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synth from “such great heights” by the postal service | ToneDB

such great heights

the postal service

synth

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Tone Profile

A clean, bright, and slightly quirky synth lead with a touch of vintage warmth and a crisp attack. It's a direct and present sound with a playful character.

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The Story

The distinctive lead synth sound on "Such Great Heights" was created using a Casio SK-1 keyboard. This lo-fi sampling keyboard from the 1980s was chosen for its unique character and built-in sounds, with the signal recorded direct rather than through amplification or microphones.

Production Credits

Producer: Dntel

Engineer: Unknown

Recorded at: Garage, Los Angeles

Signal Chain

Instrument: Casio SK-1Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a Casio SK-1 or a similar vintage sampler keyboard.
  • Experiment with the built-in sounds and sampling features to create a similar lead tone.
  • Use a clean preamp or DI box to capture the direct signal from the keyboard.
  • Add a touch of EQ to brighten the sound and enhance the attack.
  • Consider using a light chorus or modulation effect to add some subtle movement and character.

Original Gear

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Substitutions & Recommendations

IK Multimedia SampleTank 4Plugin Boutique$200-$300

Alternative to: Casio SK-1

Includes vintage Casio samples and lo-fi keyboard emulations that capture the SK-1's distinctive character

Roland SP-404MKIIShop on Reverb$400-$500

Alternative to: Casio SK-1

Modern sampler with lo-fi processing and vintage character that recreates the gritty, warm sound of 80s samplers

Teenage Engineering PO-33 K.O!Shop on Reverb$80-$100

Alternative to: Casio SK-1

Pocket sampler with lo-fi character and similar direct signal approach as the original SK-1

Radial Pro48Shop on Reverb$150-$200

Alternative to: Direct recording preamp

Clean DI box for capturing direct keyboard signals without coloration while maintaining the crisp attack

Arturia PigmentsPlugin Boutique$200-$250

Alternative to: Casio SK-1

Modern synth with vintage emulation modes and lo-fi processing that can recreate the bright, quirky character

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

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