Lyle Mays' Synthesizer Solo Sound Explained

[@ericmontgomery5241]

Any time you want to talk about Lyle, have at it. Met him in Chicago Ill 25 years ago. He was the most relaxed, cool guy ever. Happy to talk music, technical stuff. Just an all around cool guy. So was Pat. I told my brother I wasn't going to wash my hand for a week after shaking both their hands. LOL!!

[@hubertk.7138]

Man, you caused a flashback in me to "Amercan Garage", "Letters from Home", "close to home" and many emotions to this great music.🤗

[@Doty6String]

Yea man been getting into Lyle lately, what a beast he was!

[@Phantasma999]

Thanks, Dr. Mix. I love this lead patch

[@ratiug100]

6:44 The magic 🙌🏼

[@JerryBlume-v3z]

R.i.p.Lyle Mays.He is one of the greatest.

[@PJRII]

Thanks Claudio, well done. And a useful tutorial on the P-5. Bravo!

[@claudiomiranda5612]

I love Lyle Mays

[@Doty6String]

Never realized how unique that sound was

[@BluesLicks101]

Amazing video! Thank you for giving us a glimpse into the mind of a genius!

[@smacl61]

I've never been so saddened by an accomplished musician's passing than Lyle's. It's something I find hard to accept. However this video went along way to help me understand the mind of that is behind all the things you explained so well. Thank you so much!

[@KCJazzKeys]

I have a Roland JP8000 which has a patch called "Wichita Lead" which pretty well nails the 4 voice version of that patch. We play Pat Metheny Group covers from time to time and that sound is very important. Great job describing how to get the pitch warble attack. Always love your videos.

[@oyok2112]

Okay I now just saved a patch on my Arturia Prophet V - thank you this is one of the most pure synth tones ever created and props to Lyle Mays for being the GOAT

[@ArthurBattram]

Can you share the patch please?

[@davethompsonmusic]

Chills, man. Thank you.

[@jfs70ss]

Lyle Mays and Chick Corea are TWO of my FAVORITE Pianists Composers. They are Unique so I love their work equally. Thank you for sharing. RIP both Lyle and Chick. Their music will live forever. Peace from the SF Bay Cali.

[@alanmodimages]

Thank you so much for doing this. The Pat Metheny Group has been the soundtrack of my life since 1984 :)

[@markustg09]

So well crafted. Thank you. Lyle was one of a kind

[@UncleMilty]

Was fortunate to see PMG three times in 80s. Love their music. Great video tribute to Lyle Dr. Mix!

[@rockstarjazzcat]

Thanks for this. Nice way to honor a giant, passed far too young. RIP Lyle D. Mays.

[@DavGreg]

Thanks for this. One can never go wrong listening to the work of Lyle Mays. Gone too soon.

[@thebreathalyzer]

He used a few synths over the years for that. It's all about the pitch bend on the attack of just one of two oscillators. There was an old keyboard magazine that talked about how to create that sound.

[@avoidablecontact]

God bless you for this. Makes me want to buy a Prophet-5 tomorrow.

[@LifeExperienceMusic]

He’s one of my favorites to. Thanks for doing this vid. I grew up on Pat Metheny Group.

[@pvillez]

Thank you for making this. That sound was unique to him and was a huge part of what made the Metheney Group sound. Very much missed.

[@flightlessbird2281]

I'm a huge pat and lyle fan since I saw American Garage on tour, yup way back. My mom chaperoned lyle for a solo gig. Glad to hear enthusiasm for lyle Mays. Nice quick patch demo.

[@MrKKmusic]

Many thanks for this! Fooling with the key tracking of the filter seemed to bring it even closer. I remember the Wichita album like it was yesterday. It also had the fabulous September 15 where Lyle just kept it floating beautifully. Back then, I thought I was the only one who knew about the treasures of that album and learned later what a cult classic it became. To have you bring it to us now is a very special and aesthetic treat!

[@peteywheatstraws4909]

That was the first album I got by them, promotional copy w/ "It's For You", the entire sound blew me away.

