TONEDB

synth from “tom sawyer” by rush | ToneDB

tom sawyer

rush

synth

AI generatedv1.0

Tone Profile

A bright, cutting synth lead with a slightly metallic and resonant quality. It's assertive and present, fitting the energetic and iconic nature of the song.

Gear

Oberheim OB-Xinstrument
Reverb$300Sweetwater

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The Story

Geddy Lee recorded the iconic "Tom Sawyer" synth lead using an Oberheim OB-X synthesizer during sessions at Le Studio in Quebec, produced by Terry Brown. The patch utilized sawtooth waves with pulse width modulation and filter sweeps to create the bright, cutting sound that became one of the most recognizable synth parts in rock music.

Production Credits

Producer: Rush and Terry Brown

Engineer: Terry Brown

Recorded at: Le Studio, Morin Heights, Quebec

Signal Chain

Instrument: Oberheim OB-X

Recreation Tips

  • Start with an Oberheim OB-X or a virtual instrument that emulates its sound.
  • Use sawtooth waves as the primary oscillator source.
  • Apply pulse width modulation for a slightly detuned and evolving sound.
  • Experiment with filter cutoff and resonance settings to create the desired metallic and resonant character.
  • Add a touch of chorus or ensemble effect to further enhance the width and depth of the sound.
  • EQ to taste to make the synth cut through the mix, focusing on upper midrange frequencies.

Original Gear

  • Oberheim OB-X(synth)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Arturia OB-Xa V$99-$199

Alternative to: Oberheim OB-X

Authentic emulation of the OB-X's sawtooth oscillators and filter characteristics, with the same PWM and filter sweep capabilities used on the original recording

ReverbSweetwater
Sequential OB-6$2400-$2800

Alternative to: Oberheim OB-X

Modern Oberheim collaboration that captures the vintage OB sound with the same filter design and oscillator behavior needed for that cutting, resonant tone

ReverbSweetwater
GForce OB-E$149-$199

Alternative to: Oberheim OB-X

Detailed OB-X emulation with circuit-level modeling of the original's sawtooth waves and distinctive filter sweep characteristics

ReverbSweetwater
Behringer OB-6$400-$500

Alternative to: Oberheim OB-X

Budget hardware option that recreates the essential OB sound architecture with sawtooth oscillators and similar filter response for that metallic, resonant quality

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

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