Signal path

Make a clean synth sound old

“Old” can mean an unstable note, a narrower tone, a noisy recording or a more distorted one. Choose which of those the part needs before stacking effects. This is a short application checklist, rather than another synthesis overview.

  • FB-60
  • Wild Thing
  • Ape Tape
The order

Step by step

Change the order if the material asks for it. The reasons are in each step.

  1. 1. Keep a clean reference

    Save the synth patch and record the phrase before processing. Make sure its note length and dynamics already work in the arrangement.

  2. 2. Choose one kind of age

    Wild Thing separates Noise, Wobble, Distort, Digital, Space and Magnetic stages. Begin with one stage and leave the rest switched off. Pitch movement, noise and digital degradation solve different creative jobs.

  3. 3. Trim and print a comparison

    Reduce output when the processing adds level. Keep both the clean part and the processed render until the arrangement is settled, particularly if long tails or pitch movement affect the next section.

Listening check

Compare in the whole song at similar loudness. Keep the treatment if it gives the part its intended role; reduce it when the melody, timing or low end becomes harder to follow.

Hear the published example

This is the product’s existing demonstration, with its own source and settings notes. It illustrates the tool; it is not a new recording of this checklist or a measured comparison with another product.

Loading the product’s published audio… Open the product page

Go deeper

In this guide

The plug-ins named above

Open a product page for the full controls, formats and installers.

  • FB-60, the plug-in's interface

    FB-60

    Price: Free

    A polyphonic analogue-style synth with classic chorus and effects built in.

    Synth

    Windows VST3 · Mac VST3 / AU

  • Wild Thing, the plug-in's interface

    Wild Thing

    Price: $24.99$49.99 from 9 Nov

    Build a lo-fi chain with noise, wobble, distortion and tape.

    Multi-Effect

    Windows VST3 · Mac VST3 / AU

  • Ape Tape, the plug-in's interface

    Ape Tape

    Price: $14.99$29.99 from 9 Nov

    Add tape colour, then blend it with your original signal.

    Tape

    Windows VST3 · Mac VST3 / AU

FAQ

Questions about this chain

Do I need noise to make a synth feel old?
No. Noise is one possible texture. Pitch movement, filtering, playing style or a different patch may solve the creative problem without adding noise.
Keep going

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