In the vast and ever evolving world of sound synthesis, Frequency Modulation (FM) stands out as a powerful and distinct technique. It's responsible for some of the most iconic and unique sounds in music history, from the piercing bells of the Yamaha DX7 to the rich, complex textures found in modern electronic music. But what exactly is FM synthesis, how does it work, and why does it create such characteristic tones?

Today we will be talking about a new series of videos I decided to begin this year about the basics of synthesis. Where else shall we start but with our favorite part of a synthesizer, the oscillators! What I lovingly call the heart and soul of the synthesizer.