Remaking the brass synth from the 1982 song "Blade Runner" by Vangelis can be an exciting challenge for any synthesizer enthusiast. Here’s how you can create the "Blade Runner" brass 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
Vangelis’ iconic brass synthesizer sound in *Blade Runner* (1982) defines the film’s opening *Main Titles* theme, emerging prominently around 1:01 as a soaring, emotive lead. This sound was crafted using the Yamaha CS-80, a renowned polyphonic analog synthesizer. The patch combines pulse width modulation with dynamic filter modulation, creating a rich, evolving timbre that mimics brass instruments while retaining a distinctly electronic character. It’s one of the most recognizable synth sounds in film history.
Original Performing Instrument
Yamaha CS-80
Our Remake of The Brass Synth
This audio clip is how close we've matched the original tone of the brass synth from the song "Blade Runner" by Vangelis , 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
Amp Envelope
- Attack: 250 ms
- Decay: 1900 ms
- Sustain: 40%
- Release: 750 ms
Oscillators
- Oscillator 1
- Waveform: Pulse
- Pulse Width: 50%
- Volume: 60%
- Oscillator 2
- Waveform: Pulse
- Pulse Width: 50%
- Pitch: +1 Octave and -6 Cents
- Volume: 40%
Filter
- Type: Low Pass
- Cutoff: 75%
- Resonance: 15%
Filter Envelope
- Modulation Amount: 15%
- Attack: 650 ms
- Decay: 10000 ms
- Sustain: 0%
- Release: 10000 ms
LFO
- Destination: Pulse Width
- Waveform: Triangle
- Amount: 80%
- Rate: 1/8 Note
Reverb
- Mix: 10% Wet
- Size: Big
Note: the patch settings may slightly differ in the Syntorial challenge.
Explore More
- The Iconic Sounds Of Synthesis – Vangelis’ Blade Runner Brass Sound (Synthtopia)
A comprehensive guide detailing the Yamaha CS-80’s role in creating the iconic brass sound, including technical breakdowns and demonstrations across various synths like the Korg MicroKorg and Roland Juno-60. - Vangelis’ Blade Runner Synth Sounds (Reverb Machine)
Explains the brass sound’s origin from the Yamaha CS-80, emphasizing velocity/aftertouch modulation and the Lexicon 224 reverb. Includes insights into replicating the sound with Arturia’s CS-80 V plugin. - Ep5: The Synth Sounds of Blade Runner (Reverb Machine YouTube)
A video tutorial demonstrating how to recreate the brass sound using the Yamaha CS-80 and Arturia’s CS-80 V plugin, focusing on oscillator detuning and envelope modulation.
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
