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pads from “paranoid android” by radiohead | ToneDB

paranoid android

radiohead

pads

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Tone Profile

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

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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

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

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Substitutions & Recommendations

Arturia CS-80 VPlugin Boutique$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

Boss Dimension C Waza CraftShop on Reverb$199

Alternative to: Roland Dimension D

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

Behringer CS80Shop on Reverb$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

UAD Dimension DPlugin Boutique$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

Sequential Prophet-5 DesktopShop on Reverb$1899

Alternative to: Yamaha CS-80

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

Sources

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