Synth Icons with Andy Whitmore

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The Minimoog Model D is one of the most recognisable synth sounds ever recorded — from funk basslines to prog leads and classic pop hooks. In this episode, I’m doing a straight-up A/B comparison: a Vintage Minimoog Model D versus the 2016 Reissue, playing 21 famous riffs, leads, basslines, and effects back-to-back so you can hear what’s changed… and what hasn’t.

To keep these riffs true to the records, I’m using light, “record-style” effects where needed (chorus/delay/reverb), but the core sound is always the Minimoog. Both synths are treated the same, so the comparison stays fair.

Format

• Each riff is played on both Model Ds (quick-fire, short, and punchy).
• Each chapter is labelled Definitely (documented Minimoog) or Likely (strongly associated / commonly credited as Moog/Minimoog).

Your call: which one wins — Vintage or Reissue?

Definitely

• Intro
• Parliament — Flash Light (Bass)
• Rush — Tom Sawyer (Intro/Bass) — BONUS (originally Oberheim OB-X era)
• Pink Floyd — Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Lead)
• DEVO — Smart Patrol / Mr. DNA (Effects)
• Michael Jackson — Rock With You (Lead)

Likely

• Madonna — Holiday (Lead Line)
• Madonna — Holiday (Bass)
• Rick Wakeman — Catherine of Aragon (Bass Melody)
• Dr. Dre — Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang (Lead)
• D-Train — You’re The One For Me (Bass)
• Madonna — Borderline (Lead Line)
• Madonna — Borderline (Bass)
• Gary Numan — Are “Friends” Electric? (Theme)
• Gary Numan — Are “Friends” Electric? (Lead Line)
• Michael Jackson — Workin’ Day and Night (Bass)
• Michael Jackson — Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough (Bass)
• Chaka Khan — We Can Work It Out (Bass)
• Barclay James Harvest — Victims of Circumstance (Lead)
• Stevie Wonder — I Wish (Bass)
• Stevie Wonder — Isn’t She Lovely (Bass)
• Stevie Wonder — That Girl (Bass)
• Outro

If you enjoy these quick-fire, famous-riff shootouts, check out my other classics (M1, D-50, CS-80, DX7, Prophet, Jupiter series and more) — and tell me which synth you want next.

🎧 More Synth Icons episodes:

·       Hohner Clavinet D6 – Famous Riffs You Instantly Know

·       Roland Jupiter-4 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were Jupiter-4)

·       Korg M1 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were M1)

🔧 Work with Andy

·       Production, mixing & mastering: https://www.andywhitmore.com/

·       Studio: https://greystokestudio.com/

📲 Connect with Andy

·       YouTube: @AndyWhitmore

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andywhitmore2014/

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndyWhitmoreMusic

·       TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@andywhitmore9583

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A real Roland Jupiter-4 playing 20 classic riffs across 8 famous songs — no plug-ins, no software, just the original vintage synth.

Hear 20 classic riffs across 8 famous songs, recreated on the original Roland Jupiter-4.

In this episode, I focus on the real sound of one of the most distinctive vintage analogue synths of the early 80s, known for its raw tone, punchy filter, unique arpeggiator and unmistakable character.

From The Human League and Depeche Mode to Simple Minds, Thomas Dolby, Styx and John Foxx, everything is played on the actual Jupiter-4 — no plug-ins, no software, just the real thing.

Where the original records used layered Jupiter-4 parts, those layers are recreated here in the same spirit on the real synth.

 Featured songs
The Human League – Open Your Heart
The Cars – Shake It Up
Depeche Mode – Photographic
Simple Minds – Love Song / Themes for Great Cities
Thomas Dolby – Windpower
Spandau Ballet – To Cut a Long Story Short
Styx – Too Much Time on My Hands
John Foxx – Europe After the Rain

Jupiter-4 programmed by Paul Soulsby

Mixed by Alex Hargreaves

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Watcher • Carpet Crawlers • Invisible Touch • Mama • Follow You Follow Me • I Can’t Dance — live-style JD-800 patch recreations + parts

Tony Banks used the Roland JD-800 throughout Genesis’ 1990s tours—here are my closest recreations of his live patches, with the parts transcribed and played in Tony’s live style across six iconic songs.

Tony Banks’ Genesis JD-800 live tour patches recreated (1990s).
In this episode, I recreate Tony Banks’ Roland JD-800 live patches as heard on Genesis’ big 90s tours—then I play the parts the way Tony performed them on stage.

