The Classic 80s Sound of a-ha - Train of Thought | Vintage Synth Recreation

video upload by RetroSound

"In this new video I recreate the sound of “Train of Thought” by a-ha from the album Hunting High and Low. Written by Pål Waaktaar, this track is one of the standout examples of 1980s synth-pop production, combining melodic hooks, layered textures, and distinctive Scandinavian pop atmosphere.

For this vintage synth recreation I focused on capturing the character, tone, and arrangement of the original recording using classic hardware synthesizers and samplers. My setup includes the Yamaha DX7 II FD and the Roland Juno-106 for the main synth parts and signature textures.

The bass, flute sound (Fairlight) and selected drum sounds were created with the E-mu Emulator II. I also used the PPG Wave 2.2 for additional digital bass layers, digital textures, and atmospheric effects.

My goal was to explore how the classic a-ha sound was built — from analog warmth and FM synthesis to early digital sampling and wavetable synthesis.

If you enjoy vintage synthesizers, 80s synth-pop, classic a-ha productions, and deep dives into iconic keyboard sounds, this recreation is for you."