Tone Profile

Aggressive and distorted synth lead with a raw, buzzing character. It's a high-energy sound with a cutting edge.

Production Credits

Signal Chain

Recording Notes

• The lead sound is based on a raw sawtooth wave from a Roland SH-101.
• A key element of the sound is the distortion from a Pro Co Rat.
• The Akai S950 was used for sampling and further processing, adding grit and character to the sound.
• Liam Howlett sampled the SH-101 to make the sound repeatable live, with distortion settings baked into the sample.

Recreation Tips

• Start with a sawtooth wave on an analog synth like the Roland SH-101 or a comparable synth.
• Use a distortion pedal like the Pro Co Rat to achieve the aggressive, buzzing tone. Experiment with the Rat's filter and distortion amount to find the sweet spot.
• If possible, sample the distorted synth sound into a sampler like the Akai S950. This allows for further manipulation and adds a unique sonic texture. Alternatively, use a modern sampler with bit-crushing and lo-fi effects.
• Adjust the filter and envelope settings on your synth to shape the attack and decay of the sound.

Recommended Gear

• Roland SH-101(synth)
• Pro Co Rat(pedal)
• Akai S950(sampler)