Track Breakdown: Sasha - Xpander (via Access Virus B and Roland JP8000 + midi chords), Charlie May

One of my most demanded videos: Talking a little bit more about Xpander and its sound. I think my recreation comes quite close to the original!
Marc Renton on Spotify ▶️ open.spotify.com/artist/5gSzz...
Marc Renton on Soundcloud ▶️ / marc-renton

[@Elementaliti]

This track just will not age. My God what a masterpiece. I wish I knew how many hours I've burned it into my mind. CD MP3 etc, it just goes on forever no matter what. Very few if any tracks can compare to the brilliance of Xpander. God I miss this time period so much. What a time to be alive that was.

[@perfectoj7775]

So true!

[@SMacCuUladh]

Thank Charlie May and Sasha!

[@seanephram]

Dude, me too. man

[@murrad23]

It really is. Still takes me to another place when it comes on.

[@squoblat]

I remember hearing this for the first time when I was playing Wipeout on the PS1 as a kid. Little did I know how much it would shape my world and send me on a lifelong musical journey. Nice work.

[@bullforcetrading9995]

Same here, it was that song on wipeout3 which got me into EDM.

[@dixieflatline1189]

Love Sasha, but Charlie May (Spooky) does not get enough love for his work on Xpander. Nice work recreating this

[@seanephram]

Dude. wow. all these years i never knew.. next rabbit hole

[@RobertRuckLosAngelesSound]

I agree. Especially since it is based on Spooky Little bullet 🙂

[@LocaliLLocano]

You nailed the oberheim expander sound mate. Beautiful 😊

[@MarcRenton]

Glad you think so!

[@littl3jackal]

I could watch talented people iterate on established patterns all day. There’s something magical and extremely satisfying about seeing something you are so intimately familiar with come together in front of your eyes! .. er, ears!

[@dxtrs_mnpltr]

This takes me back! Thanks for recreating this classic!

[@majidbess6845]

This is just magical

[@bilkoprince4222]

Awesome. Loved this tune back in the day.

[@AL573]

Awesome re-creation😍

[@djestrella_]

Really cool stuff man. Love the AV B. Thanks for sharing!

[@Tokyomodeldetective]

Gives me goosebumps listening to this

[@plimx]

This is gold! I got goosebumps once the modulation on the filter started 🤣 Nice one for this!

[@MarcRenton]

Thanks! 😃

[@reereelization]

I love your setup & approach. You have an inmate ability for bringing out the joy in electronic genres. Thank you for sharing. ❤

[@DMS198526]

Marc absolutely awesome video. Subbed

[@vapemcvaperson]

One word . .. Awesome!

[@JNCPoPs]

Thank you for the ride. I had a blast🫠🤌🖖

[@user-ts7ih8rv7k]

An epic track that will forever sound relevant and innovative

[@benjaminframe5530]

Fantastic sounds!

[@MarcRenton]

Thank you 😊

[@dinogreece]

Sasha was definitely a genius. 'Be as one' is also an excellent track.

[@Great_products]

Was?? He still is

[@jimiscott]

I think you need to thank Charlie May.

[@os_oz]

​@@jimiscottlmao I don't understand how people still think it's Sasha, xpander. airdrawn dagger that's all may, Sasha's actual style of music is like literal tech dance music. Charlie is the emotional one, all of Sasha greatest hits was Charlie may. you can tell when may isn't in his tracks. may literally made the version of this track in the early 90s from what I can remember? spooky alias. can't remember the name but fuck it was my ringtone for years

[@MarcRenton]

@os_oz you’re right, May is listed as the producer so I believe he’s the real one we should give credit for that sound. I’m adjusting the video description 😀Can you tell more about what you mean by early 90s version?

[@seanephram]

@@MarcRenton yeah if i recall JukieXL did most of the production on airdrawndagger, so possibly Xpander also?

[@James-dy6zh]

My favorite tune of all time

[@Ninzumecha]

Very cool! 👌

[@craig_z]

I loved that song back in the day.

[@theblowupdollsmusic]

Really nice studio and sounds!

[@MarcRenton]

Thanks a lot!

[@bennyceca]

Think the original idea came from Spooky - Little Bullet Part One, Spooky was Charlie May, the man behind this great track!

[@perfectoj7775]

Wow.. probably my favorite song.

[@electronictiger]

Cool stuff Marc! Think you're close with your Virus. I'm mostly familiar with the edit of Xpander that ended up on the Wip3out OST for the first PlayStation. Compared to that version I'd say your Virus is sounding rather tame. The way I hear it in the game version it has a bit more bite, edge, distortion and noise to it. But that also has a ton of other processing gone over it. Each imparting their own sonic characteristics, no doubt. Still, a very good effort indeed! Well done.

