What synth did Boards of Canada use on Roygbiv?

Boards of Canada used a Roland Juno-106 synthesizer to create the main pad sounds on "Roygbiv." The Juno-106 is known for its warm analog sound and built-in chorus effect, which are key elements of this track's nostalgic character.

How to get Boards of Canada Roygbiv pad sound?

Start with a Juno-106 or similar analog polysynth, program a basic pad with slow attack and release. Add subtle detuning and chorus, then process through tape delay or saturation for warmth. The Akai Headrush E2 was used for looping and additional analog saturation on the original recording.

What effects pedal did Boards of Canada use?

Boards of Canada used an Akai Headrush E2 delay pedal on "Roygbiv" and many other tracks. This pedal provided looping capabilities and analog saturation that contributes to their signature warm, vintage sound.

Can you recreate Roygbiv sound with plugins?

Yes, you can recreate the "Roygbiv" sound using plugins like TAL-U-NO-LX for the Juno-106 pad sounds, combined with tape delay plugins like Soundtoys EchoBoy or Slate Digital VTM for the vintage saturation and processing effects.

What makes Boards of Canada synth sounds so nostalgic?

The nostalgic quality comes from their use of analog synthesizers like the Juno-106, combined with tape saturation, subtle detuning, and vintage delay effects. The slight degradation and warmth from analog processing creates that characteristic aged, dreamlike sound.

pads from "roygbiv" by boards of canada

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Tone Profile

Warm, detuned, and slightly melancholic analog synth pads with a touch of tape saturation and subtle filtering. The sound evokes a sense of nostalgia and dreamlike haziness.

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Roland Juno-106(instrument)
Akai Headrush E2(pedal)

The Story

The pad sound on "Roygbiv" was created using a Roland Juno-106 synthesizer, processed through an Akai Headrush E2 delay pedal for looping and saturation effects. The characteristic warmth comes from the Juno-106's analog circuitry combined with tape-style processing that gives the sound its nostalgic, slightly degraded quality.

Production Credits

Producer: Boards of Canada

Signal Chain

Instrument: Roland Juno-106Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a Roland Juno-106 or a similar analog polysynth.
Create a basic pad sound with slow attack and release times.
Add subtle detuning and chorus to thicken the sound.
Use a tape emulation plugin or hardware to add warmth and saturation.
Experiment with low-pass filtering to create a hazy atmosphere.
Use Akai Headrush E2 to loop the synth, and add a slight amount of saturation.

Original Gear

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Roland Juno-106Shop on Reverb(synth)
Akai Headrush E2Shop on Reverb(pedal)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Roland JU-06AShop on Reverb$400-$450

Alternative to: Roland Juno-106

Faithful recreation of the original Juno-106 circuits using Roland's ACB modeling, delivering the same warm analog pad sounds

TAL-U-NO-LXPlugin Boutique$60-$70

Alternative to: Roland Juno-106

Highly accurate software emulation of the Juno-106 with the exact same oscillators, filter, and chorus that created this iconic pad sound

Strymon El CapistanShop on Reverb$280-$320

Alternative to: Akai Headrush E2

Provides authentic tape delay saturation and looping capabilities similar to the Headrush, with additional tape age controls for that vintage character

Soundtoys EchoBoyPlugin Boutique$150-$180

Alternative to: Akai Headrush E2

Includes vintage tape delay models that can recreate the looping and saturation effects of the original Headrush unit

Slate Digital VTMPlugin Boutique$50-$80

Alternative to: Tape saturation processing

Adds the warm tape saturation and subtle wow/flutter that gives Boards of Canada tracks their characteristic aged sound

Sources

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