Any performance-level or part-level are only offsets to the operator settings.

See pages 149 and 157 in the Modx Reference doc.

https://usa.yamaha.com/files/download/other_assets/2/1192582/modx_en_rm_c0.pdf

P.157 is the FM-X Operator Level screen where you configure the level envelope for an operator.

P.149 is the Part Common is on the Filter EG PEG/ SCALE screen

The doc doesn't show the FM-X PEG/SCALE screen so it isn't clear if it is referring to the operator level screen or the part common. But any part-level settings are just offsets to the actual operator level settings.

So one thing to try is testing that part-level envelope decay and release values to see if they give you the effect you want.

I just want to have a brass performance decay when holding down the key but don't want to have to go and change each individual operator.

If you want the entire part to 'decay' you could make a control assignment to a pedal/knob or the super knob so that when you turn the knob it controls the part volume.

You could also use the slider on the front panel to control the volume of that part.

Can you provide a more specific example of what you want to do? 

So, it doesn't look like the pages you reference are for the part, but for the operators. There are no controls for ADSR for a part as far as I can tell, but that's what I'm looking for. 

If you play a piano part and hit a key it will decay to zero eventually. I'm assuming this is because each operator's AEG was set up to do this. You wouldn't want to hit a key and then rely on a fader or the super know to make the piano decay. That's a pretty specific example if which I'm trying to do. But not have to do it per operator.

Older synths had ADSR sliders for a whole patch which was nice because you could tweak it really easily. Having to go into each operator can be a real pain sometimes. it is nice to have that level of control when you need it, but it would be nice to have some kind of global control too.

Thanks for double checking that - P. 149 is for the FM-X part level but doesn't show the Filter EG screen - instead it refers to p.118 for AWM2 element editing.

That's why we said it wasn't clear if the actual Modx screen was part level or operator level.

There are no controls for ADSR for a part as far as I can tell, but that's what I'm looking for. 

Older synths had ADSR sliders for a whole patch which was nice because you could tweak it really easily.

Understood - can't really speak to whether those older ADSR at the patch level used absolute values that replaced the low level values of if they were offsets.

But even though Yamaha's latest Montage M models have what appear to be part and performance level ADSR envelopes for pitch, filter and amplitude those higher level parms are really just offsets to the element/operator parm values.

For FM-X that can be a real problem because it means the higher level offsets get applied to ALL operators - both modulator and carrier. And quite often those two types need differently shaped envelopes because of their different function in shaping the sound.

Having to go into each operator can be a real pain sometimes.

Ain't that the truth! Even then it would be nice to be able to deal with each 'stack' separately as well.

If you aren't already doing it you might want to consider creating your own 'library' of components. So when you get a mod/carrier stack working to give you a specific sound save that off and give it a name that will remind you what it has in it.

Unfortunately you can only save performances and not parts or pieces. We have IdeaScale suggestions in to try to get that changed. We hate spending days designing elements/operators and their envelopes and then having to save an entire performance just to save that one set of things.

You can setup your Part assignable knobs, say 1-4, to A D1 D2 R (OP AEG) and only turn on the OP(s) you want to control.  So you can avoid the peanut butter spread of the Part global fixed function knobs and only choose to impact carriers if that's what you'd want.

It's not built in.  You have to build it.  It may or may not be more work than copying the time and level values for A D1 D2 R of each OP you want to copy.

You can save your own FM-X init Part with the assignable knobs pre programmed to bi-dir with sensible ratios and curves that impact the AEG.  Then when you start with a clean FM-X you'll have the AEG controls baked in.

There's also the OP AEG level to complete the possible controls.