Synthwave Sound Aesthetics & Synth Design

Creating authentic synthwave music requires an understanding of its distinctive sound aesthetics and the design of synthesizers that can replicate the retro-futuristic vibe of the genre. This chapter will delve into the key characteristics of synthwave sound, the essential components for synthesizer design, and practical tips on how to craft synth sounds that fit seamlessly into your trailer music.

Key Characteristics of Synthwave Sound Aesthetics

Synthwave is defined by its use of synthesizers, drum machines, and rich electronic textures. Below are the primary characteristics that define the sound aesthetics of synthwave:

1. Lush Pads

  • Description: Lush synthesizer pads provide a warm, atmospheric backdrop that enhances the emotional depth of the music. These pads often have a rich, multi-layered quality, contributing to the overall immersive experience.
  • Implementation: Use oscillators detuned slightly from each other, combined with slow attack and release times to create a smooth, flowing texture.

2. Punchy Bass

  • Description: Bass lines in synthwave are typically deep and punchy, often created using analog synths or software emulations.
  • Implementation: A saw or square wave oscillator, combined with a low-pass filter, can create a warm, resonant bass. Use envelope modulation to add punch through a fast attack.

3. Catchy Leads

  • Description: Lead synths in synthwave are prominent and melodic, often featuring arpeggiated patterns or simple melodic lines that are infectious.
  • Implementation: Utilize a bright waveform (saw or pulse) and apply chorus or delay effects to thicken the sound. Experiment with harmonics to create a full, rich lead.

4. Crisp Drum Sounds

  • Description: The rhythmic foundation relies heavily on drum machines similar to those used in the 80s, characterized by punchy kicks, snappy snares, and bright hi-hats.
  • Implementation: Layer multiple samples to achieve a punchy kick, and use short decay times for snares. Incorporate 808-style rim shots for accents.

5. Atmospheric FX and Textures

  • Description: Sound effects, arpeggios, and ambient textures from both synthesized and sampled sources add depth and emotion.
  • Implementation: Utilize reverb, delay, and modulation effects to create spaciousness. Add vinyl crackle or tape hiss for added vintage texture.

Synth Design for Synthwave

Creating authentic synthwave sounds often involves designing patches that reflect the classic synthesizer techniques of the 1980s. Here’s how to go about it:

1. Choosing the Right Synth

  • Hardware vs. Software: Classic analog synths like the Roland Juno-106 or Korg MS-20 are iconic for their sound. Alternatively, many modern software synths (e.g., Serum, Diva, and Arturia’s emulations) can replicate these tones effectively.

2. Creating Essence through Oscillator Selection

  • Use waveforms such as sawtooth and square for leads and basses, known for their rich harmonic content. Add noise for percussive elements or texture.

3. Apply Filters and Modulation

  • Filter Types: Low-pass filters can be used to smooth out sounds, while high-pass filters can shape the bass. Experiment with resonant filters to accentuate specific frequencies for your leads and basses.
  • Modulation: Use LFOs (Low-Frequency Oscillators) to modulate pitch for vibrato effects or filter cutoff to create movement in pads and leads.

4. Utilizing Effects

  • Apply Chorus, Flanger, or Phaser effects to give synthesizer lines width and depth. Reverb and delay can add a spacious, cinematic quality.

5. Routing and Layers

  • Layering Sounds: Combine different patches to create complex textures, layering leads with pads and basses to add fullness.
  • Routing: Experiment with routing parts through different effects and processing chains to achieve unique sounds.

6. Sampling and Resampling

  • Consider sampling vintage sounds or instruments. Resampling processed sounds can create distinctive textures that fit the synthwave aesthetic while adding originality.

Practical Tips for Synthwave Production

  • Analyze Classic Tracks: Listen to iconic synthwave tracks or tracks from the 80s to understand the sound choices. Try to recreate specific sounds or musical phrases as a learning exercise.
  • Emphasize Emotion: Choose synth sounds not only for their aesthetic value but also for their emotional impact, in line with the narrative of the trailer.
  • Experimentation: Don’t hesitate to tweak presets or experiment with unconventional parameters within your synths to find unique sounds.

Conclusion

The sound aesthetics of synthwave are pivotal for crafting a cohesive and impactful audio experience. By understanding synthesizer design and sound construction methods, you can create rich compositions that embody the retro-futuristic essence of synthwave music. In the next chapters, we will apply these concepts to specific compositional techniques and arrangement strategies, allowing you to create your synthwave trailer masterpieces.