Remaking the keys synth from the 2010 song "Nightcall" by Kavinsky can be an exciting challenge for any synthesizer enthusiast. Here’s how you can create the "Nightcall" 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
Those bright, synth chords that jump in at the top of the chorus of Kavinsky’s “Nightcall” combine unison and chorus for distinct smeared lushness. The patch uses a dramatic filter sweep to create the big bright attack transient followed by a warm round end. And layer noise combined with distortion adds a lofi grit.
Original Performing Instrument
Yamaha DX7
Our Remake of The Keys Synth sound
This audio clip is how close we've matched the original tone of the keys synth from the song "Nightcall" by Kavinsky, 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 unlimited famous sound challenges 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 allx 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: 4
Amp Envelope
- Attack: 0 ms
- Sustain: 100%
- Release: 20 ms
Oscillators
- Oscillator 1
- Waveform: Saw
- Volume: 100%
- Unison
- Oscillators: All
- Voice Count: 2
- Detune Range: 8 Cents
- Stereo Spread: 60%
- Reset All Oscillators Phase On Note Start: Yes
- Noise Volume: 15%
Filter
- Type: Low Pass
- Cutoff: 50%
- Resonance: 45%
Filter Envelope
- Modulation Amount: 45%
- Attack: 0 ms
- Decay: 3700 ms
- Sustain: 0%
Chorus
- Mix: 35% Wet
- Rate: Slow
Reverb
- Mix: 20% Wet
- Size: Medium
Note: the patch settings may slightly differ in the Syntorial challenge.
Explore More
- Kavinsky – Synthwave Wiki (Fandom)
- How Kavinsky Created “Nightcall” (ReverbMachine)
- Kavinsky – Nightcall | Lead Synth Preset Remake (Syntorial)
- How to synthwave like Kavinsky “Nightcall” (YouTube tutorial)
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
- Vital
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