The Journey - One Synth Challenge
An odd idea came to me to kick off the year 2025, directly inspired by the excellent One Synth Challenge from KVR: recreate some of the tracks from The Journey using only one synthesizer.
It's a challenge that I found interesting because it allows you to step out of the comfort of using multiple instruments with a wide sound palette. What about using a piano or orchestral instruments on an analog synth, for example? It also forces to make the most of a single instrument.
The structure of the tracks remains identical to the original versions. The arrangement (orchestration) should also be as faithful as possible, without any additions or rewrites of the original parts. I only allow myself a few "small" adaptations when necessary.
These reworked versions are released exclusively on Soundcloud.
Challenge #1
Brothers Shared Memories
Cherry Audio Elka-X
The Cherry Audio Elka-X synth is an emulation of the legendary Italian analog synth Elka Synthex, produced in the early 80s.
We are dealing with a "virtual analog," with a sound palette that is inevitably more limited than a digital instrument or multiple specialized instruments. However, it brings a quite personal color that, I think, fits well with the mood of the track. Hence this choice.
What I think about this synth
The Elka-X is a plugin that I particularly like and that is present in quite a few tracks on the album. I appreciate its ease of use, richness, and sonic color, and I would add that it comes with a large number of excellent presets. Considering its price, it is, in my opinion, a safe bet!
Backstage
The Studio One session includes 20 instances of the Elka-X. I used some presets provided with the instrument and programmed others specifically for the exercise. No external effects were added to these tracks, only the plugin effects were used. The only external effects used are for mastering, following a similar chain to that used for the album.
The two biggest challenges of this version were replacing the piano with 2 sounds that were not meant to imitate an acoustic piano, and re-instrumenting the "orchestral" tracks with sounds that were also very different from the originals.
Challenge #2
Intimate Captain
Full Bucket Music FB-3300
The Full Bucket Music's FB-3300 synthesizer is a "simulation" of the Japanese analog synthesizer PS-3300 by Korg, a semi-modular monster released in 1977.
Just like the previous challenge, I decided to use an analog synth emulation with an idea that quickly took shape: give a very "old school" vibe to the track by playing with the sounds used, while keeping the essential structure of the tracks.
With its typical sounds from the era of its model, the FB-3300 from Full Bucket Music seemed very suitable for the concept.
What I think about this synth
I wanted to highlight the virtual instruments from Full Bucket Music, some inspired by old Korg models, but also very interesting original instruments. Not only are these plugins of stunning quality, but it is worth noting that Björn Arlt, their talented developer, offers them for free download with the optional possibility to make a donation. A huge thank you to him!
With its 3 complete modules (each including oscillator, filter, envelope, LFO...), this emulation of Korg's ancient monster will appeal more to enthusiasts of analog experimentation than to those who want to discover the basics of this type of sound synthesis, who may feel a bit lost facing this imposing number of parameters.
Backstage
The Studio One session features 16 instances of the 3300. Again, I used some presets that came with the plugin which I slightly adjusted, and I programmed a handful from scratch.
Since the synth doesn't provide any internal effects, I used two additional effects as auxiliaries: TAL Reverb 4 and Full Bucket Brigade Delay. Both are available for free and seemed like an appropriate choice to maintain a very... 70's sound.
Just like with "Brothers Shared Memories," I had to rework some tracks that were originally played by orchestral instruments using the legato technique because they were not suitable for a synth like the FB-3300. Additionally, I had to make some modifications to two parts that were originally played simply, which transform into two sequences in this version.
Challenge #3
In May..!