How to Synthwave like TimeCop1983 (synthwave tutorial)

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In this video I will show you how to create music taking inspiration from TimeCop1983. We’ll cover composition, arrangement, sound design and some mixing.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:27 General Aspects
01:08 Drums
05:38 Bass
06:55 Arp
09:27 Main Lead
11:41 Secondary Lead
13:51 Main Stack
16:11 Arrangement
24:13 Playthrough

[@Timecop1983]

Wow, i'm honored you made this!

[@SynthwaveDojo]

The honor is all mine. You're an inspiration to all of us! 🤩

[@TheTerracide]

Maybe you can tell us if it's correct!

[@librasky]

Love your work 💖 !!!!

[@UFO_1982]

I love you guys ❤💜❤🎚🎹🎚

[@Ghost-27X]

Time Cop '83🔥🔥🔥

[@dagtastik]

Excellent dissection of TC's techniques. Filtering and the drum cuts on Bars 3-4 are signature Timecop moves. Great job explaining.

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Hope you enjoy this tutorial. Looking forward to your questions!

[@guyboatman6133]

Where has your channel been hiding all my life? Such a well done tutorial that is also so widely applicable. Thank you for your hard work in putting this together. Well earned sub here.

[@SynthwaveDojo]

thank you very much for your kind words. It motivates me to know that these videos are helping you. If you want to build and develop your synthwave skills, join the discord community (link in the description). See you there!

[@itsmesiavash]

I have never seen anyone explain with such precision and detail, thank you very much

[@SynthwaveDojo]

I’m glad to be of service. Thanks for your kind words ☺️

[@gbo-gr-cy]

Synthwave Dojo always delivers. Again, a great video.

[@SynthwaveDojo]

glad to be helpful. Thanks for watching!

[@dariogrijalba]

Thanks so so much for sharing your knowledge with us!

[@SynthwaveDojo]

My pleasure. My goal is for you to make the synthwave that's in your heart!

[@Prizm1985]

REALLY enjoyed this video! I've just started making synthwave in the last three months using Reaper. I like how a lot of the basic fundamentals for synthwave/retrowave/vaporwave can still be applied to any DAW of choice, because I was starting to get a bit irritated and disillusioned that so many of these videos are Ableton only, for example. After a lot of experimenting I've been able to find very similar VSTs that work with Reaper to get the right sounds I need, so thank you for making your videos so broad and accessible :)

[@SynthwaveDojo]

You’re welcome! Some great free vsts are GR8, PG8X, OBXD and Synth1

[@NumptyButtkick]

Great stuff Brother!! Loving the track youve made and really enjoyed you doing a start to finish in a particular artist style like Timecop!! Lovin the 80s reverb plug in by the way 😂👍

[@SynthwaveDojo]

thanks for watching mate! There has never been a more aptly named plugin, right? That plugin is awesome. It is very often discounted at $30 and it's no brainer deal at that rock bottom price

[@HeadSynth]

Really great video mate ! Lots of good stuff in there. I specifically liked to see your workflow. Helps me validate a lot of my decision making. Thanks for taking the time !

[@SynthwaveDojo]

I'm glad to be of help. Thank you so much for watching!

[@SyntheticViews]

Great video! I especially loved seeing the automation in action - something I plan on implementing a lot more in my music. Keep up the great work! You've helped to inspire my next song :)

[@SynthwaveDojo]

I’m glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@pc9611]

Great job on this tutorial. Very informative, extremely useful variety of applicable information and presented in a clear manner with ideal pacing. Keep up the great work!

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Glad it was helpful!

[@diogolourenco7165]

Great breakdown and with clear explanation... Really like your teaching. 5* 😊

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Thanks for the feedback and the kind words!

[@alexandreboisseau4967]

Great video, enjoyed the explanations. thanks a lot!

[@SynthwaveDojo]

You are welcome!

[@MyJeer]

Great video, one of the better ones I have seen. You really lay it all out and don't sound like youre in a rush to get it over with.

[@SynthwaveDojo]

I appreciate that!

[@patrickm.4469]

I'm so excited I found your channel! I'm using Studio One as well so that's even better!

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Welcome aboard!! Studio One users of the world unite! 😉💪🏻. I'm glad to be of assistance. Thanks for watching!

[@oocast]

Thanks dude, great tutorial, thanks to show chords, notes, effects and the whole project, thanks again

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Glad you liked it! In the future I'll be doing more of this kind of tutorial covering other legendary producers so keep your eyes and ears peeled. Thanks for watching!

