Remaking the lead synth from the 1993 song "No Limit" by 2 Unlimited can be an exciting challenge for any synthesizer enthusiast. Here’s how you can create the "No Limit" 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 lead synthesizer sound in 2 Unlimited’s “No Limit” is a prominent element that kicks in at 0:07, characterized by a big, detuned techno lead. This sound is reminiscent of early 1990s dance music and is likely generated using a single synthesizer patch. The detuned quality gives the track its distinctive edge and contributes to its energetic and catchy nature.
Original Performing Instrument
Unknown. The specific synthesizer used for the big detuned techno lead in "No Limit" by 2 Unlimited is not documented in the provided sources.
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 "No Limit" by 2 Unlimited, 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.
Oscillator Setup:
- Oscillator 1: Basic Saw, Unison: 16 voices, Detune: 18%, Phase: 30%, Spectral Morph 18%
- Oscillator 2: Basic Saw, Pitch: -12 semitones, Unison: 16 voices, Detune: 20%, Phase: 82%, Spectral Morph 12%
- Ring Modulated (RM) by Oscillator 1 for extra harmonics (14%).
- Oscillator 3: Basic Square (Frame 256), 30% mix, Pitch: -12 semitones, Unison: 1 voice, Routed to Filter 1.
- Noise Oscillator: White Noise, subtle mix for air and presence 2~5%.
Filter Settings:
- Filter 1: Analog 12dB Low-pass cutoff 550Hz.
- Routed to Oscillator 3.
- Modulated by Envelope 2.
- Key Tracking 100%
- Filter 2: Analog 12dB High-pass cutoff 280Hz.
- Routed to Oscillators 1 & 2.
Envelope Settings:
-
Envelope 1 (Amp Envelope):
- Fast Attack ~11ms
- 0 Hold
- Short Decay ~200ms
- Sustain: ~70%
- Release ~350ms
-
Envelope 2:
- Instant Attack (0.002s)
- 0 Hold
- Short Decay ~300ms
- Medium Sustain ~500ms
- Release ~200ms
- Giving a plucky attack to
- Filter 1 Cutoff (~60).
- Filter FX Cutoff (~60).
- EQ Band Gain (6)
Modulation Matrix:
- Envelope 2 → Filter 1 Cutoff (Main modulator for movement).
- Envelope 2 → Filter Fx Cutoff (Shaping high frequencies).
- Envelope 2 → EQ Band Gain (Dynamic tonal shaping).
- Note Tracking → EQ Band Cutoff ~60 (Adaptive response across the keyboard).
Effects Processing:
- Chorus:
- 16 voices, 4/1 tempo
- depth added for width
- Cutoff ~90%
- Mix ~15%
- Multiband Compressor: Tightens dynamics and enhances presence.
- Full Wet. 100% attack
- Low @16dB, Band @12dB, High @16dB
- EQ:
- Low and high band adjustments to fit the mix.
- Filter (Post-FX): Additional shaping and drive.
- Analog 12db, Full Wet, Full Key Tracking
- Cutoff ~950Hz
- Modulated by Env 2 (~60%)
- Reverb:
- 5% Amount, Full Gain, Full Size
- Frequency 0,250Hz
- ~25% Wet
- High cut ~4500Hz
Note: the patch settings may slightly differ in the Syntorial challenge.
Explore More
- No Limit by 2 Unlimited (Wikipedia)
- 2 Unlimited – No Limit – How to Play Piano Melody (YouTube)
- Famous Sounds – SynthMania (SynthMania)
- No Limit by 2 Unlimited Chords, Melody, and Music Theory Analysis (Hooktheory)
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
