Europe - Final Countdown | Lead Synth Patch Remake

Remaking the lead synth from the 1986 song "Final Countdown" by Europe can be an exciting challenge for any synthesizer enthusiast. Here’s how you can create the "Final Countdown" 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

Europe’s 1986 hit “The Final Countdown” features an iconic synth lead that defines its sound. Keyboardist Mic Michaeli crafted this signature riff by layering a brassy patch from the Roland JX-8P synthesizer with a factory preset from the Yamaha TX-816 module. This combination produced the majestic tone that opens the track. You can hear the lead synthesizer prominently at the start of the song.

Original Performing Instrument

Roland JX-8P

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 "Final Countdown" by Europe, 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: 10 ms
  • Sustain: 100%
  • Release: 80 ms

Oscillators

  • Oscillator 1
    • Waveform: Saw
    • Volume: 100%
  • Unison
    • Oscillators: All
    • Voice Count: 4
    • Detune Range: 0 Cents
    • Stereo Spread: 100%
  • Reset All Oscillators Phase On Note Start: Yes

Filter

  • Type: Low Pass
  • Cutoff: 70%

Filter Envelope

  • Modulation Amount: 100%
  • Attack: 0 ms
  • Decay: 750 ms
  • Sustain: 70%
  • Release: 220 ms

Modulation Envelope

  • Destination: Pitch
  • Modulation Amount: 18 Semitones
  • Attack: 0 ms
  • Decay: 10 ms
  • Sustain: 0%
  • Release: 10 ms

Chorus

  • Mix: 50% Wet
  • Rate: Slow

Reverb

  • Mix: 20% Wet
  • Size: Medium

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
Download Presets

More Lead Presets:

Darude

-

Sandstorm

Electronic

The Prodigy

-

Charly

Electronic

The Prodigy

-

Omen

Electronic

James Blake

-

Retrograde

Electronic

Human Resource

-

Dominator

Electronic

Pink Floyd

-

Shine On Your Crazy Diamond

Rock

Gary Numan

-

Cars

New Wave

MGMT

-

Time To Pretend

Rock

2 Unlimited

-

No Limit

Electronic

Travis Scott

-

Highest In The Room

Hip Hop