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synth from “heat waves” by glass animals | ToneDB

heat waves

glass animals

synth

75% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A bright, slightly distorted synth lead that cuts through the mix with a warm, saturated character. It has a slightly vintage feel, reminiscent of early digital synths.

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The Story

The iconic lead synth on Glass Animals' 'Heat Waves' was built around a Roland Juno-106 polysynth, with Roland Dimension D chorus providing width and movement. A Pro Co RAT distortion pedal was used to add subtle grit and harmonic saturation, creating the distinctive balance between warmth and edge that defines the sound.

Production Credits

Producer: Dave Bayley

Engineer: Dave Bayley

Recorded at: Wolf Tone Studios, London

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a saw or square wave on a Roland Juno-106 (or similar analog polysynth).
  • Add a subtle chorus effect to widen the sound and create movement.
  • Use a Pro Co RAT with a low to medium gain setting to add subtle distortion and saturation.
  • Experiment with EQ to shape the tone and remove any unwanted frequencies.
  • Adjust the chorus and distortion settings to taste, balancing warmth and aggression.

Original Gear

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Substitutions & Recommendations

Behringer Deepmind 12Shop on Reverb$599-$699

Alternative to: Roland Juno-106 synth

Analog polysynth with Juno-style oscillators and built-in chorus effects, captures the warm character at a budget price

Roland JU-06A BoutiqueShop on Reverb$349-$399

Alternative to: Roland Juno-106 synth

Authentic digital recreation of the Juno-106 with exact oscillator modeling and filter behavior

TAL-U-NO-LX VST PluginPlugin Boutique$60-$80

Alternative to: Roland Juno-106 synth

Highly accurate software emulation of the Juno-106 with authentic chorus modeling included

Boss DC-2W Dimension C Waza CraftShop on Reverb$199-$249

Alternative to: Roland Dimension D chorus

Faithful recreation of the original Dimension D circuit with both vintage and modern modes

Pro Co RAT 2Shop on Reverb$69-$89

Alternative to: Pro Co RAT distortion

Current production version of the classic RAT with the same LM308 chip and harmonic saturation character

Sources

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