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Studio Sound

The instruments, effects and studio tricks that made 1980s records sound the way they do, and how to get close today.

Studio Sound
Photo: VACANT FEVER / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Synthesizers Behind the 80s Sound
Latest in Studio SoundSynthesizers Behind the 80s Sound

The 1980s are known for their signature sound: bright, bell-like textures, punchy basslines, and lush pads. But where did this sonic palette come from? The most widely documented culprit is…

How to Get Gated Reverb DrumsStudio SoundHow to Get Gated Reverb Drums

The sound is a one-of-a-kind combination of powerful reverb and a noise gate that abruptly cuts off the reverb tail, creating a unique, chopped drum hit with a distinct tail.