Articles

Illustration of Beach House's singer at a keyboard. Oct 20, 2026 · Synth Sounds How Beach House Created Space Song Explore the layered synths, string machine textures, ascending arpeggios and reverb-drenched slide guitar of Beach House’s Space Song.
mac demarco chord theory Sep 23, 2026 · Synth Sounds How Mac DeMarco Created One More Love Song Exploring the jazzy chord progression, piano, and slowly shifting synth lead behind Mac DeMarco’s One More Love Song.
Illustration of Beach House's singer at a keyboard. Aug 18, 2026 · Dreampop How Beach House Created She’s So Lovely Explore how Beach House use the Yamaha PS-20, sparse instrumentation and hazy production to create the dreamy sound of She’s So Lovely.
Tron: Legacy soundtrack cover by Daft Punk. Jul 9, 2026 · Synth Sounds How Daft Punk Created End of Line from Tron: Legacy Explore how Daft Punk blended shimmering synth drones, orchestral textures, and analog sequencing to create the futuristic electronic sound of Tron: Legacy.
Illustration of Daft Punk in their helmets. May 19, 2026 · Synth Sounds How Daft Punk Made Aerodynamic Recreating Daft Punk’s Aerodynamic, from the chopped funk samples to the iconic ‘guitar’ solo.
Illustration of Daft Punk in their helmets. Apr 15, 2026 · Synth Sounds How Daft Punk Created Short Circuit Breaking down the chopped up production of Short Circuit, from its its pitched drum groove and Juno-style stabs to interlocking synth phrases and woozy outro.
Illustration of Frank Ocean singing into a microphone with headphones on. Mar 27, 2026 · Synth Sounds How Frank Ocean Created In My Room Breaking down the stark, minimal production of In My Room by Frank Ocean, from its detuned synths and atmospheric choirs to the gliding 808 bass and tight, syncopated drum programming.
Before the Night album cover by HOME. Mar 4, 2026 · Synthwave How HOME Created We’re Finally Landing Recreate the hazy synths and pulsing sidechain grooves of We’re Finally Landing by HOME from the 2014 album Before the Night in this breakdown.
Illustration of Beach House's guitarist playing guitar. Feb 5, 2026 · Synth Sounds How Beach House Created Black Car Dive into the dark, distorted synths of Black Car by Beach House in this newly updated breakdown from their album 7.
Wham! in Santa and reindeer costumes holding Christmas presents. Dec 17, 2025 · Synth Sounds How Wham! Created Last Christmas Dive into the classic synth sounds of Last Christmas in my festive breakdown of Wham!’s holiday staple, covering the Roland Juno-60 patches and production behind my full remake.
Illustration of Daft Punk in their helmets. Dec 9, 2025 · Synth Sounds How Daft Punk Created Something About Us Explore the warm Rhodes, smooth guitars and soulful synth work of Something About Us in my breakdown of Daft Punk’s Discovery ballad, including a full remake.
Illustration of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. Nov 20, 2025 · Soundtrack How Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross Created Painted Sun in Abstract Explore the modular sequences, Rhodes chords and chiptune arps of A Painted Sun in Abstract in my breakdown of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’s The Social Network score.
Illustration of Daft Punk in their helmets. Oct 16, 2025 · Electronic Music How Daft Punk Created Voyager Dive into the smooth, bass-driven sound of Voyager in my breakdown of Daft Punk’s Discovery classic, covering the chords, synths, and production behind my full remake.
Goodbye Horses single cover by Q Lazzarus. Sep 25, 2025 · Synth Sounds How Q Lazzarus Created Goodbye Horses Explore the haunting synths and sparse production of Goodbye Horses in my breakdown of Q Lazzarus’s cult darkwave classic, including a full remake.
Illustration of SZA sitting among old computer monitors. Jun 25, 2025 · Synth Sounds Recreating SZA’s Ctrl Synth Sounds Explore the synth sounds and production behind two standout tracks from SZA’s Ctrl in this updated breakdown featuring detailed remakes and free presets.
Illustration of Tears for Fears. Feb 24, 2025 · Synth Sounds How Tears for Fears Created Everybody Wants to Rule the World Revisit the synths and production of Everybody Wants to Rule the World in this updated breakdown for the 40th anniversary of Songs from the Big Chair.
