Ep1: The Synth Sounds of Stranger Things | Reverb.com

Netflix's "Stranger Things" has seemingly taken over popular culture, in no small part thanks to its moody, synthesized soundtrack by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein. In this video, Justin DeLay attempts to take us in to the Analog Upside-Down and show you how to approximate some of these fantastic sounds on analog synthesizers of the day.

00:00 - Intro
01:27 - "Main Title" - K. Dixon / M. Stein
05:15 - "Kids" - K. Dixon / M. Stein
11:22 - "Castle Byers" - K. Dixon / M. Stein

Hosted by Justin DeLay
Post/Production by Michael Lux
Titles by Eric Slager

[calebsuddreth]

I am not a keyboardist in any right, I have never really had much interest in it at all. BUT....This video was absolutely amazing in showing the how the music was composed. Huge props to Reverb and the the folks who put this together. This is how you inspire people to become musicians!

[cafecitoconazucar]

This main theme makes me feel a sad nostalgia, a little fear, expectation and a weird satisfaction from it all. I love it.

[LouieLandsCandyTreat]

Just watched Season 1 for the 4th time. The music is such an integral part of the show. It’s like perfect.

[invntiv]

What I really loved about the Stranger Things soundtrack was how pure the synth sounds were... as evidenced by how easily you recreated the songs with simple settings on a Juno and Prophet-5. Just classic sounds that really did their job of evoking the 80s horror/adventure feel

[NickEnchev]

"DeLay" is a good last name for a guy who's into synths.

[AlexBallMusic]

Great video and explanations. Amazing synths too. I just got a Juno 6 and love it, but that Prophet 5 is incredible. Maybe one day I'll have a spare 5k!

I had a track of mine used in Stranger Things. It's a jazz arrangement of " Deck the halls" and it plays for about 30 seconds on the shop tanoy in episode 2 whilst Winona Ryder is getting a replacement telephone. I love that show, so was pretty chuffed to have even a miniscule link to it.

[MrGreenToS]

So glad the "Kids" track is covered in this video, It's deff my 2nd favorite outta the whole soundtrack behind the title theme.

[Christoforos_]

This is straight up synthesizer porn.Proper gear man i love this

[JeffFinley]

I love how you are so passionate and appreciate the beauty of these synth sounds! It really shows through.

[JeremusMaximus]

Finally. someone that explains things well, is well spoken and really knows their shit without coming off like a synth snob. Just enjoyable to watch. I subbed because of the tone of the video and how thorough he was, not to mention the awesome detailed description below the video. Bravo man.

[MichaelBlueMusic]

They gave an interview explaining what they used. The arpeggio was hand-played on an Oberheim 2-voice. The bass is a Roland SH-2, the pads are a Prophet 5. 👍

[charlesray]

Dude. I was literally shaking in how much I wanted those synths. You can do exactly the same thing nowadays, but it’s not the same. Those synths have physical knobs that you’re turning. You can get much more connected to the music. They are beautiful pieces of equipment. They could be art in themselves.

[peterdanner]

Can't tell you how many times I've watched (or at least begun to watch and never quite got past few mins) videos deconstructing a songs or artist sound and it's been far from close or useful. This was a rarity, really nailed it and the presentation of the workflow and fundamentals were top notch. Great job Reverb\Justin. Keep up the good work.

[realworldrider]

So cool you mentioned Tangerine Dream's Sorcerer - that was a real gateway soundtrack for me into electronic music!

[oob-experience]

This video is spectacular. Props to Reverb and Justin for walking us through synth music production techniques..

[jellycoding]

I have a JUNO-106 and I'm so happy about it I have to write it in a comment here and tell everyone.

[slushedpuppy]

This is the best thing that Reverb has done yet.

[shannonm]

My brother and I had a keyboard in the 80s. It was SO fun to make that kind of music. I had another bigger keyboard in the 90s. Totally entertaining. We both play by ear.

[barryjneely]

Such a clear and eloquent "how-to" video on the classic sounds. My first reverb video, too. Thanks for this.

[megatonhammer]

i fell in love with Synthesizers the day i discovered Depeche Mode and Enigma back in the later eighties. As a teenager, i was so awed by all the cool sounds that it could create that’s only limited by your level of expression and know how. Unfortunately, my mom gave my brother the piano lessons and there was almost no way i could afford even the cheapest synth unless i skipped school to serve burgers and fries. Well, the electric guitar was much more accessible and heavy metal seduced me and won! This is so cool, thanks for sharing!