Full Bucket Music has launched FB-02, a free FM software program instrument for Home windows and macOS that recreates the sound engine of Yamaha’s 1986 FB-01 module.
If you happen to observe Full Bucket Music, you’ll know the developer is greatest identified for meticulous Korg emulations (Fury-68 being a latest instance). So seeing a Yamaha clone from them is genuinely sudden. As BPB reader mrg joked, this actually does really feel like we slipped into a unique timeline. 😀
FB-02 focuses particularly on the FB-01’s four-operator FM sound generator, and the handbook makes it clear that this wasn’t a straightforward venture.
The unique {hardware} relied on the Yamaha YM2164 chip, a largely undocumented cousin of the extra well-known YM2151, which meant lots of trial-and-error reverse engineering for the developer.
The plugin consists of the unique manufacturing facility ROM sounds, a number of curated collections, and a full program browser for navigating its seven banks of 48 patches. The handbook notes that whereas the precise FB-01 restricted consumer modifying to 2 banks, FB-02 permits you to edit all the things, together with what would have been ROM presets on the {hardware}.
Probably the greatest issues about FB-02 is that its interface doubles as an editor for the unique FB-01. That’s fairly superior when you personal the {hardware}, as a result of you may import and export SysEx, ship patches immediately, and handle banks way more simply than with classic software program editors from the ’80s.
Sound-wise, FB-02 provides eight traditional FB-01 algorithms, 4 operators with an identical parameter units, and an prolonged characteristic listing that goes past a easy emulation. You get MTS-ESP microtuning assist, full MIDI Be taught for each parameter, and a resizable interface.
As somebody who likes compact FM synths, I like how accessible the interface feels. You possibly can rapidly tweak operator ranges, envelopes, detuning, and inharmonic ratios, and the LFO part covers each amplitude and pitch modulation with fairly easy controls (contemplating it’s an FM synth).
It’s nonetheless traditional Yamaha FM—quirky, although. The sound is sometimes harsh, nevertheless it’s a lot simpler to method and tame than most of the extra feature-heavy FM clones.
If you happen to take pleasure in digging via classic patch libraries, the included collections (Manufacturing unit, Kraftraum choices, MAZES weblog packs, and extra) provide loads of exploration. The developer additionally makes it easy to import DX-era SysEx banks, so you may increase far past what ships with the plugin.
FB-02 is accessible for Home windows and macOS in VST2, VST3, CLAP, and AAX codecs, and AU on macOS. Each 32-bit and 64-bit variations are offered the place relevant.
Obtain: FB-02
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Final Up to date on November 30, 2025 by Tomislav Zlatic.
