Sabrina Carpenter "Espresso" Serum Tutorial & Breakdown

Welcome to this in-depth tutorial on recreating the sound design behind Sabrina Carpenter's hit song "Espresso" in Serum. We'll go behind the scenes to understand the elements that give "Espresso" its unique funk pop sound. Released on April 11, 2024, the song was a commercial success, peaking at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming Carpenter's first top ten hit on the chart. Below you'll find the bass, the two-layer keys, the pluck, the arp and the lead, with audio and settings for each.

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The Bass

Let's kick things off with the track's most infectious element: the bassline. It sets the groove and rhythm, and it was also easy to create. Use a Sine wave with one voice in oscillator "A" and a Reese wavetable with four voices in oscillator "B", add some frequency modulation, and set both oscillators one octave down. In the sub oscillator, use a Triangle wavetable two octaves down. Then use an envelope (in this case the third one) to modulate the cutoff and resonance of the filter. The resonance should be at around 35% and the cutoff should be cutting everything above 1 kHz. We also have an LFO acting as a quarter-note sidechain.

The Keys

We crafted our keys using a layering technique. The first layer works as a pad, giving the sound an ethereal quality, while the second layer adds a more substantial, key-like element that provides depth and body.

Layer 1: The Pad

To get this pad sound, we start with a Basic Shape in oscillator "A" and a Basic Mini in oscillator "B", both with between 5 and 6 voices. Our filter has Filter Key Track turned on, which links the filter cutoff to the pitch of the notes you play on your MIDI keyboard: when it's enabled, the cutoff adjusts automatically based on the pitch of each note. Then, in envelope 1, set the attack to 70 ms and the release to 1 s.

Layer 2: The Keys

This layer works more like traditional keys, giving the patch body and warmth. Use a Basic_Wrd waveform with 9 voices in oscillator "A" and a Basic Shape two octaves higher in oscillator "B". Then use envelope 2 to modulate the filter cutoff for subtle tonal shaping, and finally use an LFO to modulate the fine-tuning of both oscillators.

The Pluck

This pluck sound plays in every chorus of the song, weaving a subtle counter melody around the vocals. Use an FM_Freak waveform in oscillator "A" and a PWM Maths waveform in oscillator "B", both with the wavetable position at 1 and 2 voices each. Use an envelope to modulate the filter cutoff, with the decay set to 3.50 seconds and the release to 3.75 seconds. Add generous amounts of delay and reverb in the FX tab for depth and dimension.

The Arp

This arp is quite buried in the mix, playing in every bar of the verse. Its job is to fill the background with atmospheric texture and add to the overall mood of the track. It blends a Basic Mg waveform in oscillator "A" with a Sine wave in oscillator "B", with frequency modulation on oscillator "B". The key lies in two things: first, envelope 1 with a 200 ms attack, routed to the filter cutoff, which cuts everything above 1 kHz; second, generous amounts of reverb for depth and space.

The Lead

The finishing touch is this funky lead in the song's bridge. It uses an ICanHasKick wavetable in oscillator "A" and a Basic Shape in oscillator "B", both with 8 voices. Use an LFO to modulate the fine-tuning of both oscillators, then go to the Matrix tab. There, set envelope 2 as the aux source so the vibrato builds up gradually.

If you've made it this far and are wondering about the guitars throughout the song: we had to record them.

Make your own Espresso-style track.

You've heard how the bass, the two-layer keys, the pluck, the arp and the lead are built. The Nu Disco Pack has sounds like these ready to load in Serum, along with the rest of its 125+ presets.

Want the whole palette? The Disco Bundle adds 7 more disco and funk packs: eight packs for $49.90.