Outrun Music: The Perfect Soundtrack for a Retro Ride on Rodeo Drive

Imagine cruising down Rodeo Drive at night, neon lights flickering through the windows, palm trees blurring past as you accelerate. The city lights reflect off your vintage dashboard, and the soundtrack to this dreamscape? It’s pure Outrun ! a mix of retro-futuristic electronic music that takes you back to the ‘80s while pushing you forward into an electrifying new world. It’s the ideal vibe for late-night drives, gaming sessions, or simply diving into that nostalgic Miami Vice energy.

The Perfect Blend: Miami Vice FM Synthesis Selection

Outrun music is about capturing a moment in time: the heyday of neon-soaked cityscapes, with synthesizers creating waves of sound that echo the essence of Miami’s 80s nightlife. This music style blends FM synthesis, which was the signature sound of many vintage video consoles game, with a modern production twist. Think of it as a musical trip through a retro-futuristic vision, where electronic music doesn’t just play in the background but shapes the entire atmosphere.

With FM synthesis workflow

This a method that allows for incredibly dynamic and textured sound from the yamaha dx-7 – you get that unmistakable retro feel with a modern crispness

Frequency Modulation (FM) synthesis is a powerful sound design technique, especially popular for creating complex, evolving textures and unique timbres. The workflow for FM synthesis generally involves manipulating the relationships between oscillators, known as operators in FM synthesizers. Here’s a breakdown of the process:

Choosing a Carrier and Modulator: In FM synthesis, you start with a carrier oscillator, which produces the primary sound, and a modulator oscillator, which alters the frequency of the carrier. The carrier sets the basic pitch, while the modulator determines the harmonic complexity. The carrier frequency is typically set to the fundamental frequency of the desired sound, while the modulator’s frequency defines the overtone structure.

Setting Modulation Depth: This is where FM synthesis shines. By increasing the modulation index (the depth of modulation applied to the carrier), you increase the complexity of the sound. A high modulation index introduces more harmonics, while a lower one keeps the sound simpler and closer to a sine wave.

Adjusting Operator Ratios: FM synthesis uses frequency ratios between the carrier and modulator. Integer ratios (like 1:1 or 2:1) produce harmonic sounds, while non-integer or fractional ratios lead to more inharmonic, metallic textures. These ratios are essential for shaping tonal characteristics.

Applying Envelopes: Most FM synthesizers allow for envelope shaping of both the carrier and modulator. Envelopes control the attack, decay, sustain, and release of each oscillator, which impacts the sound’s dynamic evolution over time. Complex envelopes on the modulator can produce intricate timbral shifts.

Using Feedback Loops: Some FM synthesizers allow feedback, where an operator modulates itself. This can create more intense and unpredictable harmonic content, making the sound more textured.

Experimenting with Algorithms: Many FM synthesizers, like the Yamaha DX7, have multiple “algorithms” or configurations for how operators interact. Algorithms range from simple one-to-one modulations to intricate cascades and parallel configurations. Each algorithm results in a different sonic behavior and tonal possibilities.

Through these steps, you can achieve anything from smooth, bell-like tones to chaotic, noisy textures, making FM synthesis versatile for sound design across musical and experimental contexts.

A Sonic Fusion: From Techno to Synth Bass and Disco House

Outrun music isn’t confined to a single genre , it’s a vibrant fusion of electronic music styles, from the gritty pulse of techno to the groovy, infectious basslines of disco house. The sound is packed with an upbeat, “good-mood” energy, pulling in elements from multiple genres to create a unique listening experience. Driving synth basslines, infectious rhythms, and disco house vibes come together to form a smooth, groovy soundtrack that’s easy to get lost in… this is an hybridations of many electronic genres!

For those looking to focus, the music often flows into trance territory, helping you zone into a creative or productive state. Synth-heavy, this trance-like sound has a hypnotic effect, keeping listeners energized and focused – a true “focus trance” that takes you deeper into whatever you’re doing, whether it’s a high-speed race in a video game or late-night studying.

Discover some fm synthesis in this spotify playlist :

Gear Up: Vintage and Modern Equipment Combined

Many Outrun producers use vintage gear and synthesizers from the ‘80s and early ‘90s like the Yamaha DX7, Roland Juno-60, and iconic drum machines like the TR-808. This equipment brings the authentic sounds that make this music feel nostalgic. Combined with modern production tools, these vintage synthesizers and drum machines create a retro sound with forward and modern thinking, , merging the analog warmth of the past with today’s polished digital clarity.

