The Analog Heart of Stranger Things: Crafting Dark, Euphoric Synthwave in the Modern Studio

The Analog Heart of Stranger Things: Crafting Dark, Euphoric Synthwave in the Modern Studio

The Emotional Nostalgia of Analog Synths

From the first eerie swell of the Stranger Things theme, it's clear why the music hits so deep: it's dark but nostalgic, minimal yet emotional. Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein (of S U R V I V E) built the show’s score on vintage synth tones that recall dusty VHS tapes, arcade sounds, and warm 1980s sci-fi.

Instead of layering complex arrangements, they keep things simple – a single pad, a detuned lead, or a slow arp can carry an entire scene. These sounds feel alive because they are a little unstable: analog synths naturally drift in pitch and tone, adding that human, emotive wobble. It's exactly those imperfections – the gentle chorusing, the unresolved chords – that make it all feel strangely "home-like."

The Synths Behind the Sound

To get that iconic Stranger Things tone, Dixon & Stein relied heavily on hardware classics: the Prophet-6, Juno-106, ARP 2600, and Oberheim Matrix 1000, among others. The Prophet’s rich pads and eerie leads are everywhere in the show’s sonic identity. The Juno’s signature chorus adds dreamlike shimmer. For bass and mono leads, they turned to the Pro One, SH-2, and Moog Minimoog.

This palette mirrors the tools used in other synth-heavy scores. Vangelis famously used the Yamaha CS-80 to define the Blade Runner soundtrack. Hans Zimmer layered analog synths into Interstellar for warmth and emotion. Across all these, the common thread is character over perfection – quirky filters, analog drift, and unique sonic fingerprints.

Even today, modern synthwave and cinematic producers chase these same textures with either the real gear or faithful emulations (Arturia, Cherry Audio, TAL, etc.).

Recreating That Vibe in Serum 2 (Without the Hardware)

You don’t need a vintage synth museum to get this sound. In fact, modern plugins like Serum 2 let you fake a lot of that analog vibe – if you know how. Here are some condensed tips:

• Start with analog-style wavetables. Use ones based on Moogs, Junos, or ARPs instead of perfect saws.

• Manual detune. Don’t (solely) rely on Unison. Stack Osc A and B and slightly offset fine-tune (+4 / -4 cents).

• Add drift. Use a slow random LFO or Serum 2’s Chaos LFO to modulate fine pitch subtly.

• Randomize per note. Use "Note On Rand (Discrete)" to slightly change filter, pitch, or tone every key press.

• Velocity matters. Map velocity to filter or pitch nuances for human variation.

• Noise & saturation. Blend in analog hiss or VHS-style flutter (try Serum’s Noise OSC or plugins like Super VHS).

• Classic effects. Add chorus, tape delay, and dark reverbs to push things into that retro, cinematic space.

You can apply the same tricks in DIVA, Analog Lab, or Ableton’s Wavetable – just remember: the goal is to break the digital perfection a bit.

Bringing It All Together (Stranger Serum Synths)

All of this – from manual detuning to chaos modulation – is baked into my Stranger Serum Synths pack. It’s built to channel that emotional, retro-futuristic energy without needing hardware. Every preset is designed to feel "alive," and I’ve also included 100+ melodies to kickstart ideas or spark nostalgia.

Because let’s be real: sound design is half the battle, but melody is what hits the heart. That’s why I made sure the pack isn’t just a preset library – it’s a writing toolkit for modern synth storytellers.

If you’re curious to dive in, check out the pack – or hit me up if you want to nerd out about synths and sound design. This world of eerie arps, warm detuned pads, and Stranger Things melancholy is wide open.

Stay strange.

— Timon / RAW GEMZ