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pads from “paranoid android” by radiohead | ToneDB

paranoid android

radiohead

pads

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Ethereal and evolving synth pads with a slightly detuned and chorused character, providing a harmonic foundation with a sense of movement.

Gear

Yamaha CS-80instrument
ReverbSweetwater
Roland Dimension D DC-330processing
ReverbSweetwater

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The Story

The pad sounds on Radiohead's 'Paranoid Android' were created using a Yamaha CS-80 synthesizer processed through a Roland Dimension D chorus unit. The track was recorded at Abbey Road Studios with producer Nigel Godrich, who utilized the CS-80's characteristic analog warmth combined with the Dimension D's subtle stereo widening and chorus effect to create the ethereal, evolving pad textures that provide harmonic foundation throughout the song.

Production Credits

Producer: Nigel Godrich

Engineer: Nigel Godrich

Recorded at: Abbey Road Studios, London

Signal Chain

Instrument: Yamaha CS-80

Processing: Roland Dimension D DC-330

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a sawtooth or square wave on a virtual analog synthesizer.
  • Add a gentle chorus effect or use a dedicated Dimension D plugin if available.
  • Experiment with slow filter sweeps and subtle LFO modulation to add movement and interest.
  • Adjust the attack and release times of the amplitude envelope to create a smooth, evolving pad sound.
  • Consider adding a touch of reverb to further enhance the spaciousness of the sound.

Original Gear

  • Yamaha CS-80(synth)
  • Roland Dimension D DC-330(pedal)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Arturia CS-80 V$199

Alternative to: Yamaha CS-80

Faithful emulation of the original CS-80's analog oscillators, filters, and expressive controls that created the lush pad foundation

ReverbSweetwater
Boss Dimension C Waza Craft$199

Alternative to: Roland Dimension D

Modern recreation of the classic Roland dimensional chorus circuit that provided the subtle stereo movement and chorused character

ReverbSweetwater
Behringer CS80$899

Alternative to: Yamaha CS-80

Hardware analog synthesizer that recreates the CS-80's dual-layer architecture and ribbon controller for expressive pad sounds

ReverbSweetwater
UAD Dimension D$149

Alternative to: Roland Dimension D

Precise digital emulation of the original Dimension D's BBD chorus algorithm that adds the characteristic stereo width and movement

ReverbSweetwater
Sequential Prophet-5 Desktop$1899

Alternative to: Yamaha CS-80

Modern analog polysynth capable of similar lush pad textures with vintage analog character and built-in chorus effects

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

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