Remaking the lead synth from the 1981 song "Just Can't Get Enough" by Depeche Mode can be an exciting challenge for any synthesizer enthusiast. Here’s how you can create the "Just Can't Get Enough" 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
Depeche Mode’s 1981 synth-pop anthem “Just Can’t Get Enough” opens with a bright, pulsing lead sound that defines its iconic riff. The original sound was created using a Roland Jupiter-4 analog polysynth.
Original Performing Instrument
Roland Jupiter-4
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 "Just Can't Get Enough" by Depeche Mode, 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: 10 ms
- Decay: 550 ms
- Sustain: 0%
- Release: 220 ms
Oscillators
- Oscillator 1
- Waveform: Saw
- Volume: 100%
- Sub Oscillator
- Waveform: Pulse
- Pulse Width: 100%
- Pitch: -1 Octave
- Volume: 15%
- Unison
- Oscillators: All
- Voice Count: 4
- Detune Range: 9 Cents
- Stereo Spread: 60%
- Reset All Oscillators Phase On Note Start: No
Filter
- Type: Low Pass
- Cutoff: 85%
Reverb
- Mix: 10% Wet
- Size: Small
Note: the patch settings may slightly differ in the Syntorial challenge.
Explore More
- The 40 Greatest Synth Sounds: Depeche Mode’s “Just Can’t Get Enough” (MusicRadar)
- Depeche Mode – “Just Can’t Get Enough” Synthesizer Recreation (YouTube)
- Munatix’s Cover Using Roland Jupiter 4 (Matrixsynth)
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
