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
- The Final Countdown (song) – Wikipedia
- The 40 greatest synth sounds of all time, No 19: Europe – The Final Countdown – MusicRadar
- How to make the Final Countdown Brass sound – What Is That Sound? (YouTube)
- The Final Countdown Europe Tutorial (YouTube)
- Europe – Final Countdown – PresetPatch
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