Apeshyt Synth is a must for any producer looking for that classic Westcoast Hip-Hop Vibe!
When people talk about ‘Westcoast’ Hip-hop, it’s hard not to think about Dr. Dre, Snoop, Xzibit, Tupac, and countless other artists.
What people loved about Westcoast Hip-Hop was its infectious sound which was built around:
- synthesizers
- thick chunky bass lines
- buzzy leads
- whistles
- interpolations of classic funk and soul records
Okay, and the occasional sample from classical. Dre was heavily known for incorporating classical and orchestral elements into the genre.
That sound people fell in love with was G Funk, AKA Gangsta Funk, pulling a lot of its inspiration from a wide range of musical genres, including Latin bands, soul groups, and psychedelic rock.
Parliament, one of the pioneers of psychedelic funk, was a significant influence on the sound of G Funk, and their music can be heard in many of the classic tracks from the era.
Check Out Apeshyt’s Full Features Here
Music Gear Westcoast Producers Used
Here are a few well known pieces of gear that have been used to create unforgettable Westcoast tracks that have stood the test of time.
- Korg Triton: pianos, strings, horns, and drums
- Moog Synth: Thick basslines, funky leads, and sweeping pads
- Yamaha Motif: Similar to the Korg Triton, but with more realistic sounding acoustics
- Roland: Juno and XP series, as well as rack modules, were used for their leads, basslines, and Rhode like sounds
- Korg MS-20: Raw, aggressive sounding, and semi modular. The filters were a dream too
Where Does Apeshyt Synth Fit In?
Apeshyt Synth is a cost effective solution for achieving the vintage classic westcoast sound. Instead of spending thousands of dollars on individual pieces of gear, Braumah Beats has carefully designed many of the sounds found in Juno and XP series and rack modules that were used on hit records, paying homage to the producers who used them and included them in this VST plugin.
The sounds are ready to use as is, without the need for extensive tweaking, making it quick and easy to get up and going with very little prep, if any.
Apeshyt Synth’s Various Sounds and Features
Here are some of the features that make it stand out:
Authentic analog sounds: With Apeshyt Synth, you get great analog bass, leads, pads, plucks, and synths, perfect for creating unique and high-quality music.
Customizable effects: The plugin also offers glide, tune, and filter effects that allow you to customize your sounds in various ways.
Modulation options: The ADSR and LFO modulation options enable you to give your music more movement and expression.
User friendly Interface: The simple and intuitive interface of Apeshyt Synth is easy to navigate, allowing you to fine-tune your sound with ease.
Velocity Sensitive: This means the sounds respond to and produce different sound levels based on the force or speed of the music producer’s touch.
I also like the fact that Braumah Beats took time in considering the overall use of the sounds and allowing the basses and leads to be interchangeable. Meaning if you play the bass notes in the higher register, they can serve as lead and vice versa.
Also, this synth is polyphonic, so the same bass patches can be used to play chords!
Just Take a Listen For Yourself
Braumah has a really good ear, these sounds are spot on.
Pay close attention to the patches he uses in this video. The Mars Bass Patch being used in the video can be heard all over westcoast production. Especially tracks produced by Battlecat, Jelly Roll, and Daz.
Tweakability: What You Have Control Over
As previously mentioned, the sounds in Apeshyt Synth are quality and are ready to go upon installation. However, producers may need to adjust the synth to achieve their unique style. This is especially true when trying to integrate a new patch into existing production.
Luckily, Braumah Beats provided basic ADSR controls, LFO, pitch adjustment, and reverb options to help customize your sounds and fit them seamlessly into your tracks. The reverb effect, in particular, is a valuable tool for blending sounds together and avoiding clashes with other elements in your mix.
These features are useful when aiming to achieve a cohesive overall sound where no single element dominates the mix. With these options at your disposal, you can easily fine tune your patches, creating your own unique sounds with Apeshyt Synth.
What Does ADSR Mean?
ADSR = Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release. Most synthesizers have this feature, which is crucial as it enables you, the producer, to shape and control your sound’s envelope.
Understanding ADSR is critical to sound design and getting the most from any synth you own. If you don’t want to go down the rabbit hole of sound design, you don’t have to. Just make sure you know the following:
- Attack: Regulates how rapidly the sound reaches its maximum volume after pressing the key.
- Decay: Manages the duration it takes for the sound to decrease from its maximum volume to the level of sustain.
- Sustain: Controls the level at which the sound is sustained as long as the key is held down.
- Release: Dictates the duration it takes for the sound to gradually disappear after the key is released.
Here’s a perfect example: You can make your sounds punchy and percussive by shortening the decay time. You can also make sounds softer by increasing the attack time.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to infuse your beats with the classic Westcoast vibe, you can’t afford to miss out on Apeshyt Synth. Braumah Beats has expertly crafted this beast with precisely the right sounds you need to achieve that iconic West sound.
Furthermore, while its feature set and performance make it powerful for Westcoast music, it can be used for a variety of genres as well.
