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MEGAfm II Polyphonic FM Synthesizer - Image 1

MEGAfm II Polyphonic FM Synthesizer

DesktopDigitalPolyphonic

Ever wonder what happens when vintage arcade-game FM chips get a modern polyphonic glow-up? The MEGAfm II taps dual socketed YM3438 chips—swappable with YM2612s—for that signature crisp, gritty 4-operator FM tone straight out of the '80s, but cranked to 12 voices of pure polyphonic bliss.

Its hybrid heart delivers 8 algorithms across those chips, with 32 faders giving you instant, tactile command over every operator parameter—no deep menus, just slide and sculpt. Fourteen sturdy knobs handle LFO rates, vibrato, glide, and fat detune, while 15 buttons fire up a 7-mode arpeggiator, SH-style sequencer, and preset randomizer from 600 slots in 6 banks. Four voicing modes let you go Poly 12, stereo Wide 6/4/3, experimental Dual CH3 for wild percussive effects, or unison stacks; three LFOs modulate anything, all MIDI-controllable with clock sync. Housed in a brushed anodized aluminum case measuring 11.8 x 5.2 x 2 inches, it packs stereo/mono 1/4-inch outs, headphone jack, DIN MIDI in/thru/out, and even analog distortion for extra bite—compact enough for any rig.

Players love its hands-on workflow that makes FM approachable yet deep, often calling out the endless tweakability and open-source firmware as game-changers, though some note the fixed stereo outs limit mono chaining flexibility.

Released

2022

Status

In Production

Synthesizer
Format
Desktop
Type
FM
Internal Battery
No
Voice
A/D
Digital
Polyphony
Polyphonic
Oscillators
4
Oscillator Type
FM Operators
Voices
12
Filter
No
Envelopes
-
LFO
3
Effects
No
Expression
Aftertouch
No
Velocity
Yes
MPE
No
Additional
vintage YM3438 chips, 8 algorithms, 32 faders, 14 knobs, 15 buttons, 4 voicing modes (Unison, Wide 6/4/3, Poly 12, Dual CH3), glide, vibrato, 3 LFOs, preset randomizer, hands-on control, accessible chips for replacement
Software
-
I/O
Audio In
0
Audio Out
2x 6.35mm TS stereo
Headphone
1x 6.35mm stereo
MIDI
In, Out, Thru
MIDI Type
DIN (5-pin)
Ports
USB
Wi-Fi
No
Workflow
Arpeggiator
Yes
Sequencer
Yes
Mod Matrix
No
Memory
600 presets
Measurements
Dimensions
300 x 132 x 45 mm
Weight
-
Last updated Mar 24, 2026