Remaking the keys synth from the 1988 song "A Little Respect" by Erasure can be an exciting challenge for any synthesizer enthusiast. Here’s how you can create the "A Little Respect" keys 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 keys sound in Erasure’s “A Little Respect” is characterized by sharp stuttering chords that drive throughout the track. This distinctive sound can be heard prominently from the beginning of the song. The synthesizer’s rhythmic pattern and staccato delivery add a dynamic, pulsing element to the track. This was likely a processed piano sample, probably from the Korg M1, but we’ll recreate this sound with just a single synth patch, focusing on capturing the essence of the original’s rhythmic and percussive qualities.
Our Remake of The Keys Synth
This audio clip is how close we've matched the original tone of the keys synth from the song "A Little Respect" by Erasure, 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: Poly
- Voice Count: 3
Amp Envelope
- Attack: 0 ms
- Decay: 250 ms
- Sustain: 20%
- Release: 300 ms
Oscillators
- Oscillator 1
- Waveform: Pulse
- Pulse Width: 50%
- Volume: 100%
- Unison
- Oscillators: All
- Voice Count: 4
- Detune Range: 15 Cents
- Stereo Spread: 100%
- Reset All Oscillators Phase On Note Start: No
Filter
- Type: Low Pass
- Cutoff: 85%
Reverb
- Mix: 30% Wet
- Size: Small
Note: the patch settings may slightly differ in the Syntorial challenge.
Notes And Observations
The original sound may have a piano sample layer in it, but we can get close with just a synth.
Explore More
- Erasure – A Little Respect Synth Sound Discussion (Motifator)
- Erasure – A Little Respect [Piano Tutorial] Synthesia (YouTube)
- Create the Arpeggio Pattern for A Little Respect by Erasure Korg Nautilus (YouTube)
- A Little Respect Kronos WALKTHROUGH (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
