Remaking the pluck synth from the 2019 song "Boys and Girls" by Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein can be an exciting challenge for any synthesizer enthusiast. Here’s how you can create the "Boys and Girls" pluck 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 pluck synthesizer in Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein’s “Boys and Girls” (from *Stranger Things 3*) features a bright, percussive sound with a sharp attack and rapid decay, creating a rhythmic foundation that emerges prominently at 0:06. This signature timbre aligns with the duo’s reliance on the Prophet 6 analog polyphonic synthesizer, which they’ve emphasized as central to the show’s sonic identity. While the track incorporates multiple synth layers, this pluck pattern remains distinct in its rhythmic role, driving the track’s tension through its staccato articulation.
Original Performing Instrument
Prophet 6
Our Remake of The Pluck Synth
This audio clip is how close we've matched the original tone of the pluck synth from the song "Boys and Girls" by Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein, 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 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: 2
Amp Envelope
- Attack: 0 ms
- Decay: 300 ms
- Sustain: 0%
- Release: 200 ms
Oscillators
- Oscillator 1
- Waveform: Saw
- Volume: 30%
- Oscillator 2
- Waveform: Triangle
- Volume: 70%
- Unison
- Oscillators: All
- Voice Count: 4
- Detune Range: 6 Cents
- Stereo Spread: 100%
- Reset All Oscillators Phase On Note Start: Yes
Filter
- Type: Low Pass
- Cutoff: 50%
- Resonance: 45%
- Key Tracking: 50%
Filter Envelope
- Modulation Amount: 25%
- Attack: 0 ms
- Decay: 210 ms
- Sustain: 0%
- Release: 10000 ms
Delay
- Mix: 30% Wet
- Feedback: 20%
- Time: 1/32 Note
Reverb
- Mix: 20% Wet
- Size: Big
Note: the patch settings may slightly differ in the Syntorial challenge.
Explore More
- Spotify Newsroom: ‘Stranger Things’ Revived the Rock Star Soundtrack Composer in Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein
- Stranger Things | Kids | Synthesizer Cover – YouTube
- Boys and Girls – Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein – Bandcamp
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
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