Drive film artwork of the driver in his scorpion jacket. Jan 14, 2025 · Synth Sounds Drive Synth Sounds Explore the iconic synth-driven sounds of Drive, including recreations of A Real Hero and Under Your Spell, freshly updated for the newer Arturia plugins.
Wonderful Christmastime single cover by Paul McCartney. Dec 16, 2024 · Synth Sounds How Paul McCartney Created Wonderful Christmastime Recreate the festive magic of Paul McCartney’s Wonderful Christmastime with the rhythmically modulated tones of the Yamaha CS-80.
Illustration of Kavinsky in red sunglasses. Sep 17, 2024 · Synth Sounds How Kavinsky Created Nightcall Breaking down Kavinsky’s Nightcall, where retro-inspired synths and modern techniques come together to create this electronic classic.
Illustration of Boards of Canada. Feb 7, 2024 · Chord Theory Boards of Canada Chord Theory, Part Two In Part Two of the Boards of Canada Chord Theory series, we delve into writing exclusively with major/minor chords, chromaticism, suspensions, and how to write melodies over unusual chord progressions.
Illustration of Boards of Canada. Sep 7, 2023 · Chord Theory Boards of Canada Chord Theory, Part One Explore the enigmatic musical world of Boards of Canada and their use of fifths intervals to craft the idiosyncratic harmonies that underpin their signature sound.
Illustration of a member of MGMT. Jul 25, 2023 · Synth Sounds MGMT Kids Synth Sounds A nostalgic trip back to MGMT's 2007 mega-hit Kids, crunchy synth anthem and the bands take on a "stereotypical pop song".
Illustration of Robyn. May 17, 2023 · Synth Sounds Robyn Dancing On My Own Synths Exploring the nostalgic allure of Robyn's Dancing On My Own and the synth-laden tapestry that weaves this empowering ballad.
Illustration of Homeshake singing into a microphone. Mar 22, 2023 · Synth Sounds Homeshake Synth Sounds Revisiting Homeshake's unique brand of R’n’B influenced indie-pop, 90s synth sounds and home recording aesthetic.
Illustration of Rival Consoles. Feb 22, 2023 · Synth Sounds Rival Consoles Synth Sounds Unravelling the organic-sounding, heavily modulated Prophet 08 sounds of London-based producer Rival Consoles.
Illustration of Kaytranada. Jan 24, 2023 · Synth Sounds Kaytranada 99.9% Synth Sounds Analysing the groovy, psychedelic sounds of Kaytranada's Vivid Dreams and Together, both from his debut album 99.9%
Illustration of Aphex Twin. Nov 9, 2022 · Synth Sounds How Aphex Twin Created Selected Ambient Works 85-92 Celebrating 30 years of Selected Ambient Works 85-92, a landmark of electronic music.
Illustration of Tame Impala's frontman singing and playing guitar. Oct 20, 2022 · Synth Sounds Tame Impala’s Love/Paranoia Synth Sounds Uncovering the sounds of Tame Impala's Love/Paranoia, a medley of psychedelia, R&B and heartbreak.
Illustration of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. Sep 20, 2022 · Synth Sounds How Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross Made In Motion Deconstructing the anxious, brooding sounds behind the 2010 masterpiece, The Social Network.
Illustration of Kaytranada. Aug 2, 2022 · Synth Sounds How Kaytranada Produced Glowed Up Diving in to the sounds and production of Kaytranada’s Glowed Up, a vibrant blend of electronica and hip-hop.
frank ocean channel orange scaled Jul 10, 2022 · Synth Sounds How Frank Ocean Created Lost Breaking down the Mellotron strings, bouncing analog synth leads, Wurlitzer keys and Motown-style arrangement of Lost from Frank Ocean’s channel ORANGE.
vangelis blade runner synth scaled Jun 6, 2022 · Synth Sounds How Vangelis Created Tears in Rain from Blade Runner Farewell to the maestro Vangelis, the Greek composer who gave us one of the most innovative film scores with Blade Runner.
tame impala gossip synth May 18, 2022 · Synth Sounds Tame Impala’s Gossip Synth Revisiting Gossip from Tame Impala’s Currents, a short instrumental built on a pulsing Roland JV-1080 synth line and dry DI’d guitar leads.
new order elegia artwork scaled May 9, 2022 · Synth Sounds How New Order Created Elegia Deconstructing New Order's haunting instrumental tribute, "Elegia", and its rich tapestry of layered Emulator II sounds.