A lot of these lines began life in the studio on totally different instruments (Mellotron, Prophet-10, ARP 2600), but the live JD-800 versions have their own character: big, authoritative pads, punchy stabs, and that unmistakable 90s touring sheen.

Technical note: I’m playing the parts on my JD-800, but what you’re hearing here is the Roland Cloud JD-800 plug-in. Also, my hardware JD-800 buttons aren’t behaving, so I can’t reliably save patches—everything you hear is my best “get it right in the moment” recreation.

If you’re into Genesis keys, Tony Banks parts, and classic synth textures, you’ll enjoy this one.
 Tell me your favourite patch/part, and what Genesis/Tony Banks sound I should tackle next (song + section if possible).

Chapters / Timestamps

Intro
 Watcher of the Skies — Main string pad (studio origin: Mellotron)
 Carpet Crawlers — Main string pad (studio origin: Mellotron layer)
 Invisible Touch — Stabby keyboard (studio origin: Prophet-10)
 Mama — Main pad (studio origin: Prophet-10)
 Follow You Follow Me — Chorus lead riff (studio origin: ARP 2600)
 I Can’t Dance — “Bruiser Tines”
 Summary / What should I recreate next?

Note on authenticity: Live rigs aren’t always about perfectly matching the studio source—they’re about making the part translate through a PA, night after night. This episode focuses specifically on the live JD-800 vibe.

🎧 More Synth Icons episodes:

·       Hohner Clavinet D6 – Famous Riffs You Instantly Know

·       Roland Jupiter-4 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were Jupiter-4)

·       Korg M1 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were M1)

🔧 Work with Andy

·       Production, mixing & mastering: https://www.andywhitmore.com/

·       Studio: https://greystokestudio.com/

📲 Connect with Andy

·       YouTube: @AndyWhitmore

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andywhitmore2014/

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndyWhitmoreMusic

·       TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@andywhitmore9583

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Andy Whitmore recreates 13 famous Hoover riffs on the real Roland Alpha Juno-1, using the legendary “WhatThe” preset that helped define rave, hardcore, jungle and techno.

 In this episode, I recreate 13 famous Hoover riffs on the real Roland Alpha Juno-1, using the legendary “WhatThe” preset that became one of the most aggressive and recognisable synth sounds in dance music history.

The Hoover sound helped define rave, hardcore, jungle and techno — from early ’90s classics like Human Resource – Dominator, Second Phase – Mentasm, T99 – Anasthasia and The Prodigy – Charly, through to later tracks that brought the sound back again.
   
Featured tracks:
   
Second Phase – Mentasm
Human Resource – Dominator
T99 – Anasthasia
The Prodigy – Charly
Baby D – Come Into My World
DJ Seduction – Come On
Mundo Muzique – Acid Pandemonium
X Certificate – Rising 2 The Bass
Plexus – Cactus Rhythm
Nasty Habits – Let’s Go
D.J. P.C. – Inssomniak
DJ Fresh & Sigma – Cylon
Rihanna – Birthday Cake
   
   
I also explain where the Hoover sound came from, why it is linked to the Roland Alpha Juno, and why the Alpha Juno-1 can deliver the same raw Hoover tone as the Alpha Juno-2  
Which Hoover riff is your favourite — and which one did I miss?

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Pure nostalgia and pure presets: the Korg M1 — one of the most recognisable keyboards of all time — and 21 famous parts you’ve definitely heard on records.

This is the talky companion to my YouTube riffs video. In the video I reveal the song name + the preset before I play each part, so this isn’t a guessing game. It’s more like: here’s the sound, why it matters, and what to listen for.

Important note: these are M1 recreations / M1-style parts. That doesn’t automatically mean the original record used only a Korg M1 — many tracks were layered with other synths, samplers and effects. The goal here is to spotlight the signature M1 character: Piano 16’, Organ 2, Choir, pads, and that famous Slap Bass.

If you want a Part 3, tell me what to include: artist + track + the exact section you want recreated (timestamp appreciated).