[@antonioardito8126]

Thank you very much, this is my first sw tutorial and it's exactly what I've been looking for!!!

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Always a pleasure, my friend!

[@Collectively_Adrift]

great video man keep it up!

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Thanks, will do!

[@oydiegoyeah]

Thank you for sharing your time and talent, its gold. Suscribed to your channel ✨

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Thank you for watching and for subbing!

[@wolfsdenmusic9404]

Fantastic tutorial. I have a little more free time to get back to work on music now, so this is great timing. Thanks for this!

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Great to hear!

[@nostalgeejays]

Awesome tutorial and tribute to the artist Timecop1983. This video provided some really good tips and tricks along with a load of inspiration. I was about to do another space synth track, but perhaps I need to change genre ;)

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Glad it was helpful! If you make a track inspired by this video, share it here! Thanks for your support!

[@Maris_Hvidt]

Thank you very much for sharing.

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@PabloDeModeOfficial]

Great tutorial!

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@SolessioM]

Excelent Channel!!

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Thank you very much!

[@matthammond1737]

Oh man, you've really scratched an itch. I've been looking for that sound for my tune and have been chasing my tail with drum loops that just don't quite sound right. I was 10 in 1983. I heard some synthwave the other day. I didn't even know it was called that but I thought, yeah that's the snare I want big and fat with a super long tail. Anyway, this is right up my alley for the track I am doing and is the most inspiring thing I have seen in a long time. The automation is especiallly interesting in how to keep it sounding interesting. Absolute gold. That snare sounds just great. Thanks, and thanks for the samples. I'll be up all night experimenting with my DAW now.

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Thank you very much for your kind words, Matt. That's precisely why I do what I do, to help and inspire others to make the music that's in their heart. Keep synthwaving and thanks for your support!

[@matthammond1737]

@@SynthwaveDojo When you use that kickstart plugin, is the drumbeat activating compression of the synth? Is there sidechaining going on?

[@SynthwaveDojo]

@@matthammond1737 The plugin itself creates the sidechain compression effect based on tempo subdivisions, so you don't need a kick feeding a sidechain. That's the beauty of using this kind of plugin. Technically, it changes the amplitude of the sound based on the shape of the wave form you select. It's more flexible than compression and with none of the artifacts.

[@matthammond1737]

@@SynthwaveDojo I see thanks for that. I would get a similar effect if I directed the kick to duck the synth in a standard sidechain though right?

[@AlonsoCarballoChannel]

@@matthammond1737 yes correct!

[@schvartzniger]

U are very hard, thank you for that vibes❤

[@SynthwaveDojo]

You’re welcome 😊

[@Bbbbbbbbbbbbb989]

Wish the algorithm would promote this channel more!

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Here’s to hoping that too 🤓😂. Thanks for watching!

[@michaelknight141]

very nice laid out. I also like the retro colors of the tracks :) what daw are you using? instant subscribe btw 👍🏻

[@SynthwaveDojo]

I’m happy you noticed the color of the tracks ☺️. It’s Presonus Studio One. Thanks for your support!

[@goldblatalex7516]

thank you very much Alonso for making the reverse engineering timecop83 sound. you are doing amazing work! love your channel very much!

[@SynthwaveDojo]

My pleasure Alex! Thanks for your continued support. I appreciate you very much!

[@BoomgateProductions]

Absolutely eye opening! Thank you so much for this upload Sir! A question if I may, I can't seem to figure out how to get those automation tracks going separately. All my automation always shows in the track the midi or audio is on (I use Logic Pro X) which is kind of confusing. Anyway, thx again! 😊

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Hey, great question! I know FL Studio can show the automation tracks separately, as does my DAW Studio One. Possibly Logic doesn't have that feature and only shows them in the track itself? Did you check the manual?

[@BoomgateProductions]

@SynthwaveDojo well I think I found it, I think it works by creating an automation aux channel if I understood correctly. I'll make it work, a fun challenge. Really, it's very encouraging to see this video, it opens up new approaches and a fresh breath in my future compositions im sure. I guess I just love this whole learning and discovering process much 😊👍

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Great you found a possible solution. I love learning too. Welcome to Synthwave Dojo!

[@vhstokyo_jp]

Great!

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Glad you found it helpful. Thanks for watching!

[@MarioRiveraIII]

Thanks for the rad tutorial!!! I've been struggling to find the pure synthwave sound (especially Timecop1983's style). My stuff has some hip hop influences. I call it "Synthhop" 😊

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Glad I could help!

