synth from “mr. roboto” by styx | ToneDB
mr. roboto
styx
synth
Tone Profile
A bright, cutting synth lead with a slightly robotic and metallic edge. The sound is relatively simple, but very present and memorable.
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The Story
The distinctive synth lead on Styx's "Mr. Roboto" was created using an Oberheim OB-Xa synthesizer. This analog polysynth was a key part of the band's early 1980s sound, providing the bright, cutting tone that became synonymous with the track's robotic theme.
Production Credits
Producer: Styx
Signal Chain
Instrument: Oberheim OB-XaShop on Reverb
Recreation Tips
- Start with a sawtooth wave and a slightly detuned square wave.
- Use a resonant low-pass filter to shape the tone.
- Add a touch of chorus or flanger for width and movement.
- Adjust the filter envelope and LFO to create a dynamic and expressive sound.
Original Gear
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- Oberheim OB-XaShop on Reverb(synth)
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Oberheim OB-Xa
Faithful software emulation of the original OB-Xa with the same oscillators, filters, and modulation capabilities needed for this bright, cutting synth lead
Alternative to: Oberheim OB-Xa
Budget hardware synth inspired by Oberheim designs, offering similar sawtooth and pulse wave capabilities for recreating classic analog synth tones
Alternative to: Oberheim OB-Xa
Modern collaboration between Sequential and Tom Oberheim, combining OB-style sound with modern reliability for authentic vintage analog tones
Alternative to: Oberheim OB-Xa
Modern wavetable synth capable of recreating classic analog sounds with its advanced filters and modulation for achieving similar bright, resonant leads
Frequently Asked Questions
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