||
|  | 
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|  | - **FM**: for controlling the basic parameters of FM sound source. | |||
|  | - **Macros (FM)**: for macros controlling algorithm and feedback | |||
|  | - **Macros (OP1)**: for macros controlling FM parameters of operator 1 | |||
|  | - **Macros (OP2)**: for macros controlling FM parameters of operator 2 | |||
|  | - **Macros (OP3)**: for macros controlling FM parameters of operator 3 (Warning: only when 4-op flag is set, only on OPL3!) | |||
|  | - **Macros (OP4)**: for macros controlling FM parameters of operator 4 (Warning: only when 4-op flag is set, only on OPL3!) | |||
|  | - **Macros**: for miscellaneous macros controlling volume, arpeggio, and YMF262 panning. | |||
|  | 
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|  | ## FM
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|  | 
 | |||
|  | The OPL synthesizers are nominally two-operator (OPL3 supports limited 4-operator mode), meaning it takes two oscillators to produce a single sound. | |||
|  | 
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|  | These apply to the instrument as a whole: | |||
|  | - **Feedback (FB)**: Determines how many times operator 1 returns its output to itself. (0-7 range) | |||
|  | - **Algorithm (AL)**: Determines how operators are connected to each other. (0-1 range and OPL1 and OPL2, 0-3 range on OPL3 4op mode) | |||
|  |   - Left-click pops up a small "operators changes with volume?" dialog where each operator can be toggled to scale with volume level. | |||
|  |   - Right-click to switch to a preview display of the waveform generated on a new note: | |||
|  |     - Left-click restarts the preview. | |||
|  |     - Middle-click pauses and unpauses the preview. | |||
|  |     - Right-click returns to algorithm view. | |||
|  | 
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|  | - **4-op**: Enables 4-operator FM instrument editor mode (ONLY ON OPL3) | |||
|  | - **Drums**: Enables OPL drum mode editor | |||
|  | 
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|  | These apply to each operator: | |||
|  | - The crossed-arrows button can be dragged to rearrange operators. | |||
|  | - The **OP1**, **OP2**, **OP3**, and **OP4** buttons enable or disable those operators. | |||
|  | - **Amplitude Modulation (AM)**: Makes the operator affected by LFO tremolo. | |||
|  | - **Sustain flag (SUS)**: When enabled, value of Sustain Level is in effect. | |||
|  | - **Attack Rate (AR)**: determines the rising time for the sound. The bigger the value, the faster the attack. (0-15 range) | |||
|  | - **Decay Rate (DR)**: Determines the diminishing time for the sound. The higher the value, the shorter the decay. It's the initial amplitude decay rate. (0-315 range) | |||
|  | - **Sustain Level (SL)**: Determines the point at which the sound ceases to decay and changes to a sound having a constant level. The sustain level is expressed as a fraction of the maximum level. (0-15 range) | |||
|  | - **Release Rate (RR)**: Determines the rate at which the sound disappears after KEY-OFF. The higher the value, the shorter the release. (0-15 range) | |||
|  | - **Total Level (TL)**: Represents the envelope’s highest amplitude, with 0 being the largest and 63 (decimal) the smallest. A change of one unit is about 0.75 dB. | |||
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 | |||
|  | - **Envelope Scale (KSR)**: Also known as "Key Scale". Determines the degree to which the envelope execution speed increases according to the pitch. | |||
|  | - **Frequency Multiplier (MULT)**: Determines the operator frequency in relation to the pitch. (0-10, 12, 15 range) | |||
|  | - **Waveform select (WS)**: Changes the waveform generated by oscillator (OPL2 and OPL3 only, 0-7 range) | |||
|  | - **Pitch Modulation (VIB)**: Makes the operator affected by LFO vibrato. | |||
|  | 
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|  | ## macros
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|  | 
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|  | Macros define the sequence of values passed to the given parameter. Via macro, along with the previously mentioned parameters, the following can be controlled: | |||
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|  | ## FM Macros
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|  | All parameters are listed above. | |||
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|  | ## OP1-OP4 Macros
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|  | All parameters are listed above. | |||
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|  | ## Macros
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|  | 
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|  | - **Arpeggio**: Pitch change sequence in semitones. | |||
|  | - **Panning**: toggles output on left and right channels. (OPL3 only!) | |||
|  | - **Pitch**: fine pitch. | |||
|  |   - **Relative**: pitch changes are relative to the current pitch, not the note's base pitch. | |||
|  | - **Phase Reset**: Restarts all operators and resets the waveform to its start. Effectively the same as a `0Cxx` retrigger. | |||
|  | 
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|  | 
 | |||
|  | # links
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|  | 
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|  | [FM instrument tutorial](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wS8edjurjDw): A great starting point to learn how create and work with FM sounds. This was made for DefleMask, but all the same principles apply. |