Remaking the pad synth from the 2015 song "Nangs" by Tame Impala can be an exciting challenge for any synthesizer enthusiast. Here’s how you can create the "Nangs" pad 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 pad synthesizer sound from the beginning of Tame Impala’s “Nangs” is characterized by its smooth, airy texture. This sound is primarily achieved using two sawtooth oscillators, together with a cutoff LFO.
Original Performing Instrument
Roland Juno-106
Our Remake of The Pad Synth
This audio clip is how close we've matched the original tone of the pad synth from the song "Nangs" by Tame Impala, 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 up to three challenge packs 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: 6
Amp Envelope
- Attack: 150 ms
- Sustain: 100%
- Release: 20 ms
Oscillators
- Oscillator 1
- Waveform: Saw
- Volume: 50%
- Pitch: +3 Cents
- Oscillator 2
- Waveform: Saw
- Pitch: +1 Octave and -3 Cents
- Volume: 50%
Filter
- Type: Low Pass
- Cutoff: 50%
LFO
- Destination: Filter Cutoff
- Waveform: Triangle
- Amount: 30%
- Rate: 1/16 Note
Chorus
- Mix: 50% Wet
- Rate: Medium
Reverb
- Mix: 20% Wet
- Size: Medium
Modulation Wheel
- Destination: Cutoff
- Modulation Amount: 50%
Note: the patch settings may slightly differ in the Syntorial challenge.
Explore More
- Tame Impala Synth Sounds – Reverb Machine
- Kurzweil K2700 Tutorial: Tame Impala – Nangs Synth – YouTube
- Tame Impala Synth Production Tutorial – (Nangs in 5 Minutes) – YouTube
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