What synth did The Wombats use on tokyo vampires and wolves?

The Wombats used an Access Virus TI synthesizer for the main synth lead on 'tokyo (vampires & wolves)'. This was confirmed in a Sound on Sound interview about the recording process.

How to get The Wombats tokyo synth sound?

Start with a square or sawtooth wave, add distortion for bite, use a bright filter setting with some resonance, and keep effects minimal. The original was made dry with little reverb or delay to maintain its punchy, immediate character.

Who produced The Wombats tokyo vampires and wolves?

Stephen Street produced 'tokyo (vampires & wolves)' by The Wombats. Street also handled engineering duties on the track, which was recorded at Miloco The Pool studio.

What makes the tokyo synth sound so punchy?

The punchy character comes from the Access Virus TI's built-in distortion engine combined with compression to even out dynamics. The sound was kept relatively dry without heavy reverb or delay, which helps maintain its cutting, immediate presence in the mix.

synth from "tokyo (vampires & wolves)" by the wombats

tokyo (vampires & wolves)

the wombats

synth

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Tone Profile

A bright, energetic synth lead with a slightly distorted, almost square-wave-like timbre. It's punchy and cutting, perfect for driving the song's catchy melody.

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Access Virus TI(instrument)

The Story

The synth on 'tokyo (vampires & wolves)' was created using an Access Virus TI synthesizer. According to a Sound on Sound interview, the sound was kept relatively dry with minimal reverb or delay effects. The characteristic distorted, square-wave-like timbre was likely achieved through the Virus TI's built-in distortion engine, giving the lead its cutting, punchy quality that drives the song's melody.

Production Credits

Producer: Stephen Street

Engineer: Stephen Street

Recorded at: Miloco The Pool

Signal Chain

Instrument: Access Virus TIShop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a sawtooth or square wave on your synth of choice.
Add a touch of distortion or overdrive to give the sound some bite.
Adjust the filter cutoff and resonance to shape the overall tone, aiming for a bright, cutting sound.
Use a compressor to even out the dynamics and add some punch.
Experiment with chorus or subtle detuning effects to add width and interest.
Keep the reverb and delay to a minimum to maintain the sound's immediacy.

Original Gear

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Access Virus TIShop on Reverb(synth)