Tone Profile

The synth lead is a bright, funky, and talkative sound achieved through FM synthesis and a vocoder. It’s a quintessential West Coast hip-hop synth, perfect for melodies and hooks.

Production Credits

Signal Chain

Recording Notes

• The Yamaha DX7 was likely used for its FM synthesis capabilities to create the initial synth sound.
• Roger Troutman's signature vocoder effect was achieved using the Roland VP-330 Vocoder Plus.
• The human voice input through the vocoder modulates the synth's carrier signal, creating the recognizable 'talking' effect.

Recreation Tips

• Start with a sawtooth or square wave on an FM synth like the DX7.
• Experiment with FM modulation settings to achieve a bright, harmonically rich tone.
• Route the synth signal through a vocoder and use a talkbox or microphone to input vocal sounds.
• Adjust the vocoder's formant and frequency settings for clarity and intelligibility.
• Add chorus or delay for extra width and space.

Recommended Gear

• Yamaha DX7(synth)
• Roland VP-330 Vocoder Plus(synth)