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WeeklyBeats.com / Music / ess's music / fms v0.019

fms v0.019

By ess on January 4, 2026 11:59 pm

i wanted to make my own fm groovebox software for weeklybeats, as a sort of double challenge.
this is FMS (fm music system) in its infancy, version 0.019. it's a gamepad/keyboard controlled sequencer running as a standalone software or within a daw. this version was used in ableton live since there is no built-in song mode etc yet.

sadly i accidentally pasted over half my pattern right before the deadline and had to scramble to finish this. perhaps not the best idea to add pattern copy/paste 2 hours before the deadline. ;–)

week 1 progress:

gamepad/keyboard control
sequencer data model
sequencer engine
    - individual track lengths
    - per step parameter values
    - pattern switching via automation
    - per step modulo logic
    - host sync(ish... responds to transport start)
2-op fm engine
basic ui

Damn, that sounds beautiful, love the soft inharmonic tones, and sounds like a fun tool!

really cool!!

sounds great curious about the tool your building. I'd love to see what you are doing with the UI.

* shuns the 3rd and 4th ops of my synths in spite *

looking forward to trying FMS when it's ready for prime time!

Going above and beyond! Looking forward to follow the progress. smile

Love it! heart

Lovely sounds.

What groovy track. Sorry about the pre-deadline disaster, but that’s weekly beats, eh? tongue 

But FMS you say? Now you have my attention!

opaloop is real

legend

Oooh fancy meeting you here! What a tune! Excited to hear more, excellent opener for the year and I’m really glad NullSleep and I talking about WB (for what was admittedly way too long) resonated—claiming credit! heart

You did what?!! That sounds like a journey. Need beta testers?

Such a cool extra challenge for WB. Superb FM mastery, as per your M.O.
Really excited to follow the development of this new tool in this way heart

sexy sounds! big_smile


more FM from master, love it!

excellente!

fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu I'm positive you need my help to test this ;P



lovely as always ^^

Holy cats, WB on hard mode x10. If something this smooth is the first steps, I can't wait to hear how your system evolves. I am convinced you can make music out of a styrofoam cup and a sea gull.

Sounds cool! Love to hear more. Also about the journey you are taking us with...

This sounds fascinating, both the song and the process.
- Devieus

Man, I really love the sound design as well as the atmosphere you manage to create with relatively simple building blocks (which I also love about some of the stuff you've posted to bandcamp before). I look forward to hearing more FMS stuff in the future.

Dig this, so clean and moody. Super curious about FMS too!

sounds like you had a frustraiting time out the gate this year - may the next beat emerge with less panic!
some really interestings sounds here! best wishes on your creative journey this year ess!
i like the sparkly bits

ever hear of e.s.s. Experimental Sound Studio? it's in chicago

cool sounding track! interesting programming

Love that classic early 00s IDM lead that comes in halfway through. Excited to see/read more about your sequencer, even if it's not a public thing smile

Perhaps Bry wrote:

* shuns the 3rd and 4th ops of my synths in spite *

looking forward to trying FMS when it's ready for prime time!

Haha, yeah I feel like 2OP gets you pretty far.. If you really like FM I guess haha. Looking forward to sharing.

ilzxc wrote:

Oooh fancy meeting you here! What a tune! Excited to hear more, excellent opener for the year and I’m really glad NullSleep and I talking about WB (for what was admittedly way too long) resonated—claiming credit! heart

Thanks for the inspo! wink

mikey303 wrote:

opaloop is real

Took me an embarrassingly long time to understand this but yes lmao

WahSp wrote:

Man, I really love the sound design as well as the atmosphere you manage to create with relatively simple building blocks (which I also love about some of the stuff you've posted to bandcamp before). I look forward to hearing more FMS stuff in the future.

Thank you! I love having a (somewhat) limited sound source to work with. Keeps me young.

MRDRCAT wrote:

Holy cats, WB on hard mode x10. If something this smooth is the first steps, I can't wait to hear how your system evolves. I am convinced you can make music out of a styrofoam cup and a sea gull.

Haha I'll try that for next week.

ess!  longtime fan and model:cycles fanboy here - love this piece, the tender melody gives me I Care Because You Do vibes in the best way

ilzxc wrote:

Oooh fancy meeting you here! What a tune! Excited to hear more, excellent opener for the year and I’m really glad NullSleep and I talking about WB (for what was admittedly way too long) resonated—claiming credit! heart

thank you for your service!

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