[@talktorob]

I'm so happy I found this video, as a huge Sasha fan and been learning synths and found this video because I'm lusting after a Virus. Thank you!

[@vanbrush9537]

very impressive!

[@MarcRenton]

Thanks!

[@user-hb1bd9xh8m]

its amazing... JP--8000 still alive

[@Synth2000]

That virus is soooooo gooooood

[@JM-bt2jb]

Amazing setup, Was wondering if anyone would know what synth was used in the Trance track ''Jonah - Shhhht... Listen!!'' i was thinking maybe the Virus.. Great Video ''Sasha - Xpander'' is an amazing track.

[@robertescobar535]

Sasha Xpander straight 🔥🔥🔥 I was playing wipeout on the ps1 one of my favorite from albums from Sasha all original tracks is, "Air drawn dagger" its mind blowingly different but mind blowingly excellent.🔥🔥👍👍

[@MarcRenton]

You need to check out my official wipeout remixes eg on Spotify 😎 Airdrawndagger’s Bloodlock is like a blueprint for an oldschool James Holden Song. If you like Sasha’s album you also will be amazed by his track Baja

[@os_oz]

​@@MarcRentonblue print? it is James holden tho

[@mvmnt.]

Charlie May was playing the lead on the Virus polar ti2 live at Sasha's Refracted shows. Was something to behold watching him play it in the flesh. Fantastic job here though. Maybe try them both layered? I just think your kick is timed just a tiny bit off, as it all feels a little hurried. Look forward to some more recons.

[@jimiscott]

Good Stuff - Charlie always made excellent tracks as Spooky, - Great to hear that Sasha has continued to use him.

[@ErwinSchrodinger64]

I'm surprised the JP8000 couldn't do the Oberheim sound considering it has a custom chip set to do the supersaws. Then again, one of the first synthesizers I purchased was the Access Virus Ti2 because it can do so much. I wonder whether the Waldorf Kyra could recreate these sounds. It to has a supersaw waveform. Either way, an incredible video. I really enjoyed this.

[@MarcRenton]

Thanks and nice to read your reply! It is just my personal opinion and experience, but in this case, the Virus' fast envelopes and filter suited more than the JP's. Through this video, I also got further ideas, tips and insights to improve the sound further.

[@SolidtraxNL]

Great track and very nice that you recreated this classic on these synths. Sasha did also use a lot of the virus back in the day, so it's not that bad that you don't have an expander - since, unfortunately, they go for really silly prices these days.

[@MarcRenton]

You are right! But also my impression is that Viruses are more and more seen like robust tanks that will last for the next decades.

[@SolidtraxNL]

Yes for real!@@MarcRenton

[@rhodes1232]

Thanks or making the video. Great work.The Virus is close. Perhaps a Novation Peak or OB6 would nail It. Is the MIDI file available? Does it have the bassline?

[@KeirMurphy]

I've been having a good listen to the original and i'm pretty sure there's a Square PWM oscillator that you can hear on the high notes. My guess is it has some keyboard tracking on the mixer - not sure if the Oberheim Xpander could do this. It gives it more grit throughout too and adds some of that white noise feel you hear.

[@KeirMurphy]

Give it a try w/o using a saw at all, using fast PWM to give it a fat sound. I think it's closer actually, and explains why it sounds so airy as there's fewer harmonics to give it a thick sound.

[@TheLovedbyJesus]

Great!! Was wondering does the virus chip have its own unique sound in a ensoniq samplers kind of way??? I'm trying to decide on a synth but only know samplers.

[@musicman2047]

Virus deffinitely has its own sound, it was all over trance back in the 2000s but still sounds as fresh today, it’s not a sampler so you will have to record your stem-midi Passes to audio - I have the C and TI2

[@TheLovedbyJesus]

@@musicman2047 great! Thankyou

[@lucid484]

I have a Virus A..I assume I could create this same patch since it's similar to the B

[@eaglechildkeys]

Great ! Hey Marc, I’m thinking to buy the Virus B. Do you think is nice for 90’s jungle or PSX DnB type of music? Or would you go for a Modal Argon 8 ? Cheers! ;-)

[@MarcRenton]

Cool! Well I'm not really aware of the Argon 8 but it looks like a fantastic synth!

[@nathanbell6962]

The virus filter is so recognisable

[@WilliamAshleyOnline]

I have expander on vinyl (sunrise set) and an access virus.. curious what preset is being used specifically, are the paramaters posted somewhere?

[@MarcRenton]

Wow 👍. But it was all init sound, starting with a simple saw waveform. I haven’t documented it more than in that video.

[@scooby3030]

hi how do you get the jp to play on its own with out triggering another synth at the same time?

