B67 ZEN FM Editor: FM for ZEN-core Instruments

ZEN-core is the very deep synth engine behind many Roland instruments; Fantom, AX-Edge, Jupiter-X and more. Within ZEN-core, multiple types of partials (PCM, VA waveforms, etc), filters and effects combine to create massive sounds. Of course, powerful synth engines like this may benefit from a computer editor, to allow the user a clearer view of parameters.

Today, the comprehensive 3rd party editor by https://www.benis.it/ has been updated to 2.0 and it includes an FM synthesizer. It's not actually a new engine - ZEN-core includes FM natively (its called XMOD2 and is available on VA waveforms) but more a specific editing page that displays a limited set of controls; parameters which make sense to any FM programmer.

"The new ZEN-Core Editor Librarian V2.0 (PC and MAC) is now available for Roland synthesizers from the Fantom, AX-Edge, and Jupiter-X/Xm. Among many new features, it allows editing of a new synthesis engine, fully compatible with the ZEN-Core standard, which uses linear FM synthesis (4 operators) and 4 modulable shapes of operators wave.

The "B67 ZEN FM" synthesis engine is achieved through a special implementation of a ZEN-Core tone that allows access to only a limited number of synthesis parameters, leaving the others predefined and inaccessible (e.g., Structure 1-2/3-4 = XMOD2, Osc Type = VA).
Specifically, the modulation matrix is "locked" with predefined Source and Destination parameters to ensure correct modulations that operate on the main FM synthesis parameters.

Real-time editing is performed on a new page containing all the synthesis parameters, the operator frequencies settable via the freq.ratio parameter (0.25, 0.5, 0.78, 1, 1.5, 1.57, 1.78, 2, 3, 3.5, 4.5, etc.), the waveforms (SIN, SIN2, TRI, TRI2, TRI3, SAW, SQR, RAMP, JUNO), the graphic display of the 8 envelopes (4 for FM and 4 for shapes), a dedicated librarian (2048 sounds), 20 tone presets, 8 ENV presets, a clipboard, and the ability to copy and paste synthesis parameters.
Each sound is associated with one of the 93 MFX multi-effects, which can be edited in the dedicated section.

Thanks to the presence of shapes on the waveform of the 4 operators (FAT and PW parameters), and the ability to modulate them via 4 dedicated ENVs, the synthesis engine also allows the creation of sounds obtained through the phase distortion (PD) famous in Casio CZ synths."

"When using sine oscillators and modulating the PW with the dedicated ADSR ENVs, the overall synthesis structure is similar to that of an FM algorithm with 8 operators: 4 operators (1, 2, 3, and 4) are freely configurable in frequency, while the other 4 modulate the corresponding carrier and modulating operators with a 1:1 ratio.

Simplified graphical editing of all parameters, sound management via the librarian, and parameter recall for subsequent editing is only possible with the ZEN-Core Editor Librarian V2.0.

Additionally, the new B67 ZEN-Core Collection 3 (197 ZEN-Core tones in total) is also available, including 112 tones created with the "B67 ZEN-FM" synthesis engine.

Among the various sounds in the collection, created with this synthesis, are emulations of some "classic" Yamaha DX7 sounds (Marimba, Vibe, Celesta, Bakket, Jazz Guitar, Tubular Bell, EPiano, Bowed Strings, Brass, Synth Bass, Metal, etc.) and original sounds that use FM and Wave Shape synthesis for new sounds with complex and evolving harmonic spectra."

Please note that due to sysex limitations, the FM editor page is not available for the MC101/707, a shame; although the 112 tones themselves (if purchased) can be imported to the 101/707 and edited using the regular ZEN-core controls.

The editor costs €35.00 and is available from https://www.benis.it/cm/ZC_Editor/ben67_zeneditor_ENG.htm - registered users may upgrade for free via your Gumroad account.