Choosing Synths

Sonic Pi includes dozens of synths. For dark electronic music, you only need to master a handful.

The Core Palette

These six synths cover 90% of Sonic Byte:

Synth Selection by Role

For Bass

Aggressive bass: :tb303

use_synth :tb303
play :d2, cutoff: 80, res: 0.3

The resonant filter creates the classic acid sound.

Warm bass: :prophet

use_synth :prophet
play :d2, cutoff: 75, res: 0.2

Smoother, less aggressive, more musical.

Wide bass: :dsaw

use_synth :dsaw
play :d2, cutoff: 82, detune: 0.2

The detuned oscillators create stereo width.

Sub layer: :sine (always)

use_synth :sine
play :d1  # One octave below main bass

Pure low frequency, no harmonics. Mix it high.

For Leads

Musical lead: :prophet

use_synth :prophet
play :d4, attack: 0.05, cutoff: 90

Warm and expressive, good for melodic lines.

Aggressive lead: :mod_saw

use_synth :mod_saw
play :d4, mod_phase: 0.1, mod_range: 6, cutoff: 110

The modulation creates movement and urgency.

Shimmering layer: :saw

use_synth :saw
play :d5, amp: 0.1, cutoff: 75  # Octave up, quiet

Add sparkle to prophet leads.

For Arpeggios

Classic arp: :pulse

use_synth :pulse
play :d4, pulse_width: 0.35, cutoff: 100

Hollow, rhythmic, synthwave-appropriate.

Aggressive arp: :dsaw

use_synth :dsaw
play :d4, detune: 0.1, cutoff: 95

Wider, more present.

For Pads/Atmosphere

Dark pad: :dark_ambience

use_synth :dark_ambience
play [:d3, :a3, :d4], attack: 2, sustain: 3, release: 4

Evolving, eerie texture.

Ethereal pad: :hollow

use_synth :hollow
play :d4, attack: 0.5, release: 2, cutoff: 85

Breathy, ghostly presence.

For Special Effects

Alarm/hook: :mod_saw

use_synth :mod_saw
play :f4, mod_phase: 0.08, mod_range: 8, cutoff: 115

Fast modulation = alarm-like urgency.

Stab: :dsaw or :dark_ambience

use_synth :dsaw
play [:d2, :a2, :d3], attack: 0, decay: 0.15, release: 0.1

Short, punchy chord hits.

Synth Comparison

Bass Synths

# Same note, different character
use_bpm 100

use_synth :tb303
play :d2, cutoff: 80, res: 0.3
sleep 2

use_synth :prophet
play :d2, cutoff: 80
sleep 2

use_synth :dsaw
play :d2, cutoff: 80, detune: 0.2
sleep 2

Listen for:

• TB303: Brighter, more “squelchy”
• Prophet: Warmer, rounder
• Dsaw: Wider, more aggressive

Lead Synths

use_synth :prophet
play :d4, cutoff: 90
sleep 2

use_synth :saw
play :d4, cutoff: 90
sleep 2

use_synth :mod_saw
play :d4, cutoff: 100, mod_phase: 0.15, mod_range: 4
sleep 2

Listen for:

• Prophet: Musical, singable
• Saw: Raw, brighter
• Mod_saw: Movement, urgency

Decision Framework

Need bass?
├── Aggressive → :tb303
├── Warm → :prophet
├── Wide → :dsaw
└── Always add → :sine (sub layer)

Need lead?
├── Melodic → :prophet
├── Aggressive → :mod_saw
└── Add shimmer? → :saw (octave up)

Need arp?
├── Classic → :pulse
└── Aggressive → :dsaw

Need atmosphere?
├── Dark → :dark_ambience
└── Ethereal → :hollow

Need hook/alarm?
└── → :mod_saw (fast mod_phase)

Exploring More Synths

Sonic Pi has many more synths. Some worth exploring:

• :fm — FM synthesis, metallic/bell tones
• :mod_tri — Modulated triangle, softer than mod_saw
• :tech_saws — Multiple detuned saws, huge sound
• :blade — Aggressive, cutting

To see all available synths:

puts synth_names

But for Sonic Byte, the core six are all you need.

Quick Reference

# Aggressive bass
use_synth :tb303
play :d2, cutoff: 80, res: 0.3, wave: 0

# Warm bass
use_synth :prophet
play :d2, cutoff: 75, res: 0.2

# Sub layer
use_synth :sine
play :d1, amp: 1.1

# Lead
use_synth :prophet
play :d4, attack: 0.05, cutoff: 90

# Arp
use_synth :pulse
play :d4, pulse_width: 0.35, cutoff: 100

# Pad
use_synth :dark_ambience
play [:d3, :a3], attack: 2, release: 4