Part 12
An Introduction to Frequency Modulation
FM synthesis makes infinitely complex spectra from just two oscillators. A modulator wobbles the pitch of a carrier at audio rates, and the modulation depth controls how many sidebands appear. Sidebands sit at carrier ± n × modulator frequency. Raise the depth and watch the spectrum bloom.
Read the original article on Sound On Sound →Mod
440 Hz
→
Depth
1.0
→
Carrier
440 Hz
→
Output
C:M = 1:1
Preset
Sidebands (first 5 pairs)
Carrier
Modulator
Mod Depth
Modulation depth controls how far the modulator pushes the carrier's pitch. At 0 you hear a pure sine; raise it to spread energy into more sidebands, making the sound brighter and more complex.