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synth from “smack my bitch up” by the prodigy | ToneDB

smack my bitch up

the prodigy

synth

AI generatedv1.0

Tone Profile

Aggressive and distorted sawtooth lead synth with a driving, almost industrial feel. The sound is characterized by its strong resonance and prominent, gritty distortion.

Gear

Roland Juno-106instrument
ReverbSweetwater
Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamerprocessing
ReverbSweetwater
Drawmer DL221processing
Reverb$140Sweetwater

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The Story

The aggressive synth sound on "Smack My Bitch Up" was created by Liam Howlett using a Roland Juno-106 synthesizer run through guitar effects pedals, including an Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer for distortion and a Drawmer DL221 compressor. This technique of processing synthesizers through guitar pedals was a signature approach Howlett used throughout The Prodigy's catalog to create unique, industrial-influenced textures.

Production Credits

Producer: Liam Howlett

Signal Chain

Instrument: Roland Juno-106

Processing: Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer, Drawmer DL221

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a sawtooth wave on a Roland Juno-106 or similar synthesizer.
  • Add a Tube Screamer to the signal chain and crank the drive to achieve a gritty distortion.
  • Use a compressor like the Drawmer DL221 to further enhance the sustain and impact.
  • Experiment with EQ to shape the tone and cut any unwanted frequencies caused by the distortion.

Original Gear

  • Roland Juno-106(synth)
  • Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer(pedal)
  • Drawmer DL221(compressor)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Roland JU-06A$350-$400

Alternative to: Roland Juno-106

Modern Boutique recreation of the Juno-106 with the same analog-modeled oscillators and filter character needed for that sawtooth foundation

ReverbSweetwater
Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer$100-$120

Alternative to: Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer

Still in production and provides the exact midrange-focused overdrive that creates the gritty synth distortion heard on the track

ReverbSweetwater
FMR Audio RNC 1773$180-$200

Alternative to: Drawmer DL221 compressor

Provides similar transparent compression to enhance sustain and punch of the distorted synth without coloring the aggressive tone

ReverbSweetwater
TAL-U-NO-LX$60-$70

Alternative to: Roland Juno-106

Software emulation of the Juno-106 that captures the sawtooth character and filter resonance essential to this sound

ReverbSweetwater
Boss OD-1X$130-$150

Alternative to: Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer

Modern overdrive that provides similar midrange aggression for synth processing with more consistent performance than vintage pedals

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

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