synth from “king of pain” by the police | ToneDB
king of pain
the police
synth
AI generatedv1.0
Tone Profile
A sweeping, melancholic synth pad with a slightly detuned and chorused quality. It evokes a sense of longing and spaciousness, fitting the song's theme.
Gear
- Sequential Circuits Prophet-5instrument
- ReverbSweetwater
- Roland Juno-106synth
- ReverbSweetwater
- Chorus Pedalpedal
- ReverbSweetwater
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The Story
The sweeping synth pad on "King of Pain" was created using a Sequential Circuits Prophet-5, which The Police commonly used during their Synchronicity sessions. The track was recorded at AIR Studios Montserrat with producer Hugh Padgham, who was known for his atmospheric production techniques. The Prophet-5's oscillators were likely detuned slightly and processed with chorus and reverb to create the characteristic swirling, melancholic pad sound that defines the song's mood.
Production Credits
Producer: Hugh Padgham
Engineer: Hugh Padgham
Recorded at: AIR Studios, Montserrat
Signal Chain
Instrument: Sequential Circuits Prophet-5
Recreation Tips
- Start with a sawtooth or square wave on a polyphonic synthesizer.
- Slightly detune multiple oscillators or layers to create a chorusing effect.
- Add a chorus or phaser pedal/plugin to further enhance the swirling texture.
- Use a reverb plugin to create a sense of space and depth.
- Experiment with filter cutoff and resonance to create movement and interest in the sound.
Original Gear
- Sequential Circuits Prophet-5(synth)
- Roland Juno-106(synth)
- Chorus Pedal(pedal)
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Sequential Circuits Prophet-5
Modern reissue of the exact synth used on the recording, with identical oscillator behavior and filter characteristics for authentic detuned pad sounds
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Sequential Circuits Prophet-5
Faithful software emulation of the Prophet-5 with multiple oscillator detuning options and built-in chorus effects
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Sequential Circuits Prophet-5
Vintage alternative with similar analog warmth and built-in chorus that can recreate the detuned pad character
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Sequential Circuits prophét-5
Budget analog synth with Sequential Circuits lineage that can achieve similar sawtooth wave textures when layered
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Studio chorus effects
High-quality chorus pedal that adds the swirling stereo width essential to recreating the pad's spacious character
ReverbSweetwaterFrequently Asked Questions
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