Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $155
Standard/Professional
$79
$200+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Tracktion F.’em". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Unleash your creative potential with the Tracktion F.'em, a synth plugin that redefines what it means to be versatile in the world of music production. Designed for musicians who crave flexibility, this plugin combines FM, VA, and sample-based synthesis into a single powerful tool. With an 11-operator matrix, F.'em leverages modern CPU capabilities to deliver sounds that range from the subtle to the spectacular.
Dive into its advanced modulation system, where a complex effect section and dual multimode filters await your command. This plugin isn't just about raw power; it's about giving you the tools to craft sounds that are truly your own. From the 32-stage tempo-synced envelopes to the innovative 8-step Flow LFOs, each parameter is designed to push the boundaries of traditional sound design.
Whether you're crafting intricate rhythms or looking for that perfect lead, F.'em's intuitive interface lets you explore and experiment with ease. Its macro controls simplify even the most complex setups, making it accessible for beginners while still offering depth for seasoned sound designers. And with the ability to activate and deactivate layers on the fly, you can focus on what matters most: creating music that moves you.
Key Features:
- Hybrid quad-timbral synthesizer with FM, VA, and sample-based capabilities
- 11-operator matrix for extensive sound design possibilities
- Dual multimode filters with overdrive stage
- 32-stage tempo-synced envelopes for complex rhythmic patterns
- Two 8-step Flow LFOs with customizable waveforms
- Modulation matrix with up to 200 entries
- Macro controls for easy parameter management
- Rich multi-effect section with four layers, each offering four effect slots
- Compatible with macOS 10.11 or later, Windows 8 & 10 (64-bit), VST2 / AU / AAX formats
Product specs
| Software Type | Synth Library |
| Platform | Mac, PC, Linux |
| Upgrade/Full | Full |
| Download/Boxed | Download |
| Bit Depth | 64-bit |
| Format | AAX, VST, AU, Linux VST |
| Hardware Requirements - Mac | Intel Core 2 Duo or higher, 4GB RAM or more recommended |
| Hardware Requirements - PC | Intel Core 2 Duo / AMD Athlon 64 X2 or higher, 4GB RAM or more recommended |
| OS Requirements - Mac | OS X 10.11 or later |
| OS Requirements - PC | Windows 8 or later |
FAQs
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What are the main sound design capabilities of the Tracktion F.’em?
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The Tracktion F.’em offers extensive sound design capabilities with four layers, each containing four effect slots, and the ability to feed any wave operator into another. It includes two multisample operators, a noise operator, and two freely routable filters, providing immense flexibility for creating complex sounds.
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Is the Tracktion F.’em compatible with my DAW?
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The Tracktion F.’em is compatible with most DAWs as it supports AAX, VST, and AU formats, making it usable on Mac, PC, and Linux platforms.
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How does the modulation matrix in Tracktion F.’em work?
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The modulation matrix in Tracktion F.’em allows for up to 200 entries, enabling intricate modulation routing. This feature, combined with the modifier matrix offering up to 32 modification algorithms, supports highly detailed and dynamic sound manipulation.
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What are the system requirements for running Tracktion F.’em on a Mac?
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To run Tracktion F.’em on a Mac, you'll need at least an Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 4GB of RAM, with OS X 10.11 or later.
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Can the Tracktion F.’em envelopes be tempo-synced?
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Yes, the Tracktion F.’em features tempo-synced, loopable envelopes with up to 32 stages, allowing for precise rhythmic modulation and sound shaping.
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Tracktion F.’em.
Use cases and applications
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F'em is praised for its suitability in hard dance music, delivering harsh, digital tones comparable to the MS20.
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F'em can be used as a standard subtractive synthesizer by switching FM oscillators into SAW mode, offering 8 SAWs per layer.
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F'em is favored by those designing their own patches, offering a better workflow and experimental potential compared to FM8.
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Value and pricing
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Users generally agree that F'em is not worth its $200 price tag for most, valuing it instead at $30-$40 for occasional use.
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While previously perceived as overpriced, F'em's sale price of $29 is seen as a significant bargain, especially for those familiar with FM synthesis.
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F'em was noted to be a good deal at $29 during a sale, making it an attractive choice for those exploring FM synthesis.
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Features and functionality
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The built-in arpeggiator is considered very basic, with older KORG synths from the 90s offering more advanced arpeggiator capabilities.
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F'em lacks the ability to load custom waveforms into its FM oscillators, a feature available in other synths like Surge.
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The lack of an "init" patch in F'em requires users to manually reset layers and settings, adding an unnecessary barrier for users beginning new projects.
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The modulation assignment process can be tedious due to a large list of sources and destinations, and direct operator feedback adjustment on the FM matrix is missing.
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F'em includes 8 operators plus 2 samplers and 1 noise generator, allowing for intricate 4-part motion sequences and extensive modulation options.
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Software and compatibility
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F'em cannot load DX7 patches, limiting its use for those who want to enhance classic DX7 sounds with additional layers and effects.
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Some users experience CPU spikes and performance issues with F'em in certain DAWs like FL Studio, but find improvement when switching to Reaper.
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FM8 may be abandoned by Native Instruments, potentially leaving users without updates or bug fixes, unlike F'em.
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Comparisons
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F'em's sound output is cleaner and more natural than the Yamaha Montage FM-X engine, which suffers from aliasing at higher octaves.
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The Opsix is noted for producing sounds closer to the original Yamaha FM, while F'em offers a larger modulation range and layering capabilities.
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F'em is considered more organized and easier to understand than FM8, which is seen as dated and crashes in some DAWs.
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Critic Reviews
Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings
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