tame impala eventually header scaled Apr 5, 2022 · Synth Sounds Tame Impala’s Eventually Synth Sounds  A throwback to Tame Impala's Eventually, a medley of 80s and 90s synth sounds and a masterclass in layering sounds.
mac demarco chord theory Mar 8, 2022 · Chord Theory Mac DeMarco Chord Theory Looking at the harmonic secrets behind the rock 'n' roll and jazz influenced chord sequences of ten Mac DeMarco songs.
aab74b2db821cc8581e3f85e3123a166 scaled Jan 20, 2022 · Synth Sounds Daft Punk’s Homework Synth Sounds Revisiting Daft Punk's seminal debut album Homework on it's 25th birthday, featuring remakes of Da Funk and Around the World.
Illustration of Thundercat playing bass. Nov 2, 2021 · Chord Theory Thundercat Chord Theory Analysing the jazz-infused harmonic sensibilities of Thundercat, solo artists and frequent collaborator Kendrick Lamar, Flying Lotus and more.
Illustration of Men I Trust's singer playing guitar. Sep 6, 2021 · Synth Sounds Men I Trust Synth Sounds Men I Trust have recently released Untourable Album, so I went back and looked at the sounds and music theory behind three songs from Oncle Jazz.
Illustration of a member of Depeche Mode surrounded by red roses. Jul 15, 2021 · Chord Theory Depeche Mode Chord Theory Looking at the songwriting of Depeche Mode's Martin Gore and how he combines minor chords in a unique way to craft the bands enormously influential sound.
Illustration of the two members of MGMT. May 6, 2021 · Synth Sounds MGMT’s Little Dark Age Synth Sounds A dive into the synths of MGMT's most recent album, Little Dark Age, featuring remakes of the title track and She Works Out Too Much.
Illustration of Daft Punk in their helmets. Feb 23, 2021 · Synth Sounds Daft Punk’s Discovery Synth Sounds Paying tribute to one of my all-time favourite electronica albums on it's 20th anniversary, this article takes a look at the sounds of Daft Punk's Discovery.
Illustration of Beach House's guitarist playing guitar. Jan 25, 2021 · Synth Sounds Beach House’s 7 Synth Sounds Exploring the darker, deeply layered synth sounds of Beach House’s seventh album, 7, released in 2018.
Illustration of Beach House's singer at a keyboard. Nov 9, 2020 · Synth Sounds Beach House Synth Sounds Recreating the dreamy synth sounds and washed-out production of Beach House, the Baltimore dream pop duo of Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally.
Illustration of a guitarist, artwork for Radiohead Chord Theory. Oct 1, 2020 · Chord Theory Radiohead Chord Theory Exploring the chord progressions and harmony behind Radiohead’s singular mood, from OK Computer and Kid A to A Moon Shaped Pool.
Illustration of Frank Ocean in front of glowing orange triangles. Aug 22, 2020 · Synth Sounds Frank Ocean’s Pyramids Breakdown Breaking down the Mellotron choirs, funky synth bass lines and warm pads of Frank Ocean’s ten-minute Pyramids, from both halves of the song.
Illustration of Grimes playing a keyboard. May 18, 2020 · Synth Sounds Grimes Synth Sounds Recreating the synth sounds of Genesis and Oblivion from Grimes’ 2012 album Visions, and the Roland Juno-G workstation that shaped it.
Illustration of tape echo units floating in space. Apr 25, 2020 · Guest Article Lo-fi Retrowave Synths with Forhill A guest article by Forhill on how he creates lo-fi retrowave synth sounds with u-he Diva and Soundtoys EchoBoy, layer by layer.
Illustration of Mac DeMarco playing a keyboard with a cigarette in his mouth. Mar 28, 2020 · Synth Sounds Mac DeMarco Synth Sounds Breaking down the Roland Juno-60 and Yamaha DX7 synth sounds of Mac DeMarco’s This Old Dog and Salad Days.
Illustration of Chromatics' singer in front of a red curtain and zigzag floor. Mar 16, 2020 · Synth Sounds Chromatics Synth Sounds Exploring the analog synth patches and mixing style behind Chromatics’ take on Italian disco, including a recreation of Shadow.
Illustration of Tame Impala's frontman playing a keyboard in front of a speaker. Feb 10, 2020 · Synth Sounds Tame Impala Synth Sounds Revisiting favourite tracks from Tame Impala’s Currents to recreate their Roland Juno-106 and JV-1080 sounds and the production behind its wide sound.
