Remaking the keys synth from the 2016 song "Daydream" by Medasin can be an exciting challenge for any synthesizer enthusiast. Here’s how you can create the "Daydream" 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
Medasin’s “Daydream” features lush, tropical-inspired chords that emerge prominently at 45 seconds, contributing to the track’s signature chill house atmosphere.
Our Remake of The Keys Synth
This audio clip is how close we've matched the original tone of the keys synth from the song "Daydream" by Medasin, 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.
Oscillator Setup:
- Oscillator A: Basic Shapes, Square wave, Unison: 3 voices, Detune reduced to ~9 o’clock, Blend slightly down.
- Oscillator B: Basic Shapes, Triangle wave, +1 octave, Unison: 3 voices, Detune reduced to ~9 o’clock.
- Sub Oscillator: Saw wave, -1 octave, Level reduced (~1 o’clock) for subtle low-end warmth.
- Noise Oscillator: J106 High Pass, Pitch ~3 o’clock, Level ~1 o’clock for airy presence.
Filter Settings:
- Filter Type: MG Low 12.
- Cutoff: Fully closed, modulated by Envelope 2.
- Resonance: 0%.
- Enabled for: Osc A, B, Sub, and Noise.
Envelope Settings:
- Envelope 1 (Amp):
- Attack: 130ms
- Decay: 300ms
- Release: 160ms
- Sustain: -16dB (curved for a bouncy pluck feel).
-
Envelope 2 (Filter Modulation):
- Attack: 130ms
- Decay: 450ms
- Sustain: 41%
- Release: 150ms
- Modulating Cutoff (Amount: ~12:30 position).
Effects Processing:
- EQ:
- Low boost at 200Hz (~+4dB) for warmth.
- High cut at 7kHz to focus on the midrange.
- Distortion:
- Type: Downsample (bit-crushing for digital edge).
- Drive: 6 o’clock.
- Mix: 10%.
- Compressor (OTT Mode):
- Threshold: -26dB, Ratio: 4:1, Attack: 92ms, Release: 70ms.
- Gain Makeup: ~+7dB.
- Multiband settings:
- Highs: 140%
- Mids: 166%
- Lows: 165% (adds warmth).
- Reverb:
- Type: Hall.
- Size: 23%.
- Decay: 3.2s.
- Low Cut applied to remove mud.
Note: the patch settings may slightly differ in the Syntorial challenge.
Explore More
- Daydream by Medasin // Sound Design: Chords – YouTube (Detailed Serum patch breakdown with LFO modulation, envelope-controlled filters, and effects chain explanation)
- How to Make a Beat like Medasin Production Tutorial (Discusses Medasin’s use of Serum with specific wavetables, unison settings, and modulation techniques for lush chord patches)
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:
- Serum
