Review: M-VAVE FM-1 is a new low-budget 12-voice pocket Yamaha DX-7-based FM Synthesizer with built-in effects, battery operation, and more.
Last year, the Chinese company M-VAVE released the SMK-37 Pro, a MIDI controller keyboard that does a lot. It has an integrated FM synth, sequencer, and offers USB-C audio, Bluetooth (audio & MIDI), and battery operation. All this for a bargain price of $70.
A complete package unlike anything you’d expect from the big players these days, especially at this price. Now M-VAVE has taken the FM engine out of the keyboard and packed it into a pocket synth called FM-1. There are differences!
M-VAVE FM-1 Review Summary
Pro
- features vs price
- compact size + good build quality
- full 12-voice DX-7 FM Synthesizer engine
- multi-FX
- arpeggiator and sequencer
- battery operation, USB-C audio, Bluetooth (MIDI + audio) and built-in loudspeaker
- DX-7 patch compatible
- menu-operation
- price
Neutral
- not on point with the Yamaha DX-7 sound (the original sounds better)
- good quality for the price but not like a 300-400€ synth (knobs, TFT display…)
- TRS-MIDI adapter not included
- Needs firmware improvements (patch bank (A-D) selection…)
- MIDI CC is available for the FX only, not for the rest, and not in the manual.
Negative
- Sequencer limited to 16 steps, and no advanced features (parameter automation, ratcheting, or probability) (maybe via firmware update?)
- No chord functionality (maybe via firmware update?)
- TRS stereo output, but the engine + FXs are mono
M-VAVE FM-1 Unboxing
The FM-1 is now available worldwide, but not from a traditional music retailer like Thomann. I bought it from AliExpress for around $70/70€.
Depending on coupons and current prices, it can range from $60/60€ to over $80/80€. Amazon with EU shipping also offers it for around $100/100€. Delivery from China took just over 7 days.
The M-VAVE FM-1 comes in a simple cardboard box, similar to current Behringer packaging. Inside you’ll find the synth, a USB-C cable, and a detailed user manual. A MIDI TRS adapter and power supply are not included. Well, you can’t have everything at that price.
Upon first unpacking, I was very surprised by the build quality. A lightweight yet very sturdy case. The 27 silicone buttons are also easy to press. They’re not the best, but considering the price, they have a good feel.
The only thing that’s been saved is the knobs. They work fine, but feel cheap. Higher-priced budget synths offer better knobs here.
Connectivity
Let’s take a look at the backside. You have a 3.5mm TRS stereo output, 3.5mm TRS MIDI input, a USB-C port, and a power ON/OFF switch. Yes, stereo connectivity, but the engine and effects are mono, so it’s a mirrored signal.
The USB-C port is used for power and data transfer, including firmware updates and patch imports. I recommend updating immediately because the latest firmware adds features and fixes bugs. Oh yeah, it also supports audio over USB-C.
Alternatively, you can power FM-1 with its built-in 2000mAh battery that gives you up to 12 hours of wireless synth fun. And you don’t necessarily need headphones or speakers for your fun. Built-in speakers let you hear audio without headsets.
As a bonus, the USB-C port also functions as an audio interface, outputting audio digitally to your computer or mobile device. The connectivity list also includes Bluetooth MIDI and audio. A nice feature, but not one I necessarily need, especially audio.
And you can also use the FM-1 as a MIDI keyboard, as it transmits MIDI data over cable or Bluetooth. For $70/70€, this is a very comprehensive list of connectivity features.
How Much Yamaha DX-7 Is In The M-VAVE FM-1?
The M-VAVE FM-1 uses a 12-voice FM Synthesizer engine instead of 16. The rest is technically identical to that of the Yamaha DX-7 (or Dexed). So there’s a lot of DX-7 in the FM-1.
Yes, you can load your tens of thousands of free FM cartridges. There’s even a website that generates DX-7 cartridges for you, so almost endless sounds for the FM-1.
Loading patches is done via the SysEx import and the USB-C port, using Dexed or another tool. Yes, the import works; however, I was only able to recall one sound bank.
