Remaking the lead synth from the 2009 song "Omen" by The Prodigy can be an exciting challenge for any synthesizer enthusiast. Here’s how you can create the "Omen" 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
The Prodigy’s “Omen” features a prominent lead synthesizer sound that is immediately recognizable from the start of the track. This sound is characterized by its piercing, high-pitched timbre and rapid arpeggios.
Original Performing Instrument
Virus TI Polar synthesizer
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 "Omen" by The Prodigy, 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: Mono
- Portamento: 70 ms
Amp Envelope
- Attack: 0 ms
- Decay: 250 ms
- Sustain: 20%
- Release: 20 ms
Oscillators
- Oscillator 1
- Waveform: Saw
- Volume: 100%
- Unison
- Oscillators: All
- Voice Count: 2
- Detune Range: 40 Cents
- Noise Volume: 25%
Filter
- Type: Low Pass
- Cutoff: 85%
Distortion
- Drive: 100%
Reverb
- Mix: 30% Wet
- Size: Small
Velocity
- Destination: Volume
- Modulation Amount: 0%
Note: the patch settings may slightly differ in the Syntorial challenge.
Notes And Observations
To match the original track exactly, you need to automate the lowering or turning off of the portamento on the second trill of the bar.
Explore More
- The Prodigy’s Synth Sounds (MusicRadar)
- How to: The Prodigy “Omen” Lead Synth in Serum (YouTube)
- Access Virus TI Polar (TheProdigy.info)
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
