BaconPaul Six Sines is a new, impressive, free, open-source Yamaha-style TX81Z MPE FM Synthesizer plugin for macOS, Linux, and Windows.
In January, BaconPaul released the lovely, free, open-source Six Sines FM Synthesizer. Version 1.1.0 is ready to download from GitHub that adds new features and improvements.
Some of the highlights of this update are a new Six Sines, Seven Outs plugin version with individual operator outputs, new window-style waveforms for AM/RM modeling sounds, unison with control, linear and ZOH resampler options, and more.
BaconBaul also added TZLinear FM and Exponential FM as modulation modes for the mod matrix, in addition to PM and RM; add scaling (abs, unipolar, normal) modes to the RM. These make the FM engine even more capable.
There are also plenty of improvements. For example, the new Sine Sines 1.1.0 update ships with a new light mode skin, GUI rescaling (75-150%), and new patches by Videco and SiL3NC3. You can find the full changelog here with all new features and improvements.
An excellent free update for the Six Sines open-source MPE FM Synthesizer.
Article from January 26, 2025
Since Thursday, when Behringer announced the BX-1 at NAMM 2025, FM synthesis returned as a big topic in the Synthesizer community. However, interest in this “too complicated to program” synthesis has been waning for several years, especially with the release of the Korg opsix and others.
The fact that there is now another open-source FM Synthesizer plugin fits perfectly into the topic. Say hi to BaconPaul Six Sines.
BaconPaul Six Sines
BaconPaul, known for its Surge VCV Rack version, has published Six Sines, a new free MPE-compatible 64-voice FM Synthesizer plugin. It’s open-source and runs on all major platforms. It is not yet for iOS with AUv3, but I hope it will be in the pipeline.
Sine Sines is a 6-operator FM Synthesizer plugin with a classic structure. At the top, you have direct access to the operators’ ratios. Click on the operator ratio, and a screen unfolds in the last third. Here, you can choose your waveforms, set their phase, use a DAHDSR envelope, route modulation it, and more.
Although the plugin is called Six Sines, each operator offers more than sine waves. You get sine, squarish, and swish and the original TX waveforms from the Yamaha TX81Z Synthesizer.
Then, below, BaconPaul Six Sines hosts a classic FM operator matrix, and on the right, an operator mixer with individual operator pannings.
The last third of the UI explores the depth of each operator. It includes a DAHDSR envelope, a multi-wave LFO, and a modulation matrix with various sources and destinations, including MPE and random.
Further, it hosts a macro section that offers each operator a macro control. You can also work with up to 5x unison. BaconPaul ships the plugin with plenty of factory presets. As of version 1.0.3, the plugin has no effects. I hope that some more will be added.
It is worth mentioning that the developer is constantly updating the plugin.
First Impression
Six Sines is a great-sounding cross-platform free FM Synthesizer. The built-in presets show nicely what is possible. However, I’m torn about the user interface.
On the one hand, BaconPaul Six Sines is very easy to use. Everything is straightforward and clear. However, I do not like its vertical look. You can’t currently scale. I hope there will be a somewhat broader, fully scalable interface. Nevertheless, it is an absolute download recommendation. Don’t miss it
BaconPaul Six Sines is a free download and runs as a standalone app and a CLAP, AU, and VST3 plugin on macOS (native Apple Silicon + Intel), Linux, and Windows. The Six Sines code is open-source.
More information here: GitHub