Either this option hasn’t been implemented yet, or I don’t know the key combination to select it. It’s not in the manual. Although you must choose a bank from A-D during the import process, you cannot access these banks. Edit: it sorts the SysEx patches in the (A-D) slots, so you have storage for a maximum of 128 patches. These are not 4x 128.
A major difference from the SMK-37 Pro is that the FM-1 allows detailed patch editing. This starts with the most essential feature of a DX-7-like Synthesizer: the operator matrix that is nicely visualized.
The algorithm knob allows you to easily switch algorithms and quickly create new sounds. Going deeper to the operator level is also possible in FM-1. But that sounds like a lot of menu diving? Yes, I was worried, but M-VAVE implemented it surprisingly simply.
Press the Edit button on the right to unfold the DX-7-like engine. A few milliseconds later, some of the silicon keys begin to flash, those that have labels on them.
The first six black keys let you select sine-based operators. Pitch, global, and mono + global operation modes are selectable with others.
Pressing OP1 takes you to operator 1, and turning the Select knob on the left lets you scroll through operator-specific parameter pages. Here you can find parameters such as the four rates and levels for the operator envelope, tuning and scaling settings, and more.
Does The FM-1 Sound Like A DX-7?
In the global section, you can adjust the algorithm, set the feedback level, switch oscillator sync on/off, and transpose the sound. Plus, you have the multi-wave LFO to modulate the pitch and amp.
These are all the features found in the Dexed software synth, giving you the complete programming flexibility of a DX-7. Just much simpler and more visual to operate than the original.
Additionally, M-WAVE added an optional ADSR envelope for the amp, selectable via a dedicated button. Great for quick sound shaping. Features are one thing, but do you also get the same sound as the legendary Yamaha DX-7? Unfortunately, not exactly.
Yes, you can play FM sounds; the original DX-7 patches are playable, but they don’t sound as high-quality, glassy, and fine as the original. I was worried the FM-1 would have the same lo-fi, noisy sound output as the SMK-37 Pro.
That’s not the case here. The sound is better and more beautiful, closer to the original. No jitter or glitches like in my SMK-37 Pro. It could be that my keyboard has a faulty DAC. Not sure. However, the differences to the DX-7 are still there.
There could be many factors that explain why the FM-1 doesn’t sound exactly like a DX-7: different DACs, hardware specs, etc. Nevertheless, it’s a solid-sounding FM Synthesizer for the price. And with the DX-7 cartridge support, there are endless sounds to explore.
Sound Refinements
The original vintage Yamaha DX-7 from 1983 had no internal effects, resulting in an unadulterated sound. M-VAVE takes a different approach with the FM-1.
The mono signal goes into a mono multi-FX section with filter, chorus, phaser, distortion, delay, and reverb. Just like you can find it in the SMK-37 Pro/Ultra keyboard. With the Select button and knob, you can also rearrange the effects.
Each effect has four parameters: one is reserved for the dry/wet mix, and another for turning the effect on and off. Both the filter and the reverb offer three different modes.
The filter has selectable low-pass, high-pass, and band-pass modes, while the reverb has room, hall, and plate modes. Good, the effects settings are saved into the patches.
The built-in effects are of rather low quality, as expected for the low-budget segment. They sound okay and can be used as a sound design element or for refinement. However, inexpensive pedals in the 100€ range will certainly do a better and more versatile job.
For this, I recommend using the FM-1 with external effects such as pedals or plugins. This will give you a significant boost in sound. See the attached demo with the Vahlhalla Shimmer. Interesting, these are controllable with MIDI CC.
Arpeggiator / Sequencer
In addition to the new effects, the FM-1 also features a built-in arpeggiator and sequencer. The arpeggiator is one of the simpler types with various playback directions, octave, rate, and tempo controls.
On page 2, you can find controls for the gate, swing, latch, and tempo sync. The sequencer isn’t the most comprehensive either. 16 steps, mono or polyphonic, memory for up to 16 patterns, rate and tempo control.
Gate, swing, tempo sync, and transpose are available on the second page. Rests are also programmable using the REC button and the select knob.
