Quickly Build a Techno Arpeggiator in FM8

Arpeggiation is one of the most useful techniques in music, and in this tutorial, our talented Jonny Strinati shows how you can quickly and easily build a Techno Arpeggiator in FM8!

In this quick tutorial, Jonny Strinati demonstrates how to build a deep techno arpeggiator using only FM8! This techno arpeggiator has a deep yet vibrant analog sound. It’s an instrument that not only produces killer sounds, but only takes 5 minutes to create!

The Techno Arpeggiator is a simple patch, that only uses two operators. Start by activation Operators E and F. Assign Operator F a Square Waveform, and Operator E a 1+6 Waveform. You should also set Operator E’s ratio to 1.5.

Now in the FM Matrix, route both Operators fully to Operator Z (the Filter). Route Operator E to modulate Operator F at a level of 32. Then set Operator E to feedback on itself at a level of 30, and Operator F to feedback on itself at a level of 17.

Now in the Master Section, increase the number of Voices to 4, and turn up the Pan and Detune to widen the voices across the stereo field. Next, turn the Analog Quality up to about 70%.

Under the Arpeggiator tab, open the preset Melancholic. Or you may opt to choose a different preset, or even program your own!

For the Effects, you will want to add a Phaser, Reverb, and a PsycheDelay. Activate the Sync on the Phaser, and set the Dry/Wet to about 65. For the Reverb, increase the Time a bit, and then drop the Dry/Wet to about 30. On the PsycheDelay, drop the Time to about 23, activate the Sync, and then turn both the Feedback and Dry/Wet down a little bit.

Finally, we bring the sound to life by correcting the settings in the Filter. Turn the Cutoff of the first filter down to around 11. Make sure the Routing is set Fitler 2 and that it is routed in Serial. Send the Filter to the Envelope by turning up the Envelope Amount to around 66. Then modify the shape of the Filter’s Envelope by decreasing the attack and the decay.