Remaking the keys synth from the 2016 song "Closer" by The Chainsmokers can be an exciting challenge for any synthesizer enthusiast. Here’s how you can create the "Closer" keys 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 song “Closer” by The Chainsmokers features a prominent synthesizer sound that is particularly noticeable during the drop, starting at around 0:10. This sound is characterized by plucky, chord synth stabs. The synth is placed fairly wide in the mix. The sound is rich and engaging, contributing significantly to the track’s overall energy and appeal.
Our Remake of The Keys Synth
This audio clip is how close we've matched the original tone of the keys synth from the song "Closer" by The Chainsmokers, 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: 6
Amp Envelope
- Attack: 20 ms
- Decay: 1900 ms
- Sustain: 50%
- Release: 20 ms
Oscillators
- Oscillator 1
- Waveform: Pulse
- Pulse Width: 100%
- Volume: 50%
- Oscillator 2
- Waveform: Pulse
- Pulse Width: 100%
- Pitch: +1 Octave
- Volume: 50%
- Unison
- Oscillators: All
- Voice Count: 2
- Detune Range: 9 Cents
- Reset All Oscillators Phase On Note Start: Yes
Filter
- Type: Low Pass
- Cutoff: 50%
Filter Envelope
- Modulation Amount: 50%
- Attack: 0 ms
- Decay: 170 ms
- Sustain: 0%
Delay
- Mix: 5% Wet
- Feedback: 50%
- Time: 1/8 Note
- Stereo Spread (Time shift of Left or Right Channel): 1ms
Reverb
- Mix: 20% Wet
- Size: Medium
Note: the patch settings may slightly differ in the Syntorial challenge.
Notes And Observations
There may be a string sample layered in with the synth, but we can get really close with just a synth.
Explore More
- Decoding The Mix: Closer – The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey (Mastering The Mix)
- Sound Design with Native Instruments Massive – Closer Lead Synth (YouTube)
- How “Closer” by The Chainsmokers was Made (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
