Let's create SynthWave like we're back in the imaginary 80s

Free 30 days trial of the Roland classic poly synths and more at Roland Cloud: www.rolandcloud.com/
Synthwave, the genre that is built upon nostalgia for a time that never really existed. What is not to love about retro synths, gated drums and a lot of neon! Let's create a synthwave track like we're back in the 80s of our imagination.
Chapters:
0:00 Synthwave?
1:52 Roland Cloud 80s synth classics
2:37 Juno 106 pad, come back and stay
3:15 808 in the air tonight
3:39 Jupiter 8 arpeggiated chords
4:51 Bassline, more Juno 106
5:41 Drums, open the gates! (but not too long)
6:34 The story so far
7:22 Acceptable in the 80s?
8:12 The 'chorus' section
9:20 Even more Juno 106 melodic melodies
10:03 Finishing touches, its a kind of magic
11:47 The final track
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[@Stargazer-is6ok]

One of the best synthwave tutorials on KZbin: you really created strong 80s vibes in your track

[@Estuera]

Thanks. I love going all out 80s so it was a lot fun to make :)

[@SidMassiveMusic]

Anemoia - the feeling of nostalgia for a time you never lived in! Stellar video as always, Jonas!

[@Estuera]

That's exactly what this is indeed 👍

[@seankayll9017]

I lived in it. This takes me back to driving in my VW Golf mk 1 with my Asia cassette blasting out.

[@antilunio]

@@Estuera Also known as "Retrofuturism"

[@tommyapocalypse6096]

I have that for the 1950s - I love the whole Mid Century Modern style. 🙂

[@gaylordmswagger2523]

Bro everyone lived on it

[@TJ-rf1xl]

Love this. You’re right, synthwave isn’t exactly authentic 80s, at least as far as we know them. The reason I dig the genre is that I feel like it transports us to an ‘alternate universe’s 80s’. Our 80s are complete (and I was too young to appreciate them fully at the time), but if we are able to fold back the membranes of the multiverse long enough to slip into the 80s as they occurred in a parallel reality, then this iconic time in the history of music becomes truly infinite!

[@treintaceroseis3081]

It sounds better than many of the artists who are dedicated to this subgenre. Great job

[@Estuera]

Thanks!

[@E_-_-]

My thoughts exactly! Jonas showing how it ought to be done (IMO)

[@TayWoode]

So true,I’m seeing a John Hughes soundtrack like Breakfast club, , sixteen candles, Say anything etc

[@TayWoode]

@@ghost_mall “bright aggressive” perfect description of those sounds! 👍🏾 almost raw and punchy not too washed with reverb

[@TayWoode]

@@ghost_mall haha yes same here! I bought an Alesis Quadraveb+ in the 80s and overused it on everything at first coz it was new, then learnt how to subtly use it just to get a slightly bigger sound instead of all the music “drowning” like a kid with a new toy. If that makes sense 😂

[@matthewhowardwood]

Ah, man, that was fantastic. 100% up my street. Gorgeous sounds, textures, and a driving bass line. As you said perfectly, the imaginary, hyper 80s of our imagination. Good to see you giving a shout out to Espen. He really is the undeniable master of authentic 80s sound. Both of your channels are my favourites for synth goodness.

[@StudioMargalima]

The "imaginary" in the title is quite important, regarding Synthwave as a total genre. However, your track is so great and could quite easily be fitting in the actual 80s.

[@h2o1969]

Totally agree on this genre. I like it a lot, but it is not really what we had in the 80's.

[@trancextend]

Janas, I miss you brother!! Glad to see you making videos again.

[@_P_M_]

Yeah. It's nostalgia for a time that didn't really exist. Synthwave is always somewhere between Risky Business and Desperately Seeking Susan. Really nice job on the music! I always enjoy your videos.

[@StudioMargalima]

I myself being a 80s kid and last years quite heavy into SW/RW (and Vapor) see your line about the movies. So what you're basicly saying is that actual 80s "Synth inspired pop" and inspiration for SW itself kind of stems of only as a small era as of 1983-1985? Because, being busy with 80s music general and Sw, i do more and more get the impression lately that pure pounding 8th/16th note riffed/bassed synth Based pop started like in 1980, still in an infant, very simple form, to grow and mature into a full melodic and even orchestrated variations by 1985. But this form indeed kind of seem to have vanished after '85. Am i right then?? Side note, i am an 80s kid, but too young to remember all the music, let alone synth influences. My memory runs mainly from like '86, and still only then the most widely know pop songs. Besides the 60s and the 70s collection of my family. Truth is that thanks to YT and internet, i have found (hidden) gems and rediscover some gems of the 80s. And regarding Synthwave: said it before, but there are so many talented creators now. And for being dubbed an "imaginary"-based genre, there are actually *quite* a few SW tracks that VERY easily could fit in the actual 80s.

