The iconic three-note synth chords that punctuate the verses were played on a sequential circuits Prophet-5 synthesizer. The stem reveals that these chords have a short decay, entering and exiting the soundstage quickly. This intentional programming prevents the chords from washing over the bassline. The String Arrangement
If you load the snare stem into your DAW, you are listening to history. The gated reverb on the snare (recorded in the live chamber at Westlake Studios) is so powerful that it sounds like a cannon firing. Without the bass and vocal masking, the snare decays into a massive, cavernous wash for exactly 1.9 seconds before cutting off. This stem alone is worth analyzing to understand the sound of 1982. michael jackson billie jean stems
