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twisted electrons TwistFM Manual

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Last update October 22nd 2024
WELCOME & THANKS!
Thank you and congratulations on acquiring TWISTfm, the ultimate FM polysynth!
TWISTfm is a powerful and versatile polyphonic synthesizer that combines vintage FM synthesis with
classic analog filtering and modern control capabilities. At the heart of TWISTfm are two vintage Yamaha
OPL-3 YMF262 FM chips, each paired with dual vintage YAC512 stereo DACs. This setup offers 8
discrete voices, each equipped with its own analog multimode filter, providing rich and dynamic sound
possibilities.
Brief History of the YMF262 by Yamaha
The YMF262, also known as the OPL3, is an FM synthesis sound chip developed by Yamaha in the late
1980s. It was primarily used in PC sound cards during the early 1990s, such as the Sound Blaster Pro 2.0
and Sound Blaster 16. The YMF262 featured an advanced FM sound engine capable of producing rich
and complex tones, despite its sophisticated capabilities, the chip was often underutilized by game
developers, who typically employed simple preset sounds and basic music composition techniques,
leaving much of its potential untapped.
TWISTfm: Unlocking the Full Potential of the YMF262
TWISTfm aims to harness the full potential of the YMF262 by combining its powerful FM synthesis
capabilities with advanced analog filters. This approach allows TWISTfm to create a wide range of
sounds, from classic FM tones to entirely new, richly textured audio.

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Summary of Contents for twisted electrons TwistFM

  • Page 1 TWISTfm is a powerful and versatile polyphonic synthesizer that combines vintage FM synthesis with classic analog filtering and modern control capabilities. At the heart of TWISTfm are two vintage Yamaha OPL-3 YMF262 FM chips, each paired with dual vintage YAC512 stereo DACs. This setup offers 8 discrete voices, each equipped with its own analog multimode filter, providing rich and dynamic sound possibilities.

  • Page 2: Dc Power Input

    Stereo TRS 1/4" jack. Provides an output for headphones, allowing you to monitor your sound directly from TWISTfm. INPUTS 1 & 2 These Mono TS 1/4" jacks allow you to feed audio into filters 7 and 8 of TWISTfm, providing additional sound processing options. DC POWER INPUT Used to supply power to TWISTfm.Connect using the included 9V 1A DC center-positive power supply.
  • Page 3 LAYERS & FM ALGORITHMS TWISTfm consists of two layers for sound shaping: a primary 4-operator layer and a secondary 2-operator layer. Let’s first look at the 4-operator layers, which are crucial for creating complex and diverse sounds. The YMF-262 sound chip, also known as the OPL3, provides five distinct algorithms within this layer to manipulate how the operators are connected and modulate each other.
  • Page 4 Operator 1 & 5 Feedback Operators 1 and 5 in TWISTfm can feed back into themselves using the feedback fader. This self-feedback allows the output of the operator to be routed back into its input, creating a loop that...
  • Page 5 WAVEFORMS The YMF-262 (OPL3) chip provides eight unique waveforms, each with distinct characteristics that contribute to a wide range of sounds in musical contexts. The waveform is selected for each operator using the wav fader, and it can be modulated by the LFOs and envelope to add further complexity and variation to the sound.

  • Page 6: Tuning Controls

    The Fat fader detunes the eight voices of TWISTfm away from one another, simulating the tuning issues found in vintage analog synthesizers. This adds a bit of warmth to the sound or can be used for deep experimental effects by increasing the detuning amount.