Intro

Black Box — I Don’t Know Anybody Else — I01 Piano 16'
Robin S — Luv 4 Luv — I17 Organ 2
N-Joi — Anthem — I01 Piano 16'
Sabrina Johnston — Peace — I01 Piano 16'
Nightcrawlers — Surrender Your Love — I17 Organ 2
Kraze — The Party — I01 Piano 16'
49ers — Touch Me — I01 Piano 16'
Sandra — Hiroshima — I00 Universe
Tasmin Archer — Sleeping Satellite — I30 Lore
Law & Order Theme — I46 Slap Bass
Madonna — Vogue — I01 Piano 16'
Aerosmith — Janie’s Got a Gun — I46 Slap Bass
OMD — Sailing on the Seven Seas — I00 Universe (not confirmed)
OMD — Pandora’s Box — I23 Choir
OMD — Call My Name — I23 Choir
Awesome 3 — Don’t Go — I01 Piano 16'
Dream Frequency — Feel So Real — I01 Piano 16'
M.A.N.I.C. — I’m Comin’ Hardcore — I01 Piano 16'
Jaydee — Plastic Dreams — I17 Organ 2
Playahitty — The Summer Is Magic — I17 Organ 2
Whigfield — Gimmie Gimmie — I17 Organ 2

Summary

A fast, talky companion to my YouTube riffs video: 21 instantly recognisable Korg M1-style hooks with the presets explained and called out up front.

🎧 More Synth Icons episodes:

·       Hohner Clavinet D6 – Famous Riffs You Instantly Know

·       Roland Jupiter-4 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were Jupiter-4)

·       Korg M1 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were M1)

🔧 Work with Andy

·       Production, mixing & mastering: https://www.andywhitmore.com/

·       Studio: https://greystokestudio.com/

📲 Connect with Andy

·       YouTube: @AndyWhitmore

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andywhitmore2014/

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndyWhitmoreMusic

·       TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@andywhitmore9583

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Andy Whitmore explores the underrated Yamaha CS-40M, recreating 27 classic synth parts from 9 famous songs by The Stranglers, Duran Duran, Ultravox, Simple Minds, Landscape, Section 25, Bill Nelson and Our Daughter’s Wedding.

In this episode, Andy dives into the characterful sound of the Yamaha CS-40M — a classic 2-note duophonic analogue synth first released in 1979. It originally cost around £650, which is over £4,000 in today’s money, and good examples now sell for roughly £2,300.

The CS-40M sits in the wider Yamaha CS family and can be thought of as a smaller, grittier cousin of the legendary Yamaha CS-80. It doesn’t have the CS-80’s huge 8-voice polyphony or polyphonic aftertouch, but it does share some of that unmistakable Yamaha analogue character — big oscillators, expressive filters, multiple modulation sources and the famous ring modulator.

Rather than simply playing one riff per song, Andy recreates multiple parts where possible: basses, leads, textures, counter-melodies, sequences and layered synth lines. Across the 9 tracks, you’ll hear 27 separate Yamaha CS-40M parts recreated on the original hardware.

Sounds for this episode were programmed by Andy’s friend and fellow synth programmer Paul Soulsby, who helped bring these classic early-80s synth parts back to life on the CS-40M.

Everything you hear is played on the real Yamaha CS-40M. No software synths, no samples — just the original instrument doing what it does best.

If you love classic synths, early-80s new wave, synth-pop, post-punk and finding out what these vintage instruments can really do, this one is for you.

What you’ll hear in this episode

Classic Yamaha CS-40M analogue tones
 2-note duophonic synth parts
 Ring modulation and modulation textures
 Early-80s synth-pop, new wave and post-punk sounds
 Bass parts, leads, pads, counter-melodies and layered synth lines
 27 classic synth parts recreated on the original Yamaha CS-40M

Featured artists include

The Stranglers, Duran Duran, Ultravox, Simple Minds, Landscape, Section 25, Bill Nelson and Our Daughter’s Wedding.

Parts recreated

Landscape – Einstein a Go-Go – 2 parts
 Duran Duran – The Chauffeur – 2 parts
 The Stranglers – Golden Brown – 1 part
 Ultravox – The Voice – 1 part
 Simple Minds – 70 Cities as Love Brings the Fall – 4 parts
 Ultravox – Sleepwalk – 5 parts
 Section 25 – Looking From a Hilltop – 2 parts
 Bill Nelson – Living in My Limousine – 5 parts
 Our Daughter’s Wedding – Lawnchairs – 5 parts

Listen / watch more

For more synth breakdowns, famous riff recreations and classic keyboard content, visit Andy Whitmore online.

