Synclavier V and "Beat It"

Software Instruments Synclavier V
#1

My experience in FM synthesis is limited to the DX7 (though fairly deep in that device).

I was happy to find what I thought was the original patch used in “Beat It” by Michael Jackson for use in a cover band that I’m playing in. After listening closely, Im noticing a LOT more high end, and potentially missing some low end (sounds like a timpani to me).

I’ve combed the Internet and found a lot of talk about the sound (Anthony Marinelli has most of an episode dedicated to it), and I know that Bruce Swedien did some trickery to get it to sound like Michael wanted (which was to sound like the Synclavier demo).

I’ve played with muting partials to no effect.

Has anyone here dug into this a bit deeper? I may put up a sample of the “album” sound and the “Gong” to show the differences. Note that I’ve also bought the MJ Tribute bank, and use many of its sounds and those are pretty darn accurate IMHO

Thougts?

#2

Hey @patazzmusic

Yeah this one has so much mythology attached to it for sure, VERY cool sounds of course!
Personally, i’d be inclined to go with what Anthony Marinelli has said, that guy has an INSANE amount of knowledge and insight, particularly around MJ.
Other things to take into account that WILL have affected the sound are tape, which formula of tape, how the machine was calibrated and how hard they hit it, bouncing etc…

From my own perspective, the Synclavier V is more than close enough :grin: I’ve just not worked up the courage/cheek to use them in anything… yet!!! :rofl::joy:

#3

Thanks.

I’ll try some compression and some other stuff. Probably won’t make a difference to anyone in the audience, but I’d like to do a bit better on this one.

#4

I know where you’re coming from :wink:

Let us know if you feel you’ve nailed it, as i’m sure plenty would be interested.

#5

Hi all,

@patazzmusic

If you have Arturias CMI V there is a factory preset named “Just Beat It” - that you perhaps also can use.

The Sound MJ use is possibly layered with another sound too. There is a huge difference between the end sound on MJ’s Beat it and the pure original Synclavier demo sound here at 6:45: