Percussion sounds can make or break a track. I learned this the hard way in 2018 when I spent three hours trying to make a shaker loop for a tropical house remix, only to realize it sounded like a maraca filled with gravel. That’s when I got into Sylenth1, the synth that’s been a staple in dance music since its 2007 debut.

Step 1: Layering Oscillators for Texture

Start by opening Sylenth1 and initializing a blank preset.

OSC 1: Set the waveform to Pulse, octave to -1, and crank the voices to 8. Pan it slightly to the right (0.867). Why? The low octave adds weight, while the stereo spread gives a subtle “width” without muddying your mix. Fun fact: The Pulse wave’s hollow sound was famously used in 80s arcade games—think Space Invaders explosions.

OSC 2: Switch to Noise, drop the voices to 4, and shift the phase to 79 degrees. Pan this one hard left (-1.333). Noise might seem chaotic (like broken TV static), but when shaped right, it adds grit. I once used a similar noise layer in a techno track, and my buddy swore it sounded like “bacon frying in rhythm.”

Step 2: Sculpting the Amp Envelope

Percussions are all about timing. Set your amp envelope like this:

• Attack: 0.05 ms (instant punch, like a snare hit)

• Decay: 3.4 sec (lets the sound breathe but doesn’t overstay)

• Sustain: 0 (no lingering tail—think sharp claps)

• Release: 2.7 sec (smooth fade-out to avoid abrupt cuts)

This mimics the natural decay of a real drum. For context, a 909 kick’s decay is ~300 ms, but we’re stretching it here for a dramatic, cinematic effect.

Step 3: Filtering for Character

Filter A: Choose Bandpass mode. Set the cutoff to 3.033 kHz and the resolution to 4.8. Bandpass is underrated for percussion—it carves out mids, like scooping the “meat” of the sound. Back in my college DJ days, I’d kill for this trick to make hi-hats cut through basement party speakers.

Filter Control: Bump the cutoff to 5.133 kHz and resonance to 10. This adds brightness and a metallic “twang.” Imagine tapping a soda can with a drumstick—that’s the vibe.

Step 4: Compression for Punch

Head to your DAW’s compressor (or use Sylenth1’s built-in one). Apply:

• Ratio: 100:1 (aggressive squashing—this isn’t a gentle hug, it’s a vice grip)

• Threshold: -22 dB (catches even the quietest transients)

• Attack: 15 ms (lets the initial “thud” through)

• Release: 150 ms (smoothly ducks the tail)

This is how I salvaged a limp kick drum in a trap beat last year. The artist said it “hit like a UPS truck,” which I’ll take as a compliment.

Step 5: Final Tweaks & Humanization

Turn down the synth’s master volume to -6 dB to avoid clipping. For realism, add slight timing variations: nudge OSC 2’s phase randomly or tweak panning by 2-3%. My go-to move? Automate the filter cutoff during drops—it turns a basic perk into a living, breathing element.

Download the Preset + 30 More

Ready to skip the tweaking? Download this preset here. I’ve also dropped 30 free percussion presets—from tribal toms to glitchy clicks—inspired by genres like UK garage and ambient. (Pro tip: Check your spam folder. My emails sometimes think they’re “too cool” for the inbox.)

Final Thought: Sylenth1’s strength lies in simplicity. Unlike modern wavetable synths, it forces you to listen, not just scroll presets. Next time you’re stuck, ask, “What would a 2000s trance producer do?” Spoiler: They’d turn knobs until magic happens.

P.S. If your percussion still sounds like gravel, hit reply. I’ve got a folder of shameful 2018 samples to make you feel better.

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve been scratching your head trying to figure out how to create that perfect tom drum sound in Sylenth1. Don’t worry, I’ve been there too. In fact, let me tell you a little story.

Back in 2015, I was working on my first ever EDM track. I had just downloaded Sylenth1 and thought I was ready to conquer the world of electronic music. Spoiler alert: I wasn’t. My "drums" sounded like someone dropping pots and pans in a kitchen. It wasn’t pretty. But over time, with a lot of trial and error (and a few embarrassing moments), I finally figured it out.

Step 1: Setting Up Oscillators—The Heart of Your Sound

The oscillators are the foundation of your tom drum sound. Think of them as the raw material you’ll sculpt into something beautiful. Let’s start by configuring OSC 1.

First, set the waveform to Saw. This gives us that rich, full-bodied tone that’s perfect for toms. Next, drop the octave down by one (-1). This lowers the pitch and gives us that deep, resonant sound we’re after. Now, crank up the voices to 8. More voices mean more thickness, which is essential for a powerful tom sound. To add some stereo width, move the pan slightly to the right (2.667). This makes the sound feel wider and more immersive. Turn on Retrig. This ensures each note starts fresh, giving your tom a cleaner attack. Finally, adjust the fine-tune to 0.260. This subtle detuning adds character and depth to the sound.