[@DuncanGrosser]

Dr. Mix...thanks so much for the video! I've been a huge fan of the man for many years, and I saw the Pat Metheny Group twice in London in the late eighties early nineties and like you, I have all the recordings of that band. I just followed your instructions using the Arturia Prophet V demo [ just about to buy the licence!) and I nailed THAT sound, after trying to create it in so many ways over so many years. I'm so chuffed! Many thanks and kind regards.

[@Highcastle_of_Tone]

Commenting even before I can watch, so cool you're doing Lyle. A huge part of the Metheny Group sound, his use of synths helped me get into Metheny's version of Jazz and later into Jazz in general. 2020 was sh*t year for many reasons, not least for losing this amazing musician. Lyle has been a big part of the soundtrack of my life. Cheers to you, Sir!

[@rockinrobert4389]

Great vid and explanation as always. There is a preset on the Roland JX-8P called “May’s Wind” that emulates his sound pretty well. I was fortunate to have worked for a club in Kansas City in 1976 and Pat Metheny’s group played for a week there. I was providing sound and lights. Lyle used to warm up in the dressing room by juggling, which he was very good at! San Lorenzo is my all time favorite track...

[@Doctormix]

Uhhh... thanks for sharing this man ❤️

[@byjoveshow]

Yep.

[@Ronpedley1]

There is video from Joni concert doc about Shadows and Light of Lyle and Jaco juggling. Goofing around. So special. Can'r remember now how I found It. Anyway it's out there somewhere.

[@PabloSintesMartinez]

Love this sound!!! I also have lots of Metheny - Mays records!!! Lyle was (is) one of my favourite keyboard players. So sad he passed away. 😢 Thank you for the patch!!!

[@JohnBillington]

Thank you for doing this! I’m a huge Lyle fan too, and hopefully you introduced him to new audiences

[@csohrab]

you made my day Doctor Mix. Genius!

[@martijn_nl]

Unfortunately Lyle passed away last year but his music will survive all of us.

[@1stOLYMPIAD_HEBSED]

What a shock...but thanks.

[@emmittmarshall5826]

you prolly dont give a shit but if you guys are stoned like me during the covid times then you can watch all the latest series on Instaflixxer. Been streaming with my brother for the last few months :)

[@alijahkohen7946]

@Emmitt Marshall definitely, I've been using Instaflixxer for months myself :D

[@HammondDirk]

Why am I only discovering this now! 😀 I've been searching for this sound a long time, now I've recreated it on my Odyssee (and will probably also do so on my DeepMind12) I'll dive in this Lyle Mays guy also a bit more, thank you very much Claudio!

[@carlbowles1808]

Lyle was a musical wizard who created the magical soundscapes of the pat metheny group. I really miss him. RIP lyle Mays.

[@larryfinke6133]

Thank you for doing this. I miss Lyle and I’m crying just hearing this.

[@MichaelJamesProducer]

This is great! Thanks for the explanation. I thought I had finished a mix an hour ago, but then the artist asked if I could play a Lyle Mays part over the final ten seconds. Your video saved me hours of auditioning various presets. I owe you one. :)

[@yiitAy]

This is a community service, thanks

[@silversulu]

Love Lyle & Pat’s music...

[@matt-spaiser]

Thank for the wonderful tribute to one of my favourite composers, pianists, orchestrators, arrangers, architects, Lego enthusiasts, and .... synth players and programmers! A true genius of a man, and it makes me so happy to see you give him so much love. I love Lyle's signature sound and find it such a comforting sound to listen to and play. Might I suggest lowering the filter cutoff and decreasing the attack of the pitch/filter envelope? Lyle didn't use an attack on the pitch envelope. He frequently played with an ascending acciaccatura to give it the upward bend you're getting from the attack you programmed. Otherwise, amazing video!

[@asklfhjaw8o48934]

This is amazing to see the synthesis of this sound. I would have guessed that there was a triangle or sine wave, as the sound is so smooth, so I didn't anticipate a double square wave. Keep them coming! Lyle is a force of nature.