Illustration of Frank Ocean singing into a microphone with headphones on. Jan 27, 2020 · Synth Sounds Frank Ocean Synth Sounds, Part Two Recreating the synth sounds of Frank Ocean’s Skyline To, Sideways and In My Room using Xfer Serum and Arturia’s Prophet V and Mini V.
tears fears shout Nov 30, 2019 · Synth Sounds Tears for Fears’ Shout Synths Breaking down the synth sounds of Shout from Tears for Fears’ 1985 album Songs from the Big Chair.
Thursday Afternoon album cover by Brian Eno. Nov 6, 2019 · Synth Sounds How Brian Eno Created Thursday Afternoon Exploring how Brian Eno built the 61-minute Thursday Afternoon from loops of different lengths, with a generative player to hear the loops yourself.
Person standing on a hillside at dusk above city lights, artwork for Neon Indian Synth Sounds. Sep 27, 2019 · Synth Sounds Neon Indian Synth Sounds Recreating Polish Girl and Hex Girlfriend from Neon Indian’s Era Extraña with u-he Repro, TAL U-NO-LX and TAL Bassline-101.
Discreet Music album cover by Brian Eno. Sep 3, 2019 · Synth Sounds How Brian Eno Created Discreet Music Exploring how Brian Eno created the 30-minute Discreet Music, one of his first experiments in quiet, unobtrusive music.
Tyler, the Creator in a blond wig and sunglasses. Aug 23, 2019 · Synth Sounds Tyler, the Creator’s IGOR’S THEME Synth Breakdown Breaking down every synth sound in IGOR’S THEME, the opening track of Tyler, the Creator’s IGOR, recreated in the free PG-8X.
Anima album cover by Thom Yorke. Aug 5, 2019 · Synth Sounds Thom Yorke’s Anima Synth Sounds Exploring the Prophet synth sounds of Thom Yorke’s third solo album Anima, made with longtime Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich.
Persuasion System album cover by Com Truise. Jul 27, 2019 · Synth Sounds Com Truise Persuasion System Synth Sounds Looking at the new synth sounds of Com Truise’s 2019 mini-LP Persuasion System.
Ambient 1: Music for Airports album cover by Brian Eno. Jul 11, 2019 · Synth Sounds How Brian Eno Created Ambient 1: Music for Airports Exploring how Brian Eno composed Ambient 1: Music for Airports with tape loops, and recreating the tracks 2/1 and 1/2.
IGOR album cover by Tyler, the Creator. Jun 26, 2019 · Synth Sounds Tyler, the Creator’s I THINK Synth Breakdown Breaking down the heavily layered synths and long instrumental bridge of I THINK from Tyler, the Creator’s IGOR.
Hand reaching for a basketball in water, artwork for Porches Synth Sounds. May 20, 2019 · Synth Sounds Porches Synth Sounds Recreating the Roland Juno-106 and Yamaha DX7 sounds of Porches, Aaron Maine’s synth pop project, from The Pool and The House.
When I Get Home album cover by Solange. Apr 8, 2019 · Synth Sounds Solange Synth Sounds Exploring the synth sounds of Solange’s When I Get Home, including Way to the Show and Almeda.
Painting of furniture in an orange room, artwork for Homeshake's Helium. Mar 26, 2019 · Synth Sounds Homeshake’s Helium Synth Sounds Looking at the chilled synth sounds of Homeshake’s album Helium, following my earlier Homeshake Synth Sounds article.
Home studio with tape machines and guitars, artwork for Unknown Mortal Orchestra Synth Sounds. Mar 15, 2019 · Synth Sounds Unknown Mortal Orchestra Synth Sounds Recreating the vintage, lo-fi synth sounds of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Ruban Nielson’s project.
Blood Orange leaning on a white car, wearing feathered wings. Feb 18, 2019 · Synth Sounds Blood Orange Synth Sounds Recreating the warm, 80s-tinged synth sounds of Blood Orange, the project of Devonté Hynes.
Flower Boy album cover by Tyler, the Creator. Jan 15, 2019 · Synth Sounds Tyler, the Creator Synth Sounds Breaking down the synth and electric piano sounds of Tyler, the Creator’s Flower Boy.
exploring yamaha cs 80 synth Dec 13, 2018 · Synth Sounds Exploring the Yamaha CS-80 Exploring the Yamaha CS-80, one of the first polyphonic synths, with its expressive controls and early patch memory.
Illustration of Trent Reznor playing a synthesizer. Nov 23, 2018 · Chord Theory Trent Reznor Chord Theory Exploring the harmony behind Trent Reznor’s anxious sound, from Nine Inch Nails to his soundtracks with Atticus Ross.
Abstract geometric artwork for Com Truise Synth Sounds. Oct 29, 2018 · Synth Sounds Com Truise Synth Sounds Breaking down the layered synths, sharp rhythms and snappy drums of Com Truise, focusing on his 2017 album Iteration.
Singles album cover by Future Islands. Oct 8, 2018 · Synth Sounds Future Islands Synth Sounds Recreating the punchy basslines and lush synth layers of Future Islands, the Baltimore synth pop band.
Disco ball artwork for LCD Soundsystem Synth Sounds. Sep 22, 2018 · Synth Sounds LCD Soundsystem Synth Sounds Exploring the synth sounds of LCD Soundsystem, from James Murphy and Nancy Whang’s long list of gear.
Illustration of Kate Bush. Aug 30, 2018 · Synth Sounds Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill Synth Sounds Breaking down the Fairlight and Yamaha CS-80 sounds of Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill from Hounds of Love.
exploring yamaha dx7 Jul 23, 2018 · Synth Sounds Exploring the Yamaha DX7, Part One Exploring the Yamaha DX7, the digital synth behind many of the electric pianos and basses of 80s music.
Illustration of Tame Impala's Kevin Parker playing guitar. Jul 6, 2018 · Guest Article Tame Impala Production Tricks A guest article on getting closer to Kevin Parker’s Tame Impala sound with production techniques that don’t need expensive gear.
tame impala synth production cause im a man Jun 11, 2018 · Synth Sounds Tame Impala’s ‘Cause I’m A Man Synth Sounds Recreating the Roland Juno-106 and JV-1080 sounds of ’Cause I’m a Man from Tame Impala’s Currents.
exploring roland d-50 synth May 10, 2018 · Synth Sounds Exploring the Roland D-50
badbadnotgood synths Mar 15, 2018 · Synth Sounds BadBadNotGood Synth Sounds Exploring the jazz-influenced harmony, Juno-60 synth lines and dub-like delays of BadBadNotGood’s IV.
The Colour in Anything album cover by James Blake. Feb 11, 2018 · Synth Sounds James Blake Synth Sounds Recreating the thick Prophet 08 synths and intimate pianos of James Blake.
Painting of a man in a hat with a double bass, artwork for Mild High Club Synth Sounds. Feb 1, 2018 · Synth Sounds Mild High Club Synth Sounds Exploring the 60s pop influences, baroque harmony and spaced-out keyboards of Mild High Club’s Skiptracing.
Deerhunter album artwork of a white deer on a pink spiral pattern. Dec 21, 2017 · Synth Sounds Deerhunter Guitar Sounds Recreating the Eventide PitchFactor harmonizer sounds of Deerhunter’s Halcyon Digest.
stranger things 815 breakdown Nov 2, 2017 · Synth Sounds Stranger Things Synths: Eight Fifteen Recreating Eight Fifteen from Stranger Things season two, by S U R V I V E’s Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein.
tame impala synths part three Apr 27, 2017 · Synth Sounds Tame Impala Synth Sounds, Part Three Recreating the synth sounds of Tame Impala’s Lonerism, and the Roland JV-1080 behind Gossip.
tycho awake synth Apr 17, 2017 · Synth Sounds Tycho’s Awake Synth Sounds Recreating the dreamy synth lead of Awake from Tycho’s album of the same name.
Vintage photo of a busy shopping street, artwork for Pond Synth Sounds. Apr 15, 2017 · Synth Sounds Pond Synth Sounds Recreating the synths of Paint Me Silver from Pond’s The Weather, and the Todd Rundgren song behind its hook.
jon brion eternal sunshine Apr 12, 2017 · Synth Sounds How Jon Brion Composed the Eternal Sunshine Soundtrack Exploring Jon Brion’s soundtrack to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, with its lush strings, lo-fi nylon guitars and melancholy piano.
Musician playing in a home studio with synths and speakers overlooking the sea. Apr 7, 2017 · Synth Sounds Tame Impala Synth Sounds, Part Two Recreating more of Tame Impala’s synth sounds from Currents, with the original hardware, software alternatives and free plugins.