Remaking the pluck synth from the 1982 song "Africa" by Toto can be an exciting challenge for any synthesizer enthusiast. Here’s how you can create the "Africa" 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
Bell-style pluck at 0:12. The distinctive pluck bell sound was crafted using the Yamaha GS-1, an early FM synthesizer renowned for its rich tonal qualities. According to David Paich, the band’s keyboardist, the kalimba-like sound was achieved by layering six tracks of the GS-1, each playing different rhythms, to create the intricate texture heard in the song.
Additionally, Paich mentioned that he composed the song on a Yamaha CS-80, which plays a significant role throughout the track.
Original Performing Instrument
Yamaha GS-1
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 "Africa" by Toto, 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: 2
Amp Envelope
- Attack: 0 ms
- Sustain: 100%
- Release: 220 ms
Oscillators
- FM Amount: 0%
- Oscillator 1
- Waveform: Sine
- Volume: 100%
- Oscillator 2
- Waveform: Sine
- Pitch: +2 Octaves
- Volume: 0%
- Unison
- Oscillators: All
- Voice Count: 4
- Detune Range: 0 Cents
- Stereo Spread: 100%
- Reset All Oscillators Phase On Note Start: Yes
Filter
- Type: High Pass
- Cutoff: 60%
Modulation Envelope
- Destination: FM Amount
- Modulation Amount: 100%
- Attack: 0 ms
- Decay: 250 ms
- Sustain: 0%
- Release: 250 ms
Chorus
- Mix: 100% Wet
- Rate: Slow
Reverb
- Mix: 20% Wet
- Size: Medium
Velocity
- Destination: Volume
- Modulation Amount: 100%
Note: the patch settings may slightly differ in the Syntorial challenge.
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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
Comments
This recipe is the result of a Syntorial community preset remake request. Need support remaking this sound? Have comments?
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