ZZ Top Legs - Help needed

[Harle2B]

I need to get a sound close to the synth in ZZ Tops song 'Legs'. I just can't get it right.
I've even asked ChatGPT and Co-Pilot.
And was surprised I got a full breakdown of control by control, setting by setting for OSC 1 & 2, Filter, ADSR Env1 (amp) and Env 2 (filter), Seq or Arp, and even FX.
Result ..... sucks.
So please, please send suggested settings as detailed as possible.
Thanks

[CHOOS]

Hey,

If you could provide a video link and the time at which the synth you're after comes up, I can have a look.

[seangm]

There's a quote from Terry Manning here that talks about the synth used on Legs:

https://www.reddit.com/r/synthesizers/c ... ncopation/

Maybe too general for what you are looking for but maybe helpful who knows.

[Harle2B]

Thanks for the response. ChatGPT and Co-Pilot weren't a lot of help. Nice to know humans can do it better.

Starts straight away and goes all the way through the video.
If you can't sleep You could also try 'The Who's' song - Eminence front, it'll be the next song I'll be needing help on.

Starts straight away.
Any help is gratefully received.
Harle

[Harle2B]

Thanks for the Terry Manning clip. I did see this some time ago, but I got lost when I tried to fill in the blanks. I appreciate .the help
Harle

[zerocrossing]

Thanks for the response. ChatGPT and Co-Pilot weren't a lot of help. Nice to know humans can do it better.

Starts straight away and goes all the way through the video.
If you can't sleep You could also try 'The Who's' song - Eminence front, it'll be the next song I'll be needing help on.

Starts straight away.
Any help is gratefully received.
Harle

I really want a Magnatone amp.

[Seafire Mk2]

https://isolated-tracks.com/zz-top/legs

[Harle2B]

I run a Kemper stage, Neural Quad and a Mesa Boogie MkV on gigs, so I can match the Magnatone, it's the Synth that's driving me nuts.

[Harle2B]

Seafire, thanks for the link.
Harle

[Harle2B]

Here is the info from ChatGPT. Please have a go and post corrections:
Use 2 oscillators max:
OSC 1
• Waveform: Saw
• Octave: -1
• Voices: 1 (no unison yet)
OSC 2
• Waveform: Square
• Octave: -1
• Detune: very slight (~0.03–0.07)
This gives that thick but simple analog core.
________________________________________
2. Filter (this is the sound)
Use a 24 dB Low Pass (ladder style if available)
• Cutoff: ~120–300 Hz (low!)
• Resonance: 30–45%
• Drive: slight (5–15%)
The “rubber” comes from resonance + movement here.
________________________________________
3. Filter Envelope (key to the groove)
• Attack: 0
• Decay: 150–250 ms
• Sustain: 0
• Release: short (~80 ms)
Envelope Amount → Filter cutoff:
• Around +40 to +60
This creates that plucky, per-step “wah” sound.
________________________________________
4. Amp Envelope
• Attack: 0
• Decay: ~200 ms
• Sustain: 0
• Release: short
Keeps it tight and percussive.
________________________________________
5. Sequencer / Arpeggiator (CRITICAL)
Turn on Step Sequencer or Arp:
• Mode: Mono
• Steps: 8 or 16
• Rate: 1/16
• Add slight swing (55–60%)
Pattern idea (simplified):
• Root note repeating with occasional jumps (minor 3rd / 5th)
The groove matters more than the exact notes.
________________________________________
6. Modulation (adds life)
LFO → Filter Cutoff
• Rate: synced ~1/8 or 1/16
• Amount: subtle (5–10%)
Velocity → Filter
• Amount: small (~10–15%)
Prevents it from sounding static.
________________________________________
7. Effects (very important)
Distortion / Saturation
• Type: Soft clip / tube
• Amount: 10–25%
Chorus
• Very subtle (depth low, mix ~10–15%)
Delay
• Short, slap-style
• Time: ~100–150 ms
• Mix: low (~10%)
This gives it that polished Eliminator-era sheen.
________________________________________
8. Final character tweaks
To really nail it:
• Keep it mono (no big stereo width)
• Slight portamento/glide (very short)
• Don’t over-layer—this sound is deceptively simple
________________________________________
What most people get wrong
• Too much detune/unison → sounds modern EDM
• Too bright → loses that dark, funky pulse
• No groove → sounds like a generic arp

[Seafire Mk2]

[Seafire Mk2]

Interesting interview starting at 6.00 mins

[CHOOS]

Legs.zip

Vital Preset

If you open this you can see how you can create a very similar sound
2 saws over two octaces.
A 16th not LFO on the volume with a sine.
Resonant bandpass to focus on upper harmonics
the distortion you'd wanna replace with guitar distortion outside of Vital
and some final eq

[Seafire Mk2]

It's not a guitar, it's a Moog. (Source i believe) He says so in the interview i linked. It's also a drum machine. (DMX?)

It sounds quite phasey, could just be the osc detune or maybe an MXR or similar

[Harle2B]

Choos, Many thanks. I've got it loaded and studying the settings. Thanks