Remaking the lead synth from the 1981 song "Numbers" by Kraftwerk can be an exciting challenge for any synthesizer enthusiast. Here’s how you can create the "Numbers" 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
Kraftwerk’s 1981 track “Numbers” from *Computer World* features a distinctive blippy lead synth that enters at 0:23, panned hard left with 1/8th-note delays mirroring on the right. This sound uses a detuned sawtooth wave with random pitch modulation to create its out-of-tune timbre, paired with fast filter envelope attacks for quick squishy fade-in, and rapid amp envelope decays to enforce short, percussive notes.
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 "Numbers" by Kraftwerk, 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
Amp Envelope
- Attack: 10 ms
- Decay: 130 ms
- Sustain: 0%
- Release: 120 ms
Oscillators
- Oscillator 1
- Waveform: Saw
- Volume: 50%
- Pitch: +2 Cents
- Oscillator 2
- Waveform: Saw
- Pitch: -2 Cents
- Volume: 50%
- Reset All Oscillators Phase On Note Start: Yes
Filter
- Type: Low Pass
- Cutoff: 55%
- Key Tracking: 50%
Filter Envelope
- Modulation Amount: 20%
- Attack: 30 ms
- Sustain: 100%
- Release: 10000 ms
LFO
- Destination: Pitch
- Waveform: Triangle
- Amount: 1 Semitones
- Rate: 1 Bar
Delay
- Mix: 45% Wet
- Feedback: 50%
- Time: 1/8 Note
- Stereo Spread (Time shift of Left or Right Channel): 13ms
Note: the patch settings may slightly differ in the Syntorial challenge.
Explore More
- Patch Request: Kraftwerk – Numbers (Detuned Saw) – Syntorial
- The Incalculable Influence of Kraftwerk – PS Audio
- Deep Cuts: How Kraftwerk Made Autobahn – Audio Media International
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
Comments
This recipe is the result of a Syntorial community preset remake request. Need support remaking this sound? Have comments?
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