Espen Kraft’s 80s Action Music: Synth Basslines That Hit Harder Than a Kangaroo Kick

Espen Kraft kicks things off by laying down the backbone of any self-respecting 80s action cue: driving synth basslines and drum patterns that hit harder than a drop bear on a sugar rush. He’s not mucking about—right from the get-go, you’re treated to a cocktail of kicks, congas, and hi-hats, all with a dash of reverb for that cinematic sheen. The drum patterns aren’t just there for show; they’re meticulously layered to create tension and movement, with marching snare-style hi-hats giving the whole thing a military edge. If you reckon you can just slap a kick and snare together, think again—Espen’s approach is all about building and releasing energy, just like a chase scene through the bush.

But it’s the basslines that really get your blood pumping. Using a combo of arpeggiated ARP2600 and a Jupiter-8 bass, Espen crafts a foundation that’s both relentless and dynamic. The ARP bass gets the stereo treatment with delays, while the Jupiter-8 stays mono and beefy, making sure the frequencies don’t trip over each other like a couple of kangaroos in a pub brawl. He keeps some parts in MIDI for last-minute tweaks, proving that even in the digital age, flexibility is king. The result? A groove that could soundtrack a ute chase down the Hume Highway.

No 80s action score is complete without those iconic brass stabs and sampled percussion hits that make you want to duck for cover. Espen dives into his arsenal, pulling out marimbas sampled from a DX7 and hard-hitting brass from an MKS-80, all run through his trusty sampler. These aren’t just window dressing—they’re the sonic equivalent of a roundhouse kick, adding drama and urgency to every bar. The marimbas, drenched in reverb, instantly transport you to a world of neon-lit danger and high-stakes heroics.

He’s not shy about layering either. There’s a cheeky bit of flutey melody for that jungle vibe, and even some low horns from Nexus and Kontakt libraries to beef things up. Each sound is chosen with the precision of a BBQ master picking the right snag for the grill. Espen’s approach is all about using the right tool for the job—whether it’s hardware, software, or a sampler pack, it’s the attitude and placement that count.

You don’t need a warehouse full of vintage gear to nail that 80s action sound—Espen proves it with a rig that’s equal parts old-school and modern trickery. He mixes real synths, VSTs, samplers, and loops like a chef tossing everything into the wok. The key is knowing what each bit of kit brings to the table, and how to wrangle them into a cohesive, punchy score.

Espen’s philosophy is simple: use whatever works. Whether it’s a sampled DX7 marimba or a Nexus brass patch, it’s all fair game if it gets the job done. He’s not precious about quantising either—sometimes a bit of human wonkiness is exactly what you need to keep things from sounding too stiff. For anyone keen to bring a bit of VHS-era muscle to their own tracks, Espen’s workflow is a goldmine of ideas. But trust me, you’ll want to watch the video to see how these sounds actually come together in the mix—it’s like watching a sausage sizzle turn into a full-blown bushfire.