Easy Hoover Synth Tutorial

The easy way to program the classic "hoover" rave synth - also known as dominator or mentasm - originally derived from the "What The" preset on the Roland Alpha Juno keyboard.
Ingredients:
1) Sub oscillator (triangle, or square)
2) A buzzy oscillator one octave above the sub (PWM square, or 2 detuned saws, or unison saws)
3) Another buzzy oscillator, another octave higher (as above)
4) Optional: subtle white noise (don't need this if you're using unison saws)
5) Optional: chorus (fast rate, medium depth, similar to vibrato which you can use as well/instead)
6) Optional: pitch sliding (can be portamento, pitch envelope, an LFO, or any combination thereof)
7) Dreadlocks (they help, honest)
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[@thehistoryofchingfordwater8933]

Pretty good! I'm die hard juno, as you mention the alpha juno can do things that no other jupiter, juno, or indeed any other analogue synthesiser can do due to pwm and env mod. It remains my best analogue synth of all time. However, you created a work around which is impressive. Most hoovers these days are using a sample which I produced for future music mag when I wrote the review. Can always tell when somebody is using that sample because I stuck it through a Roland boss se 50, which added slight multi effects. Interesting video. Thanks!

[@OwenTheGeek]

Awesome, I'd love to know more! Where can I find your sample? Was it published on floppy or CD? I've contributed to Future Music as well (around ~10 years ago).

[@reereelization]

Rad!!!

[@LouisCann]

this is genuinely one of the most straightforward and concise tutorials ever, whilst respecting the classic sound 😱

[@thatguyalex2835]

It is missing a classic big beat breakbeat. :)

[@defendrr_ru]

If only every tutorial for the synth was like this. It's incredible to have an explation as to why a certain knob is tweaked instead of "we set x to yy%..." the biggest of ups

[@michelangelo7047]

The way you explain the synth process is helpful. You explain the nature of the sound & the origin + you’re transparent about the variables and you don’t just suggest an arbitrary setting to copy.

[@TheDoubleGrin]

Excellent information and presentation, and thank you for providing a universal breakdown on the components of this patch so that it can be recreated outside of Serum.

[@SAHOYT71013]

Exactly my feelings. He did a great job.

[@OwenTheGeek]

Thanks! Best way to do tutorials, I reckon!

[@dnbhead1]

Brilliant! I am an aspiring techno producer who grew up mixing DNB, and I've wanted to emulate this old hoover that was featured on a lot of late 90s drum and bass

[@OwenTheGeek]

Spot on!

[@cartoonbadman]

Sound of my childhood right here :D

[@vnayini]

my guy made the best hoover and reese tutorials on the Internet and then dipped. :)

[@AngryBulldogg]

7) Dreadlocks (they help, honest) Ha nice finishing touch, the most crucial component! Great vid again man

[@knarly3013]

Im back in the 90's!!! Thanks for the good tutorial, just what i needed

[@KingzofSwing]

Roland always makes hits

[@DSilkSmooth]

Well done Owen, brilliant tutorial. Had loads of fun making this patch and modulating it. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge

[@OwenTheGeek]

Thanks again Dan

[@christianhaugaard5853]

Takes me back to the early 90´s

[@an1xpyramid639]

5:24 oh my god, the sampling and the effect bring this shit alive

[@fjufbjdhhfhgrjhh8621]

Thanks a lot! I was considering buying an alpha juno just because of this sound... But then I found this! Awesome, man! In the 90's besides the Gabber stuff there were a lot of jungle/breakcore records where you would hear on nearly every track a hoover combined with an Amen break, haha.. Greetings from Germany..

[@Brisbae]

one of the best sound design tutorials on youtube. great job!

[@OwenTheGeek]

Thank you so much, more on the way

[@olexpono]

Gotta have the locks to make a proper hoover! Timely and excellent, thanks!

[@apoplexiamusic]

BEST HOOVER TUTORIAL EVER!!!!!!!!! :D thank you!

[@glengoodwin]

It’s great to know the kids are getting back into the Hoover! Love this

[@snookofficial7211]

Thanks, I used to have an Alpha Juno, I didn't know you could make that sound with Serum, thanks for sharing.

[@jaket282]

Excellent tutorial. Some of it went way over my head but you're a seriously knowledgeable dude

[@OwenTheGeek]

Cool, stick with it. I've always had the attitude that if something goes over my head I'll just keep revisiting it until it's totally clear.

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

@@OwenTheGeek Words of wisdom 👍👍. The Hatt goes over the head the Trixx don't . Asborb at your own pace .

