The core components

A standard synthwave track is comprised of a few basic elements: drums, bass, arpeggio, synth pad and synth lead. The drum sounds come straight from 80s, often using samples from machines from the likes of the Roland TR-707, LinnDrum, Simmons and Oberheim DMX. Drum patterns are typically minimal – often only a kick drum and snare are prominent, as most of the rhythmic energy is provided by the synths.

Bass sounds are relatively simple, short and snappy; frequently taking the form of repeated eighth-notes (or 16ths for faster-paced tracks) and often only playing the root note of the chord. The bassline is usually accompanied by a synth arpeggio or simple repeating pattern, serving as both a melodic and rhythmic driving force.

Pad sounds are dreamy, ‘soft', heavily filtered and coated in reverb to give a warm and soft backdrop. The lead sounds usually have more bite, cutting through the mix in contrast to the pad, but in balance with the bass.

This stripped-back sound palette is extremely effective. The drums, bass and arpeggio give the track its momentum, the pad gives a warm backdrop and reinforces the underlying chords, and the synth lead serves up the hook and melodic focus.