Mortal FM Kombat: Plogue’s meticulous OPMZ Yamaha emulation totally slaps

We’re awash with emulations at the moment, but this one is on another level. The chip that powered everything from Yamaha’s little-known CX5M computer to the best 80s FM synths and video game masterpieces gets a long-awaited (unofficial) rendition on your computer, and it’s just about perfect — both as a instrument plug-in and an ultra-authentic player for classic games. And where this emulation started was physical, not virtual: a workbench, vintage gear and documentation, research, and physical labor.

Enjoy Monty Python’s Argument Sketch on two vintage speech synthesizers

A DECtalk Express stands in for Monty Python actor Michael Palin, with an Intex Talker (Votrax SC-01A) voicing the role of John Cleese. Retro speech synthesis just sounds better. Not more intelligible, necessarily, but absolutely better. And it’s hilarious. Eat your heart out, Transmediale / Ars Electronica / etc.: If all of this sounds familiar, […]

Peter Kirn - September 27, 2026

Plogue has made a chip-perfect emulation of the Yamaha FM synth line

Transport yourself to 1983. Sure, analog emulation is all the rage. But leave it to Plogue to do bit-for-bit digital recreation – with a precise reproduction of the Yamaha 6-operator FM synth range, including the legendary DX7.

Peter Kirn - September 22, 2021

The Sega Genesis gets a bit-accurate, FM synth remake: chipsynth MD

Peter Kirn - September 4, 2019

A new, powerful synth finds its soul in a cheap plastic FM past

Peter Kirn - May 29, 2018

Here’s the story of how the Mac and Atari found their voice

Peter Kirn - September 19, 2016

This Is What Happens When Vintage Robot Voices Make an Album

Peter Kirn - January 15, 2015

How A Plug-in Recaptured the Robot Voices of Your Childhood

Peter Kirn - January 14, 2015

The Original Speech Chip Is Coming To A New Plug-In

Peter Kirn - January 12, 2015