TONEDB

keyboard from “shake it off” by taylor swift | ToneDB

shake it off

taylor swift

keyboard

75% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A bright, punchy, and staccato synth brass stab sound, characteristic of modern pop production.

Signal Chain

Instrument: Software Synthesizer (e.g., LennarDigital Sylenth1 or Native Instruments Massive)

Amp: LennarDigital Sylenth1 Engine / Native Instruments Massive Engine

Processing: EQ (High-Pass Filter, High-Mid Boost), Compressor (Fast Attack, Medium Release), Subtle Saturation/Exciter, Short Reverb/Room Ambience

Other: Likely layered patches involving saw/square waves with a fast attack and decay envelope. Potentially layered with sampled brass stabs.

Recording Notes

  • The sound is heavily processed for maximum punch and clarity in a dense pop mix.
  • Quantization is likely used for rhythmic precision.
  • Layering multiple synth oscillators or different synth patches is common for this type of sound.
  • Automation may be used on filter cutoff or volume.

Recreation Tips

  • Start with saw or square wave oscillators.
  • Use a fast attack, short decay, zero sustain, and short release on the amplitude envelope.
  • Apply a low-pass filter with a fast envelope decay or keep it relatively open.
  • Use EQ to cut low frequencies below 150-200Hz and boost frequencies in the 2kHz-5kHz range for brightness.
  • Apply aggressive compression to control dynamics and add punch.
  • Consider layering a synth stab with a short, processed brass sample.
  • Keep reverb minimal and short to maintain the staccato feel.

Recommended Gear

Sources