[@Grim-bx3ox]

Randomly watching vids while bored at work. You are well versed and well spoken, can't wait to watch more of your videos..

[@samsam2235]

Still helpful in 2022. Thanx, brother.

[@guynamederik]

Damn dude.... Simply blown away again!

[@tenebrissubterra4596]

D-d-d-d dominator. The Joey Beltram mix is mental.

[@eightcoins4401]

the two detuned sawtooths are basically a really basic supersaw, which is the PWM equivalant for sawtooth

[@OwenTheGeek]

I see what you mean. That's certainly a valid way to view it!

[@Sephirothxxxxxxxxxxx]

I just realized that you are the other half of Vibes and Hattrixx. I have a lotta respect for you man

[@TRTSMTT]

Me at 0:02 "that's the sound from Charlie by the Prodigy, lol!" 0:19 Confirmed!

[@HardKickinGroupGermany]

I recommend the free Plugin "Phutura" it's basically a simplified Alpha Juno

[@vitalhostage1719]

Absolute Gold this one

[@pyrofreak3402]

The typical hardcore Sound...:)

[@karimayoubi74]

Yay! I've wanted to know how to do this for ages! Thanks. You just earned a subscriber. :)

[@brnsndwch]

Top notch tutorial ; precise, quick, and actual good sound in the end !

[@OwenTheGeek]

Exactly how every tutorial should be, in my opinion!

[@dmomcilovic9185]

Most gabber tunes ever made mostly used this sample too

[@eArtrash]

Awesome sound, and very well presented. Gonna have to sub 👌

[@alsoondae5662]

Very quick and efficient way to understand and reproduce this synth. I'm discovering your channel and it's among the best ones giving me hope to master synths better. Thanks a lot !

[@OwenTheGeek]

Thank you. Not just synths, I hope. Synthesis is merely 1 puzzle piece. 🤓

[@OneEyedWheeler]

10 seconds in to the demonstration and: BANG! SUBSCRIBED!!

[@AvanaVana]

nailed it

[@agoogleuser4569]

Cool video. Ive been trying to figure out this patch/sound since 2015. Everyone kept telling me it was the Reese bass.

[@hdj808]

Outstanding tutorial sir!! Thank you

[@joshjackson9762]

Thank you so much for this tutorial, it's so helpful to see someone walk through sound design that in a quick an concise manner so that it can be done on any synth. I'll be sure to put this tutorial to good use, keep up the great work!

[@OwenTheGeek]

Thank you, I'm glad my style has gone down well

[@Drakanstein]

Thank you Owen. I heard this kick ass backing track by Dan Morrissey and I THINK this is the sound he uses for the intro. they defined it as " Heavy Synth Bass Drama..." This sounds so close - I think it mustve been a "Hoover" of some kind.. Thank you again

[@district5official253]

Bring back those hard house vibes

[@888berg]

My Man - this is epic!!!

[@PoorDog69]

This vst was used for a DDR song called MAX 300

[@conordever6340]

Best tutorials I've come across. You're getting a credit when my newest dnb number drops!

[@NoyaD9]

Great man! Was fun to recreate it on the Virus B

[@josephwood2098]

Amazing mate! This very sound is/was my first ever taste of rave music (The Prodigy). It scared the shit out of me and I loved it. Thank youuuu!!

[@BookooZenny]

I'm really happy I discovered this channel

[@GordonBraicks]

Exactly what I looked for in the time of need. 🙏🏻

[@SjN7HETIK]

Really awesome and well made demo my dear friend, thanx, really, THANX. U also mentioned two masterpieces, Mentasm and Charlie

this is wonderful! the most authentic implementation I've found on KZbin so far! subscribed immediately! thanks, Man!

[@gelatinous6915]

The way you explain everything is amazing- just subbed

[@Mike_Oxshlong]

finally a proper tutorial for Hoovers bless. Thanks for the great vid mate!

[@gaylordmswagger2523]

On the alpha you could also use saw waves as osc for pwm - not just square.

[@DMS198526]

Owen u bloody legend, thanks bro

[@readventurekids]

Ah, excellent! Love me a bit of hoover; Insomniak, 9 is a Classic, Mentasm, etc. It's just such a classic sound... Funny, I was listening to Bad Romance by Lady Gaga yesterday and it unexpectedly has a healthy dose of Hoover in it at the one minute mark.

