Lars Bartkuhn

Who knows this synth?! I recently repaired my old Yamaha TG77. FM synthesis is one of the three pillars of my work as an electronic music producer. That said, subtractive or analog synthesis and sampling certainly play a bigger role in my creative process. Other stuff like vector or granular synthesis are interesting but not very often used in my studio. But I’ve always loved FM. Not for the typical ’80s bass and bell sounds, but for complex drones, atonal soundscapes, and mysterious pads.
A few years ago, I bought an Elektron Digitone. Even though it’s very user-friendly, it can’t hold a candle to a synth like the TG77. There’s just something different about these old digital boxes. It’s the same with my old Kurzweil (or my Nord Modular). All the newer digital synthesizers I’ve bought in recent years sound so sterile and lifeless. Of course, I can still make music with them, but that instant magic touch is usually missing.
Several people have told me similar things. Most claim it’s the converters. I can’t say anything about that. But after opening up and repairing this unit, I have to say: Maybe it’s simply the sheer mass and quantity of components (including the converters, of course) and how they’re tuned to each other that has an effect on the sound. Most newer devices are just a processor wrapped in a case. But maybe that’s just me being esoteric...

sounds: TG77 and MOOG ONE