How RUSH's Geddy Lee Created the Iconic Synth Sounds in "Subdivisions"

In this in-depth video, we're going to explore the uncharted territory of Geddy Lee's analog synthesizers on "Subdivisions".
We'll examine the gear used, the techniques employed, and the creative decisions that resulted in some of the most recognizable synth sounds in rock history. From the Oberheim OB-X to the Moog Minimoog, we'll take you through the sonic landscape of this classic RUSH song and reveal the hidden stories behind its creation.

[@NewWorldMenBand]

If you guys want to see those presets in action, you can watch our LIVE video of Subdivisions here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWimhnqMrrZkhqM

[@0TransAtlantic0]

Holy smoke, that was a fantastic cover!

[@NewWorldMenBand]

@@0TransAtlantic0 Thanks!!!

[@allwaizeright9705]

That's all well and good - but WHAT ARE THE SETTINGS to MAKE THE SOUND...

[@rick3747]

I really enjoyed your video. "Subdivisions" is my favorite Rush song. I am 58 year old Gen Xer Introvert. "Subdivisions" for me like many other people has been our soundtrack to life since 1982. I have always felt that Neil wrote this song at least in part to give us Neurodiverents our own theme song to say "you are fine just as you are." RIP Neil

[@NewWorldMenBand]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@LeonTodd]

Videos like this are what the internet was made for. Thankyou for this glorious video!

[@NewWorldMenBand]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@guskalogeros9021]

Totally agree Leon and coming from a legendary KZbinr like you, that’s a helluva an endorsement! This was a very cool video! As a guitar player for years, I’ve always loved those phat synth sounds. Signals is also one of my favourite Rush albums of all time.

[@LeonTodd]

@@guskalogeros9021 I feel you! Those huge synth sounds really opened my ears!

[@turdferguson7348]

My cousin gave me a SIGNALS record for Christmas in 1982 .. then took me to the concert 2 months later.. Best concert ever.. A lot of people say the record has too much keyboards on it but l still think it's one of their best albums . ❤❤❤

[@AFloodofSolaceJohnWhigham]

It is one of my favorites as well.

[@rick49]

I love that Rush adapted their style to incorporate more synth. They sound so great. I really enjoyed this explainer! Thanks for posting.

[@AFloodofSolaceJohnWhigham]

@ yes!!!

[@BlazingShackles]

You have the best brother!

[@SouthwestSky]

Power Windows had way more keyboards than Signals, but I never criticized them for it ever. It’s the Rush sound. One of the greatest bands of all time. I miss Neil. 😢

[@briancarpenter7179]

When you play those notes I can totally hear Neil's drum fills and Alex's guitar layered over it in my head. Very well done, RUSH brother!

[@NewWorldMenBand]

Yup! That's what RUSH is all about friend! Cheers!

[@SilentKnight43]

Anyone familiar with the song would find it impossible not to hear Peart's drum track along with this. It auto-filled in my head the whole time. An iconic piece of 80s soundtrack.

[@SilentKnightProductions]

Thank you for this. "Subdivisions" launched my music career 40 years ago when a couple of guys in high school Jazz Band stayed late to jam on bass and drums. They needed someone on synth so they could play Subdivisions and I could figure out chords. An Arp Omni2 and an Odyssey did the entire job then. We formed a prog cover band, rehearsed every night after school, couldn't keep a guitar player, and the band evaporated without ever playing a gig. But now, the "Pep" band setup a full drum kit, bass, guitar, and synth for basketball games, playing popular stuff from Van Halen, Ozzy, and more. I ended up playing synth, organ or even piano for lots of bands, churches, special events. I went to school for electronic engineering so I could build synths and recording gear (Moog, Oberheim and Neve were my heroes) and eventually ended up a music producer. Ah, the memories.

[@sconnyjoe5262]

I saw Rush 3 times in the 80's. I've never forget the standing in front of the gigantic pile of speakers on the side of the stage experiencing the intro to Subdivisions. As close to being in a Maxwell Tape commercial as I ever got. Just Awesome...

[@TJKoch91]

You nailed these, wow. There are so many demos and pre-made patches on polysynths that are supposed to be the Subdivisions sound but they never really sound that close. This is the real deal here.

