Anyone else here secretly a synthwave producer? Share your setup!

Nice combo! I'm a sound designer for film and video, so I totally get the crossover. For that 80s drum sound, you're on the right track with LinnDrum samples, but the secret is in the processing. Try running them through an SSL-style compressor (Ableton's Glue Compressor is perfect) with a fast attack and a medium ratio to get that punchy, gated feel. Then add a subtle high-pass filter around 30 Hz to clean up the low end, and a touch of tape saturation (like the free Softube Saturation Knob) to glue it together.

For gear under $500, I'd strongly recommend the Behringer RD-8 (a TR-808 clone) if you want that booming kick and snare. It's about $400 used and gives you that authentic analog drum machine vibe. Alternatively, if you want to stay software-based, check out the free plugin 'OB-Xd' for that classic Oberheim pad sound—it's a staple for synthwave. And don't forget to throw a chorus on your JX-08 and a delay on the Volca Keys to widen the stereo field.

Balancing music and video is tough, but I find that dedicating one evening a week to music keeps it fun. You'll also start noticing how music theory and sound design can improve your video editing rhythm and soundtracks. Good luck!

Hey everyone, just wanted to follow up on this thread. I took the advice from soundpro37 and tried the Glue Compressor on my drum bus—it was a game changer! I also picked up a used Behringer RD-8 and I'm having a blast programming those classic 808 patterns. My synthwave track finally sounds like something I'd actually put in a video intro.

Thanks for the tips, soundpro37! I'm now thinking about upgrading my Ableton Live Lite to Standard so I can use more than 8 tracks—my current project is already at 7. But that's for another day. Appreciate the community here, always so helpful even on off-topic stuff. Cheers!