Now, let’s move on to OSC 2. This oscillator will complement OSC 1 and add even more richness to the sound. Set the waveform to Saw again. Drop the octave down by one (-1), just like OSC 1. Keep the voices at 8, because who doesn’t love a thick, beefy sound? Move the pan further to the right (3.067) for even more stereo separation. This creates a sense of space in your mix. Rotate the phase shift to 57 degrees. Phase shifting introduces phase cancellation between the two oscillators, adding complexity and depth to the sound. Turn on Retrig to ensure each note starts cleanly. Adjust the fine-tune to 0.06. This slight detuning helps differentiate OSC 2 from OSC 1, making the overall sound more interesting.

Step 2: Shaping the Sound with AMP Envelope—Giving It Life

The amplitude envelope controls how the volume of the sound changes over time. This is where we give our tom its signature punch and decay.

Start by setting the attack to 0.05. A quick attack ensures the tom has that sharp, punchy start. Increase the decay to 4.045. This allows the sound to sustain briefly before fading out, giving it a natural, drum-like feel. Bring the sustain all the way down to 0. Since we’re creating a percussive sound, we don’t need much sustain. Set the release to 0.5. This ensures the sound tails off smoothly when you release the key, avoiding any abrupt cutoffs.

Step 3: Filtering for Depth—Carving Out the Perfect Tone

Filters are like chisels for sound—they help carve out the frequencies that make your tom sound rich and full. For this step, we’ll use a bandpass filter.

Choose Bandpass as the filter type. Bandpass filters allow only a narrow range of frequencies through, which is perfect for creating focused, resonant sounds. Start with a cutoff of 5. This sets the center frequency of the bandpass filter. Boost the resonance to 3. Resonance emphasizes the cutoff frequency, giving the tom its “ring.” Add a touch of distortion by setting the drive to 6. This warms up the sound and adds a bit of grit.

In the Filter Control section, bump up the cutoff to 5.2. This tweaks the center frequency for a more refined tone. Push the resonance to 3.9. This enhances the ringing effect, making the tom sound more dynamic and lively.

Step 4: Adding Effects—Polishing the Sound

To really bring the tom to life, we’ll add some effects. These small touches can make a big difference in how your sound feels.

For distortion, select Overdrive as the distortion type. Overdrive adds warmth and character without being too harsh. Set the amount to 2.7. This level of distortion enhances the low-end thump while keeping the high-end crisp. Max out the wet/dry knob to 100%. This ensures the full effect is applied, giving the tom a more aggressive, punchy presence.

For EQ, equalization lets you boost or cut specific frequency ranges. For our tom, boost the bass by +10 dB at around 446 Hz. This enhances the low-end thump, making the tom sound powerful and impactful. Add a bit of sparkle by boosting the treble by +7.5 dB at 3.5 kHz. This brightens the sound and ensures it cuts through the mix.

Step 5: Modulation Envelopes—Adding Dynamics

Modulation envelopes control various parameters over time. Let’s tweak these to add some movement and interest to the sound.

For Mod Env 1, set the attack to 3.045. This delays the onset of the modulation, creating a smoother transition. Set the decay to 3.636. This determines how long the modulation lasts before fading out. Both the sustain and release should be set to 10. This ensures the modulation remains active throughout the sound’s duration. Dial the cutoff down to -6.8. This makes the filter sweep dynamically as the sound plays, adding a sense of motion.

For Mod Env 2, set the attack to 7.5. This introduces a longer delay before the modulation kicks in. Set the decay to 2.5. This keeps the modulation short and snappy. Set the sustain to 10 and the release to 0. This ensures the modulation happens quickly and disappears immediately after the note ends. Lower the pitch by -2.2. This creates a subtle pitch bend effect, giving the tom a more organic feel. Boost the resonance to 4.4. This enhances the ringing effect, making the sound more vibrant and alive.

Step 6: LFO for Movement—Adding That Extra Spark

Finally, let’s add some movement using an LFO. LFOs (Low-Frequency Oscillators) introduce periodic changes to the sound, making it feel more dynamic and engaging.

Set the rate to 1/4D. This means the modulation will happen once every quarter note with a triplet feel, adding a rhythmic element to the sound. Set the gain to 3.8. This controls the intensity of the modulation. Boost the pitch to 6.4. The LFO will subtly modulate the pitch, adding a sense of motion to the tom.

Final Thoughts

A killer tom drum in Sylenth1! Take a moment to play around with the settings—you might discover something new that works better for your track. Music production is all about experimentation, after all.

By the way, did you know that the word “tom” actually comes from the Japanese word tomo, meaning friend? Musicians back in the day thought the deep, resonant sound of these drums sounded friendly and approachable. Who knew?

If you enjoyed this tutorial and want more ready-to-use tom sounds, check out my free download: Sylenth1 Tom Essentials. Happy producing, and remember—keep those pots and pans far away from your studio! 😄