How to Make Synthwave Leads

If you’re a fan of the iconic 80s synthwave sound, you understand the importance of captivating melodic leads. The soaring quality of a synthwave lead can elevate your tracks to new heights. But how do you go about creating these expressive melodies that truly capture the essence of the genre?

How to Make Synthwave Leads

• Choose a sawtooth waveform in your favorite synth
• Activate a low pass filter
• Set the output to monophonic so only a single note can play
• Engage the legato parameter to vary the notes
• Add a touch of portamento
• Add reverb and delay to taste

One of the keys to crafting expressive synthwave leads is exploring the versatility of melodies. Experimenting with different combinations of high and low notes allows you to create a diverse melody that showcases the style, genre, characters, and emotional undertones of your music. Leverage these melodic variations to evoke emotions in your audience and establish a unique atmosphere that reflects the mood of your track. Additionally, drawing from the theory of musical emotion, keep in mind that elements like key and rhythm have the power to influence the listener’s emotional perception. Therefore, when developing a synthwave lead, pay close attention to the key and rhythm you use to evoke emotions that align with your intended message.

Here are some strategies I personally like using for synthwave leads:

• For a more human-like performance, reduce hard quantization on melodic lead line
• Add grace or slur notes during the performance
• Use automation to add variety: Common parameters are filter cutoff, filter envelope sustain, vibrato and pitch bend

Understanding Synthwave Music

Before delving into the creation of a synthwave lead, it’s crucial to grasp the fundamental principles of the genre. Synthwave blends electronic and 80s-style retro music, incorporating elements of nostalgia, sci-fi imagery, and a futuristic tone. This distinct sound is achieved through the use of synthesizers, drum machines, and vintage analog instruments, blending the essence of 80s music with a modern twist.

Choosing the Right Synthwave Lead Sound

Choosing the right synths for melodic leads is a crucial step once you have a solid understanding of synthwave music and the message you want to convey. Vintage analog synths are typically favored for synthwave leads as they can produce the warm and retro sound characteristic of the genre. Some popular choices include the Roland Juno-60, Prophet-5, and Oberheim OB-Xa. In the tutorial video above, we explore lead sound design creation with Xfer’s Serum, a versatile virtual synth, capable of recreating compelling analog lead sounds.

Incorporating techniques for expressive melodies is essential to make your synthwave lead truly stand out. Pitch bends and vibrato can add variation and emotional depth to your melody, while experimenting with legato and staccato playing styles creates contrast. Creating expressive synthwave melodic leads requires a combination of technical skill and emotive intention. Stay true to the persona you want to convey, select the right synths for warm retro sounds, and incorporate techniques like pitch bends, vibrato, legato, and staccato to add emotional depth and variation to your melody. By putting in the effort to understand the genre and applying personalized techniques, you can create synthwave leads that genuinely evoke the intended emotions and captivate your audience.

Utilizing Effects and Modulation for Richer Melodies

Another key element of creating expressive synthwave leads is utilizing effects and modulation. Effects like delay, reverb, and chorus can add depth and richness to your melody, while modulation effects such as flanger or phaser can create unique and dynamic textures. Experimenting with different combinations of effects and modulation can help you create a sound that is uniquely yours.
Incorporating these techniques can take your synthwave leads from average to extraordinary, and allow you to create music that truly resonates with your listeners. So, if you want to stand out from the crowd in the competitive world of music production, make sure to include expressive techniques and creative use of effects and modulation in your synthwave leads. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things – remember, with the endless possibilities of synthesis and effects, the sky’s the limit.

In the synthwave tutorial video above, we automate the following Serum controls:

• Filter cutoff
• Filter sustain
• Vibrato
• Pitch Bend

In addition, a more human-like performance is achieved when we refrain from over-quantizing the melody and implement grace notes, a musical slur commonly used among brass, horn and woodwind musicians.

Layering Synths for a Bigger Sound

Another way to make your synthwave leads more expressive is by layering synths for a bigger sound. Layering synths can add dimension and complexity to your melody, making it a standout element in your mix. It’s important to choose synths that complement each other and don’t clash in frequency range. With the right combination of synths, you can create a sonically rich sound that captures the essence of synthwave. Remember, the key is to experiment and find the right balance between each layer of synth to achieve a cohesive sound. By adopting these techniques, you can elevate your synthwave leads and create a sound that is both unique and expressive.

So, if you want to take your synthwave production skills to the next level and create truly expressive melodies, start incorporating these techniques into your music making. Your listeners will thank you for taking the time to craft a sound that is both unique and emotionally resonant.
In addition to these techniques, exploring expression through the lens of persona can also lead to unique and captivating leads. As mentioned earlier, music is ultimately about expression, and delving into the persona behind your music can unlock new possibilities for emotional authenticity.

Crafting Memorable Synthwave Hooks

Crafting memorable hooks is also crucial in elevating your synthwave tracks. Repetition and catchy rhythms can make your hooks stick in listeners’ heads. Adding variations and unexpected twists can further enhance their memorability. Achieving standout hooks requires experimentation with different combinations of chord progressions and melodies until you find the perfect balance. By incorporating these techniques and focusing on capturing the essence of your synthwave track, you can create memorable music that resonates with listeners and sets you apart in the competitive world of music production.

In Conclusion

To create captivating and expressive synthwave leads, explore versatile melodies, understand the genre’s principles, choose the right synths (analog or virtual), and incorporate techniques like pitch bends, vibrato, and legato. Effects and modulation add richness, while layering synths creates a bigger sound. Craft memorable hooks through repetition and variations. By applying these techniques, you can produce unique and emotionally resonant synthwave music that stands out. Learn more about synthwave visit Top 20 Synthwave Blogs