Remaking the lead synth from the 2019 song "Higher" by Emmit Fenn can be an exciting challenge for any synthesizer enthusiast. Here’s how you can create the "Higher" 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
Emmit Fenn’s “Higher” features a distinctive LoFi downsampled lead synthesizer that emerges prominently around the 2:00 mark, introducing a melodic counterpoint to the track’s evolving structure. This sound employs aggressive bit-depth reduction to create a gritty, aliasing texture characteristic of LoFi aesthetics, likely using a square wave as its foundation. Its entrance at 2:00 marks a pivotal shift in the track’s arrangement, anchoring the melody while maintaining the song’s introspective, lo-fi electronic atmosphere.
Original Performing Instrument
Unknown
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 "Higher" by Emmit Fenn, 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 Legato
- Portamento: 0 ms
Amp Envelope
- Attack: 0 ms
- Decay: 750 ms
- Sustain: 0%
- Release: 40 ms
Oscillators
- Oscillator 1
- Waveform: Pulse
- Pulse Width: 100%
- Volume: 100%
- Unison
- Oscillators: All
- Voice Count: 2
- Detune Range: 3 Cents
- Reset All Oscillators Phase On Note Start: Yes
- Noise Volume: 45%
Filter
- Type: Low Pass
- Cutoff: 20%
- Key Tracking: 70%
Filter Envelope
- Modulation Amount: 10%
- Attack: 0 ms
- Decay: 2550 ms
- Sustain: 0%
- Release: 10000 ms
Distortion
- Drive: 100%
Reverb
- Mix: 10% Wet
- Size: Medium
Note: the patch settings may slightly differ in the Syntorial challenge.
Explore More
- No authoritative sources found in provided search results specifically addressing the LoFi downsampled lead synth from “Higher” by Emmit Fenn. The available materials focus on music distribution platforms, remixes, and general artist information rather than technical production details.
- Recommended approach: Search for interviews with Emmit Fenn discussing his production techniques, or look for third-party tutorials analyzing this specific track’s sound design. Consider checking platforms like YouTube for “Emmit Fenn Higher synth tutorial” or “LoFi downsampled lead recreation” searches.
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:
- Vital
