Remaking the fx synth from the 1976 song "Fly Like an Eagle" by Steve Miller can be an exciting challenge for any synthesizer enthusiast. Here’s how you can create the "Fly Like an Eagle" fx 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 song “Fly Like an Eagle” by Steve Miller Band features a distinctive FX synthesizer sound that appears at 0:13. This very simple patch is played with rolled chords and heavy delay, creating an overlapping and ethereal quality. This sound is particularly notable during the intro and various sections of the song, adding a unique layer to the track’s overall composition.
Original Performing Instrument
Roland SH-2000
Our Remake of The FX Synth
This audio clip is how close we've matched the original tone of the fx synth from the song "Fly Like an Eagle" by Steve Miller, 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: 3
Amp Envelope
- Attack: 40 ms
- Sustain: 100%
- Release: 20 ms
Oscillators
- Oscillator 1
- Waveform: Pulse
- Pulse Width: 80%
- Volume: 100%
Filter
- Type: Low Pass
- Cutoff: 55%
- Key Tracking: 100%
Delay
- Mix: 50% Wet
- Feedback: 50%
- Time: 1/8 Note
Reverb
- Mix: 20% Wet
- Size: Medium
Note: the patch settings may slightly differ in the Syntorial challenge.
Explore More
- Steve Miller – Fly Like an Eagle (Guitar Player)
- 1970s Steve Miller Band’s Synths (KVR Audio)
- How To Remake Your Favorite Synth Sounds (YouTube)
- Fly Like an Eagle – Synths, Pads, Arpeggios and more (Casio Music Forums)
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
