Making a Classic Supersaw FM8 Progressive Pluck Synth

As you follow along with this helpful FM8 progressive pluck synth video tutorial, you quickly see that this synth can be used in a number of different ways. Before the envelope is truncated into a pluck, it can easily be used as a nice layered supersaw lead. Once it is in a pluck format, it can be tweaked in many different directions to provide a great synth for a really broad range of genres. It’s a classic sound that just works well with a lot of different sounds. Luckily for you, it’s an easy one to make!

It all starts out with setting up the routing if the operators on the FM Matrix. This particular FM8 progressive pluck synth is one that needs only one Sawtooth operator in play. There is some noise introduced through Operator X to give it the airy character that progressive synths are known for. Then the total number of Unison voices is increased to eight on the Master window to provide the supersaw effect. Detuning and Panning spreads the sound out, making it much wider and more interesting.

The next step is to set up an envelope to control how this sound is delivered. Using the Decay Loop preset and the Tempo Sync option in the envelope system, will create an instant FM8 progressive pluck synth that can then be easily tweaked to create any size, shape and length of pluck you may need for your projects. It’s a very quick way to create a synth like this. There are other ways to go about doing it. But this approach does allow for some nice flexibility. Adding a touch of reverb will complete the classic sound of the trance pluck that we are after.

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Cheers,
OhmLab