[@Estuera]

There was a lot of music in the 80s. It was the golden era of the music industry after all but also the beginning of a lot of things that at the time weren't that big yet. Some 80s music (especially some soundtrack work) already is 'synthwave'. Its only much much later, when the 80s 'revival' started that especially those tracks got a new life and appreciation.

[@_P_M_]

@@StudioMargalima Wow, that was a detailed reply :-). In my opinion, that synthwavy 80's sound begins probably with Betty Davis Eyes (1981) and ended when Jam and Lewis did Janet Jackson's Control album (1986), which I consider to be American synthpop...the Minneapolis sound. Yes, there are some outliers. Pet Shop Boys didn't even become known till 86 and they certainly had that sound. But in general, I think it peaked maybe 83-85 and was noticeably changing by 86. Maybe it was different in Europe, but that was my experience in the US.

[@StudioMargalima]

@@_P_M_ Thank for your reply. It best can be considered evolution i think. And there certainly were differences between US and Europe. If we look at the charts, and for instance the actual recording of radio shows back then wich are popping up lately, it's quite obvious

[@AutPen38]

Most synthwave songs are based on sounds from the analogue synths that were used by pop stars in the early '80s; the beloved Junos, Polysixes, Linndrums, and Moogs that were thrown on the scrapheap when the DX7 and early samplers arrived. It's the music that might have got made in the late '80s, but the music world went coldly digital instead. Another point is that synthwave is quite reliant on volume-ducking (sidechaining), a technique that wasn't available to the synthpop and soundtrack artists recording analogue synths direct to tape in 1982. Modern synthwave probably couldn't exist if house music and EDM and modern DAWs (with infinite "outboard" effects) hadn't come along with their new production methods.

[@thomasheide5643]

I am new to your channel, 58 years old, and just getting into beatmaking, I really enjoy your tutorials - and also your work as featured on spotify ❤🎉😊

[@Estuera]

Thanks!

[@communalnoodle1356]

That Jupiter 8 reminded me of Felix - don't you want my love. Took me back haha

[@Estuera]

It does indeed have a bit of that sound now you mention it.

[@communalnoodle1356]

@@EstueraIronic that you mentioned nostalgia, and that's the first thing It did to me! Good work :-)

[@ericMT]

The kind of music we call Synthwave now wasn’t really a thing in the actual 80’s except for on corporate tutorial videos as background music. Instrumental synth music was getting easier to make with the introduction of synths that had presets like the DX-7 and the Juno-106. those also had MIDI, which brought new ways to sequence music with computers or popular devices like the Roland Micro Composers. There were no “DAWs” like we have now, it was much more primitive. Of course some of this music also appeared in movie soundtracks which is where the nostalgia comes from. You wouldn’t turn on the radio to hear synthwave style songs, unless you count Alex F by Harold Faltermeyer or Rockit by Herbie Hancock. Regardless of how it has evolved over time, synthwave and retrowave are now a huge part of our mainstream music culture and nearly ubiquitous on television shows where an upbeat electronic sound is desired without it sounding too “techno”. I think it’s a style of music that will continue to evolve although we are already seeing a lot of 80’s inspired synthwave bands now creating more 90’s and 2000’s inspired synth music which is ok but doesn’t resonate the same with a lot of people regardless of age.

[@Psychlist1972]

It wasn't necessarily on the radio, but it was the theme music (and background, like you mentioned) in TV shows, video games, movies, and more.

[@DiscoCitizens240]

People born in the late 90s: “wow this is 80s music!!” People born in the 70s: “let’s have a chat kid” 😂

[@Estuera]

People born in the 80s: 🤷‍♂️😁

[@DiscoCitizens240]

@@Estuera 🤣

[@Knuckism]

So nice to see a new video by you again Jonas, I always enjoy them. Great idea to make a synthwave track , you captured the mood perfectly !

[@jeannetitor]

thanks as always for the showcase!

[@johntammaro]

That sounded fantastic. Glad your back with some content.

[@rayderrich]

Wonderful track, really brought back memories.

[@rebeccaschade3987]

The chords you use makes me think of Paul Young - Come Back and Stay. That helps tie it into the '80s a bit more ^^

[@Estuera]

Yes, I accidentally hit upon a chord progression for section A that has similarities. Wasn't intentional but it does work nicely and helps getting that nostalgic vibe immediately.

