Remaking the lead synth from the 1979 song "Rydeen" by Yellow Magic can be an exciting challenge for any synthesizer enthusiast. Here’s how you can create the "Rydeen" 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
Yellow Magic Orchestra’s 1979 track “Rydeen” features a piercing high-pitched lead synthesizer that emerges prominently at 0:05, characterized by a bright, chiptune-inspired timbre. This sound employs pulse waves with rapid vibrato, creating a dynamic quality that evokes early video game aesthetics. This lead line drives the track’s futuristic energy, contrasting with the deeper bass and rhythmic elements to establish its iconic identity.
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 "Rydeen" by Yellow Magic, 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
- Sustain: 100%
- Release: 60 ms
Oscillators
- Oscillator 1
- Waveform: Pulse
- Pulse Width: 50%
- Volume: 40%
- Oscillator 2
- Waveform: Pulse
- Pulse Width: 50%
- Pitch: +1 Octave
- Volume: 60%
- Sub Oscillator
- Waveform: Pulse
- Pulse Width: 100%
- Pitch: -1 Octave
- Volume: 10%
- Unison
- Oscillators: All
- Voice Count: 2
- Detune Range: 2 Cents
- Reset All Oscillators Phase On Note Start: Yes
Filter
- Type: Low Pass
- Cutoff: 90%
- Resonance: 55%
LFO
- Destination: Pitch
- Waveform: Triangle
- Amount: 0%
- Rate: 1/8 Note
Reverb
- Mix: 30% Wet
- Size: Medium
Modulation Wheel
- Destination: LFO Amount
- Modulation Amount: 25%
Note: the patch settings may slightly differ in the Syntorial challenge.
Explore More
- Rydeen – Yellow Magic Orchestra (Official Credits) – Lists Hideki Matsutake as programmer, indicating potential use of Roland MC-4 Microcomposer sequencing
- How To Recreate Sounds: A Simple Approach – General methodology for analyzing pitch, volume, and texture in synth sounds applicable to “Rydeen”‘s high-pitched lead
- FIRST Listen to Yellow Magic Orchestra & Trying Japanese snacks! – Reaction video analyzing YMO’s synth arrangements and frequency layering techniques
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