[@AtomizedSound]

True depending upon the quality of the synth used and library. Some higher end though does well in replicating it. Kronos is one that comes to mind

[@johnearle7776]

Be cool, or be cast out. This song was an anthem which turned into a prophecy. Geddy is a genius. Excellent breakdown of how the song is a smooth sound made up of so many moving parts. Best Canadian band by a country mile.

[@johndymond6588]

That was so cool! Just imagine Geddy figuring all that out in the '80s, and so amazing you can replicate it. It sounded spot on to me. Well done!

[@NewWorldMenBand]

Yes indeed, that was advanced stuff in the 80's! :)

[@curmudgeonextraordinaire1884]

That’s because he was a real musician, like many from his era.

[@seaningram3285]

Hello from Virginia, in the USA. I am 53 and this takes me back to High School in the mid 1980s. I enjoyed this video and how each sound was used in "Subdivisions".

[@glentreb]

Thank you for providing resolution to 30+ years of synthetic mental speculations over arguably the most inspiring keyboard riff of all progressive rock!

[@NewWorldMenBand]

Hey! With great pleasure friend. I can't tell I'm 100% sure of all of this but I'm close enough let's say! :)

[@davidherber4233]

Awesome, awesome, awesome. Favorite Rush song. You nailed it perfectly. Made my day! 🎵🎶🤙

[@rytchbytchrockingclub3867]

VERY cool! It's crazy how these familiar sounds create the "at home" and nostalgia emotions. One always loves the childhood's and youth's sounds best. Nature rocks!

[@DavGreg]

Very nice. Much appreciated. Am old enough and fortunate enough to have seen Rush live a couple of times.

[@aynz1814]

Great video! I’ve been trying to break down this song since I was 10 years old when I learned it on my cheap Kawaii keyboard in the 90s lol. The synth sounds are just so deep and lush. So uniquely beautiful and timeless. I wish the old Oberheims weren’t so insanely priced. Signals is still one of my favorite Rush albums❤

[@Keith_from_LBC]

This is remarkable. Goosebumps the entire video. Excellent reproduction of those beautiful synths in Subdivisions. My first big arena-style concert was Rush & Golden Earring at the Forum in LA in early 1983 on the Signals Tour. Been to hundreds of concerts since, but nothing ever topped it. They played everything off Signals except Losing It. What a night. Thank you for this wonderful video! ✌️

[@devinhedge]

Signals was my first concert. Skipped out on band event to go see them. It forever changed my life. This video was suggested by the algorithms because I was on the Oberheim website yesterday and noticed they have brought back the OB-X8 both as a keyboard and a desktop standalone module… which I will be getting. Thanks for the wonderful video! All the best! RUSH Forever!

[@jsullivan2112]

1:32 Holy shit! There it is. Man, when that choir voice first comes in on the intro it always gives me chills. Favourite song of all time by any band. You absolutely nailed the sounds. Unbelievable.

[@venomlords]

1st song I think of when anybody asks what my favorite song is.

[@papajon62]

A great dissection on a Rush song 🎶 that will echo into eternity

[@mournblade1066]

I can't be the only one who started drumming on his desk while watching the demo portion!

[@jah9253]

New World Men are incredible at recreating Rush music and all of the details. You are so in tune to Rush music. And a drummer who sings, unreal. Love it!

[@hathcotetv1]

the bass synth shaking the desk-mounted tripod cam is freaking awesome, that is EXACTLY what should be happening in the general vicinity when that song kicks in

[@dougtravins9624]

So lush! Back in '81, our keyboard player had a Oberheim 2-voice for bass lines and a 4-voice for everything else. So FAT & LUSH!! Thanks for the memories!!!

[@locutiss100]

So much complexity in a short, but great intro. Absolutely amazing those elements. I could also fill in the Neil drum parts in my mind 😊

[@davidmurphy9586]

Rush in December. It's gonna be a great Christmas. More please. Excellent video. Thanks for doing.

[@ericweiss2913]

I was in high school when this came out and it is part of the soundtrack of my youth. Now I MUST hear the entire song or I cannot continue my day...

[@ralphnewcomejr]

Thanks for showing more of the subtle nuances, of which there are many, in the Greatest song Rush ever made...🤘☢️🤘

[@user-ym4fn5rl7c]

This was one of my top favorite Rush albums and songs when I was young way back when. Saw this tour with my late buddy Gabriel and his girlfriend Chris 1983 in Los Angeles. Overall a great concert performance from start to end. Those days will never return and glad to have experienced the world during that time period. Loved living L.A. because bands would play multiple nights and Rush played 5 nights at two venues during this tour.

