Yamaha FB-01


The FB-01 is simply an inexpensive, 8 part multitimbral digital FM synth module. It's only a 4-operator synth which is less than, say a DX-7. This simply means its sounds are not quite as good. You will need an external MIDI system exclusive editor to edit the patches. This can be accomplished by a dedicated editor program like Unisyn, or by creating SysEx control messages within your sequencing program. The FB-01 has a lot of organ, piano, brass, bass, guitar, percussion, and lead sounds. Basically this is a good source of typical FM-sounds at a low price. It is used by Hardfloor and Moog Cookbook.
- Specifications
- Polyphony - 8 Voices
- Oscillators - Digital 4-operator FM synthesizer
- #Instruments - 8 Part multi-timbral
- Filter - None
- Effects - None
- Keyboard - None
- Memory - 240 presets, 96 user
- Control - MIDI (8 parts)
- Date Produced - 1986 - 1987
- Websites of Interest
- Resources & Credits
Images from Perfect Circuit Audio.
Additional information provided by Jeff Bergman.
Errors or Corrections? Send them here.


Most users pan this device because of its "thin" sound, but the simplified features and low-res DAC are not really drawbacks, in my opinion--just characteristics of the device. The biggest flaw with the FB-01 is its inability to ignore program change messages from other devices. ARGH!
I didn'y bother checking out the patches... I went straight to SoundDiver and made the sounds I expected from it: earth rattling dubby basses with very nice harmonic content, thick and grimey (think Maurizio Von Oswald...) and very full of presence.
I make mostly electronic music... minimal techno.
The box delivers, period.