Kodamo - Forum - EssenceFM Keyboard

EssenceFM Keyboard

Vaclava	Posted on 27 Nov 2020, 04:25 PM Anyone care to speculate what this will cost? Will it be more of an "entry level" product?
KODAMO	Posted on 02 Dec 2020, 05:37 PM Prices aren't set yet, but it will be more expensive than a Korg Opsix for example. The VFM keyboard series have higher specs : metal construction, more powerful sound engine, aftertouch, big screen, more inputs/outputs... The Bitmasker will be a better fit if you're looking for cheaper synths, it should be about €200 or less.
Vaclava	Posted on 02 Dec 2020, 08:30 PM Hi, thanks for your reply. Sounds lovely. Care to speculate on a release date?
Summa	Posted on 11 Dec 2020, 10:19 PM more powerful sound engine So it might be a good idea to wait for the VFM-Keyboard? Will it support feedback per Operator or saveable Operator-Waveforms per Voice or waveforms with scalable harmonic contents per Operator instead? Since I find it useful to be able to scale the harmonic contents/richness depending on the modulator level or when using a fixed frequency operator as waveshaper to change the shaper waveform in relation to the input. Since Opsix isn't multitimbral and uses ADSR Operator Envelopes it doesn't suit my needs, so I'm still open for a new FM-Synth ;)
KODAMO	Posted on 12 Dec 2020, 12:29 PM Changing the harmonic content of an operator is what FM is great for, by using a modulator on top of it. Another layer of complexity that would be inside the waveforms to alter them might be confusing. Since the EssenceFM has fully editable algorithms, you can easily move operators to add modulations where you want, without breaking your sound. (unlike most FM synths with fixed algorithms) About the features of the VFM keyboards, it's too early to know but we'll communicate in the upcoming months for sure!
Summa	Posted on 12 Dec 2020, 04:26 PM Changing the harmonic content of an operator is what FM is great for, by using a modulator on top of it. Please don't understand me wrong, I do not mean to offend you, I guess I'm simply used to certain features when it comes to FM-Synths and in my experience that's not the same - if you use sine as operator waveform it simply creates (depending on the frequency) a few peaks within the spectre and doesn't increase all harmonics at once like feedback does, you would have to add quite some operators (serial) on top to create a feedback type effect. On every other waveform, or when trying to put a sine an operator in-between to scale the waveform, every harmonic acts like a single modulator, the effect isn't the same compared to scalable waveforms. When using waveforms as fixed frequency carriers (or modulator between carrier and modulator M -> Shaper (fixed modulator low freq down to 0Hz ) -> C) for waveshaping, it's pretty useful if you're able to scale the shape of she shaper depending on the input signal you want to process. Those fixed frequency operators kind of work similar to a Distortion FX but it's polyphonic (or course) and when it comes to waveshaper/distortion FX manipulating the waveform is an important factor as well. Please trust me on that, since among other FM-Synths I did factory sounds for Ableton Operator and Linplug Octopus, where I the user is able to create an additive spectre per Operator and that Waveform scaling - in both cases manually - turns out to be pretty useful. Another example is Arturia DX7V, due to it's filter per Operator (even mod-able) scaling is possible, besides the Operator wise feedback.
Brojamo	Posted on 18 Dec 2020, 06:14 AM Can you explain the differences between the rackmount and keyboard versions? Are they the same thing, spec wise? Thank you
Vaclava	Posted on 20 Dec 2020, 03:30 PM I would like to know as well. Trying to put off a keyboard purchase until I know what's going on with this.
KODAMO	Posted on 21 Dec 2020, 01:53 PM Can you explain the differences between the rackmount and keyboard versions? Are they the same thing, spec wise? They're different synthesizers, not sure how much different yet. The VFM series will most likely have more complex voices and more options to take advantage of the built-in keyboard (advanced articulation system), but with less polyphony. Polyphony will also be different between the VFM37 and VFM61, and the later will have more inputs/outputs. Both are built with the best quality we can offer.
Brojamo	Posted on 24 Dec 2020, 04:08 AM Any chance they will include a digital output? Spdif coaxial, maybe?
KODAMO	Posted on 24 Dec 2020, 10:40 AM Probably not, but we're working on an USB audio interface
Brojamo	Posted on 31 Dec 2020, 11:01 PM Nice! USB would be a great option. Any possibility in making a 76 key unit? That would be the ideal size for me.
