How to Create FM Leads Like Fungus Funk

A glassy, sequenced FM lead in the style of Fungus Funk, built in Albino 3 Legend. FM between two oscillators makes the tone, an arp with LFOs makes the sequence, and phaser and reverb effects make it glassy. Reference tracks in the video: Fungus Funk - Super Silver and Fractal Funk.

What you need

• Albino 3 Legend (by Rob Papen) or the original Albino 3 plugin. Albino 3 Legend is the updated version with VST3 support, different GUI sizes and compatibility with current PC and Mac systems. Rob Papen Albino 3 Legend
• A DAW

Don't have Albino? Some of my wavetables were created by recording FM sounds from this exact synth. They're available both as single-cycle waveforms and as full sweeps, so you can get the same type of tones in a synth you already own. PsyTables Bundle

1. Start from a clean patch

1. Open the bank (B:) and load the Init preset. This removes all effects and settings.

   

2. Oscillators and FM

1. Oscillator 1: select Digital. Use the slider between the two waveforms and set it to a sawtooth.

   

2. Turn on FM. Oscillator 2 now frequency-modulates oscillator 1.
3. Activate Oscillator 2. With FM on, the Oscillator 2 knob controls the volume and the Oscillator 1 knob controls the FM amount. Raise the FM amount until you hear the FM tone.
4. Experiment with different Oscillator 2 waveforms and pick the one you like.
5. Find the correct octave relationship to get the correct flavour for the FM lead.

   

The main tone comes from changing the shapes and the FM amount, so experiment here.

3. Envelope and filter

• Amp ADSR: turn the release down.

  

• Filter envelope: turn it off.
• Filter: high pass, add some saturation and resonance.

  

4. Make it a sequence

Arp

1. Activate the ARP, mode Up.
2. Set trigger to Single and the voice mode to Mono.

   

LFO 1

1. Turn the rate down and switch sync off.
2. Set the shape to a sample-and-glide type shape and activate Mono.

   

3. In the matrix, map LFO 1 → Filter 1 cutoff, with a small amount.

   

LFO 2

1. Set the shape to Sample and Hold and choose a rate. In the video i picked 1/4d

   

2. In the matrix, map LFO 2 → Amp envelope release and maximize the amount (1.0).

   

LFO 2 randomizes the release time per note, which gives the sequence its varied, rolling feel. The chopping comes from the trigger being mono, which means that it can only play one note at a time and any bleeding notes, will be gated.

5. Effects

The glassy character comes from effects. These are approximations by ear, so adjust them to taste:

• Phaser: the glassy tone is clearly a phaser. For more glassy tones, play with the resonance parameter of the phaser.
  • Phase Mistress (SoundToys)
  • Phaser-Flanger (Ableton)
  • Aardvarkk Phaser (Bom Shanka Machines)
  • Uhbik Phaser (u-he)
• Doubler/delay: there seems to be a doubling or delay-like layer too. Ableton's Phaser-Flanger in doubler mode was tried, as were early reflections.
• Reverb: a hybrid reverb with a convolution reverb sounded close enough.

Quick tips

• FM amount and the oscillator 2 shape change the sound the most.
• Keep the amp release short so the arp stays tight.
• Make LFO 1 → cutoff subtle.
• For glassier tones, play with the phaser's resonance.
• Don't copy the sound exactly. Use it as a base for your own.