[@EscutCavaller007]

Damn, this is good! Loved my Roland JX-8P since 1986.

[@andycanona]

What a pleasure to listen to you! Loved the content too!

[@jorgethedrummer2112]

I added the drums in listening to the end lol awesome 😎 thanks always interesting to hear and see how they did it.oh and great job on tour you guys are freaking awesome

[@hemibass]

This was great Marc. Sounds are awesome. I love that 'choiry' sound and the sections it's played in. One of the main reasons the album version is my favourite version for this track!

[@NewWorldMenBand]

Glad you enjoyed it! :D Thanks for the comment!

[@christophersuleske1905]

Love this song. Great explanation!

[@TheRimeOfTheAncientMariner]

Holy cow those sounds are dead on!

[@NewWorldMenBand]

Thanks!

[@TJeffersonForPresident2024]

My favorite Rush song, love the music but the words fit my life circumstances and still speak to me.

[@BretHolmes]

I smashed the like button and I leave this comment… wow, thanks for your really cool insights to Subdivisions synths!

[@CTTH100]

Awesome!! I'd love to see more breakdown/analysis videos. I've always been interested in the different sound effects in Prime Mover.

[@billcarroll5342]

Just killer. This was the song that hooked me on Rush 42 years ago. Your band kicks ass by the way. 😊

[@stevenschembri1288]

RUSH = The greatest and most talented rock band in history. Subdivisions = The greatest rock song of all time (for a multitude of reasons). Excellent video!

[@kingtrance307]

You would enjoy Steve Wilson’s band - Porcupine Tree.

[@josephwright5921]

Excellent breakdown! Now do Subdivisions!

[@NewWorldMenBand]

You mean play the whole thing? kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWimhnqMrrZkhqM

[@vadermike7772]

Fabulous video, very well done my friend! And what an amazing song and an amazing sound.

[@paulluongo2756]

Incredible breakdown of all the sounds that went into that ... That's one of my favorite RUSH songs... I was 12 when that came out... Helped me get through some very tough times... Good job...

[@in2livinit]

VERY Cool. Like 1982 was yesterday. Thanks for this !!!

[@MPHHarzy]

Mark explained well nice production

[@metalmadman3457]

Very cool, to see all of that broken down, piece by piece. All of us Rush fans, love and appreciate Alex, Geddy, and Neil for their music, but when you see their music broken down and explained like that, it raises the appreciation and amazement for what they created, to a whole other level. Thank you for doing that.

[@NewWorldMenBand]

Thanks for kind words!

[@0TransAtlantic0]

This video is awesome! The creative brilliance of all three of them is too often overlooked and underrated. Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@parsecpres]

wow...wow..wow....thx for the intricate explanations and for perfectly dissecting the Rush sound (and then the demo). ...my Man. thx bro.

[@drumPhil42]

Love it! I was playing those drums parts in my mind that I spent so much time learning when I was 16. Never heard such a good recreation of the synth sounds.

[@altinkosova4120]

To tell you something, I have listened to this song this entire year (2024), you know. I'm from Albania, and listening to synth music is very, very inspiring and influencing. For all of you to know: This song came 4 years before "The Final Countdown" by Europe, and this song should be considered more iconic than "The Final Countdown", I mean it. As for the synth sounds played in this video, I muchly loved the main pad, because it has a very cool sound you can be obsessed with. That's why I love synthesizers, but don't have one. I have a lot of dreams, you know, and I wanna make them come true, only if you pray in God's name. Thanks for your job, keep going only with synths 🤟🏻 Much love from Albania 🇦🇱

[@MartyDeAngeloSEstudios]

This is great that you are doing this!! I learned so much, thank you buddy!

[@NewWorldMenBand]

Glad you liked it! Cheers to you!

[@criddyla696]

Superb 👌.. one of my favourites of all time, well done sir

[@curt300s]

wildly GREAT. Thank you for sharing.

[@NewWorldMenBand]

Glad you liked it!

[@akdm82]

This is awesome! I love it! I have been working on learning this song and haven’t been happy with the sounds. You just saved me so much time! Thank you!

[@crustafari]

Nice breakdown!

