TONEDB

synth from “super mario bros. theme” by koji kondo | ToneDB

super mario bros. theme

koji kondo

synth

AI generatedv1.0

Tone Profile

This iconic synth lead sound is bright, square-wave-ish, and playfully chirpy, characterized by its simple yet catchy melody. It has a classic 8-bit video game vibe with a touch of sawtooth.

Gear

Roland Juno-106instrument
ReverbSweetwater

ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.

The Story

The Super Mario Bros. theme was originally created by Koji Kondo for the Nintendo Entertainment System's limited sound chip, which could only produce basic waveforms like square and sawtooth waves. While some sources suggest Kondo may have used a Roland Juno-106 during composition, the final sound heard in the game was generated entirely by the NES's onboard audio hardware with its severe technical limitations.

Production Credits

Producer: Koji Kondo

Signal Chain

Instrument: Roland Juno-106

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a square wave on a Roland Juno-106.
  • Adjust the filter cutoff and resonance to get a bright, slightly resonant tone.
  • Use a sawtooth wave to add some brightness, then adjust the amp envelope for a quick attack and moderate sustain to create the characteristic 'blip' sound.
  • If using a modern synthesizer, experiment with different waveforms to get close to the original sound.
  • Add a touch of chorus to widen the sound, if needed.

Original Gear

  • Roland Juno-106(synth)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Roland JU-06A$300-400

Alternative to: NES sound chip square wave

Authentic Juno sound engine in compact form, perfect for recreating the square wave character with built-in chorus

ReverbSweetwater
Arturia MicroFreak$300-350

Alternative to: NES sound chip

Digital oscillator modes can nail the lo-fi square wave texture with precise waveform control

ReverbSweetwater
TAL-U-NO-LX Plugin$60-80

Alternative to: Roland Juno-106 (composition stage)

Accurate Juno-106 emulation with the exact square wave oscillator and filter characteristics

ReverbSweetwater
FabFilter Twin 3$150-200

Alternative to: NES sound limitations

Excellent square wave generation with precise filter control to recreate the bright, resonant 8-bit character

ReverbSweetwater
Korg Volca Keys$150-200

Alternative to: NES audio chip

Analog square waves with simple controls perfect for achieving that classic video game lead sound

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Community Insights

No community insights yet. Be the first to contribute!