[@ThomsenTower]

That was it! Thanks for this, now I'll be able to think about something else! 😂

[@robbarfield2150]

Excellent Synthwave track, Jonas! And nice shout-out to Espen's channel! You guys both make great music and have outstanding tutorials!

[@TayWoode]

Love that song! I find the 80s and early 90s were the last decade to have an actual identity with music, fashion, movies etc the last three decades seem to be inspired and take elements from all the other decades and mix them up so it’s sounds familiar but not unique

[@AutPen38]

The 1980s might be the last decade that actually lasted ten years. Since technology (and everything relying on it) has kept speeding up pop cultural trends (memes, fashions, music genres) seem to come and go far more quickly. Nothing seems to hang around long enough to give a whole decade a definable look and feel. Hence there isn't really anything that sums up the whole of the 2000s or 2010s. Unlike the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s, contemporary decades don't have coherent themes. New trends arise rapidly and disappear just as quickly rather than emerging gradually over ten years.

[@E_-_-]

Lovely track. I think it sounds much better than most synthwave I have heard. One thing that synthwave does compared to the actual 80s music is the big kick sidechain, kinda giving away that it came from 2015

[@Estuera]

I personally like the synthwave that is firmly grounded in the 80s sound albeit with some modern mixing techniques indeed (although I also used some oldschool ones 😬). I also have seen tracks that simply sound like trance to me being labeled synthwave so I guess its all over the place

[@persona83]

What a nice surprise to have a new Estuera video!

[@localtrack1966]

Awesome, really really good Jonas!!

[@FoxerTails]

I think usually when people think Synthwave, they are talking about the more Synthpop and Italo Disco style songs made by the likes of Koto and Laserdance along with the typical royalty free music libraries you'd hear in low budget VHS instructional videos.

[@Estuera]

Well, time to make them think about the nostalgic synth stuff instead ;)

[@threedaymonk]

This is excellent! You've really captured a more eighties than eighties vibe.

[@AlimkhanOV_A]

You got the sound the way it should be, not because of plug-ins, but because you feel and understand this sound. Great track!

[@vrai_2_vrai]

You just hit the sweet spot with your chords! Delightful

[@YUCON]

man.. absolute perfection if you ask me! you made it sound exactly as it should, were able to capture the required mood, and it definitely surpasses alot of others artists who are making synthwave nowadays. again a top quality video from you Jonas. thank you and please keep doing this I love watching you produce tracks and listening to your explanation of every step :)

[@matthewmillaisgray]

Oh Estuera, what brilliant creativity! Thank you and best wishes

[@peterarmstrong3298]

I closed my eyes and could picture Miami Vice with Crocket and Tubbs driving into the sunset in a Ferrari Testarossa! Excellent 😉 Thanks Jonas.

[@mickaelsouza9087]

Your version is most 80s synthwave that i heard, very good! And maybe someday you could make a truly 80s synthpop like Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, etc?

[@freedumfighta]

Was hoping you would tackle this at some point! Beyond stoked, because it's one of my favorite sub-genres 🙏😭 Another banger, like always!

[@rtgpdotxyz]

Good to see a new video :) it sounds for me like italo mixed with a bit of 80's pop and with Jan Hammer's - Evan.

[@BrandonRyan]

Evan is one of my favorite tracks fo all time.

[@larsbwk]

Come back and stay for good this time (Did you write the book of love?) - fits nicely 😊

[@RUNCNC]

Another great song! Thank you for sharing your production skills.

[@johanvancauteren6203]

Nice job Jonas!

[@AlexIsASeraphim]

That was great. You captured that synth wave vibe. Your track could have featured in the movie Flashdance it was so authentic. More please. I love these videos.

[@Estuera]

What a feeling 🎶

[@twoscoops2]

Awesome track and great tutorial as always! Thanks!!

[@precog669]

Briliant work and the result is absolutely overwhelming. Nice to have you back Jonas.

[@darthmarticusLFC]

So glad you’ve you’ve tackled synthwave!

[@andrestemmermann2010]

Wow, that really rewinds my memory. Great track!

[@digitalduch1111]

Nice as always! One thing to add: The Synthwave sound already started much earlier in the Gothic and Independent scene, where Darkwave & Synthpop / Electropop not only evolved more and more into this sound, but also some famous 80's bands never stopped producing and had much success in the darker music scene ;) Camoufage for example!

[@digitalduch1111]

PS if you google for "Synthetic Music Collection 1" and "Synthetic Music Collection 2" you'll find a a tracklist of an unofficial compilation, with plenty of tracks from said scene and genres ;)

[@2407ewan]

Absolutely nailed it, thought I was in the 80s.

