Remaking the lead synth from the 2019 song "BRB" by Valentino Kahn can be an exciting challenge for any synthesizer enthusiast. Here’s how you can create the "BRB" 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
Valentino Kahn’s “BRB” features a piercing lead synthesizer that emerges prominently after the drop at the 1-minute mark, characterized by a sharp, aggressive timbre. The sound takes a very low-pitched pulse wave and runs it through a driven 24db Low Pass Filter with Resonance maxed out to generate the upper whistle layer.
Original Performing Instrument
Unknown
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 "BRB" by Valentino Kahn, 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.
Note: the patch settings may slightly differ in the Syntorial challenge.
Explore More
- Valentino Khan “Deep Down Low” Serum Tutorial (YouTube) – While focused on a different track, this tutorial demonstrates Khan’s signature Serum-based sound design techniques, including LFO modulation, EQ shaping, and saturation methods likely applicable to “BRB”’s lead synth.
- How To Recreate Sounds: A Simple Approach (YouTube) – Provides a structured methodology for analyzing pitch, volume, and texture in synth sounds, aligning with the layered, evolving nature of “BRB”’s lead synth.
- Valentino Khan’s Production Style Overview (The Lanote) – Discusses Khan’s use of “swirling synths” and intricate beat patterns, offering context for his synth design philosophy.
*Note: No direct sources explicitly detail the “BRB” lead synth. The above resources provide indirect insights into Khan’s production techniques and Serum-based workflows.*
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:
- Vital
Comments
This recipe is the result of a Syntorial community preset remake request. Need support remaking this sound? Have comments?
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