From swirling choruses to rubbery leads and woozy textures, Kevin Parker’s synth work as Tame Impala has become one of the defining sounds of modern psychedelic pop. While Parker’s roots are in guitar-driven songwriting, his ability to craft immersive, synth-forward soundscapes—often handling every element of production himself—sets him apart.
In this installment of The Synth Sounds Of, William Kurk explores the sonic fingerprints of Tame Impala across tracks like "Nangs," "Endors Toi," and "New Person, Same Old Mistakes"—recreating Parker’s tones using a mix of vintage analog gear and modern production tools.
Juno-106: The Foundation of “Nangs”
The lush, modulated intro of "Nangs" is classic Kevin Parker: wide, rhythmic, and swimming in chorus. Kurk starts with the Roland Juno-106, Parker’s signature polysynth and a go-to for many of the textures on Currents. Released in 1984, the Juno-106 is beloved for its warmth, simple interface, and distinctive onboard chorus—which adds width and movement even before any effects are applied.
To emulate Parker’s patch, Kurk sets up a rhythmic LFO modulating the filter (VCF), flips the envelope polarity to negative, and rides the filter to control how much of that modulation cuts through. With only one LFO onboard, he adds stereo width using Ableton’s Shifter plugin and the Waves SP22 stereo tool, pushing the sound closer to the warbly, VHS-like textures that saturate Parker’s mixes.
If a vintage Juno is out of reach, Kurk suggests modern alternatives like the Korg Minilogue XD, or plugin emulations such as Arturia’s Jun-6V and IK Multimedia’s Synthtronik J-60.
Roland JV-1080: Shaping “New Person, Same Old Mistakes”
The Currents closer, “New Person, Same Old Mistakes,” opens with a hypnotic, string-like swell. Kurk recreates it using the Roland JV-1080—a legendary ‘90s rackmount synth module with up to 64-voice polyphony and deep layering capabilities. While it’s unclear if Parker used this exact patch, Kurk draws on the String Ensemble preset for its pulsing, cinematic character.
Later in the track, a tightly filtered, harpsichord-like Juno patch adds subtle rhythmic tension. Kurk keeps the filter contour off and resonance low, allowing the patch to sit quietly beneath the mix—a perfect example of Parker’s nuanced layering.
Sequential Circuits Pro-1: The Lead on “Endors Toi”
For “Endors Toi” off Lonerism, Kurk switches to the Sequential Circuits Pro-One—a monophonic synth known for its biting tone and fluid modulation. The Pro-One handles the track’s slithery lead line, gliding smoothly from note to note thanks to its >normal portamento mode (versus the retriggering “auto” mode).
To capture the original’s edge, Kurk adds post-processing with phaser, overdrive, and delay pedals, giving the tone its characteristic analog grit. For those after a similar sound on a budget, he recommends options like the Moog Subsequent 25 or Arturia Prophet-5 VST in unison mode, or the u-He Repro-1 plugin for software users.
Honorable Mentions: Arps and Basslines
The Pro-One makes another appearance in an arpeggiated passage—set to up/down mode without tempo sync, relying entirely on feel. Kurk uses the synth’s latch and add-note functions to build a pulsing, evolving sequence, adding a final touch with the Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Electric Mistress flanger pedal.
For the squelchy bassline in “New Person, Same Old Mistakes,” Kurk again turns to the Pro-One. He layers one bass pass with the filter engaged and another with it open for added bite, carefully riding the sensitive envelope and resonance controls to maintain clarity and presence.
Kevin Parker’s synth work is less about complexity and more about texture, movement, and emotion. Whether through hardware like the Juno-106 and Pro-One or their modern emulations, Parker builds worlds with careful modulation and tactile sound design. What makes his sound compelling isn’t just gear—it’s how it’s played, tweaked, and treated after the fact.
With a handful of carefully chosen tools and a deep understanding of feel, you can start to channel the spirit of Tame Impala’s synth work in your own music.