Hello,

Its probably simple as hell but still I couldnt figure out how to replicate a similar sound.

the short synth hit / stab / whatever at 0:39 right at the beginning of the chorus:

I tried layering a couple of keys & synth brasses but it didnt quite work & sounded like a clustered mess instead.

how do I achieve these type of sounds for pop music?

 

I guess we're talking about the most famous stabs of all: the opening of "Firebird Suite" from Igor Stravinsky (1910). Starting from the 80's it was used massively as sample from Fairlight CMI (preset called ORCH_2). It's such an iconic sound that there were even documentaries about it, here's one:

 

brilliant video ! thanks for sharing

 

Alternatively you can use this, its the last chord the beatles every played together (everybody had their own piano in the sturdio) hardly anyone knows it anymore so its quite easy to work into just about any song. I like to use it for the ring tone on my mobile as it really stands out from everyone else in the library when i get a call..

 

its just a orchestra hit with short release
can be found in e-mu proteus, roland jv 1080 and other 90s synths!

 

these are from guy who posted these years ago to Soundcloud. They are from 1983 Fairlight CMI IIx as wav files:

https://drive.usercontent.google.co...E9Ym1ZlRL6sh0MmYU_&export=download&authuser=0

You can find "similar" orchestra hits in most 1980s digital synths. DX7, Kawai K4, Roland D-50, Korg M-1, all have some version of them which were also used on various records of the time. But the CMI one is the original and most famous, obviously.

 

Last edited: Apr 13, 2025

when I slam the silverware drawer it makes a similiar sound, especially with the right reverb.