Synth on "A Face In The Crowd" by Tom Petty

Share your complete Nord Stage 2 programs/patches including sample sets (nsmp files) used, including mp3 previews.
Forum rules
How to get the MP3-Player:
Upload a MP3 file where you play some notes using your sample.
Click the "PLACE INLINE" button after uploading the MP3 sample in order to automatically create a Flash MP3 player in your post!
Also check the Forum Rules, in particular rule #6 about the sharing of programs and samples.
Post Reply
User avatar
reggoboy
Posts: 99
Joined: 10 Apr 2020, 18:35
5
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 2
Has thanked: 44 times
Been thanked: 3 times
United States of America

Synth on "A Face In The Crowd" by Tom Petty

Post by reggoboy »

Hi folks!

Wondering if you have any idea how to reproduce the synth sound on this lovely tune?




I think the best chance to hear it is right after the guitar harmonics at the intro of the song. I can't tell if it changes elsewhere in the song; maybe your ear can pick it out better.

But the portion in the intro seems to have a sort of random swirly shimmer to what might otherwise be strings? Or strings with something overlaid??

Your help is appreciated!

Dave
User avatar
reggoboy
Posts: 99
Joined: 10 Apr 2020, 18:35
5
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 2
Has thanked: 44 times
Been thanked: 3 times
United States of America

Re: Synth on "A Face In The Crowd" by Tom Petty

Post by reggoboy »

No takers?
Elias
Posts: 551
Joined: 29 Sep 2019, 09:29
6
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 3
Location: Finland
Has thanked: 183 times
Been thanked: 214 times
Finland

Re: Synth on "A Face In The Crowd" by Tom Petty

Post by Elias »

Here's how i'd start, have never used a Stage 2 myself:
Lots of medium-lengthy reverb, 24db filter, detuned/unison saws, maybe some square wave in there as well. Close the filter until you roughly match the timbre, and add a heavy chorus effect on top.
These users thanked the author Elias for the post:
reggoboy
User-created Stage 2/3 file viewer: https://ns3-program-viewer.cyclic.app
Art is a great excuse to meet another human.
User avatar
reggoboy
Posts: 99
Joined: 10 Apr 2020, 18:35
5
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 2
Has thanked: 44 times
Been thanked: 3 times
United States of America

Re: Synth on "A Face In The Crowd" by Tom Petty

Post by reggoboy »

Thanks for the reply! I like how you’re thinking. I was about to try that and then I saw this:

https://fb.watch/cHORlWRJAs/

The way they play live often deviates from what was done in the studio. But don’t you think this sounds a lot like the recording? What synth is he playing here, can you tell?
Elias
Posts: 551
Joined: 29 Sep 2019, 09:29
6
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 3
Location: Finland
Has thanked: 183 times
Been thanked: 214 times
Finland

Re: Synth on "A Face In The Crowd" by Tom Petty

Post by Elias »

reggoboy wrote:The way they play live often deviates from what was done in the studio.
Is it ok if your version deviates from their studio version as well?
reggoboy wrote:But don’t you think this sounds a lot like the recording?
Yes. The synth has a very similar role, and makes a very similar sound.
reggoboy wrote:What synth is he playing here, can you tell?
Looks (and sounds) definitely like an OB-Xa.
Last edited by Elias on 30 Apr 2022, 12:30, edited 2 times in total.
User-created Stage 2/3 file viewer: https://ns3-program-viewer.cyclic.app
Art is a great excuse to meet another human.
User avatar
reggoboy
Posts: 99
Joined: 10 Apr 2020, 18:35
5
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 2
Has thanked: 44 times
Been thanked: 3 times
United States of America

Re: Synth on "A Face In The Crowd" by Tom Petty

Post by reggoboy »

Yes it does look like an OB.

Yes we can deviate from the studio version if necessary, but I’d rather match it as closely as possible.

Are you implying that you don’t think they used an OB to get that studio sound?

The synths I have heard Benmont say he plays are:

- OBx
- Prophet
- DX-7
- and then a controller for playing samples like Chamberlin strings

Do you think it’s one of those others?
Elias
Posts: 551
Joined: 29 Sep 2019, 09:29
6
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 3
Location: Finland
Has thanked: 183 times
Been thanked: 214 times
Finland

Re: Synth on "A Face In The Crowd" by Tom Petty

Post by Elias »

Could well be any combination of the first 3 really. And could be any number of other synths.
Not sure if this is relevant to getting the right sound though, not that it has to be.
Last edited by Elias on 30 Apr 2022, 13:33, edited 2 times in total.
User-created Stage 2/3 file viewer: https://ns3-program-viewer.cyclic.app
Art is a great excuse to meet another human.
User avatar
reggoboy
Posts: 99
Joined: 10 Apr 2020, 18:35
5
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 2
Has thanked: 44 times
Been thanked: 3 times
United States of America

Re: Synth on "A Face In The Crowd" by Tom Petty

Post by reggoboy »

AnaStrings seems to have pretty much nailed it out of the gate:

https://www.nordkeyboards.com/sound-lib ... y-20/synth

Reverb and chorus may help. But what I added was a bit of Phase shifting to make it even more swirly.
User avatar
ericL
Patch Creator
Posts: 1351
Joined: 23 Jun 2012, 00:36
13
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 2
Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Stage 3
Has thanked: 538 times
Been thanked: 717 times
United States of America

Re: Synth on "A Face In The Crowd" by Tom Petty

Post by ericL »

It’s a pretty basic pad that you could do with a combination of a subtle Hammond aka 808000002 plus a synth pad. Make it your own.
These users thanked the author ericL for the post:
reggoboy
Nords: NE2, NS2 88, NS3 Compact x 2
Live rig: NS3, Vent, Radial KL-8, Shure PSM-900 IEM Rig, UE18 & UE7 IEMs.
Studio: Hammond A-101 & Leslie 122, Yamaha CP-80, Yamaha S90, NS2, DSI Prophet-6, Vent II, Roland JX-8P.
Post Reply