Bitwig Sampler FM (Patreon)

This video offers a comprehensive tutorial on FM (Frequency Modulation) synthesis within Bitwig Studio, emphasizing its utility for sound design and understanding sound synthesis beyond Bitwig users. It begins with a query from Reddit about FM synthesis using a sampler, leading to an exploration of various FM techniques, including:

• Starting with a simple sine wave sample and modulating its pitch with an LFO to achieve exponential FM, suitable for percussive sounds but not for melodic content due to its disharmonic nature.
• Modulating the sampler's speed knob instead of pitch to simulate phase modulation, maintaining the fundamental pitch and achieving a more harmonic result.
• Adjusting the LFO's frequency to match the pitch of different keys, using polyphonic mode for playing multiple notes, and applying ADSR to control FM depth for dynamic sound shaping.
• Incorporating velocity sensitivity to modulate FM amount and ADSR decay, creating expressive sounds ranging from simple sine waves to complex overtones.
• Exploring advanced techniques like wavetable LFOs for varied timbres, feedback modulation for rich overtones, and creative use of delay and reverb for unique sound effects.
• Utilizing Bitwig's Poly-Grid for complex, polyphonic FM patches, and exploring various oscillators and filters within Bitwig for FM synthesis, including a dedicated exponential FM oscillator and phase modulation using the Phase-4 oscillator.

The tutorial highlights Bitwig Studio's versatility in sound design, demonstrating unconventional FM synthesis methods through the sampler, modulation devices, and the Poly-Grid. It concludes by encouraging viewers to explore these techniques and share questions or feedback, emphasizing the creative possibilities with FM synthesis in Bitwig Studio.

Kinda related to this video: https://www.patreon.com/posts/make-polymer-85517782