[@cnovasalmanhussain751]

You should try making a lfo on pitch modulation pluck lead heard in tracks like Dash berlin-going it alone Dash berlin-better half of me Dash berlin-when the world falls apart I would love to see you do it on both the virus and the JP 8000...

[@BadTrip69]

Can You share Virus B preset? :)

[@cnovasalmanhussain751]

The virus b and C are such underated gems just look at that cut off plucky sound... Which can be heard in most of the armin Van buuren tracks... I am looking forward to buy a synthsizer for my trance productions but I am just caught up in confusion between a Roland system 8,Access virus ti polar, Clavia nord lead 3 and a access virus C what would you recommend?

[@MarcRenton]

I wouldn't go with the System 8 as I haven't heard the best. I was looking for a Nordlead 3 longer for myself but then found the A1 and the 4 more often available on the market. IMHO the Virus is the most versatile synth if I would have to choose one for the island, but the Nordlead's filter I also don't want to miss!

[@cnovasalmanhussain751]

@@MarcRenton I would like to ask does the access virus b and C be totally integrated and used as vst in pc just like virus ti2 desktop...

[@MarcRenton]

@cnovasalmanhussain751 no, Not at all. On the other hand there are third party editors available as vst but not total integration

[@user-fq3up9op6q]

Im so glad I stumbled upon this video, this is one of all time favourite productions and inspirations as a producer and I always wondered what was used to make it, and super happy to have found out its the virus as I also have the B! thanks for this.

[@MarcRenton]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@landwirtschaft2116]

The design of your rack and Elektron side panels is very… let's say 'pragmatic' :D haha

[@MarcRenton]

Haha, the ones with the integrated diamonds are currently being planned

[@saren6538]

did you get the xpander midi online ?

[@Audio-ez7wi]

where can I download the midi notes mate?

[@denwo1982]

I didn’t realise that there is a lot work to make classic trance track!? How did you know what kit to buy and the dials you was twisting? Are there books or is it just self taught?

[@MarcRenton]

Lots of years of try & error as well as lots of other tutorials. Also it was not my first time recreating the track, but I was really happy with my results when comparing it to the original.

[@andrewswalls]

What Access Virus B Preset did you use to start.

[@MarcRenton]

Init 😎

[@andrewswalls]

@@MarcRenton Can you share the full patch. I am using the VST DSP-56300 and want to see how close the sound is. I can read .syx files.

[@saren6538]

Be nice if this dude replied to comments

[@KingValas]

SO would you say the virus B is the best version for making classic trance?

[@MarcRenton]

Saying the Virus B ist the best would be a little bit over estimated. But IMHO a Virus is almost a must have 😊

[@KingValas]

@@MarcRentonif I was to buy one model of the access virus for making this music which one would you recommend be the go to?

[@MarcRenton]

Any except the A (lack of features). The TIs have more features, but do not expect the “Total Integration” to work with modern DAWs

[@KingValas]

WHat program are you using to interface with the DAW? @@MarcRenton

[@MarcRenton]

@KingValas I’m not sure whether I understand your question. I have several midi interfaces that are connected to my computer. A Focusrite Clarett 8 Thunderbolt is my audio interface. And finally, Ableton Live my main DAW. I hope that answers your question 😊

[@the_tux]

Wo hast du die Rackohren für den Virus B her? Custom?

[@MarcRenton]

Die hatte ich 2005 vom Vorbesitzer übernommen und bin der Meinung, dass es die damals auch von Access angeboten wurden.

[@Bossdup]

Amazing EP. Belfunk is almost as good.

[@mitchelstephen7536]

Well, I have an Oberheim Xpander and a Virus B. The Virus is good at that fizzy trance sound. The most famous trick is with the Xpander's 2 pole lowpass filter, it has a very unique sound. Think Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails and Erasure. But on the track you are trying to re-create, it sounds like the 2 pole band pass filter. The Xpander has 15 different filter modes. Plus like a PCM 80 at 80% effects. Here is another cool song made with just the Xpander, very different than the Virus: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIWnq5uBirWYopY

[@frenchpet]

Think it was a waldorf microwave

[@synthsproblems3475]

It sounds good but not as xpander 100% i think the filter neess more fxs or something . or the midi file is not right

[@Michal5000]

Wow! Kuba Wojewodzki left TVN, great ;-)

[@MarcRenton]

🤣

[@user-ts7ih8rv7k]

For me the virus sounded more relevant

[@audionerdzmusicschool]

100 000 worth of synths but too lazy to acoustically even touch up the room let alone truly optimizuing it. It is super evident even from your voice over rec that your room is quite frankly a sonic nightmare having massive reverb and probably more. Get good pleeb.

[@bonafontciel]

Nice demonstration! Would it be possible to have the midi ? I want to try it on with my ob6!