FM synthesis has a reputation for being an unwieldy technique with a learning curve as steep as a square wave, demanding technical expertise well beyond the abilities of your average bedroom synthesist.
Whether that notoriety is truly deserved is up for debate. While the Yamaha DX7 - the archetypal FM synthesizer - was undoubtedly challenging to program, many modern FM synths have sought to simplify the technique, making FM more accessible and intuitive with assistive features and user-friendly designs.
