FM-1 Workbench

FM-1 Workbench is a browser-based editor and simulator for the M-VAVE FM1 polyphonic synthesizer, paired with a detailed operating guide. It supports eight tracks, six sound engines - DX7-style FM, 303-style bass, 808 drums, PSG, pluck and sampler - and patterns of up to 64 steps per track. Users can edit sounds, envelopes, modulation, effects, track levels, arpeggios and step details, then audition changes in the browser or transfer projects to a connected device. The guide explains the hardware controls, recording and quantization, pattern copying, track roles, mixing, and MIDI-clock behavior; MIDI routing and clock-source preferences must be set on the instrument itself.

A central distinction is between the working project, device storage and browser-local storage: edits are not automatically synchronized, and changing presets can replace unsaved work. Projects can be saved to device slots, read back for verification, or exported as files; project files do not include sample audio. The separate eight-slot sample library has about 19.55 seconds of shared capacity and must be backed up independently. Track sounds and standard DX7 SysEx tones can also be imported or exported. The guide details supported WAV formats and cautions that replacing the sample library affects every project. Firmware recovery and forced flashing are available but carry risks, including data loss or an unusable device, so backups and a stable USB connection are emphasized.