i was trying to make the intro sound of laced by kiasmos:

this really thin and clicking sound,i'm not good at sound design but i think i've heard this kind of sound before maybe by delay or granular stuff?
Anyway i try the shortest amp envelope or layer a clicking sound,but i still cant get it right.
Could someone help me?Really appreciate it.

 

E-piano.

 

it sounds like electric guitar very high notes to me, eq'd

i tried just pitching up a sine wave but it doesn't have that string attack i think

maybe its just e-piano as No avenger said, i'm confused now

 

Last edited: Mar 30, 2025 at 6:15 PM

Don't know if we're talking about the same thing, but sounds like it's from free running oscillators with no phase resets on note-on, it creates subtle variations in attack transients. Might be why you couldn't replicate it with just the amp envelope on your soft synth, and why you recognise it from granular. You can turn free run and phase reset on/off on some soft synths but not all.

 

very pretty song. I love this sort of stuff. Bonobo, four tet, jon hopkins etc. Subtle, vibey electronica house stuff.

You may be overthinking the sound. Its nothing special really, Serum definitely has these sounds, so does pigments, or U-He stuff (diva, hive, etc). It may be organic, like a mallet or electric piano, as others have pointed out.

I think a big part of this is the composition, rather than the sound itself. Its the way the notes move in and out with the groove. Playing and bouncing off it. The movement of the bass, percussion and synth all work really well together. There is perhaps some resampling going on, or strange FX automations, things like granular like you mentioned, example being @ 1:27 the pitched down notes". Could easily be a send of the main synth going into a stretched granular like Unfiltered Audio Silo.

If i was you, I would take the song, strip it using AI, get as many layers as possible stripped, using Lalala, or fadr etc, and then load those up in my daw, and study the timing of the notes against the groove etc. You can also sample just one note, and use that as a synth.

 

simple e-piano or rhodes ?

 

Sounds like a guitar harmonic layered with something, maybe the E-piano others have mentioned.

Here's one (courtesy of the Alchemy library): https://mega.nz/file/w8FkAJqS#1-qTc1xVfUM6-1DhExR5--ej7nzVZWXyB_qG3UTCiRQ

Stick that in a sampler, layer it and you should be getting closer. Compress with fast attack, add delay and reverb to taste. Have fun!

 

Any respected synth has a factory preset bank...
choose folder "plucks" and you're there, choose some of those plucks and try to change ADSR settings.
I don't agree it sounds like EP, it sounds sooner as harp on its mid range, there are many of them as VSTi

And this is a real sound of harp:

 

Thanks for everyone ,really appreciate it.
I’m just curious about the string type attack maybe just a processed guitar sound.But how could it be a pluck or e piano?Sorry but I don't get it...

 

Kiasmos, the duo composed of Ólafur Arnalds and Janus Rasmussen, uses a combination of electronic and acoustic instruments in their music. For the track "Laced," as well as other compositions, they primarily employ:

Synthesizers and electronics:
Both Arnalds and Rasmussen are known for their expertise in synthesizers and electronic sound processing.

Strings and piano:
Arnalds incorporates minimal piano and string compositions, which are often layered with electronic beats.

Field recordings:
Rasmussen contributes organic drum sounds and field recordings, adding texture to their tracks.

Balinese percussion:
They have sampled traditional instruments like gamelan for unique rhythmic elements.

This blend of electronic synthesis, acoustic instrumentation, and experimental sampling defines the duo's signature sound.

 

The instrumentation in "Laced" by Kiasmos differs from their other tracks in several ways:

Field Recording Integration: "Laced" incorporates a unique field recording technique where Janus Rasmussen used a recorder to capture the sound of walking away during a breakdown. This creates a spatial effect, transitioning the listener into a different sonic space, which is distinct from their usual approach.

Balinese Influence: The track features sounds inspired by their time in Bali, including natural elements like crickets and potentially traditional Balinese percussion. These elements add an organic and atmospheric texture that sets it apart from other tracks.

Complex Synth Design: The duo spent significant time crafting intricate synth patches for "Laced," using semi-modular vintage Korgs like the PS-3100, MS-20, and MS-50. This meticulous sound design contrasts with simpler presets used in earlier works.

Ambient and Anti-Drop Structure: Unlike typical dance tracks that build tension for a drop, "Laced" employs an anti-drop approach, releasing tension unexpectedly and transitioning into serene spaces. This structural experimentation marks a departure from their earlier four-to-the-floor compositions.

Overall, "Laced" showcases Kiasmos' evolution in sound design, blending acoustic and electronic elements with innovative techniques to create a more immersive experience.