KODAMO	Posted on 01 Jan 2021, 02:40 PM Impossible, doing two models (37 & 61 keys) is already very hard for a new company like us. 76 & 88 keys are often made for piano players, with hammer actions. Is that what you're looking after?
Brojamo	Posted on 02 Jan 2021, 03:17 AM Nope, no piano. Just 76 keys. No hammer action. My preference is for 76 keys. 61 is better than anything smaller, but I was just curious. Thank you.
Vaclava	Posted on 17 Jan 2021, 11:52 PM Hope we have an announcement soon... eagerly waiting!
Vaclava	Posted on 17 Jan 2021, 11:53 PM Will the keyboard be a Fatar?
KODAMO	Posted on 19 Jan 2021, 10:44 AM Yes the keybed is from Fatar. High quality with aftertouch. We set on that roadmap for product release:
Vaclava	Posted on 20 Jan 2021, 01:27 PM Appreciate the update. Thanks.
Vaclava	Posted on 07 Apr 2021, 03:50 AM So, just received the email. Any thing really to update us about the keyboard version outside of the CAD mock up?
Vaclava	Posted on 15 May 2021, 12:54 AM Hi, will we hear something more about this soon? Is the semiconductor shortage, etc, effecting it's production?
KODAMO	Posted on 16 May 2021, 04:12 PM Chip shortage affects every manufacturer but we took measures to mitigate it. We don't want to spoil the VFM keyboards too much for now. They'll have quite an amazing set of features and musical expression capabilities that's for sure.
Vaclava	Posted on 20 Jun 2021, 01:48 AM Will the keyboard also be multi timbral?
KODAMO	Posted on 20 Jun 2021, 11:16 AM Yes probably 16 or 32 parts
Vaclava	Posted on 20 Jun 2021, 12:12 PM Thanks for your replies 🙂
Benis67	Posted on 20 Jul 2021, 12:19 PM From the graphics it seems to have an FM with 8 operators as for Montage / Modx. Great evolution :-)
fori	Posted on 23 Jul 2021, 04:40 PM I don't know if these are details you can reveal yet, but will the aftertouch on the VFM keyboards be monophonic or polyphonic? Also, I know you've said it will have fewer than the 300 voices on the EssenceFM, but can you give us a sense of how many fewer? Less than 100? Less than 20?
KODAMO	Posted on 23 Jul 2021, 05:53 PM Monophonic aftertouch. Everything else isn't known, including the number of operators (pics showing 8 operators are just for illustration purposes) Between 40 and 100 voice poly is a good bet. Also we're working on a super powerful formant filter 🙂
Vaclava	Posted on 24 Jul 2021, 12:00 AM The suspense is killing me.
fori	Posted on 24 Jul 2021, 02:11 AM Sad to hear it's not polyphonic aftertouch, but everything else about this synth is sounding like a dream to me. Thanks for answering my questions.
Vaclava	Posted on 27 Jul 2021, 05:05 PM I hope it somehow retains its Dire Straits "money for nothing" video look.
Strider	Posted on 04 Aug 2021, 08:14 AM Hyped about the formant filter ! Care to share more info aboute the synthesis engine ? Will it be designed for more advanced sound design ? (I mean, the EFM is a beast, but more modulation options, more filters, more operators, things like that ?)
korhanerel	Posted on 05 Sep 2021, 05:08 PM Will the features on the keyboard versions be available for EFM as well? At least some of them like more complex modulations, maybe more operators (though I am happy with 6)... just curious
KODAMO	Posted on 08 Sep 2021, 05:52 PM We'll keep updating the EssenceFM for user interface refinements and bug fixes. Its sound engine won't be modified, it's already a beast with so much features. It's almost not fair to call it a 6-OP synth due to its massive layering ability 🙂 At least some of them like more complex modulations, maybe more operators (though I am happy with 6)... just curious Can you explain further on "more complex modulations" ? (what would they be) No more spoilers for the VFM, we want to keep the surprise for the release 😀
Vaclava	Posted on 09 Sep 2021, 03:56 PM Do you expect to make an announcement before Christmas. Also, will the initial run be very limited?
korhanerel	Posted on 17 Sep 2021, 12:00 AM Hi, I realize I wrote complex modulations instead of complex sound sources, as you had said in your description. Sorry. I am actually happy with the EssenceFM as it is. Yes, I do make feature suggestions, but I am not necessary in an endless quest for turning the synth into something that does "everything" and then "everything else", too :)