Remaking the keys synth from the 1983 song "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson can be an exciting challenge for any synthesizer enthusiast. Here’s how you can create the "Billie Jean" 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 iconic string-like chords in Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” are created by a Yamaha CS-80 synthesizer. These chords, which enter at 0:22 in the track, are a crucial element of the song’s distinctive sound. The CS-80 was used to produce a hybrid of brass and string sounds, giving the chords a vocal-like quality. This unique sound was programmed by Bill Wolfer, who designed it to complement Michael Jackson’s vocals and add depth to the track. We’ll recreate this sound with a single synth patch.
Original Performing Instrument
Yamaha CS-80
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 "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson, 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: 90 ms
- Sustain: 100%
- Release: 150 ms
Oscillators
- Oscillator 1
- Waveform: Pulse
- Pulse Width: 100%
- Volume: 100%
Filter
- Type: Low Pass
- Cutoff: 65%
Filter Envelope
- Modulation Amount: 5%
- Attack: 0 ms
- Decay: 700 ms
- Sustain: 0%
- Release: 700 ms
LFO
- Destination: Pulse Width
- Waveform: Triangle
- Amount: 60%
- Rate: 1/4 Note
Chorus
- Mix: 35% Wet
- Rate: Fast
Reverb
- Mix: 30% Wet
- Size: Medium
Note: the patch settings may slightly differ in the Syntorial challenge.
Explore More
- Billie Jean Chord Stack Synths (MusicRadar)
- The Secret To The Billie Jean Sound (YouTube)
- Recreating the ICONIC synth sound from “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson (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
