Remaking the lead synth from the 1998 song "Better Off Alone" by Alice Deejay can be an exciting challenge for any synthesizer enthusiast. Here’s how you can create the "Better Off Alone" 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
The lead synthesizer sound in Alice Deejay’s “Better Off Alone” is a defining element of the song, particularly noticeable at 0:16. This high-pitched lead riff is characterized by its bright, piercing tone and repetitive pattern, which drives the track’s energetic and catchy vibe. The sound is often attributed to the Roland JP-08, a modern take on the classic Roland Jupiter series, known for its versatility and rich timbres.
Original Performing Instrument
Roland JP-08
Our Remake of The Lead Synth
https://soundcloud.com/audiblegenius/alice-deejay-better-off-aloneThis audio clip is how close we've matched the original tone of the lead synth from the song "Better Off Alone" by Alice Deejay, 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
Remake This Sound Yourself
Learn how to program this synth preset with Syntorial, all by ear. Download the demo and try up to three challenge packs for free.
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
- Sustain: 100%
- Release: 20 ms
Oscillators
- Oscillator 1
- Waveform: Saw
- Volume: 100%
Reverb
- Mix: 20% Wet
- Size: Big
Note: the patch settings may slightly differ in the Syntorial challenge.
Explore More
- Better Off Alone Song (Wikipedia)
- better off alone lead synth – Gearspace
- Better Off Alone by Alice Deejay – Easiest Sound Design Ever! (Youtube)
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
