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synth from “somebody told me” by the killers | ToneDB

somebody told me

the killers

synth

AI generatedv1.0

Tone Profile

A bright, cutting synth lead with a slightly metallic and resonant quality, providing a distinctive hook in the song.

Gear

Access Virusinstrument
Reverb$964Sweetwater

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The Story

The distinctive synth lead on 'Somebody Told Me' was created using an Access Virus synthesizer, recorded at The Hearse studio in Berkeley, CA with producer Jeff Saltzman. The tone features careful manipulation of the Virus's oscillators and filter settings to create a bright, cutting lead with resonant peaks and a metallic quality that cuts through the mix.

Production Credits

Producer: Jeff Saltzman

Engineer: Jeff Saltzman

Recorded at: The Hearse, Berkeley, CA

Signal Chain

Instrument: Access Virus

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a sawtooth or square wave as the oscillator waveform.
  • Use the Access Virus's filter to create a resonant peak, adjusting the cutoff and resonance to achieve the desired metallic quality.
  • Experiment with the synth's envelope to shape the attack and decay of the sound, ensuring it has enough punch and sustain.
  • Add a touch of chorus or a slight delay to enhance the width and depth of the synth lead.
  • Adjust EQ to ensure the synth sits well in the mix without clashing with other instruments.

Original Gear

  • Access Virus(synth)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Access Virus TI2$2000-$2500

Alternative to: Access Virus

The current Virus model maintains the same oscillators and filter architecture that created the original tone, with identical sonic capabilities

ReverbSweetwater
u-he Diva Plugin$179

Alternative to: Access Virus

Accurately models vintage analog synth oscillators and filters, capable of recreating the metallic resonant peaks characteristic of this tone

ReverbSweetwater
Arturia MiniBrute 2$449

Alternative to: Access Virus

Analog oscillators and multimode filter can produce similar sawtooth-based leads with resonant filter sweeps and metallic character

ReverbSweetwater
Native Instruments Massive X$199

Alternative to: Access Virus

Modern wavetable synth with powerful filters capable of creating bright, cutting leads with the metallic resonance needed for this tone

ReverbSweetwater
Moog Subsequent 37$1500-$1600

Alternative to: Access Virus

Analog oscillators and ladder filter can achieve similar bright, resonant lead tones with proper envelope shaping and filter modulation

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

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