[@brentcollins9727]

Oh my gosh!! I was grinning from ear to ear! That sounds amazing

[@stileshowland8924]

Marc, thank you for this video. I came pretty close to having it correct and this video sure does help. By the way, I originally learned the keyboard part from your performance videos by watching where you were fingering the keys. Thank you so much !!!!

[@NewWorldMenBand]

Thanks to you! Glad it helped you!

[@LetThereBeSound1]

Brilliant work!

[@NewWorldMenBand]

Glad you liked it!

[@robertvogel7563]

Hearing these keys being played gives me the chills. I can’t wait to get my first synthesizer! 😊

[@richb4099]

That is one of my absolute favorite songs ever. The album was/is great. I love the electronic sounds of that era. 👍

[@FileTransferProtocol]

Nice job, sir. You NAILED the sounds. 👍

[@NewWorldMenBand]

Thanks!

[@jamesdean3548]

That inspires me to try on my Arturia collection! Merci!

[@robjohnson5872]

Damn ! Racing to the Dallas version right now. Neil said it was the toughest song to play - maybe part of the reason it's my fave. Congrats to you for your part in this Classic.

[@row8017]

A sheer masterpiece. We are so lucky to have them sooth our ears and senses

[@glenishii2022]

That’s a great Rush song! Didn’t know it was so complex!

[@sydneybird116]

Magic! Thanks! I want some of that power under my fingers.

[@lorenharris2965]

Nice work sir.

[@gordonwalser7184]

Very nice playing and sound selection

[@TheRicardoSanchez]

Thank you. One of the most beautiful pieces of music ever conceived

[@paulgarcia1566]

this was a great break down and demo. Spot on!

[@ruvela]

Wow, that was very entertaining and challenging. I loved it... You do what is best and take your time on them. lots to choose from their catalog, and each song has its own unique synthwave sound. Can't wait for them.

[@NewWorldMenBand]

Hey thanks! Yes, so many songs to do, more to come for sure!

[@seanmccarthy7954]

Just discovered your videos. You guys are amazing. Would love to see you live. Thanks for this tutorial to the synth sounds. Inspiring me to do more.

[@NewWorldMenBand]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@gsmeeuwsen]

One of my favorite songs ever recorded!

[@ronj8000]

Great explanation! Very technical!

[@jayburd1875]

Hi. My name is j. Im synthaddicted. The v collection was my gateway drug. Then behringer showed up via my dealer, Sweetwater. Now I found your channel. Thanks for the enablement.

[@david-galindo-936]

OMG I loved this! Excellent dissection and breakdown of the sounds on this iconic Rush song! Keep 'em coming!

[@NewWorldMenBand]

Thanks!!

[@RichardT2112]

I caught myself doing the drum part and didn’t realize it! 😂 Now it would be great if you could do the whole thing so we can play along at home. Great job and thanks!

[@antonychliaropoulos5581]

This is great Marc. Thanks!

[@RoarOfWolverine]

Hi Marc. I’m a guitar player and was in some Rush tribute bands back in the 80s and 90s, so I’m always looking for Rush tribute bands and I have to say, New World Men have to be the best heard. Yes, that includes any tribute bands I was ever in. Mat’s vocals are the closest to Geddy I’ve heard and the fact that he sings while playing Peart just makes you guys that much more amazing. I really appreciate the time you put into the sound design and your attention to detail is off the charts. The guitar patches are excellent and sound so much like Alex and I know that you do a lot of the patch work for Franc’s guitar sound along with your bass sound that has the same bite as Geddy. Of course, I know that a lot of Geddy’s tone came from how hard he attacked those strings. You have a similar dynamic to Lee. You match Geddy synths so close that Geddy himself would be jealous. Lotus Land is a close second to you guys. Have you ever seen the guy that reproduced the entire Permanent Waves album, playing every instrument, singing and doing all of the sound design? He match the production of each song so close to the original that it’s spooky. His name is Tyler Warren and you’ve probably heard of him because that video is epic and legendary. I think that your sound mixes on your studio produced videos are also excellent. Force Ten is probably one of my favorite covers by New World Men. Keep up the good work. If I ever get near Montreal, I would definitely come to one of your shows. If more people knew about New World Men and just how close your sound is to the original, you could probably sell out large venues, especially now that the Professor is gone and Alex and Geddy retired. There has to be many people wanting another Rush on tour. The first tour I saw them was Permanent Waves in 1980 and I never missed them on any tour afterwards. I think I saw them 32 times and it was always just magic.

