Pointers for digital FM synthesis

1. What do you need to perform FM synthesis?
2. Is FM synthesis analog or digital?
3. What is the basic principle of FM generation?

What do you need to perform FM synthesis?

FM synthesis uses a modulator oscillator and a sine wave carrier oscillator. The modulator oscillator modulates the frequency of the waveform generated by the carrier oscillator within the audio range, thus producing new harmonics. These harmonics are known as sidebands.

Is FM synthesis analog or digital?

FM synthesis using analog oscillators may result in pitch instability. However, FM synthesis can also be implemented digitally, which is more stable and became standard practice. Digital FM synthesis (implemented as phase modulation) was the basis of several musical instruments beginning as early as 1974.

What is the basic principle of FM generation?

The basic principle behind FM is that the amplitude of an analog baseband signal can be represented by a slightly different frequency of the carrier.