[@AmbiguousMotion]

As an 80's music fan I think synthwave in general is a nice try, but still not quite there yet where all the past greatness was. I've been listening to a lot of synthwave compilations on yt and yes, they are ok, but you know, they don't give you those goosebumps the original 80s music did. I mean compare this to the sound of 80's Modern Talking, C.C.Catch, Mike Mareen, Fancy, K.B. Caps, Radiorama, Jessica, Silent Circle and so on... In the 80's, there was overdub over overdub of everything, stacked kicks, stacked/gated snares and toms, multilayer leads, pianos and synths. No sidechain whatsoever anywhere and practically no to very little automation, just pure EQ work. And on top of that - stunning melodies. Nowadays synthwave feels just like illustrative music. Imho, this projects sounds fine, but it still needs a lot of love.

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Not all Synthwave is after an authentic 80’s sound. Timecop1983’s music isn’t going for an overt 80’s style. But I understand where you’re coming from and also feel that back then music was made with a lot of intention and care and with less technology than today. Thanks for watching!

[@nofijams7697]

Solid! A good video for a synthwave nub like me. I'm new to this genre, and beat making. Wondering. Can you do (or do you have) a video on voice-stacking for newbies like myself? Such as: What are synthwave components (i.e. Drums, Bass, Arp, Rhythm, Melodies, etc) and their roles in synthwave; Categories of instruments (i.e Arps, Bass, Bells, Brass, Choirs, Guitars, Keys, Leads, Orchestral, Pads, Plucks, Strings, Synths and Others), the component they're best suited for, and where to generally place them on the piano roll. Cheers.

[@SynthwaveDojo]

I have videos to answer all of those questions, however it's too long to post here. Come on over to our discord community (link in the description of this video), shout me out in the lounge and I'll point you in the right direction and take care of you. Thanks for watching!

[@StefanJohansson-nc4qs]

Awesome video! Love the inspiration you´ve given!! Is it possible to get a link that works for the samples you use?

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Here you go drive.google.com/file/d/15Wc9WwzYX-ILRQ_leDTt5UwO-KQHX670/view?usp=drive_link

[@steffejohansson]

Thank you so much! 🙏

[@_mickmccarthy]

Awesome breakdown, really enjoyed hearing your process of adjusting the parameters throughout the track to add movement. Really need to review Timecop's own course as I'm sure the first time I watched it so much of it just went over my head!

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Same goes for me. The devil’s in the details. Thanks for watching!

[@nanangsoloist6398]

Synthwave Dojo is the best Dojo in the world!

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Thank you so much for your kind words and support!

[@stevemartinez2610]

Great tutorial! Quick on the Kickstart2 plug-in. What are the benefits of using that vs sidechaining to the ARP to the kick?

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Technically it’s the same thing. However, using Kickstart or LFO Tool gives you more flexibility. You don’t have to set up a compressor and the touring the side chain and all of that. Also, you can give the side chain a different contour than when using a kick. Also, Kickstart allows you to duck only the bass frequencies ID you want as opposed to the entire signal. Thanks for watching!

[@stevemartinez2610]

@@SynthwaveDojo appreciate the response. That makes a lot of sense and seems like a cool plugin.

[@dannybrazen]

Sounds great brother. How do you stop sequences sounding boring when playing extended jams? I don’t play “songs” - like 3 or 4 minute pop pieces, rather I like to hit play on the daw and let the music evolve. However, this can become dull and repetitive without enough input. Any tips or tricks to keep things spicy? I like to use multiple drum, bass, arp and lead sounds throughout; filter modulation with various LFOs at modulating speeds, evolving arp patterns, individual track and whole-mix lofi/degrading fx (I use retronaut primarily) etc etc etc. do you have anything to add any new dimensions?

[@SynthwaveDojo]

great question! Unfortunately I haven't done any jams before, only 3-5 minute tracks. However, here are a couple of things that come to mind. Create 2-3 main stacks consisting of drums, bass, arp, lead and possibly chords or a pad. Then you can build up and break down each main stack in your jam. Also create "attention reboot" elements like drum fills, drum hits with reverb, a melodic line here and there that's like an accent, filter sweeps, noise sweeps etc so you can sprinkle those in when you need to reboot the attention, let's say every 8 or 16 bars. Building up and breaking down 2 to 3 main stacks if you focus on adding or removing something every 8 bars, will get you going for a long time. Also, listen to the music of College. To my ears, it sounds like he's mostly jamming and not arranging tracks in proper sections like others do. Sometimes he kills a track after 1.5 minutes and sometimes he goes on for over 5 minutes. Hope this helps!

