Cause & Effect and Sound Design Part 4 Modulating Envelopes

In part four of this month’s series about the concepts behind cause and effect sound design in the FM matrix, learn how modulate envelopes in FM8.

Concluding this month’s in depth series on cause and effect sound design in FM8 and the FM matrix, Johnny goes over FM8’s envelopes and more specifically, how to modulate them.

FM8’s modulation destinations aren’t as plentiful as say a synth like Massive. Modulating an envelope isn’t even an option on the modulation page. You can however, achieve a very similar effect and all you have to do is get a little creative.

After making a pretty beefy bass sound, Johnny uses the FM matrix in conjunction with the custom envelopes you can create in FM8 to create an LFO that is in essence modulated by an envelope. To do that, you have to create an envelope and then route that into a new operator that is then modulated into another operator. It is an effective work around for adding some more depth to your sounds. This is an especially good trick for evolving sounds like pads and even wobbles. Check out the video to see it in action!