fm algorithms that might approximate casio vz10?

Avi F	Posted on Thu 03 Jul 2025, 03:26 AM hi, I've never played on a casio vz10/ hohner hs2 or vz1 keyboard, but find it's 4 pairs of interactive phase distortion oscillators to be very interesting. Its 8 operator-like sound, seems enticing to tinker with, and although lately I have been tempted to buy one, I've hesitated, because maybe I can do it with the synth i have. So I was thinking, what if I could create an essence fm patch, with 4 or 5 different layered algorithms, that could approach some of those vz1 sounds I've heard that some talented people have made. I know the sound engine is just different but I'm still curious to see what I could maybe come up with this way, at least i will try making 5 different ones.
KODAMO	Posted on Fri 04 Jul 2025, 05:32 PM Hi, I think you can emulate phase distorsion with FM, by using a 0Hz carrier frequency with a modulator on top of it. Depending on the carrier's waveform (which acts as a transfer function, a waveshaper), you will end up with different shapes that might approximate Casio's PD. I'm not sure however, if it can emulates all sounds or just a subset of it. Please keep us updated if you find interesting results 😀
Avi F	Posted on Sun 06 Jul 2025, 02:20 AM Thanks, I'll give that a try!
Summa	Posted on Wed 16 Jul 2025, 01:02 PM It's been some time since I used my VZ-1, bought one used at the end of the 90s. It can combine Phase Distortion with Ring Modulation, lacks Operator Feedback but delivers multiple SAW and Square "Operator" Waveforms instead. It uses Semi Tones to set the "Operator" Frequency, what makes "FM" imho a bit more complicated, that's why I added a frequency conversion list to the little VZ tutorial I created at the beginning of the 00s, as well as how to convert DX Algorithms to the VZ what should explain a few things. In retrospective I'd say the VZ-1 phase distortion is a mixture of waveshaping (the 0Hz @Kodamo mentioned) and FM. I added the tutorial to this posting, hope this helps a bit! ...Summa VZ Tutorial.txt
Avi F	Posted on Wed 16 Jul 2025, 09:44 PM Very interesting, thanks Summa! Using 0 hz on carriers, in about 5 voices i created, does create some interesting timbres.
Summa	Posted on Thu 17 Jul 2025, 12:22 AM I tend to use that for some time, but wouldn't confine that to carriers, it can be quite useful within a string of operators as well, also shifting/modulating the phase of an 0Hz Operator can lead to interesting timbre changes.
Colin Muir Dorward	Posted on Tue 22 Jul 2025, 07:05 PM It would be so cool if EFM operators could be toggled between FM (as it is now) or AM ("ringmod").
Summa	Posted on Fri 08 Aug 2025, 04:00 AM When it comes to recent Hardware Synths, I think Opsix and Iridium can do that.