Andy Whitmore: https://www.andywhitmore.com/
Greystoke Studio: https://greystokestudio.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AndyWhitmore
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andywhitmore2014/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@andywhitmore9583

Support the show

If you enjoy these classic synth recreations, please follow the podcast, subscribe on YouTube and leave a comment letting Andy know which synth or artist you’d like covered next.

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Iconic JD-800 riffs you know—Faithless, Prodigy, Depeche Mode, Prince, Genesis—plus hardware vs plug-in A/B comparisons and patches programmed from scratch.

Take a tour through the punchy, glossy world of the Roland JD-800 with a stack of iconic riffs and signature hooks you’ve definitely heard before… but maybe didn’t realise were JD-800.

You’ll hear Faithless, The Prodigy, Depeche Mode, Prince, Genesis—plus a few deeper cuts. For this episode I programmed most of the sounds from scratch (very few factory presets). My original JD-800 is working great, but the YES/NO buttons are dead, so I can’t easily tweak/save lots of edits on the hardware.

To solve that, I built many parts using a JD-800 plug-in that sounds scarily close to the real thing. And where the track uses a factory preset (unedited), I play it on both so you can compare hardware vs plug-in.

Question for you: Which riff surprised you most—and can you hear a difference in the A/B tests?

🎧 More Synth Icons episodes:

·       Hohner Clavinet D6 – Famous Riffs You Instantly Know

·       Roland Jupiter-4 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were Jupiter-4)

·       Korg M1 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were M1)

🔧 Work with Andy

·       Production, mixing & mastering: https://www.andywhitmore.com/

·       Studio: https://greystokestudio.com/

📲 Connect with Andy

·       YouTube: @AndyWhitmore

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andywhitmore2014/

·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndyWhitmoreMusic

·       TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@andywhitmore9583

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

A blind Hoover sound test comparing the real Roland Alpha Juno-1 against Roland Cloud Zenology Pro. Can you tell which one is the real hardware?

Can you tell the difference between the real Roland Alpha Juno-1 and Roland Cloud Zenology Pro?

In this episode, I turn the classic Hoover sound comparison into a blind test. You’ll hear the same famous Hoover riffs played twice — one version is the real Roland Alpha Juno-1, the other is Roland Cloud — but you won’t know which is which until the reveal.

The sound is the legendary “WhatThe” preset from the Roland Alpha Juno, better known as the Hoover sound: one of the most aggressive, detuned and instantly recognisable synth sounds in rave, hardcore, jungle and techno history.

Keep score as you listen and see how many you can get right.

Featured Hoover riffs include:

Human Resource – Dominator
Second Phase – Mentasm
T99 – Anasthasia
The Prodigy – Charly
Baby D – Come Into My World
DJ Seduction – Come On
Mundo Muzique – Acid Pandemonium
X Certificate – Rising 2 The Bass
Plexus – Cactus Rhythm
Nasty Habits – Let’s Go
D.J. P.C. – Inssomniak
DJ Fresh & Sigma – Cylon
Rihanna – Birthday Cake

Played, recorded and recreated by Andy Whitmore at Greystoke Studio.

Roland Alpha Juno, Alpha Juno-1, Alpha Juno-2, Roland Cloud, Zenology Pro, Hoover sound, WhatThe preset, What The preset, blind test, synth blind test, hardware vs software, VST vs hardware, rave synth, hardcore synth, jungle synth, techno synth, oldskool rave, 90s rave, classic rave, famous riffs, vintage synth, Roland synth, electronic music, dance music, Human Resource, Dominator, Second Phase, Mentasm, The Prodigy, Charly

Listen / watch more

For more synth breakdowns, famous riff recreations and classic keyboard content, visit Andy Whitmore online.

Andy Whitmore: https://www.andywhitmore.com/
Greystoke Studio: https://greystokestudio.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AndyWhitmore
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andywhitmore2014/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@andywhitmore9583

Support the show

If you enjoy these classic synth recreations, please follow the podcast, subscribe on YouTube and leave a comment letting Andy know which synth or artist you’d like covered next.

Support the show

Support the show

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You know these riffs — but do you know which synths played them? I recreate 10 iconic tracks/hooks on the original (or closest practical) keyboards: DX7, Korg M1, JD-800, JP-8080, Jupiter-4, Prophet-5 and more — with quick narration before each performance.

This is a performance-based recreation: I’m playing the parts, rebuilding the patches, and giving a quick intro to each track — then straight into the music.

Accuracy note:
Some originals are well-documented; others vary by source or studio method. Where a part is recreated on a closely related synth (or a plug-in), I’ve stated it clearly below.

