TONEDB

synth from “time to pretend” by mgmt | ToneDB

time to pretend

mgmt

synth

AI generatedv1.0

Tone Profile

The synth lead has a bright, slightly distorted, and heavily modulated sound, creating a dreamy and psychedelic vibe. It's a prominent element that drives the song's melody and atmosphere.

Gear

Roland Juno-106instrument
ReverbSweetwater
Electro-Harmonix Small Stoneprocessing
Reverb$84Sweetwater
MXR Phase 90processing
ReverbSweetwater

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

The Story

MGMT's synth lead on 'Time to Pretend' was recorded at Tarbox Road Studios and produced by Dave Fridmann. The core sound comes from a Roland Juno-106 synthesizer, processed through dual phasers - an Electro-Harmonix Small Stone and MXR Phase 90 - to create the signature swirling, psychedelic movement that defines the track's dreamy atmosphere.

Production Credits

Producer: Dave Fridmann

Engineer: Dave Fridmann

Recorded at: Tarbox Road Studios, Cassadaga, NY

Signal Chain

Instrument: Roland Juno-106

Processing: Electro-Harmonix Small Stone, MXR Phase 90

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a Roland Juno-106 or a similar analog polysynth.
  • Use a sawtooth or square wave as the oscillator waveform.
  • Apply chorus effect to thicken the sound.
  • Add phaser effects using an Electro-Harmonix Small Stone and MXR Phase 90, experimenting with the rate and depth to achieve the desired swirling texture.
  • Adjust the filter cutoff and resonance to fine-tune the brightness of the sound.

Original Gear

  • Roland Juno-106(synth)
  • Electro-Harmonix Small Stone(pedal)
  • MXR Phase 90(pedal)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Roland JU-06A$400-$450

Alternative to: Roland Juno-106

Authentic Juno-106 sound in a modern Boutique format with the same chorus and filter characteristics

ReverbSweetwater
Arturia Jun-6 V$99-$199

Alternative to: Roland Juno-106

Software emulation of the Juno-106 with accurate modeling of the original's oscillators, filter, and chorus

ReverbSweetwater
Electro-Harmonix Small Stone Phaser$80-$100

Alternative to: Electro-Harmonix Small Stone

Exact same pedal still in production, providing the vintage 4-stage phasing heard on the recording

ReverbSweetwater
MXR Phase 90$80-$100

Alternative to: MXR Phase 90

Original pedal still manufactured, offering the classic 2-stage phasing that layers with the Small Stone

ReverbSweetwater
Behringer DeepMind 12$600-$700

Alternative to: Roland Juno-106

12-voice analog polysynth with similar filter character and built-in chorus, ideal for lush pad sounds

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Community Insights

No community insights yet. Be the first to contribute!