[@OdoSendaidokai]

Really nice made and absolutely soothing track 🌻

[@ibalrog]

All it needs is a woman with big hair and a plunging neckline, singing about "the night".

[@DiscoCitizens240]

Exactly 😂

[@sneakyfatcat]

Another great video! Nice track

[@ZenithMusicNet]

I've been listening to synthwave since 2015, and really like the clear explanation of how to build such a track.

[@cph2004]

I'm imagining some 80s guitar solo on it.

[@marcuswerker]

I loved it! I love Synthwave. Thanks and congratulations!.

[@mikolasstrajt3874]

I think another major influence of synthwave genre / 80s nostalgia is soundtrack to Drive (2011) movie.

[@Estuera]

True

[@garethbryant3604]

Another awesome video... Love your releases... :)

[@Estuera]

Thanks!

[@stevenbakos]

Very nice! It’s giving me very Paul Young “come back and stay” vibes

[@Estuera]

Yes, I accidentally hit upon a chord progression that is quite similar

[@stevenbakos]

@@Estuera love it

[@marielizysurourcq]

@@Estuera it's like you reinvented it and transcended it !

[@wesselvanrensburg8]

Wow! So nice 🔥

[@JoseVGavila]

Back to the 80s! (I was there... some time ago 😅)

[@Estuera]

Yeah...Time

[@AlphaNovaOfficial]

Brilliant as always, really captured the imaginary vibe we all seem to identify with!

[@thegazwaz640]

Love it. Very inspirational thank you.

[@Cap10NRGMusic]

Jonas great to see you man! Love your videos - especially like that yo have and love one of my favorite keyboards, the CS1x! ;) Great job bringing the imaginary 80s to life hehe. Yeah I was here for the 70s so - hehehe I get that we were not listening to synthwave, but man I wish we were!! Thanks for your hard work man

[@eazy72]

Well done 👍👍👍 I was there and this takes me right back.

[@tomc7299]

Awesome sound...👍

[@grayfiresoul]

I think what you've created here is a good, catchy television theme song-like track with grandiose, more-80s-than-80s tropes. Synthesized sound was used in many ways and in many genres throughout the decade, just like it is now. So, I see the Synthwave genre as, generally, a sort of plastic, astroturfed product without the spirit of 80s synth composition. This is why your track sets itself apart - the compositional spirit is peaking through.

[@Sonikbytes]

glad you used an FM synth too. I think the FM bells would work better here and roland tr 707 + Simmons SDS drum combo would be my choice for drums ;)

[@Estuera]

I think that would make it sound too much like the actual 80s. Not really my goal here.

[@Sonikbytes]

@@Estuera Yea, just my preference as I have been living through the 80's and whole Italo era from which most of EDM is derived from. Still listen to this day.

[@nathanpohl]

Hell yeah! I'm a big fan of synthwave, this was a nice one.

[@alfr83]

Nice one Jonas ! And you're right, GTA Vice City initiated something. Driving towards the sunset listening to Crockett's theme was something that felt really nostalgic.

[@PierreSeguin]

Love the faux nostalgia! The Jupiter-8 arpeggiated chords are especially reminiscent of… The sound my AirPods make when the battery is about to die. But seriously, great video - thanks.

[@Gainn]

I'd class this as more legit 80's than synthwave (other than the more gentle production and nicer effects). You got the 'layered while still being absorbable' thing right where most SW either goes super sparse or ultra-complex now.

[@stevenbeeckman3019]

Brilliant!

[@kevinbrennan5373]

Awesome track! Really enjoy these Let’s Create vids… more please (when you’ve time of course!) 😊

[@Estuera]

There will be more for sure!

[@WotanSkyFather]

So good, you nailed it.

[@jasonlogan5622]

I'm all of 90 seconds in and I have to say you are bang on the money! An excellent analysis

[@radmantis7882]

You make us wait... But you never disappoint!! Great track I particularly love the synth in th chorus. Got that space 80s I'm an android feel to it.

[@hhope-carter9676]

What I'd really be interested in seeing is a video about recreating a new wave sound (like like New order or Depeche Mode style). That's my favourite type of music and you're probably my favourite production channel.

[@Estuera]

Certainly interesting but I'm not sure if I am the right person for it, I was still very young when this music was made and all I know about it production wise I learned from other youtube channels that do new wave a lot more justice as I could do.

[@hhope-carter9676]

@@Estuera fair enough! Can you recommend any? P.S. Im born 1998 so you being to young to remember it and having to learn it from older people does not really concern me because I'm in the same boat haha. Edit: though maybe an easier one in the same vein (because it has more modern versions) could be EBM?