[@R---66---R]

Whaaaatttttt, Doctor!!! Lyle Mays (R.I.P.)...crazy bout his works...for ages already......nice!

[@danielsozzi4735]

This is soo cool! Thank you for showing us how to make Lyle´s sound! I love his music, he is one of the best piano synth jazz players of all times!

[@etpslick100]

Lyle Mays was one of a kind. When you hear that sound; Lyle is here! I remember he played a Korg DW6000 at one point. The Prophet 5 RULED the world back in the day. Rest In Peace, Lyle.😔🎹🎶🙏🏾🕊👍🏾

[@antoniodbo]

Yes!! So many good memories from this sound, and the concept behind it is awesome!

[@deltaray3]

Nice. I'm really into Lyle Mays & Pat Metheny too. One of the best concerts I ever attended.

[@aliengin5900]

Thank you for telling and remembering us this amazing musician Lyle Mays.I didn’t know him but now I will get more into his music.

[@SantiagoVeros]

Thank you, I really love this music! He forged who I am today. Pat and Lyle are a lot to me. I've been listening to them since I was 2 years old and this sound really carried me away. It is incredible what you have achieved, I congratulate you and thank you for making this video.

[@guitarman13021]

Great tutorial. I’m a bit overwhelmed on what to do with all the envelopes and oscillators. This is a big help to see ways these features are used. Thank you!

[@danielortizdecaracas]

i LOVE THAT LEAD SOUND, RIP MR LYLE MILES, my favorito song MINUANO

[@rosalindannwebb685]

I listened to his music the other day and it was beautiful. And your music sounds lovely to. Thank you for sharing. Very sad about his passing . As he was a great musician. Thank you for the lesson stay safe take care best wishes.🙏🙏⭐️x

[@dennisristow2102]

One of my favorite keyboardists and my favorite pre-midi synth. Classic analog patch design on a classic analog synth!

[@collabsoundhome2762]

Wonderful video Dr Mix. Lyle Mays is one of my favorite keyboard musicians. Glad to see a video about him and his famous synth sound.

[@sugarsmith645]

My favourite sound 👍👍👍👍👍. Many thanks for posting this tutorial. I definitely go with your channel (if you ask 'Are you going with me?')😄

[@csohrab]

and you begin with one of my favourite songs of lyle from his first solo album. Thx a lot, man!

[@KennethBDone]

What a coincidence, just this afternoon i suggested my daughter should practice Lyle's 'Close to Home'. Great video! Love Lyle!

[@paomin2426]

Finally Doc!!!!!! It took You to work on this mythical sound!! Thanks so so so so much!!! And also in memory of our dearest Lyle!!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@BootlegBil]

Pat Metheny & Lyle Mays! What a combination! - Theirs was a sound an old band of mine tried to capture. So much fun to play music that's as open & airy like that. Very different from anything any other band tried, in the area where I once lived. Several players went on to play sessions. Everyone has fond memories of that time. Music bonded us together.

[@paulbogan3400]

Great tribute to my favorite pianist/keyboard player. Lyle actually explains how he got "that" sound in an interview that I think was done with Keyboard magazine around the time the self-titled album came out. PS: One more great song that features the same patch is "The Search," from American Garage.

[@Doctormix]

Right! ❤️🙏🤟

[@nonchai]

Love you even more now! ( fellow PM and Mays fan here )

[@EphemeralProductions]

Lyle was an AMAZING keyboardist

[@willowmusic5]

Thank you! This was great fun to get going on my Prophet Rev2.

[@JSCote]

Hey man, great subject; Lyle was a legend. Thanks!

[@fleabiter]

thanks, fascinating. big Mays fan here.

[@cesardpd6099]

you are great/amazing/best musician ever!! How I miss the Lyle's spirit....thx for such a nice video-hommage

[@MaximPustovit]

With the same love and gratitude for Lyle's legacy! Very nice video! Thank you!

[@bomleny]

awesome sounds! takes me back to when I first heard Pat Metheny

[@defrigge]

Thanks, that was great, being remembered of Lyle Mays and his famous synth flute sound! Close To Home still moves me, whenever I hear it.

