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What’s with all the hype with this M-Vave FM-1 Synthesizer?

The FM-1 is becoming an unlikely focal point for a new wave of experimentation in electronic music gear. In this video, synthesist & composer David Hilowitz explores the instrument’s growing custom-firmware ecosystem, and why there’s so much hype surrounding it.

The FM-1’s appeal is no longer limited to its built-in FM synthesis engine. Independent developers have created alternative firmware that transforms the instrument’s functionality, with projects exploring different synthesis approaches, sequencing tools and standalone music-making environments. The result is a growing collection of instruments built around the same compact hardware.

This is driven in part by the emerging practice of “vibe coding” – using AI coding assistants to help create software through natural-language descriptions, iterative experimentation and generated code. Instead of starting with extensive embedded-programming experience, musicians can increasingly describe an instrument they want to build and use AI tools to help develop it.

Watch the video and share your thoughts on the M-Vave FM-1 and its custom firmware ecosystem in the comments!

The M-Vave FM-1 is available for about $80 USD with shipping.

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Aurally Sound has introduced Prism: Drums, an audio-to-MIDI plugin designed to convert recorded drum performances and loops into editable MIDI. The software uses a machine-learning engine to identify individual drum components, capturing their timing and dynamics so that recorded performances can be edited, rearranged or played through different drum instruments.

Aurally Sound’s Prism: Drums also provides built-in editing and sampling tools.

Prism: Drums recognizes nine drum components: kick, snare, closed hi-hat, open hi-hat, crash, ride, high tom, mid tom and low tom. The resulting MIDI can be used to replace recorded drum sounds, layer samples alongside an existing performance, or extract a groove from a recording for further production work.

Prism: Drums supports two workflows. In compatible DAWs, it can operate using ARA integration, allowing the host to provide audio directly to the plugin. It can also be used as a standard insert effect in DAWs without compatible ARA support. The plugin supports VST3, Audio Unit and AAX formats on Windows and macOS.

Aurally Sound says that all audio processing takes place locally on the user’s computer, rather than sending recordings to remote servers. The developer designed the software primarily for acoustic drums, noting that clean recordings generally produce the best results. Audio from stem separation tools can also be used, although artifacts in separated recordings may affect detection.

Features:

• Audio-to-MIDI conversion designed specifically for drum recordings and loops.
• Machine-learning detection of nine drum components: kick, snare, closed hi-hat, open hi-hat, crash, ride, high tom, mid tom and low tom.
• Detection of individual drum hits with timing and velocity information.
• Built-in MIDI editor for reviewing and refining converted performances.
• Built-in drum sampler for auditioning generated MIDI.
• ARA integration in compatible DAWs.
• Standard insert-plugin operation for DAWs without compatible ARA support.
• Drag-and-drop MIDI export for transferring converted performances into a DAW project.
• Support for VST3, AU and AAX plugin formats.
• Local audio processing, with recordings remaining on the user’s computer.
• No subscription or recurring fees, and no limit on the number of tracks that can be converted.

The software is intended for producers who want to retain the feel of a recorded drum performance while gaining the flexibility of MIDI.

Prism: Drums is available for Windows and macOS for $79 USD as a one-time purchase. More information, audio examples and downloads are available from the official Prism: Drums product page.

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Oxo Music has released Oxo Synth2, a free, open-source recreation of Daichi Laboratory’s classic Synth1 software synthesizer.

The new instrument is designed to keep Synth1 sounds and existing preset collections accessible on modern systems, with versions available for macOS and iPad.

Synth1 has been a widely used freeware virtual analog synthesizer since its introduction in the early 2000s. However, the original instrument has not received updates in recent years. Its continued use on newer Mac systems has also become a compatibility concern, particularly as Apple moves away from support for older Intel software.

Oxo Synth2 is an independent recreation developed by François Chabloz. According to the developer, the project retains Synth1’s original parameters and interface, without intentionally changing its synthesis engine. The instrument was recreated by measuring the original synthesizer’s audio output and modeling its parameters individually. The developer says the process involved approximately 3 GB of measurement data.

Features:

• Virtual analog synthesis architecture based on Daichi Laboratory’s Synth1.
• Up to 32-voice polyphony, with mono and legato modes and portamento.
• Two oscillators and a sub oscillator, with detune, frequency modulation, ring modulation, hard sync and noise.
• Five filter types: LP12, LP24, HP12, BP12 and LPDL, with saturation, keyboard tracking and velocity control.
• Amp and filter envelopes, plus a modulation envelope for pitch, FM or pulse width.
• Two LFOs with six waveforms, tempo synchronization and key synchronization.
• LFO modulation routing for pitch, filter, amp, pulse width, FM and pan.
• Arpeggiator with up, down, up-and-down and random modes, covering one to four octaves and supporting host tempo synchronization.
• Effects section with two analog distortion types, digital distortion, decimation, ring modulation, compression and four phaser types.
• Tempo-synchronized delay with stereo, cross and ping-pong modes, plus chorus and flanger.
• Unison mode with up to eight voices, detune, stereo spread and pitch controls.
• MIDI Learn for assigning MIDI CC messages to instrument controls.
• Built-in interface themes and a theme editor.
• Compatibility with Synth1 `.sy1` patches and ZIP-format preset banks.

Oxo Synth2 is an independent project and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Daichi Laboratory. The source code is available under the MIT open-source license, allowing developers to study, modify and contribute to the project. The developer has also invited contributions toward additional platform versions.

Oxo Synth2 is available as a free download for macOS in VST3 and Audio Unit formats, requiring macOS 14 or later. An iPad version is available as an AUv3 instrument for devices running iPadOS 17 or later. A Windows VST3 version is in development, while Linux ports are welcome as community contributions. More information and downloads are available from the official Oxo Synth2 product page.

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