Tycho / Boards Of Canada type lead ? How to make it ?

[MrJonArbuckle]

Hi,
I'm trying to make an interesting sound that I hear sometimes in songs by Tycho, Boards Of Canada and the likes. Here are a few examples.

Tycho - Cascade : the synth starts right at the beginning


Tycho - Daydream : the synth starts at 0:13 and goes throughout the song


Discopolis - Falling (Axwell Remix) : the synth starts at 00:59 during the drop


Here I tried to isolate the synth I want to remake :

Tycho - Cascade lead isolated :
https://vocaroo.com/12gEsFxbtWfY

Tycho - Daydream lead isolated :
https://vocaroo.com/1btH5bEj3Alv

Discopolis - Falling lead isolated :
https://vocaroo.com/1eXi6EhjvgFK

I get it's bathing in reverb and there may be some kind of distorsion but I really don't know where to start. I'll try and come up with something, but I didn't really get close for now. Anyone could help on this one ?

[MrJonArbuckle]

Ok so here's a quick try but I'm still far from it.
https://vocaroo.com/1fkU4A3USXiF

I think the base sound is here but I still lack :
-that "breathing" sound I don't really know how to make my synth sound like this. Tried messing with reverb and white noise with no luck.
-that clicking sound but I think I have an idea, it could work with messing with a cutoff filter and setting the attack to get that clicking sound

Apart from this I guess I still need to improve how it sounds, maybe I'll try going for chorus or smth like this
If anyone can help I'll gladly take it !

[bluesawsq]

Try SAW oscillator through band-pass filter with high resonance and key-tracking.
The click at attack is probably a fast plucky bipolar ENV/LFO modulating filter frequency.

[Uncle E]

There's a new synth getting released tomorrow that has a preset called Seas of Canada. I tried playing those parts on it just now and it sounds pretty similar, particularly the second video. Tycho is selling a bunch of synths on Reverb right now and one of them is pretty much what this new synth is based on, so maybe that's how he made it.

[MrJonArbuckle]

Ok so here's a second try, I think I'm getting a bit closer. Still no luck with the airy/breathing reverb, I'll try to mess with a vocoder plugin maybe.
https://vocaroo.com/1fepSL7Qi4VN

There's a new synth getting released tomorrow that has a preset called Seas of Canada. I tried playing those parts on it just now and it sounds pretty similar, particularly the second video. Tycho is selling a bunch of synths on Reverb right now and one of them is pretty much what this new synth is based on, so maybe that's how he made it.

What's the name of this synth you're talking about ? I'd like to give it a try

[Uncle E]

It’s getting released in 2 hours. I’m sure there will be an announcement on KVR about it. It has a demo and you’ll be able to load that preset to copy the settings.

[JamminFool]

Complex-1 in Reason has a preset called Canada. Reverse-engineering that might lend some insight.

[Acid Mitch]

Try using a tape sim on low quality settings to get the wonkyness.

[Uncle E]

Sorry, I couldn't say it before but it's now been announced. It's the GForce Oberheim OB-X. Tycho is selling two Oberheim's on his Reverb page right now so chances are he used one of them for that sound.

[bluesawsq]

Ok so here's a second try, I think I'm getting a bit closer. Still no luck with the airy/breathing reverb, I'll try to mess with a vocoder plugin maybe.

Try adding some FM from pitched-up pink noise.

[bluesawsq]

double post

[MrJonArbuckle]

Ok so here's a second try, I think I'm getting a bit closer. Still no luck with the airy/breathing reverb, I'll try to mess with a vocoder plugin maybe.

Try adding some FM from pitched-up pink noise.

Yes ! Getting a bit closer again
https://vocaroo.com/18PlSZWoPJJb
But it's still definitely missing something

[bluesawsq]

Here is a version of the Tycho - Cascade keys using
Serum + TAL Chorus LX 64 + Eventide Blackhole + Chow Tape Model + Glue Compressor, and some EQ.
https://voca.ro/1wtCuSHagWu9

[zerocrossing]

There's a new synth getting released tomorrow that has a preset called Seas of Canada. I tried playing those parts on it just now and it sounds pretty similar, particularly the second video. Tycho is selling a bunch of synths on Reverb right now and one of them is pretty much what this new synth is based on, so maybe that's how he made it.

There's a preset called Gentle Poly Pluck on OB-X that completely nails it if you run it though Softube's Dirty Tape plugin.

[zerocrossing]

Here is a version of the Tycho - Cascade keys using
Serum + TAL Chorus LX 64 + Eventide Blackhole + Chow Tape Model + Glue Compressor, and some EQ.
https://voca.ro/1wtCuSHagWu9

That pretty much nails it. As usual, there are many paths to any sound.