OMNICYCLONE: Generative FM Beat Machine with Dual Control Banks

by Little Music

The OMNICYCLONE from Spherical Sound Society is a fascinating generative FM beat machine that blends retro chip sounds with modern unpredictability. Based on an extensively modified Yamaha OPL2 emulator, this device creates bizarre sequences and sounds that feel both familiar and completely alien.

What Makes OMNICYCLONE Special

Unlike traditional drum machines or sequencers, the OMNICYCLONE generates its own patterns and variations. It doesn't just play back pre-recorded sounds - it continuously creates new musical content using frequency modulation synthesis. The result is music that sounds "surprisingly retro and modern at the same time."

The device offers 256 possible stereo positions, giving each sound its own place in the mix. This creates rich, wide soundscapes that move and evolve as the sequences play.

OMNICYCLONE Interface

Two Banks, Endless Control

The OMNICYCLONE's interface revolves around two banks of eight potentiometers each. The left button switches between banks, with Bank 2 showing a visual rectangle around the volume bars on the screen.

Bank 1 handles the core generative functions:

  • FADE: The main control that filters and blends the generated sequences. The sweet spot is usually around 3 o'clock position
  • DENS: Controls note density - how often notes trigger. At maximum, every step plays; at center, only 50% of notes sound
  • MAPA, MAPB, MIXC: Navigate through different dimensions of the sound register maps
  • MUTA: The mutator parameter that creates variations of the current map
  • OFAD: An offset fader that produces variations when the main fader is in mid positions
  • SET: Selects the base sequence set - choose one you like and stick with it while learning

Bank 2 provides advanced sound shaping:

  • BPM: Sets the tempo, or turn fully left to sync with external clock
  • LFOS/LFOA/LMAT: Complete LFO control for speed, amount, and matrix routing
  • ATTK/DECA/SUST/REL: Global ADSR envelope controls that affect all voices simultaneously

Simple Button Controls

The OMNICYCLONE keeps button functions straightforward:

  • Right Button: Cycles through 4 different instrument sets
  • Button A: Long press toggles the LFO on/off (with LED feedback), short press cycles through 3 mutator algorithms
  • Button B: Changes bar lengths between 3, 4, 7, 8, 12, 16, and 32 bars

How It Actually Works

The genius of OMNICYCLONE lies in its approach to generative music. Instead of programming beats, you shape the probability and character of what emerges. The main fader acts like a filter for the generated data stream - turn it up and more commands get through, creating denser, more complex patterns.

The mutator algorithms continuously vary the base patterns, while the map controls let you navigate through different sonic territories. The offset fader adds subtle variations when the main fader is in sweet spots, creating organic evolution in the patterns.

The global envelope controls in Bank 2 provide another layer of expression, letting you shape the attack, decay, sustain, and release of all sounds simultaneously. This creates dramatic transitions and helps blend the sometimes harsh FM timbres into musical shapes.

Perfect for Exploration

The OMNICYCLONE rewards experimentation over precision. You don't program it as much as you guide and shape its output. This makes it perfect for:

  • Live jamming: Twist knobs and hear immediate changes in the generated patterns
  • Studio inspiration: Use it to spark new ideas when you're stuck in familiar patterns
  • Soundtrack work: Create evolving backgrounds that never quite repeat
  • Electronic experimentation: Explore the weird spaces between melody and percussion

Three Ways to Get Started

Spherical Sound Society offers the OMNICYCLONE in three formats:

  1. Fully assembled unit - ready to use out of the box
  2. Full kit - everything needed for home assembly
  3. PCB + programmed microcontroller - for advanced builders

The device runs on Fluorine hardware, which means different firmware versions can be loaded. There's even bonus USB MIDI controller firmware included.

The Learning Curve

The manual recommends mastering Bank 1 before diving into Bank 2's more nuanced controls. This makes sense - Bank 1 contains the core generative engine, while Bank 2 adds sophisticated sound shaping. Once you understand how the mutator algorithms and map navigation work, the global envelope controls become powerful tools for musical expression.

The OMNICYCLONE represents a unique approach to electronic music making. It's not about perfect timing or polished sounds - it's about embracing the unexpected and finding music in the spaces between control and chaos. For producers tired of predictable patterns and quantized perfection, the OMNICYCLONE offers a refreshing dive into generative unpredictability.