Remaking the keys synth from the 2021 song "Devil Make A Deal" by The Midnight can be an exciting challenge for any synthesizer enthusiast. Here’s how you can create the "Devil Make A Deal" 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 Midnight’s “Devil Make A Deal” features squishy synthwave chords that emerge prominently at 2:38, characterized by a warm, detuned texture with filter modulation to achieve their lush, evolving quality. The chords serve as a harmonic foundation, blending nostalgic 80s-inspired timbres with contemporary production polish.
Original Performing Instrument
Unknown
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 "Devil Make A Deal" by The Midnight, 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: 4
Amp Envelope
- Attack: 10 ms
- Decay: 2700 ms
- Sustain: 0%
- Release: 60 ms
Oscillators
- Oscillator 1
- Waveform: Saw
- Volume: 100%
- Unison
- Oscillators: All
- Voice Count: 4
- Detune Range: 17 Cents
- Stereo Spread: 70%
- Reset All Oscillators Phase On Note Start: No
Filter
- Type: Low Pass
- Cutoff: 40%
- Resonance: 40%
Filter Envelope
- Modulation Amount: 50%
- Attack: 0 ms
- Decay: 1800 ms
- Sustain: 0%
- Release: 10000 ms
Note: the patch settings may slightly differ in the Syntorial challenge.
Explore More
- Sonic Academy Forums: The Midnight Synthwave Sound Recreation
A thread where Phil Johnston (ANA2 expert) demonstrates recreating The Midnight’s synthwave sounds, including the “Release Pad” effect from “Devil Make A Deal”. - The Midnight – Horror Show EP (Ninja Tune)
Official release page confirming the track’s inclusion and The Midnight’s signature retro synth style.
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
Comments
This recipe is the result of a Syntorial community preset remake request. Need support remaking this sound? Have comments?
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