Jamie XX - Gosh - fantastic lead sound

[stevemac]

Hi guys,

Really keen to understand this synth, sounds very basic yet I'm not nailing it.

Lead sound at 2:42, starts before then, but the melody lines it plays after this point is the best example. Video below starts at the right point:

It's got a nice short ambience based reverb on it which adds a lot to the overall sound, but can't seem to get the tone right...

Cheers!

P.S. It's a great video

https://youtu.be/WjNssEVlB6M?t=2m39s

[domkane]

Love that track! It's actually a fairly simple sound, the key is in the detuning, glide, and reverb.

I just had a pop at it myself, using Native Instruments Massive in Ableton Live, and detuned a few "SmoothSquare" oscillators, then added some portamento in mono to make it glide, and a splash of reverb.

Here's an MP3 of my attempt (I low-pass-filtered the original so my lead is louder than the original) - http://bit.ly/DomKaneGoshLeadExample

And here's the Ableton Project file and the NI Massive patch too - http://bit.ly/DomKaneGoshLeadPROJECT

Hope this helps

[stevemac]

Fantastic, cheers Dom!

[domkane]

you're welcome

[stevemac]

While I've got you, also trying to nail the bass on kiasmos's fantastic track 'Burnt'

I know a lot of the sound is coming from the filter envelope and the glide / pitch bend, but it's the tone again that's escaping me. Nice fuzzy distortion on it too...

Starts about 3 mins in, or just before. Filter starts to open up a bit as it goes on. Thinking square mainly?

http://youtu.be/bR9-2As-XMk

[domkane]

Another great track... I don't have time to play at the moment unfortunately but I might have next week... But it sounds fairly achievable through something like Massive or FM8. Sound's like there's a little frequency modulation in there giving it the gentle distortion in the high-mids. As the filter opens up I can hear some definite Saw waves in there too.

[Cosmic Manta]

The lead sounds more like a saw wave with a low pass filter to me. https://www.dropbox.com/s/gpa9hb22zygi2 ... .mp3?raw=1

[mateuz]

Good one

What synth have you used?

Do guys think this can be done on any sytnh? Also free ones? Like Tyrell n6 or charlatan?

I understand it is not only the synth that creates the final sound and it might be easier on some synths etc. But I'm just curious if a pro guys can get close to almost any sound with any synth.

Cheers!

[mateuz]

Sorry for two posts, but I've just listened once again!

What is responsible for this change of sound in Cosmic Manta clip. Only different note played lower so the synth is gliding to there?

[domkane]

Sorry for two posts, but I've just listened once again!

What is responsible for this change of sound in Cosmic Manta clip. Only different note played lower so the synth is gliding to there?

yes

[SPUN_prod]

The lead sounds more like a saw wave with a low pass filter to me. https://www.dropbox.com/s/gpa9hb22zygi2 ... .mp3?raw=1

Now that sounds a lot closer.. I didn't really hear any detuning in the original post. I love when something so simple can sound so great. All too often people assume right off the bat that there's all this modulation and processing going on and forget to use their ears.

Sorry for two posts, but I've just listened once again!

What is responsible for this change of sound in Cosmic Manta clip. Only different note played lower so the synth is gliding to there?

I think you may be also referring to the fact that there is no detuning on Cosmic's example. The detuning gives it more a trance-y lead kinda vibe.

[stevemac]

simple and sick!