Daft Punk - Derezzed | Lead Synth Patch Remake

Remaking the lead synth from the 2010 song "Derezzed" by Daft Punk can be an exciting challenge for any synthesizer enthusiast. Here’s how you can create the "Derezzed" 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

Daft Punk’s “Derezzed,” featured on the 2010 “Tron: Legacy” soundtrack, is distinguished by its aggressive and textured lead synthesizer. This sound is crafted using layered sawtooth waves at different octaves, enhanced with substantial distortion and modulation effects. The result is a gritty, dynamic lead that propels the track’s energetic rhythm. You can hear this distinctive synth lead prominently at the beginning of the song.

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 "Derezzed" by Daft Punk, 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.

Open the lesson Download Syntorial

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 Legato

Amp Envelope

  • Attack: 0 ms
  • Sustain: 100%
  • Release: 20 ms

Oscillators

  • Oscillator 1
    • Waveform: Saw
    • Volume: 40%
    • Pitch: +3 Cents
  • Oscillator 2
    • Waveform: Saw
    • Pitch: +1 Octave and -5 Cents
    • Volume: 60%
  • Sub Oscillator
    • Waveform: Pulse
    • Pulse Width: 100%
    • Pitch: -1 Octave
    • Volume: 20%
  • Unison
    • Oscillators: All
    • Voice Count: 2
    • Detune Range: 1 Cent
    • Stereo Spread: 50%
  • Reset All Oscillators Phase On Note Start: Yes
  • Noise Volume: 20%

Filter

  • Type: Low Pass
  • Cutoff: 60%
  • Resonance: 65%
  • Key Tracking: 50%

Distortion

  • Drive: 61%

Phaser

  • Mix: 50% Wet
  • Feedback: 60%

Delay

  • Mix: 35% Wet
  • Feedback: 0%
  • Time: 1/32 Note

Note: the patch settings may slightly differ in the Syntorial challenge.

Notes And Observations

Creating an aggressive and textured synth lead like the Daft Punk Derezzed patch, involves layering multiple parameters together. This guide will walk you through the process of building a complex synth sound from the ground up. By starting with a basic waveform and methodically tweaking one parameter at a time, you can create a sound that’s both unique and dynamic.

Starting with the Basics: The Saw Wave

The journey begins with a simple saw wave. This waveform provides a bright, full-bodied foundation upon which we can build.

Adding Layers: Octave Adjustments

To add dimension, we introduce a second saw wave, this time one octave higher. This enhances the harmonic content by bringing in a bright upper-register tone. Second, add in a Sub Oscillator with a pulse wave one octave lower than the original saw wave to get that guttural low-end buzz.

Shaping the Sound: Filter and Distortion

The most noticeable trait in the Daft Punk Derezzed patch is the aggressive distortion. But before we introduce angry grit with distortion, it’s crucial to shape our sound using a Low Pass Filter. Lowering the cutoff prepares the sound for distortion by giving it a round sound as a palette. Distortion then reshapes this round sound with a warm edge. Then add Resonance to sharpen the sound, and emphasize certain frequencies. Finally, use Key Tracking to brighten only the higher notes.

Dirty White Noise

Further, enhance the dirtiness of this patch with white noise. This also introduces a raw, textured layer, contributing to the complexity of the sound.

Expanding the Soundstage: Unison and Phaser

Unison widens the sound, creating a sense of space and fullness. By spreading the sound and reducing the detune, we avoid unwanted wobble, ensuring a clean, expansive effect. Incorporating a phaser adds movement and a touch of psychedelia, but we flatten it out to keep the effect subtle.

Fine-Tuning: Delay and Legato Mode

A tight, fast delay simulates a small, clean room, adding a sense of environment without overwhelming reverb. By minimizing feedback, we achieve a singular, precise delay. Activating legato mode ensures smooth transitions between notes making for a less choppy-sounding melody.

Patch Automations

Now, when you listen through the track, the sound is definitely changing, it’s got subtle changes probably with the filter and a few other things. So it’s different depending on what part of the track you’re listening to.

But one of the best changes that I like about it is this mix between the highest oscillator and the middle oscillator. It changes, like earlier in the track: It’s more like that, it’s mostly this oscillator, less of this oscillator. But then, as you get deeper into it, that higher end kinda starts to stick out. So these are changes you want to make using an automation in your DAW when rebuilding the whole song.

And that’s “Derezzed”.

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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
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