More advanced features like probability, ratcheting, or motion recording, as found in Korg Volcas or Behringer Minis, are not included. This is the current firmware version V14. We’ll see what might be added in future updates.
Booth tools send MIDI data, so they can be used as MIDI tools. Talking of MIDI. M-VAVE implemented MIDI-CC, but interestingly only for the effects. No one knows why. They’re not in the manual.
YouTuber Maks Makes received the mappings from M-VAVE after asking for them. I hope they will change that in the near future.
M-VAVE FM-1 Review Conclusion
Don’t expect miracles from the FM-1. It won’t replace the DX-7s in studios. The legendary Yamaha synth is still too famous and beloved for this to happen, and it still sounds way better, in my opinion. The FM-1 is a fun synth, though.
The review found that the M-VAVE FM-1 is a very affordable yet solid-sounding FM Synthesizer that packs a complete DX-7-like engine into a 12-voice polyphonic instrument that fits in your pocket.
Extra features like internal effects, battery operation, and more round out the package even further. Obviously, not everything is perfect (effects are rather low-quality, mono signal, knob quality, etc.), but for $70/€70 you can’t expect everything.
All in all, I don’t regret my purchase. It’s a fun little synth that is surprisingly convincing.
M-VAVE FM-1 is now available for around $70/70€ on Chinese platforms such as AliExpress and Temu. You can also buy it from Amazon for around 100€.
More information here: M-VAVE
Available from my partner
Really good review Tom.
Too good. I ended up buying one after watching your YouTube video last night!
Less than £48 it cost me! It will be replacing my Volca FM.
Where did you get it that cheap?
that’s game of AliExpress or Temu. You need to find out the reseller that has the best price and check for coupons. Ali prices are changing almost hourly.
yeah, it’s crazy 😉
although i have to admit i have ordered Often there😀 the pink/purple Version ist nice! i Need to Order! thanks for the Review!
AliExpress with a coupon.
Good overview! Gut gemacht. Was curious about this when I first read about it. Now I know a little more…
Good review, but you can save incoming banks to any of the four internal ones. It’s in the manual, but basically you choose the bank when the sysex upload is completed and you have to save it. Accessing these banks is done by browsing through the patches (bank A is 1-32, B is 33-64 etc).
Hopefully they add chords soon, and more sequencing options.
thanks 🙂 viewers already explained me on YouTube. I thought it would be 4×128 patch slots
I was expecting that too, or at least an easier patch browsing system other than ‘scroll all the way through’. Maybe they divide them up into groups of 4 at least, if they’re going to insist on sticking with the 32-patch DX-7 size banks.
Great little synth. I wasn’t expecting much from it but after purchase I’m surprised with the rather excellent quality of built but not so much with the sounds – Dexed can produce far better results and it can get as close to original DX-7 as any VST or hardware synth can including Arturia … Dexed can also import original DX-7 sound banks as well…
FM-1 can also import original DX-7 patch banks. Don’t expect a super high quality sound from a device that costs the end customer $70 or even less. So, it can’t have the best DAC, processor, etc.
for me its nice!
don’t want to use a Computer
Consensus after the SMK-37 Pro came out is that M-VAVE is using a version of MiniDEXED, which is a version of Dexed that runs on bare metal ARM platforms (originally the RPi).
So it basically is running Dexed. So while obviously you could/should use Dexed in the box, if you don’t want to perform with a laptop or want hardware this is one of your options for that.
Got mine for £48 on aliexpress, comparing it to the DX7 isn’t really fair, but the volca fm/fm2 maybe better option. And I’d say the fm1 is better in every way. The build quality is far superior too.
does it respond to midi program change messages? that alone would be a major improvement over the volca fm2
right now just MIDI CC for the effects
I got it ..but mine came with issues…MIDI TRS jack nor working. MIDI over USB does not respond to CCs messages and the sound gets interrupted when sending CCs. I’m wondering if it’s just a defective unit or the software is not ready ?
You need the correct TRS adapter for it. it’s TRS A you need, you probably have TRS B.
CCs are only available for the effects. The rest is not mapped to MIDI CC so it doesn’t work