Ride the Wave – Follow the Vibe and follow our spotify playlist

Outrun music isn’t just about sound; it’s about setting a mood, and it’s a vibe that resonates with night riders, gaming enthusiasts, and retro music fans alike. It’s a genre that encourages you to turn up the volume, feel the bassline, and lose yourself in the rhythm. Whether you’re looking to elevate a gaming session, chill out with some disco-inspired grooves, or find the perfect background for a late-night cruise, Outrun has you covered.

So next time you’re in need of a sonic escape, plug in, tune in, and get ready to feel the vibe. Follow the sound, and let the music take you on a neon-lit journey through time and space.

If you’re up to discover a fancy clip with fm synths here is a crazy youtube video 🙂

Analog has been founded on January 16th 2016. It is an independant label based in Brussels, Belgium. AEXP will propose some music made with vintage analog machines (Roland TR-909-TR-808-TR-707-TR-606-TB-303-SH-101-MC-202-JUNO-106-MONOPOLY-MPC-60-LEXICON-PCM-BOSS…). For it’s first opus released on May 4th 2016, AEXP will transport you right in the middle of the mid-nineties. You will immediately recognize that legendary pure analogic sound.

http://www.analogexperience.be/

AEXP – 001 – We control the transmission EP

AEXP 001 Limited Turquoise Edition

This EP is only for true ravers, it has this special warehouse feeling.

• Format : 12inch Vinyl, Belgium
• Limited  turquoise edition & Limited plain white edition
• *Vinyl only* – Acid – Techno – Hard – Electro – Experimental

A-Side is totally oldschool acid with a first solid acidish track immediately followed by a pure acidcore banger that will unleash full energy once spinned. Third track is more like an intro/dj tools with that sound sampled from real industrial machines.

B-Side starts things off with another life, a splendid another dimension track that combine synthetic melodies with a subtle acid touch. The two other tracks are more psychedelics with crazy rhythms and hypnotic melodies. Ideal for 707 lovers.

Feedback from Toolbox Records : Electro And acid, techno and broken… 2 Long tunes on the beginning of each side with a short bonus. First opus from a fmilly bizness of acid belgium sound…. “Awakening of modern vintage sound – Must have !”

Tracklisting :

• A1-Lnt Mike – Muscle Tear    (Techno-Acid)
• A2-Lnt Mike – Bonebreaker   (Acid – Hard)
• A3-Lnt Mike – Dark Materia  (Experimental)
• B1-Gomanu – Another Life     (Acid-House)
• B2-Gomanu – Mananiak         (Electro-Experimental)
• B3-Gomanu – Robotane          (Electro-Wave)

Preview at AEXP Youtube channel – Buy it at discogs

There is short video teaser to introduce my new electronic music album : WSL SERIES LP (with analogy of Woluwe Saint Lambert which is my hometown) –

Credits goes to WSL League for the inspiration during all the the season 2015 – I did one track per surf contest – 100% Hardware setup using real vintage machines and instruments – No computer was used on the twelve analogic tracks.

Here is the final cover for the lp,  I hope you guys like it!  BUY NOW AT FRIENDLY PRICE

WSL SERIES LP by Lnt Mike

Very Happy to announce this release that celebrate a year of audio producing work. It may be followed by a very limited vinyl release.

Wsl Series LP Sampler Cover Web

Every Friday It’s Smiley Friday !

It all begun on Twitter where a group of artists sharing the same interest in Acid Music Production started to tag each other every friday with a Smiley Image. It has not only been a lot of fun but was also an opportunity to enlarge their social media circle by meeting and following the followers of their followers and vice versa… Of course all of them were firstly linked by their passion of producing acid techno or just enjoying listening underground tracks from local artists.

After a few weeks of Smiley Friday sharing madness, FaSid303 from Luik, Belgium had a genius idea. Why not creating a small compilation of music and offer it on free download ? Just for the fun, not for the profit..

Few artists joined and here it is , the first Smiley Friday Compilation, the first of a serie !

Smiley Friday Ep – Front Cover – discogs