Watch the full video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eeRGPLkKNEg

Tina Turner — What’s Love Got To Do With It (1 min edit)
 Fender Rhodes + DX7 (flute) + Roland MKS-80 pads + Minimoog bass (played live to match the original line) + harmonica solo

The Prodigy — Poison (riff)
 Recreated on Roland JD-800 (JD-era Prodigy texture recreation)

Depeche Mode — Just Can’t Get Enough (intro + verse 1)
 Roland Jupiter-4 for bass/lead + Korg Rhythm 55B style drums

Usher — Yeah! (riff)
 Nord Lead 3 recreation of the classic intro hook

Nightcrawlers — Push The Feeling On (track)
 TR-909 drums + 3x Korg M1 parts: sax lick, organ riff, and the string riff from the MK Mix vibe 

Prince — When Doves Cry (track)
 DX7 mallet sound + LM-1 style drum recreation

D-Train — You’re The One For Me (track)
 Prophet-5 parts + LinnDrum drum recreation

Darude — Sandstorm (riff)
 JP-8080 recreation of the classic synth string hook

The Prodigy — Charly (track)
 Alpha Juno lead + full backing recreation

Mouse on Mars — Future Dub (track)
 All parts recreated using JD-800 plug-in (Roland Cloud)

Tina Turner — What’s Love Got To Do With It (full version)
 Full-length recreation using the same keyboard/synth setup as Track 1

Chapters / timestamps

0:00 Intro
 0:24 Tina Turner — What’s Love Got To Do With It (1 min edit)
 1:31 The Prodigy — Poison
 1:57 Depeche Mode — Just Can’t Get Enough
 2:46 Usher — Yeah!
 3:02 Nightcrawlers — Push The Feeling On
 3:53 Prince — When Doves Cry
 4:29 D-Train — You’re The One For Me
 5:58 Darude — Sandstorm
 6:34 The Prodigy — Charly
 7:11 Mouse on Mars — Future Dub
 7:45 Tina Turner — What’s Love Got To Do With It (full version)
 9:38 Outro

Thanks @SamB-z4r (YouTube) for engineering

🔧 Work with Andy

· Production, mixing & mastering: https://www.andywhitmore.com/

· Studio: https://greystokestudio.com/

📲 Connect with Andy

· YouTube: @AndyWhitmore
 · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andywhitmore2014/

· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndyWhitmoreMusic

· TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@andywhitmore9583

Support the show

Comment prompt: Which riff surprised you most — and which synth did you think it was?

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In this episode, I play 20 of the greatest synth riffs ever, recreated on the original synths and classic keyboards that helped make them famous.

From huge dance anthems to 80s synth-pop classics, rock keyboard hooks and legendary soundtrack themes, this episode brings together some of the most recognisable synth sounds in modern music.

Featured tracks include:

Darude – Sandstorm
Faithless – Insomnia
The Prodigy – Charly
Robin S – Show Me Love
Queen – The Show Must Go On
Underworld – Born Slippy .NUXX
Harold Faltermeyer – Axel F
Europe – The Final Countdown
Black Box – Ride on Time
Crystal Waters – Gypsy Woman
Human Resource – Dominator
Second Phase – Mentasm
Depeche Mode – Just Can’t Get Enough
The Human League – Don’t You Want Me
Madonna – Holiday
Bronski Beat – Smalltown Boy
Michael Jackson – Thriller
Vangelis – Chariots of Fire
Gary Numan – Are “Friends” Electric?
Pink Floyd – Shine On You Crazy Diamond

The instruments featured include the Minimoog, Roland JP-8080, Roland JD-800, Roland Alpha Juno-1, Korg M1, Roland Juno-106, Roland Jupiter-4, Roland Jupiter-8, Yamaha DX7, Yamaha CS-80, Logan String Machine, and Korg Rhythm 55B drum machine.

No generic preset run-throughs — these are hands-on recreations using the original synths and keyboards wherever possible.

Played, recorded and recreated by Andy Whitmore at Greystoke Studio.

Watch the full video version on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@AndyWhitmore

Podcast website:
https://andywhitmore.buzzsprout.com

Work with Andy Whitmore:
https://www.andywhitmore.com/

Greystoke Studio:
https://greystokestudio.com/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/andywhitmore2014/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/AndyWhitmoreMusic

TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@andywhitmore9583

Support the show