Remaking the lead synth from the 1985 song "Super Mario Bros. Theme" by Koji Kondo can be an exciting challenge for any synthesizer enthusiast. Here’s how you can create the "Super Mario Bros. Theme" 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 from the “Super Mario Bros. Theme” by Koji Kondo is a quintessential example of early video game music. The sound is particularly recognizable during the opening theme and various levels of the game.
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 "Super Mario Bros. Theme" by Koji Kondo, 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 unlimited famous sound challenges 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: 3
Amp Envelope
- Attack: 0 ms
- Sustain: 100%
- Release: 20 ms
Oscillators
- Oscillator 1
- Waveform: Pulse
- Pulse Width: 100%
- Volume: 100%
- Noise Volume: 25%
Note: the patch settings may slightly differ in the Syntorial challenge.
Explore More
- “Super Mario Bros.” theme–Koji Kondo, composer (1985) (PDF)
- Koji Kondo – 2001 Composer Interview – shmuplations.com
- Super Mario Bros. Theme Song – Modular Synth Cover – ADSR
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
- Vital
