DAFM synth - BLASTER YMF262 (OPL3)

Name: DAFM synth - BLASTER YMF262 (OPL3)
SKU: 24474
Price: 259.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.75 (2 reviews)

(2 Reviews)

DAFM Synth is a FM multitimbral synthesizer series based on mythical YAMAHA chips used for home consoles, arcades and 80s PCs sound.

Designed by KASSER SYNTHS in Spain

2021-08-07T15:12:57.511Z-DSC_0709 (2).JPG

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DAFM Synth is a FM multitimbral synthesizer series based on mythical YAMAHA chips used for home consoles, arcades and 80s PCs sound.

What is it? Sound synthesis through Frequency Modulation (FM) allows to obtain unique sounds that defined a whole musical generation during the 80's and 90's. The model BLASTER uses the YMF262 (OPL3)…

What is it?

Sound synthesis through Frequency Modulation (FM) allows to obtain unique sounds that defined a whole musical generation during the 80's and 90's.

The model BLASTER uses the YMF262 (OPL3) Yamaha chip that was employed in many sound cards, including the popular Sound Blaster Pro 2 and the Sound Blaster 16 ASP.

Why did you make it?

This synthesizer is the perfect mix for lovers of retro video games, and makers who want to introduce themselves in the musical experimentation.

Includes the 128 General Midi 4-OP instruments designed by The Fat Man and used in 90's PCs videogames like Doom; Descent; Tyrian; The Lost Vikings; Heretic; Hexen, Ultima Underworld; Day of the Tentacle; Dune; Wing Commander; Another World; Syndicate; Lemmings and Indiana Jones & the Fate of Atlantis. These presets can be found in Bank 0. Bank 1 is used for loading up to 128 presets from the SD Card. Check the Datasheet below for the details.

All the parameters that defined these presets in the YMF262 chip can be controlled through MIDI CC messages. Check the Datasheet below for the MIDI CC implementation chart.

What makes it special?

The YMF262 has six channels with four operators per channel. The operators can interact according to four different algorithms. Attack-Decay-Sustain-Release (ADSR) envelopes, frequencies and low frequency oscillators (LFOs) can be modified to obtain the whole range of FM sounds.

The YMF262 chip is accompanied by the YAC512 stereo chip that allows converting the digital signal into clear and clean analog sound. Having the separate DAC allows the DAFM synth BLASTER to output a louder and cleaner sound.

The synthesizer is operated through 2 rotary encoders and has a complete menu that is shown in 4 blue OLED displays. Thanks to the beautiful tactile keyboard of 12 notes you can try the different patches as they are created. There is also the possibility of changing the octave and thus test the full sound spectrum of the Yamaha chip. Once created, the presets can be saved in the RAM memory or in an SD card as OPLI files that can be opened with instrument editors like the OPL3 bank editor.

The stereo sound output is 3.5 mm audio jack, has a MIDI input to connect a keyboard, sequencer or any MIDI instrument and can be powered with a USB Type B cable (5V).

Disclaimer: Please note that the sound chips used in the DAFM Synth may have been resurfaced at the origin. At KASSER SYNTHS, we ensure that every chip undergoes thorough testing and functions perfectly in our synthesizers, providing the best possible performance and sound experience.

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Review Breakdown

Average Ratings

Product: (5.00)

Documentation: (4.00)

Shipping: (5.00)

Communication: (5.00)

Ian | Aug. 1, 2024

Incredible sounding, highly programmable synth!

The DAFM Blaster offers a wide range of sonic possibilities that are not easily accessible on other synths that utilize the Yamaha OPL3. I have been able to create some exciting sounds with this powerful little synth. I find that saving patches is not straightforward, and I hope that this feature is streamlined in future. This synth sounds significantly better than anything produced by Korg and others in recent years. I look forward to what this company makes in the future.

Bergon | Sept. 27, 2021

Clean & Nasty

Already happy owner of Arcade 2151 I wanna gave a try to this new one:
If it shares same (elegant)design with other Kasser synths, Blaster is quite different:
with OPL3 chip less algorithms, less lfos options but MORE Operator waveforms than usual sinusoidal found in "classic" FM (Genesis, Arcade,DX7 etc)
Iam surprized by the way it sounds: very clean and dynamic tone.(16bit FM?)
I create biggest bassline instantD&B ever! or pur kind of lovely fizzly Sinus tone really sweet with arpeggios.
For an experimental music lover it's a VERY nice tool!
It's a Unique sounding machine, still Raw & Basic 4OP design but with these Alternat OP.Waveforms it results in new timbres seriously badass!!!
just (as usual) add a bit of a good external FX :)

About SD card bank: you can Only save the all 6 presets you have in memory(= bank 0), if you want more you have to manage them externaly,
load them on SD card and recall them with CC0 value 1 (to acces bank 1) then ProgramChange Data to load presets (Not yet tested).
All in all it's a creative synth, trippy and fun to use.
Just it would be VERY nice to have a clever way to save more presets directly then to have the ability to mute some midi channels?