Remaking the lead synth from the 2015 song "For You" by Tennyson can be an exciting challenge for any synthesizer enthusiast. Here’s how you can create the "For You" lead patch and play this iconic sound on most hardware or software subtractive synthesizers (Serum, Vital, Pigments, Prophet, Korg, Moog, etc). We've included the preset download directly for your convenience, but we strongly recommend you use our programming tutorial to recreate it yourself.
Original Audio
Tennyson’s “For You” features the intricate, emotionally-driven production style that Luke Pretty has become known for, blending organic textures with precise digital manipulation. The Wurlitzer-like synthesizer lead that enters at 0:55 exemplifies his approach to creating warm, nostalgic tones using modern synthesis techniques. This particular sound is built from a sine wave foundation with subtle FM modulation and a plucky amplitude envelope that gives it the characteristic attack and decay of vintage electric piano sounds. The lead floats above the mix with a delicate presence, demonstrating Tennyson’s intuitive approach to sound selection and layering.
Original Performing Instrument
Native Instruments Massive
Our Remake of The Lead Synth
This audio clip is how close we've matched the original tone of the lead synth from the song "For You" by Tennyson, giving you a reference point as you design your own synthesizer preset. Play it as often as you need to familiarize yourself with the nuances of the sound.
Synth Patch Programming Recipe
Getting Started
- Start by initializing your synthesizer to a plain saw with no filter, modulation or effects. For soft synths use the "init"/"default" preset or the the button to reset all parameters to their default factory values.
- No two synths are exactly alike, so treat the values below as approximate, and use your ear.
- Percentage values (e.g. 50%) represent the relative position of a knob or slider within its full range. The full range of each parameter may differ from synth to synth, so use your ear.
Voices
- Voice Mode: Mono
Amp Envelope
- Attack: 0 ms
- Decay: 300 ms
- Sustain: 20%
- Release: 120 ms
Oscillators
- FM Amount: 5%
- Carrier
- Waveform: Sine
- Volume: 100%
- Modulator
- Waveform: Triangle
- Volume: 0%
Distortion
- Drive: 22%
Note: the patch settings may slightly differ in the Syntorial challenge.
Explore More
Preset Downloads
Don't want to learn synth programming now? Use our synth preset as your starting point and tweak it from there. Register an account with Audible Genius and download the presets for free for the following synths:
- Primer, our free synthesizer VST
Comments
This recipe is the result of a Syntorial community preset remake request. Need support remaking this sound? Have comments?
Join The Conversation