  • Page 7: User Interface

    If you press the menu button shortly after adjusting a fader—before the preset name reappears—TWISTfm will automatically display the menu items related to that specific fader. Press the Menu button to open the menu. At the top level, the screen will briefly display "HOME." Press back once from "HOME"...
  • Page 8 This is the preset navigator. Roll the encoder to select and load a preset. Hold menu at the same time to select and open a folder. When TWISTfm is displaying a fader value you can jump to the preset load menu simply by pressing the encoder or menu.
  • Page 9 "init.tfm" file found in the root of the SD card, resetting it to the default settings. Backup Restore (RSTR) Every time you save a preset, TWISTfm automatically creates a backup with the same name as your preset, but with ".bak" added to the end of the filename (e.g., "mypreset.tfm.bak"). To recall the previously saved state of your preset, select the "RSTR"...
  • Page 10 4 voice polyphony triggered in stereo pairs Duophonic voices triggered in two groups of 4 MONO In MONO mode, TWISTfm operates in a monophonic configuration, with only one voice available per chip—one for the left channel and one for the right channel. WIDE 8 Similar to POL8 mode, where all voices are available to play individually, but they are triggered in a specific order, alternating between outputs 1 and 2 (left and right) to create a ping-pong effect.
  • Page 11 FILTERS Analog Multi Mode Filter Per Voice The 4 pole analog filters in TWISTfm are inspired by the beautiful designs of Mutable Instruments, which in turn are influenced by the legendary Oberheim filters. These filters use the pole mixing technique offering a rich and versatile sonic palette, enabling users to create a wide range of sounds with precision and character.

  • Page 12: Filter Menu

    FILTER MENU The filter submenu on TWISTfm includes several parameters that allow you to shape and modify your sound. Here are the details for each parameter: HEAT This parameter sets the amount of drive into the filter, allowing the signal to range from clean to hot with analog drive.

