FM Lead
FM Lead
Play in the C3-C5 range for the best FM character. The ratio between VCO A (octave 5) and VCO B (octave 6) creates a 1:2 carrier-to-modulator ratio -- classic FM bell tones. Try changing VCO B's octave for different harmonic ratios: octave 7 gives 1:4 (brighter), octave 5 gives 1:1 (more dissonant). The AC coupling keeps FM timbres pitch-accurate across the keyboard.
Notes
This patch demonstrates through-zero FM synthesis using Cascadia's analog TZFM circuit. VCO B's sine wave is patched to VCO A's FM 1 input for the primary FM modulation, while Envelope B is patched to VCO A's IM input to control the FM depth dynamically -- the metallic harmonics swell with each note and then decay. The ENV A cable to VCF FM 1 overrides the normalled Envelope B, giving independent filter and FM depth envelopes. The bandpass filter (BP2) emphasizes the midrange harmonics created by FM, and the LFO on VCO B's pitch creates subtle timbral shimmer as the modulator frequency drifts.
Cable Routing
4 cablesFM carrier-modulator pair for metallic timbres
Filter envelope shapes spectral content per note
Envelope controls FM depth over time
Slow modulator vibrato for timbral shimmer
Knob Settings
VCO A
| Control | Value |
|---|---|
| OCTAVE | 5 |
| TZFM/EXP | TZFM |
| AC/DC | AC |
| FM 1 | 1 o'clock |
All other controls at default
VCO B
| Control | Value |
|---|---|
| OCTAVE | 6 |
| Waveform | Sine |
All other controls at default
VCF
| Control | Value |
|---|---|
| FREQ | 2 o'clock |
| Q | 10 o'clock |
| MODE | BP2 |
| FM 1 | 1 o'clock |
All other controls at default
Envelope B
| Control | Value |
|---|---|
| RISE | full CCW |
| FALL | 11 o'clock |
| MODE SELECT | ENV |
| TYPE SELECT | AHR |
All other controls at default
LFO X/Y/Z
| Control | Value |
|---|---|
| RATE | 9 o'clock |
All other controls at default