How to Make Synthwave

To make synthwave you recreate a 1980s sound using analog-style synths for bass, leads and pads, a steady four-on-the-floor or programmed drum machine groove with gated reverb, driving arpeggios, and a nostalgic, cinematic mood, usually around 80–118 BPM. Learning how to make synthwave is about capturing retro tones and atmosphere. Here is a practical guide for the home studio.

Synthwave (also called retrowave or outrun) is inspired by 80s film scores, video games and pop. The whole genre leans on a specific palette of vintage synth sounds and production choices.

Set the tempo and mood

Most synthwave sits between 80 and 118 BPM, with a lot of tracks around 100–110. The feel is steady and hypnotic rather than busy. Decide on the mood first: driving and energetic (outrun), dark and dystopian (darksynth), or dreamy and warm (dreamwave). Minor keys dominate and give that bittersweet, nostalgic flavour.

Choose authentic 80s synth sounds

The sound is everything in synthwave. Use analog-style synths — virtual instruments that emulate classic hardware like the Juno, Jupiter, DX7 and Prophet work perfectly, and free synths such as Vital and Surge can nail these tones. Build your palette:

• Bass: a punchy analog synth bass, often played in steady eighth or sixteenth notes.
• Lead: a bright saw or square lead, sometimes with a slight glide (portamento).
• Pads: warm, lush string-style pads for the cinematic backdrop.
• Bells and FM tones: classic DX7-style electric piano and bell sounds for melodies.

Add chorus to thicken sounds — it is a core part of the 80s character.

Program drums with gated reverb

Synthwave drums use vintage drum-machine sounds — think LinnDrum and classic Roland machines — and a steady, often four-on-the-floor pattern. The signature is the big, gated-reverb snare: a huge snare with a reverb tail that cuts off abruptly, the iconic 80s drum sound. Keep the kick punchy, add electronic toms and claps, and let the groove stay simple and propulsive. Set clean levels with our gain staging guide.

Write arpeggios and melodies

Arpeggios drive synthwave. Take your chord progression and run it through an arpeggiator playing fast, steady sixteenth notes — this rolling, hypnotic motion is central to the outrun feel. Over the top, write a strong, singable lead melody. Keep harmony simple, often just a few minor-key chords looping, so the arpeggios and melody carry the song.

Arrange for a cinematic build

Synthwave tracks tend to build gradually like a film score: start with an atmospheric intro, layer in the bass and arpeggio, bring in drums, then add the lead melody for the main section. Use long pads and reverb-drenched transitions. The arrangement should feel like a journey — think night drive, neon and retro sci-fi.

Mix and master for that retro polish

Mix synthwave with width and warmth. Use generous reverb and delay to create the spacious, dreamy atmosphere, and add subtle saturation or tape-style processing for analog warmth. Sidechain the pads and bass lightly to the kick for movement. Learn the basics in our guide to using reverb and delay, balance with EQ and compression fundamentals, and set loudness with our guide to LUFS.

Frequently asked questions

What synths are used in synthwave?

Synthwave recreates classic 80s hardware like the Roland Juno and Jupiter, the Yamaha DX7 and the Prophet. Modern software emulations and free synths such as Vital and Surge can produce these tones convincingly.

What is the gated reverb snare?

It is the huge, iconic 80s snare sound created by adding a big reverb to the snare and then cutting the reverb tail off abruptly with a gate. It gives synthwave drums their punchy, explosive, retro character.

What BPM is synthwave?

Synthwave usually sits between 80 and 118 BPM, with many tracks around 100–110. The tempo stays steady and hypnotic, supporting the rolling arpeggios rather than fast, busy rhythms.