Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Guitar Amps
  • Plugin Week 25
  • Guitar Pedals
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Artist news
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Software & Apps
  • Drums
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • Plugin Week A-Z
  • You Oughta Know
  • Fake AI band
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Wrecking Crew
Recommended reading
halogen fm
Tech GForce Software makes FM synthesis simple with Halogen FM
GForce Software Oddity3
Synths How to master virtually any software synth
syntorial
Tech New to synthesis? This free synth plugin can help you learn how it works
jamie xx on stage
Artists “It’s my favourite synth ever”: Jamie xx on the ultra-rare vintage Oberheim that takes "a few days" to program
Behringer BM-15M Murf Box: this vintage-style multi-filter pedal has eight filters, selectable patterns and MIDI control
Guitars Behringer unveils the BM-15M Murf Box, a $129 animated filtering pedal based on a ‘00s Moog classic
Gamechanger Audio Motor Pedal: this pedal has a racing car aesthetic and houses "a fully playable electro-mechanical synth voice that tracks the pitch of your playing in real time".
Guitars Gamechanger Audio unveils the Motor Pedal – a real synth pedal with a “multi-modal gas pedal”
Michael Thompson
Guitarists “Then it’s how you smack it, or zing it or strum it”: Guitar legend Michael Thompson talks clean tone
  1. Tutorials
  2. Music Production Tutorials

How to make an MGMT Kids-style synth sound

Tuition
By Computer Music ( Computer Music ) published 31 May 2011

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Oscillator settings

Oscillator settings

Step 1: There is more than one version of the song in question, so we're aiming at something that fits the original mix, but with some of the character of the remix. Fire up ZebraCM (this comes on every Computer Music cover DVD) and stay with the default patch. The Kids lead sounds sort of like a fairground organ, so we'll need to choose different waveforms. Turn Oscillator 1's Wave knob up to full (or nearly so), and Oscillator 2's up to 13.90.

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
Filter tweaks

Filter tweaks

Step 2: Audition your patch by playing it in the upper octaves, in keeping with the song’s melody. The overall timbre is OK, but we need to get that filter in on the act. Set the filter’s mode to LP Vintage, sweep the Cutoff to 27 and put the Resonance to 32. The filter still sounds wide open - that’s because it’s being modulated. We can fix that.

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
Filter envelope

Filter envelope

Step 3: Reduce the filter’s envelope Amount to around 60. Now let’s look at that filter envelope. Set the Attack to 12.50 and the Decay to 23. The Sustain should be all the way down. Try the sound. Now we’re getting somewhere! The filter envelope provides an attack similar to that of the patch in the song.

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
Going legato

Going legato

Step 4: This dynamic attack transient doesn’t happen with every note in the song. That’s because the envelopes don’t always retrigger. To achieve this effect, switch the keyboard mode from Poly to Legato. Play some notes in a tied-together legato style to hear what we mean. This is a common way to add expression to synth sounds.

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
LFO adjustments

LFO adjustments

Step 5: There’s some subtle vibrato on the notes in the lead sound. It doesn’t come in right away, but appears after the notes have been held. We can do this with ZebraCM’s LFO. Currently, the LFO is set up so that it only comes in if the mod wheel is played. That’s no good for us, so turn LFO1’s ModWhl knob all the way down.

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
Finishing off

Finishing off

Step 6: Next, turn the LFO’s Delay knob up to about 31. Play and hold a note. You should hear the LFO come in after a bit. There’s a little too much vibrato, so reduce each oscillator’s Vibrato amount to between 40 and 48. Now try the riff from the song. That’s pretty close! Fine-tune to taste and tweak to perfection.

Liked this? Now read: How to sound like a pro artist in your DAW

Connect with MusicRadar: via Twitter, Facebook and YouTube

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
Computer Music
Computer Music
Social Links Navigation

Computer Music magazine is the world’s best selling publication dedicated solely to making great music with your Mac or PC computer. Each issue it brings its lucky readers the best in cutting-edge tutorials, need-to-know, expert software reviews and even all the tools you actually need to make great music today, courtesy of our legendary CM Plugin Suite.

Read more
halogen fm
GForce Software makes FM synthesis simple with Halogen FM
GForce Software Oddity3
How to master virtually any software synth
syntorial
New to synthesis? This free synth plugin can help you learn how it works
jamie xx on stage
“It’s my favourite synth ever”: Jamie xx on the ultra-rare vintage Oberheim that takes "a few days" to program
Behringer BM-15M Murf Box: this vintage-style multi-filter pedal has eight filters, selectable patterns and MIDI control
Behringer unveils the BM-15M Murf Box, a $129 animated filtering pedal based on a ‘00s Moog classic
Gamechanger Audio Motor Pedal: this pedal has a racing car aesthetic and houses "a fully playable electro-mechanical synth voice that tracks the pitch of your playing in real time".
Gamechanger Audio unveils the Motor Pedal – a real synth pedal with a “multi-modal gas pedal”
Latest in Music Production Tutorials
ableton
8 things you can do with Ableton Live's updated Auto Filter device
native instruments
"As nuanced as the real thing, but only if you know what you're doing": The ultimate guide to plugin guitars
Best VST synths
Don't know where to start with virtual instruments? We're here to help
Compressor settings
The ultimate compression cheat sheet – go-to settings to help you make better music
Reference tracks
Reference tracks can be your secret weapon when mixing - but be mindful of replicating other artists' choices too much
Yune Pinku
10 more things producers can learn from our In The Studio With... series
Latest in Tuition
Odin 2
Fantastic (free) plugins and how to use them: The Wave Warden Odin 2
ableton
8 things you can do with Ableton Live's updated Auto Filter device
Best VST synths
Don't know where to start with virtual instruments? We're here to help
Guitarists
How to record virtual and live instruments more smoothly by taking stock of your sample buffer
Compressor settings
The ultimate compression cheat sheet – go-to settings to help you make better music
GForce Software Oddity3
How to master virtually any software synth

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...