King of FM
Key Features
- Over 10,000 individual samples captured from Yamaha DX7, DX7II, TX81z, and SY77 hardware synthesizers
- 300+ factory presets including AnalogMatthew's exclusive "Holy Grail" DX7 collection heard in major productions
- Dual-layer sound engine for blending two sampled sources into hybrid textures
- Built-in effects chain with phaser, chorus, reverb, ping-pong delay, bitcrush, and stereo fatten
- Integrated step sequencer by Cem Olcay for pattern-based composition within the plugin
- Internal audio recorder with WAV export for capturing performances directly
- 2+ GB sound library compressed to under 400 MB with no in-app purchases or subscriptions
Description
King of FM is a sample-based synthesizer from AudioKit Pro and AnalogMatthew that delivers authentic sounds captured from iconic 1980s FM hardware. Built around over 10,000 individual samples sourced from the Yamaha DX7, DX7II, TX81z, and SY77, it provides instant access to the electric pianos, glassy bells, and metallic tones that defined a generation of hit records.
The instrument ships with more than 300 presets derived from AnalogMatthew's exclusive "Holy Grail" DX7 collection. These are the same sample recordings used by Herbie Hancock and heard in productions for Sting, Jay-Z, and Alicia Keys.
King of FM uses a dual-layer architecture that lets you blend two sampled sounds simultaneously, opening up hybrid textures that go beyond what any single vintage FM patch could achieve. An onboard effects chain adds phaser, chorus, reverb, ping-pong delay, bitcrush, and stereo fatten processing.
A built-in sequencer designed by veteran iOS developer Cem Olcay brings pattern-based composition directly into the instrument. An internal audio recorder also lets you capture performances and export them as WAV files.
The complete sound library weighs over 2 GB but is compressed to under 400 MB for download. King of FM runs as a standalone app and AUv3 plugin on macOS (Apple Silicon only) and iOS devices.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is FM synthesis still used in modern music production?
FM synthesis remains widely used in modern production, particularly for electric pianos, metallic bells, plucky basses, and glassy pad textures. King of FM makes these classic tones accessible through a sample-based approach rather than requiring operators and algorithms to be programmed from scratch.
Does King of FM work as a plugin in Logic Pro and GarageBand?
Yes, King of FM runs as an AUv3 plugin inside Logic Pro, GarageBand, and other AUv3-compatible hosts on Apple Silicon Macs. AudioKit notes that plugin mode is functional but not officially supported, so standalone mode is recommended for the most stable experience.
What is the difference between King of FM and a true FM synthesizer like FM8 or DX7 V?
King of FM is a sample-based instrument that plays back recordings captured from real Yamaha FM hardware, while plugins like FM8 or Arturia DX7 V use mathematical FM synthesis engines. This means King of FM delivers authentic vintage character out of the box but does not offer the deep operator-level sound design that a true FM synth provides.
Does King of FM run on Intel Macs or Windows?
King of FM requires Apple Silicon (M1 or later) for macOS and does not support Intel Macs or Windows. It also runs on iPhone and iPad with iOS 14 or later.