[@dannybrazen]

@@SynthwaveDojo good answer. Thanks for the input!

[@dannybrazen]

@@SynthwaveDojo I’ve been playing a lot with the automation functions in Ableton tonight. I can set it to change something (arp pattern or sound, bass line, snare sound, global fx etc) every 8 or 16 bars at random. Endless evolving synthwave! Give it a try my brother!

[@SynthwaveDojo]

@@dannybrazen Awesome!

[@thestonedrummer6147]

Class video as usual 👍where do you get your drum samples from ? Just wondering

[@SynthwaveDojo]

thanks for watching! All the samples I used are included in the 80s Drum Machines sample pack, completely free, here: www.synthwavedojo.com/downloads

[@aceamadeus]

Hi Synthwave sensei, awesome videos! Could you please tell me what patch you used for the snare? Is it available in the 80s sample pack collection? Thanks!

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Hey. Yes it is. It’s one of the Toms in the Simmons folder. I’ll tell you later which one it is once I fire up my DAW

[@SynthwaveDojo]

It's "Tom A SD_80s_SDSV.wav" in the Toms folder, Simmons SDSV pack

[@aceamadeus]

@@SynthwaveDojo thanks man! your tutorials are awesome! really appreciate your time🎹🎹🎹🎛📡📼💾🔊

[@SynthwaveDojo]

@@aceamadeus glad to help out. Thanks for your support!

[@aceamadeus]

@@SynthwaveDojo thank you for awesome tutorials!!! 🎙💾📡🎛

[@DreamSimulated]

I thought the snare sounded terrible then you explained it wasn't a snare at all....i was like oh. What a bad idea lmao

[@SynthwaveDojo]

🦄

[@jl_dot_exe8831]

Awesome tutorial, but the website instantly requires user credentials, without any chance to register. is there a way to download the drum smples anyway?

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Sure. Get them here docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZbR25Xq5Em7UAw1C9YXckwSdc1IWwZxF6OzM5iudZIU/edit?usp=sharing

[@timurpman8445]

Im super new to all of this but eager to learn. What program is this in?

[@SynthwaveDojo]

The DAW I use is Presonus Studio One but you can make Synthwave in pretty much any DAW, it doesn’t matter really

[@ALT-HEX]

Super noob question, but what software are you using?

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Presonus Studio One

[@ALT-HEX]

@@SynthwaveDojo Thank you! And great video, you are the goat.

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Thanks so much for your support!

[@hytopmusic]

Great video!! Do u use fl studio too?

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Thanks! No, I only use Presonus Studio One currently. However all the techniques I show can be done on any DAW...

[@alyctro8158]

what's that daw?

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Presonus Studio One version 6

[@deadcity9993]

Try mitch murder night train, kids kyle dixon kapka remix, miami nights 1984 early summer have loads will make playlist’s soon

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Thanks for the suggestions!

[@80sDUDE]

Thanks dude. Daw name please?

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Presonus Studio One Pro. Glad you liked it!

[@80sDUDE]

Thanks!

[@Knucklesmd]

It’s a great track, but you really need to be playing the track as you’re explaining the moves so we can hear what you’re talking about rather than have to imagine it until the end.

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Thanks for your comment!

[@floyd1411]

Which Daw is this?

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Presonus Studio One

[@garrettrook3196]

Not to be a stickler, but wouldn't this piece technically be in G Major, played in e relative minor? instead of a progression of I, iii; wouldn't it be more natural for it to be a IV, vi progression? You could also have the option to resolve on G, which would be the natural major of the scale. Love your videos, man! I totally dig your content!

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Great point my friend. Because I never play the note F anywhere, one could wonder whether it's in G or C. When I play the chords C > Em, my ear pulls me towards using natural F. But, when playing the lead melody, F# sounds better within that context because now that I reviewed it, I used the G major pentatonic mostly. So at the end of the day, I believe you are right, this does sound more like G major doing IV>vi and not C major doing I>iii. Thanks for your comment! 😉

[@GT_israel]

the snare is not it

[@SynthwaveDojo]

😉

[@synthdude7664]

Nice! do you have an IG?

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Yeah! instagram.com/synthwavedojo/

[@synthdude7664]

@@SynthwaveDojo cool, Just added you ( synth wolf1

[@DEADLINETV]

So cool! I sent it on to Jordy (Timecop1983) and he liked it!

[@SynthwaveDojo]

Wow thanks I guess 😅. Now I feel a little blushed. Thanks so much for your support my friend