[@Piktor201]

Woa! Claudio, you nailed it! That was the video I'been looking for years! I've been trying to understand the Lyle Mays sound so long. Unfortunately I cannot afford a real Prophet 5 but I got the best results with a SEM emulation from Arturia which is very very close to the Oberheim Lyle used in the early years. Your video explained the magic of this sound very clearly. Thank you so much!

[@Doctormix]

You can do it on most synths ;-)

[@DavidLee07]

It's nice to see others fascinated by Lyle Mays and Pat Metheny's sounds! I've previously made Lyle's sound on my Peak, but this video inspired me to try to make it on my Prophet 600 as well for fun. I mean, I have a GR-300 to make Pat's lead sound, so I may as well go all in on Lyle as well. Thank you, Doctor Mix!

[@Doctormix]

Wow!!! Gr300!!!!!!!

[@DaveZiffer]

Thanks for confirming that the Peak can do this. I'm thinking of getting one.

[@DavidLee07]

@@DaveZiffer The peak is very solid. You might want to also consider s hydrasynth desktop if you really something without a keyboard. It doesn't have an analog filter but with v2.0 software and individual offsets per voice it can out analog the peak in some ways. Cheers!

[@operculador2896]

Me estalla el corazón! Graciasss Doctor Mezcla

[@MrSergiodiasb]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

[@MarceloPereiraCafeSound]

Beautiful sound!

[@TerryRossi]

Beautiful tribute

[@RayyMusik]

I‘ve also been a huge Lyle Mays fan for decades. As for the patch: a tiny little bit longer VCA attack time may(s) make it even smoother.

[@therealone1288]

awesome! im going to check this guy out and try this patch on my new prophet 5!!

[@yvesjardin5227]

What a wonderful lesson ! Thanks for your explainations of this so typical sound . Claudio , you're awsome ,as usual ..🤗

[@kirkwilson9995]

Love the synth sound tutorial would love more in the future

[@dougalwilson9612]

Just great - thanks Claudio - and what a lovely tribute to Lyle.

[@GillmanAudio]

Amazing work , love the updated Crisp focus in shot .. just soooo good in every way content visual sound etc . STAYSAFE.

[@sasarasa88]

well done Claudio. Great tribute to Lyle and his work. Respect

[@carlinhos_blues]

7:02 me puse a llorar....ES INCREIBLE!!! GRACIAS!!!!

[@joxer96]

Such an instantly recognizable sound. I'd love to know how many synthesizers had a 'Lyle' patch in the factory bank, I know I saw quite a few back in the day.

[@stephanlang3398]

Thank you. Immediately recreated it on my old tenner. An awesome solo sound.

[@rodleaverton]

That was awesome.

[@martinlubitz3171]

Thanks for the magic🔥💯👍

[@jeancoadou5757]

Great JOB!!!! What a beautiful sound. I have a KRONOS X. Has anyone developed such a sound on this synthesizer? A thousand thanks in advance 🙂.

[@kurtyhearty]

Soo cool! I’ll try & make this sound tomorrow

[@BassDedo]

👏👏👏 ogni video è meglio dei precedenti. E questo su Lyle é ottimo. Grazie

[@krisb7298]

Amazing track! Thank you, Doc! I enjoyed this “lesson” very much. 👏 I love Oberheim...it has wonderful bass sounds.

[@canalresilienceaction6188]

Salut, great video, man, Lyle mays style alive anyway...

[@simonemyszkowski8153]

That tuning was like a poetry

[@chrisyelverton8107]

That’s it. He will be so missed.

[@theuncertaintyprinciple]

Still life (talking)....still makes me weep

[@bbakermai]

Wonderful!

[@methenychile]

Wow. Amazing. Thanks. ❤❤❤

[@zachwooton1]

Awesome! Thanks for this.

Thanks 🙏!

[@METAMORA6329]

Thank you 😊!

[@hmbutuub]

Classic synth tone. Love it!