What synth did Talking Heads use on Burning Down the House?

Talking Heads used a Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 analog synthesizer for the distinctive synth lead on "Burning Down the House." The Prophet-5 was a popular polysynth in the early 1980s known for its warm analog sound and versatile programming capabilities.

How to get Talking Heads Burning Down the House synth tone?

Start with sawtooth or pulse waves on an analog synth, set a short envelope for percussive attack, and adjust the filter cutoff and resonance for brightness. Add slight oscillator detuning for thickness and use EQ and compression to enhance the metallic character and punch.

What makes the Burning Down the House synth sound so distinctive?

The sound's distinctive character comes from the Prophet-5's analog oscillators and filter, combined with short envelopes that create a percussive attack. The bright, slightly metallic timbre and toy-like quality result from specific filter and resonance settings on the original analog circuitry.

Can you recreate Burning Down the House synth with modern gear?

Yes, you can recreate this tone using the modern Prophet-5 Rev4 reissue for exact authenticity, or approximate it with other analog synths and plugins. Software options like Arturia Prophet-V provide accurate emulation, while hardware like the Sequential Prophet Rev2 offers similar analog character.

Where was Burning Down the House recorded?

"Burning Down the House" was recorded at Sigma Sound Studios in New York City with engineer Butch Jones. The studio's mixing console and outboard gear would have contributed to shaping the final synth sound heard on the record.

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Tone Profile

The synth lead has a bright, slightly metallic, and percussive quality. It cuts through the mix with a distinctive, almost toy-like timbre.

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Sequential Circuits Prophet-5(instrument)

The Story

The distinctive synth lead on "Burning Down the House" was created using a Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 analog synthesizer. Recorded at Sigma Sound Studios in NYC with Butch Jones engineering, the Prophet-5's oscillators were processed to achieve a bright, metallic timbre with percussive characteristics. The sound likely utilized short envelopes and careful filter settings to create its cutting, toy-like quality.

Production Credits

Producer: David Byrne

Engineer: Butch Jones

Recorded at: Sigma Sound Studios (NYC)

Signal Chain

Instrument: Sequential Circuits Prophet-5Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a sawtooth or pulse wave on a Prophet-5 or similar analog synthesizer.
Adjust the filter cutoff and resonance to achieve a bright, slightly metallic tone.
Use a short envelope for the filter or amplifier to create a percussive attack.
Experiment with detuning oscillators slightly to add thickness and complexity to the sound.
Apply EQ to further shape the tone and compression to add punch and sustain.

Original Gear

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Sequential Circuits Prophet-5Shop on Reverb(synth)