  • Page 13: Volume Control

    When the encoder is pressed with MODW (modwheel) selected, the screen will blink MODW and LEARN alternately. This indicates that TWISTfm is in learning mode. Now, move a fader to assign it to the modwheel. The fader's movement will be linked to the modwheel, allowing you to control modulation effects directly from the fader.
  • Page 14 This submenu allows you to set parameters related to MIDI. Channel Channel Select the MIDI channel that will trigger TWISTfm. You can choose any channel from 1 to 16, or use MPE mode. This setting is saved globally and does not change with presets.
  • Page 15 If your controller does not support aftertouch at all, you can activate the NoAT mode. In this mode, TwistFM will use the incoming velocity data and treat it as polyphonic aftertouch, enabling per note expression without aftertouch functionality.
  • Page 16 Setting the LFO assignment depth TWISTfm allows you to set the modulation depth for each individual fader linked to the LFO, including the option to assign a negative depth value. To adjust the modulation depth, hold the Chain button while moving the depth fader.
  • Page 17 LFO MENU LFO Waveforms TWISTfm offers a variety of waveforms that can be assigned to the three LFOs for modulating various parameters. You can select the desired waveform by adjusting the WAV fader, the waveform fader can be further modulated via MIDI CC (check the MIDI implementation chart for specific CC numbers) or other internal modulators.
  • Page 18 Sync Choose whether the LFO will sync to the incoming MIDI clock. When SYNC is enabled, the display will show the time division in bars relative to the master clock as you adjust the rate fader. The available divisions are: - 4BAR - 2BAR - 1BAR...
  • Page 19 ENVELOPES (FILTER and MODULATION) The Envelope section of TWISTfm is equipped with Depth, Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release (ADSR) faders, providing comprehensive control over the modulation envelope applied to your sounds. The Depth fader determines the overall influence of the envelope on the sound, allowing you to adjust how prominent the envelope modulation is.
  • Page 20 RIBBON The TWISTfm synthesizer includes several parameters for controlling the ribbon, a touch-sensitive strip that allows for expressive control over various aspects of your sound. This sub menu defines the ribbon controller's overall behavior.
  • Page 21 TOP Phase: When the screen displays TOP and counts down from 4, place your finger at the top of the ribbon and hold it until the screen says "Done." This calibration process is stored globally, allowing TWISTfm to adapt to the size of your finger for a customized and more responsive experience with the ribbon.
  • Page 22 HOW MORPH WORKS The Morph parameter allows the ribbon to blend between different sound settings or patches. By sliding your finger along the ribbon, you can smoothly transition between various tonal characteristics or effects, creating dynamic changes in your sound. The Morph submenu has three options: COPY, PASTE, and INIT.
  • Page 23 Example: Morphing Between Filter Cutoff States Set Ribbon to Morph Mode ○ Select the ribbon mode and set it to MORF. 2. Set Initial State: ○ Touch the left edge of the ribbon. ○ Move the cutoff fader to minimum. This sets the initial state with the filter cutoff closed. 3.
  • Page 24 ARPEGGIATOR TWISTfm's arpeggiator offers versatile modes allowing you to create dynamic patterns and textures. With features like RANGE for octave span, LINK for layer assignment, SYNC for timing, and RATE for speed control, it provides flexible and powerful arpeggiation capabilities.
  • Page 25 LINK The LINK feature allows you to assign the arpeggiator to different operator layers within the TWISTfm. You can choose to apply the arpeggio to either the first layer, the second layer, or both layers. SYNC When SYNC is enabled, the arpeggiator locks its timing to either an internal clock or an external MIDI clock.
  • Page 26 SCALES TWISTfm offers a variety of scales to suit different musical styles and preferences. Each scale has its unique pattern of intervals, providing a distinct tonal quality. When transposing layer 2 over layer 1 in semitone increments, scales are taken into consideration so the transposition is diatonic and not chromatic.
  • Page 27 "No" to "Yes." TWISTfm can also learn the split zone, which is determined by the first key of the upper half of the split keyboard. To define the split key, select "Yes" in the split submenu, then press the encoder. The screen will alternate between "SPLT"...
  • Page 28 CHORD The Chord menu on TWISTfm provides various chord modes to enhance your sound design with rich harmonic textures. Here's a breakdown of its features: Mode (MODE) The MODE parameter allows you to select from several chord types, each offering a distinct harmonic structure: ○...
  • Page 29 VIBRATO The vibrato functionality in TWISTfm allows for dynamic modulation of pitch, adding expressive depth to your sound. The vibrato parameters include mode, sample rate reduction (SRR), waveform selection, link, and sync. Adjust the vibrato speed using the rate fader and control the intensity with the depth fader.
  • Page 30 TREMOLO TWISTfm's stereo tremolo effect allows for smooth, slow modulations or super-fast gate effects, offering a versatile range of dynamic control. The tremolo includes a variety of waveforms, and the left and right channels can be set out of phase to create wide auto-pan effects. Thanks to a high-end stereo volume control IC with zero-crossing technology, the tremolo ensures precise and seamless modulation.
  • Page 31 SEQUENCER TWISTfm's internal polyphonic sequencer allows you to create intricate and dynamic patterns. Below is a detailed description of each parameter available in the sequencer. Stop/Start To stop or start the sequencer, hold the menu button and press the play button. Note that the play button also functions as the envelope link button.
  • Page 32 Latch When enabled, the sequence will continue to play even after the key is released, until it is manually stopped. Sync Synchronizes the sequencer to the master clock (internal or external MIDI), ensuring the sequence plays in time with other synchronized devices. When sync is enabled, the rate parameter divisions (4BAR, 2BAR, 1BAR, 1/15, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/6, 1/8, 1/12, 1/16, 1/32) are used.
  • Page 33 To set the note for the selected step, simply play a note on your MIDI keyboard. ○ TWISTfm will learn from the incoming note and set the step to this note. Gate (Triggering) Behavior For each step, you can determine the gate behavior using the three LFO link buttons: 1.

  • Page 34: Midi Implementation

    MIDI IMPLEMENTATION You can control TWISTfm via MIDI by sending it the following control change (CC) messages. Using MIDI CC allows you to dynamically adjust various parameters of the synth in real-time and seamlessly integrate TWISTfm into your MIDI setup for a more interactive and responsive performance experience.

  • Page 35: Firmware Updates

    FIRMWARE UPDATES Updating the firmware of your TWISTfm is a straightforward process performed exclusively with the included micro SD card and its USB SD card reader. Follow these steps to update your firmware: FirmwareXX.bin Prepare the Firmware File: Copy the...