[@NewWorldMenBand]

Hi there, thanks for the kind words! We are passionate about what we do and we're happy that you noticed it!

[@RoarOfWolverine]

@ yes, the work you guys put in is very noticeable, especially to other musicians. I understand the amount of hours you guys put into getting the Rush sound right. The individual musicianship is insane, but then putting it all together cohesively as a band is next level. Your attention to detail doesn’t go unnoticed by any Rush fans. Best of all is that you always look like you’re having fun.

[@mdu2112]

@@RoarOfWolverine These Men are well worth the detour. The pre-show buzz amongst Rush fans is great. Everybody exchanging a coy smile... We know why we gathered. I attend as many of their shows as I can. I'm at 6 or 7 in 3 years. And their fairly-priced merch is nicer than what Geddy pushed on us on his book tour. Guess what I'm wearing now! 😂 Matt is a very good singer but his natural tone is not Geddy's. Check out the voice EQ process in a video New World Men put out.

[@WINSTANLEYOBXa]

Thanks for doing this .

[@WhaleBluePRS]

"Signals" was the first brand-new album of Rush when I got into them after "Moving Pictures/Exit...Stage Left" were already out. The whole album remains one of my favorites of any band. I still get such an emotional rush (honest, that was not meant to be a pun or anything. I just couldn't think of a better word!) every time I hear "Subdivisions". I got that exact feeling listening to you running though the sounds. Very nicely done! Someone will be listening to "Signals" again very soon. And on vinyl methinks...

[@phill.2924]

Yes, I became a fan during Moving Pictures and I bought Exit...Stage Left on cassette, but when I held the new Signals LP in my hand, I could have been holding the holy grail!! Any time I listen to any track from that album it brings me back to when my heroes released this ground-breaking gem.

[@AndyM.]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! This is 'example #1' why I LOOOOOOOOVE DA TUBE!!!! As GI Joe said in the 80s, "KNOWING IS HALF THE BATTLE"......

[@nightrangerrules938]

Gosh I miss Rush! Thanks!

[@joshcarter-com]

Magnificent video! You’ve got this nailed except your main pad needs a little more attack. The pad coming in at 6s (album version) hits quicker. [edit: watched your live cover and now I'm not so sure--maybe I was hearing some guitar as synth attack.] Everything else is perfect! I’m a huge nerd, huge Rush fan, also did some sound design, so you’re an instant subscribe from me! Story: my first Rush concert was the Presto tour and they opened with Subdivisions. It absolutely blew my mind. I was 14 at the time, the entire show was the most incredible thing I’d ever seen, and the Presto album was essentially written to the angsty teenager. I’ve been a life-long fan ever since.

[@Rookblunder]

This was nice to watch and hear. Thanks

[@petenash1560]

thank you for sharing.

[@wavefuse]

Loved this!

[@musicmamma]

Outstanding!! You nailed it!!❤❤

[@SergZak2023]

Well done Marc! More content like this please. Very interesting stuff...well delivered and highly entertaining! 👍

[@NewWorldMenBand]

Thanks!!! We'll do more in the future!

[@sparkomatic100]

Awesome! Love it!

[@gulimar27]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Cheers from Toronto.

[@rgx420s]

Thanks for the explanation. I don't play keyboard but ""Subdivisions" is my favorite Rush song!

[@NewWorldMenBand]

Glad I could help, that synth sound is certainly iconic. It's one of my favorites from that era too!

[@janschrder]

Splendid - spot on! Thanks for sharing 🙂

[@NewWorldMenBand]

Thanks!

[@adamdurbin6895]

Very cool to here it separated from the rest of the track. Subscribed 👍🏻

[@yac1977]

Merci beaucoup pour ces infos et merci de l'avoir jouée la semaine dernière à repentigny !

[@NewWorldMenBand]

Merci d'être venu nous voir à Repentigny!

[@paulcarlsen4088]

Such Killer Sound!

[@MikeSparksMusic]

Those sound beautiful!

[@michaelyolch79]

Crap! Now I gotta CRANK Subdivisions! Awesome video! :)

[@johnvcougar]

Cool sounds!

[@1985thorax]

great video!!!!!