Remaking the lead synth from the 2014 song "Sad Machine" by Porter Robinson can be an exciting challenge for any synthesizer enthusiast. Here’s how you can create the "Sad Machine" 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
Porter Robinson’s “Sad Machine” features a distinctive quirky wobbly lead synth that emerges at 0:05, characterized by its bright, timbre and rapid pitch modulation. This sound combines a retro chiptune-inspired aesthetic with modern synth sensibilities, evoking classic video game melodies while maintaining a contemporary edge.
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 "Sad Machine" by Porter Robinson, 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: Mono
Amp Envelope
- Attack: 0 ms
- Decay: 1900 ms
- Sustain: 40%
- Release: 350 ms
Oscillators
- Oscillator 1
- Waveform: Pulse
- Pulse Width: 50%
- Volume: 70%
- Oscillator 2
- Waveform: Pulse
- Pulse Width: 50%
- Pitch: +19 Semitones and -5 Cents
- Volume: 30%
- Unison
- Oscillators: All
- Voice Count: 2
- Detune Range: 19 Cents
Filter
- Type: Band Pass
- Cutoff: 45%
- Resonance: 15%
- Key Tracking: 40%
Filter Envelope
- Modulation Amount: 20%
- Attack: 10 ms
- Decay: 240 ms
- Sustain: 0%
- Release: 180 ms
Distortion
- Drive: 56%
Delay
- Mix: 15% Wet
- Feedback: 50%
- Time: 1/8 Note
- Stereo Spread (Time shift of Left or Right Channel): 10ms
Reverb
- Mix: 30% Wet
- Size: Medium
Note: the patch settings may slightly differ in the Syntorial challenge.
Explore More
- Sad Machine (Wikipedia)
- How to Make Porter Robinson Sad Machine Lead, Pluck… (YouTube)
- Porter Robinson Sad Machine Lead – Massive Tutorial (YouTube)
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