[@KattKirsch]

That you look like you just got back from skiing definitely lends itself to a synthwave vibe. XD Seriously though, I love synthwave's paradoxical nostalgia, but also something of a brand new genre influenced but not entirely parroting the music of our youth. It's the good shit for sure!

[@Estuera]

Haha yes, we got an extremely sunny period going on here 😎😅

[@Banglish123]

I liked this a lot and I totally get the concept. I might even have a go at it myself. But it instantly reminded me of Heartbeat City by the Cars, the overall feel of it.

[@GunterLuyten]

Geweldige track, love it!

[@MattGreerMusic]

I always enjoy these.

[@stockwellengineeringhints3527]

Really nice video editing on the final track. You made a really nice job of this one. Sounds really cheesy and over the top like any good synthwave track!

[@roland-d5050]

Nice, reminds me a little bit of Stephen Bray's basslines. I love it!

[@Shpat100]

Awesome,

[@FedericoBudassi]

I think I'll love this one!

[@birdsmeaniemom3413]

PLEASE make us some New York Latin Freestyle 80s music! (And then spoil us further with some Miami Booty Bass!)

[@Estuera]

That sounds like quite a specific genre. Can you give a few examples of tracks in that style?

[@techjan3247]

Niiice comeback video! Will definitely check out the Roland cloud thing as well - I love the Arturia retro VSTs, but I can't afford to buy them at the moment, so a subscription based service might be worth a look. I think I'll experiment maxing some synth techno

[@AugustineKizis]

I love it!!!

[@-Tharos-]

Loved it! This video is really good stuff, thanks. I'm mostly into metal but for some reason I like this kind of music. I like it even better if you throw some heavy guitar sound into it. Cheers

[@RustyDodd]

this was cool. have been waiting on your next video. i found out about italo disco a few years ago, especially Clio "Faces". might be cool to make some of that.

[@Estuera]

Italo disco (and italo house) is on my list ✅

[@thomasnordwest]

Brenda : How do you go from this tranquility to that violence? Sonny Crockett : I usually take the Ferrari. (quote from: Miami Vice, TV series 1984-1989)

[@uniqueflowsnake]

well finally Jonas. Was hoping you'd cover this genre.

[@digitalbase9396]

WOW, that is too good. Love It

[@williamgraham8761]

Love this so much. brilliant breakdown too, need more of this style of music in my life. Thank you so much, did I hear a track you made that sounded to me like dark wave ?😮😊

[@Estuera]

I made a New Beat track, that kind of is an ancient form of dark wave I guess

[@williamgraham8761]

@@Estuera where can I hear the new beat track ?

[@Estuera]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2KblGCddp13mKs

[@andyc7666]

I can imagine this could be on Vice City! Great work!

[@thedutchgoonie2989]

ja fantastisch man, leuk gedaan 🎉 die eerste juno akkoorden alleen al: ik voelde meteen weemoed en melancholie prachtig 🤗

[@Estuera]

Daar doen we het voor 😁

[@polznbladz3242]

You make really informative and constructive vids. Always look forward to watching. My son and I are trance producers, some of the sounds in this production would fit well in our music

[@wojtyrab]

Wooooow.... Love it

[@mixokreuzelf]

Brilliant, thank you very much! Please tell me: You do EQ, compress and edit the parts heavily to get such a great mix, don't you?

[@Estuera]

There certainly was some of that going on indeed.

[@infokanaal]

Wow, perfectly executed, brings back old memories. The graphics remind me to the Amiga era, it could perfectly match a Miami Vice episode.. Am I getting old?

[@Estuera]

We all are 😶

[@joinslayer]

Nice one, as always! What's next? Eurobeat?

[@Estuera]

I already did new beat and euro dance. Not sure where euro beat fits in.

[@jimbotron70]

Synthwave is more about reimagined 80s... than imaginary 80s! 😁

[@Estuera]

😉

[@cph2004]

It sounds like it would be on teenwolf soundtrack. 👍

[@rickgut2004]

I'm trying to figure out how to connect my synths together with my daw. Can you make a video showing how you have your gear connected? Maybe show your audio interface, and midi setup? It would be really helpful!

[@ryanbrennan2911]

Sounds great. Would love for you to put out a vid making something with an Access Virus TI btw

[@Kakjan]

Nice one! Would love to see you trying to make a 90's psychedelic goatrance track! Idk if you know, but Belgium is one of the only countries with an oldschool goa-trance scene! With many known labels such as Suntrip Records! (I've asked before, but I keep doing so until you do it! :D )