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Haaa! Finally, a connoisseur of FM-sounds depicting with it the icy landscape. So in my book that is definitely a plus in my books. Though I have to say I’m not the biggest fan of the Celesta. While it works for conveying that sparkling of light, it also reminds me of Christmas, for better or worse :D.

Nonetheless both your songs conveyed that described scene well and build a very chilling atmosphere. Though I think it might not fit the term ambiance the best. It most certainly is ambient but it misses some element of swallowing the listener with environmental noises while taking also a step back from the listener. I do believe there is potential for that thing in there. But it would need some refinement to show. Maybe set sound sounds to convey that sound of rippling water. Also creating a wider stereo image with instruments placed more throughout the stage might help. Lastly, while fm-sounds are awesome, the also need some additional tinkering. I thing adding some more effects in taming and enhancing those sounds would lend itself to an even better atmosphere,

Given that I think you still did well and should be proud of what you’ve done.

Thanks for that feedback! I like the "swallowing the listener" comment, I could've spent more time layering in atmosphere. I think I'm due for a little self learning on FM sounds (beyond what've I learned doodling). Have any fm resources/artist recs/synthesis tips for an amateur?

Sadly, not really. Most tutorials just brush the surface or go in hard with no further explanation. It also depends on if you really want to create your own FM-sounds or if you want to just use them.

However I thing a generally good introduction into what FM even is and on which logic it works is a video by Andrew Huang. However this would only show the synths side.

For working with FM you need to keep in mind that this sound creates complex waves (additive synthesis) but doesn’t have any further filtering. With analogue you’d always have a complex wave filtered down. So first things first will be always to either EQ or filter those FM-Sounds and tame them a bit. Also Since they have such a metallic sound, they also beg to get some special information like a reverb. But on those points only some experimentation will work. Look out for what you like and don’t. See how you like your synth sounds in general. Do you like additional modulations like chorus? Does it need to drip with reverb? Do you like spaciousness created by some stereo delay? Do you like your synth sounds played into an amp? There are no real limits on what you can do after you recorded a synth sound 😊