Steinberg FM Lab

A New Kind Of FM Experience

In the early 1980s, FM synthesis changed the sound of popular music forever. Now, with FM Lab for HALion, you can design FM sounds with an ultra-modern, intuitive user interface. Featuring classic eight operator FM synthesis with additional VA synthesis, a vast array of modulators, new freehand drawable multi-stage envelopes, pristine effects and a powerful arpeggiator, FM Lab brings a completely new dimension to digital synthesis.

FEATURES

• Eight operator FM synthesizer with additional VA synthesis

• Intuitive Algorithm designer and finder

• Design powerful multistage envelopes

• FM-X and DX7 emulation with DX7 and TX81Z SYX file import

32-step arpeggiator with three controller lanes
The 32-step arpeggiator features different modes, trigger types and an amazing collection of pre-designed patterns for creating arps and rhythms for FM presets. You can duplicate or reverse your patterns and even export them to your DAW. With the three controller lanes, you can modulate the eight operators with cutoff, resonance and more. It makes designing evolving, vibrant sounds a breeze!

600 classic layer presets from iconic FM synthesizers
FM Lab includes more than 600 original presets from the DX7 and TX81Z. All presets come with preassigned FX. Simply turn them on or off with the quick controls.

The ultimate modulation system
Freely assign modulations via drag and drop or directly in the modulation matrix. Clicking the tab of a modulator accesses its parameters and an overview of its assignments, letting you directly adjust the depth and characteristics. FM Lab’s modulation system lists all assignments with live visualizations of all modulations, ensuring you never lose sight of what you’re doing: You can even modulate pitch, level and envelope times of any of the eight operators, giving you the ultimate control.

FX Rack
The FX rack includes an array of 20 high end effects, including delay, reverb, different EQs, distortion, tremolo, ring modulation and more, all perfectly suited to FM synthesis. Insert up to five to add everything from radical contortions to sparkling polish to your sounds.  The effects section is placed in the lower zone to make the user interface as clear as possible.

Algorithm designer
Freely design your own FM algorithms from the ground up. Each operator can modulate any other operator and itself, allowing for feed forward and backward configurations. Connections are easily established by setting the gain of the junction. Carriers can be panned and all your custom algorithms can be stored as sub-presets.

Find your favorite algorithm
The Algorithm Finder is loaded with all the algorithms from Yamaha’s legendary DX7, TX81Z and modern FM-X synth engine. Browse through the algorithms using the icons or use the number of serial and parallel operators to narrow down the search for the perfect starting point.

Multistage envelopes
The pitch, filter and amp envelopes of FM Lab are completely customizable. You can easily draw envelopes and paint the shapes you want with the pen or brush tools, making the creation of vibrant, tempo-synced rhythmic shapes straightforward. Design your own or combine up to 48 of the most useful shapes as a starting point. The all-new Shaper mode for envelopes cycles through your drawn multistage envelopes, keeping them perfectly synced to the host tempo.

The idea behind FM Lab
The HALion Team wanted to create an environment for FM synthesis which honors the most iconic FM synthesizers, but without being stuck in the past. By combining FM with HALion’s powerful VA synthesis and a modern user interface, FM Lab makes it possible to create anything from classic FM tones to the most contemporary sounds. The result is an outstanding instrument which combines the best of both worlds, while all the time keeping Yamaha’s original philosophy of ‘You don’t have to program to play’ in mind. FM Lab provides hundreds of cutting-edge presets created by FM experts like Peter Krischker, Stephane Garganigo, Allert Aalders, Richard Veenstra and Matthias Klag.

System Requirements

Compatible with: HALion 7, HALion Sonic 7
Operating systems (Windows): Windows 10 (64-bit), Windows 11 (64-bit)
Operating systems (Mac): macOS Big Sur, macOS Monterey, macOS Ventura
Apple silicon–based Mac: Rosetta 2 App, Native App
PlugIn format (Win): VST 3, AAX
PlugIn format (Mac): VST 3, AAX, AU
Internet connection for: license activation, installer download, account sign up and product registration