[@OwenTheGeek]

Indeed :)

[@slackjaw2008]

Great tutorial, can flip this in so many ways. Subscribed

[@afSilverstierna]

Really nice tutorial with some fun facts in the beginning, thanks! However, the break down of this sound is not entirely correct. The main oscillator is a square with pulse width modulation. The second is a saw, 1 oct above main, with pulse width modulation (which gives the original it's unique sound). The third is a sub oscillator, 2 oct below main, which is a square with a little bit of pulse width (no modulation). Top it off with some noise and chorus. That's how it's done on the alpha at least. :)

[@cromatik2364]

Haven't enjoyed a tutorial this much in a long time, subbed!

[@chrisbaker7583]

melody at the end is hard as hell

[@OwenTheGeek]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it 🙌

[@hucky29]

I've got an Alpha Juno and your patch on Serum is on the money!

[@OwenTheGeek]

Maybe, but make sure you hang on to that keyboard !!! :D

[@hucky29]

@@OwenTheGeek I'll never sell!!

[@BigPigEnergy]

I miss mine so much. Favourite synth I ever owned

[@dafunkycanuck]

Nice! Going to try this in vital tonight. Such a great sound!

[@pandadotrar]

What a great tutorial ! Thanks for the in depth explanation !

[@OwenTheGeek]

Bless you, stick around...

[@Dayta]

the best video about this particular sound and how it is done ... what else is there to say :)

[@nathanielfisher343]

Great tutorial! And banging demo at the end 🔥

[@RayBrooks0]

BEst hoover tutorial out there. Thanks, Owen :)

[@NanoBl]

It's the same kind of sound but the alpha Juno only have rectangles waveforms for the sub and I don't remember if it used the square PWM but I am pretty sure it used that weird PWM saw that only alpha Junos had on the main oscillator.

[@OwenTheGeek]

You're right, I made a mistake! The Juno only has square subs, indeed. Also, yes, the PWM on the Juno is a little odd, but essentially non-critical to the creation of hoovery sounds. Thanks for your comment!

[@pablofriedemann5262]

thank you so much bro - this tutorial really helped me a lot

[@OwenTheGeek]

I'm happy to hear that, thank you

[@MrChamesy]

Dude this is exactly what I needed, wicked tutorial!

[@ebezz8818]

Excellent!

[@smsno1]

Totes going to go copy this later. Got a new reverb to drown it in too!

[@djeastiano]

Great tutorial and love this approach to recreate the sound! Makes it usable in so many genres, good work dude!

[@slippers621]

great as always Owen

[@tuf_i]

Incredible

[@Adamhamashiac]

sick tutorial bro thanks!

[@Delta9634-e2k]

I learn so much today, thank you brother

[@TheMetalsteve]

Good tutorial. Historical note, though: on the original Alpha Juno patch, it was done with PWM on a SAWTOOTH, which you can also reproduce with Serum.

[@OwenTheGeek]

Indeed, and I might be more concerned with those kinds of details if I was actually trying to faithfully recreate the original "What The..." preset. My aim was more to mimic the sampled/resampled "hoover" hits of later generations.

[@NIGH.NE.]

Amazing tutorial, so well explained and straight to the point. Thank you :)

[@isakjarlestedt2001]

OMG THANK YOU SO MUCH! AMAZING VIDEO! 🖤💚♥

[@OwenTheGeek]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@valhallaatmedawg6446]

So dope! Badman!

[@lathxlxath4560]

Came across your videos not long ago while doing some college work but definitely helped me out with sound design, don’t think I’ll be using samples/preset again lol

[@karimsousse5500]

Very Good !

[@seladore]

so good ! thanks for the vids

[@MrZuchiS]

Very good tutorial! Thanks!

[@youtubeii434]

Nothing like a good hoover to make people go nuts

[@OwenTheGeek]

Someone on Facebook commented that all traces of the hoover synth should be erased from the internet/history, or words to that effect. Whatever next? :D

[@MrDpBeatz]

instant sub! great tutorial

[@metarotta]

very straight forward and well explained tutorial, thank you for this 👍

[@adamsalman49]

Awesome

[@MagicTracksProduction]

Thank you!

[@OwenTheGeek]

You're welcome - stick around for more!

[@blaeke64]

Instantly subscribed. Thanks so much for the inspirational tutorial.

[@tbone4390]

So cool bro thank you

[@blamethesillynotthegoose8120]

amazing

[@bassyjay6281]

Willy... Get the hoover... We're been focked!

[@vector867]

very helpful, informative, and concise. thanks!

[@PaulOrtiz]

Great tutorial mate. Dig it!

[@yes_iplaycasual376]

Awesome thanks

[@uaca_uaca]

WOOOOO amazzing !

[@LogicControl]

Mind blown! 😲

[@tranceemerson8325]

f you want a good PWM on Serum, I like to mix a saw wave with an inverted saw wave, and modulate the phase of one of them.. take your pick.