Synth Icons with Andy Whitmore

🎹 Synth Icons is the podcast where legendary keyboards come back to life. Hosted by producer and synth expert Andy Whitmore , each episode dives into the world’s most iconic synthesizers — from the lush analog power of the Yamaha CS-80 , to the digital sparkle of the DX7 , to the unmistakable sounds of the Korg M1 . Andy recreates famous riffs, compares hardware to modern software emulations, and reveals the stories, sounds, and production secrets behind the instruments that shaped pop, film, and electronic music. If you're a synth enthusiast, a producer, or just love classic hits, Synth Icons lets you hear the legends for yourself. 👉 Follow for more synth deep-dives, blind tests, and studio stories. 🎧 Watch the full video versions on YouTube → @AndyWhitmore

Synth Icons with Andy Whitmore is a music podcast hosted by Andy Whitmore (andy@andywhitmore.com), with 33 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Andy Whitmore (andy@andywhitmore.com) hosts Synth Icons with Andy Whitmore, a music show with 33 episodes published.

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  Episode #33

  Korg M1: 46 Iconic Riffs & Sounds You’ll Know Instantly

  Sep 26, 202615 minS1

  Send us Fan Mail Andy Whitmore recreates 46 iconic riffs, hooks and sounds using the legendary Korg M1, featuring music associated with Madonna, Queen, Robin S, Black Box, Crystal Waters, Snap!, OMD, Aerosmith and many more. In this episode of Synth Icons with Andy Whitmore , I recreate 46 iconic riffs, hooks and sounds using the legendary Korg M1. The M1 helped define the sound of the late ’80s, ’90s and beyond, appearing across house, dance, pop and rock records. You’ll hear some of its most recognisable presets and sounds, including Piano 16', Organ 2, Universe, Symphonic, Choir, Pick Bass, Slap Bass, Pan Flute, Solo Sax, Lore and Ooh/Ahh . Some of these sounds became so familiar that an entire generation heard them without necessarily knowing they came from one of the most important digital synthesizers ever made. FEATURED TRACKS Bobby Brown – Two Can Play That Game Strike – U Sure Do Congress – 40 Miles Gat Decor – Passion Baby D – Let Me Be Your Fantasy FPI Project – Rich in Paradise (Going Back to My Roots) Nightcrawlers – Push The Feeling On Alison Limerick – Where Love Lives Kym Sims – Too Blind to See It Kym Mazelle – Was That All It Was Praga Khan – Injected With a Poison Sabrina Johnston – Peace Nightcrawlers – Surrender Your Love N-Joi – Anthem Robin S – Luv 4 Luv Madonna – Vogue 49ers – Touch Me Law & Order – Theme Aerosmith – Janie’s Got a Gun OMD – Sailing on the Seven Seas Black Box – I Don’t Know Anybody Else Kraze – The Party Sandra – Hiroshima Tasmin Archer – Sleeping Satellite OMD – Pandora’s Box OMD – Call My Name Awesome 3 – Don’t Go Dream Frequency – Feel So Real M.A.N.I.C. – I’m Comin’ Hardcore Jaydee – Plastic Dreams Playahitty – The Summer Is Magic Whigfield – Gimme Gimme Enigma – Sadeness Robin S – Show Me Love Double You – Please Don’t Go Queen – The Show Must Go On Londonbeat – I’ve Been Thinking About You The Family Stand – Ghetto Heaven (Strings) The Family Stand – Ghetto Heaven (Bass) Black Box – Ride on Time Crystal Waters – Gypsy Woman Queen – I’m Going Slightly Mad CeCe Peniston – Finally Beyoncé – BREAK MY SOUL Queen – Don’t Try So Hard Snap! – Rhythm Is a Dancer NOTE “Sadeness” is an M1-style recreation/approximation. The original flute is widely believed to have been sampler-based and derived from more than one source rather than being a single Korg M1 preset. Which Korg M1 riff or sound is your favourite — and which important one have I missed? WATCH MORE VINTAGE SYNTH VIDEOS https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0Dj_f71KJlNyPbuR4efYpxQXUtmRuX5B PODCAST WEBSITE https://andywhitmore.buzzsprout.com WORK WITH ANDY WHITMORE Music production, studio sessions and one-to-one tuition: https://www.andywhitmore.com/ CONNECT WITH ANDY Greystoke Studio: https://greystokestudio.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andywhitmore2014/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AndyWhitmore Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndyWhitmoreMusic Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/andywhitmore TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@andywhitmore9583 CREDITS Louis Velasquez — Engineering, Mixing & Camera Setup Sam Lofthouse — Engineering, Mixing & Camera Setup Support the show

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  Episode #32

  Rhodes Clav Pro vs Hohner Clavinet D6 — Which Is Real? | 16 Iconic Riffs

  Sep 19, 202612 minS1

  Send us Fan Mail Andy Whitmore compares the Rhodes Clav Pro directly with an original Hohner Clavinet D6 across 16 iconic riffs from Stevie Wonder, Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley, Bill Withers and more. Can the software really capture the sound and character of the real vintage instrument? Can Rhodes Clav Pro really capture the sound and character of a genuine vintage Hohner Clavinet D6? In this episode of Synth Icons with Andy Whitmore , I compare Rhodes Clav Pro directly with my original Hohner Clavinet D6 using 16 iconic Clavinet riffs. Listen closely to the attack, bite, pickup combinations, muted sounds, wah, drive and effects as we put the software against the real instrument. Rhodes Clav Pro was deeply sampled from a rare 1977 Clav D6 “transition” model and includes authentic pickup and EQ controls, a mute slider, drive, compression, envelope wah, amp models and studio effects. Which do you prefer: the original Hohner Clavinet D6 or Rhodes Clav Pro? And how many of the 16 comparisons could you identify correctly? FEATURED TRACKS Stevie Wonder – Superstition Stevie Wonder – Higher Ground Rufus – Tell Me Something Good Bill Withers – Use Me Led Zeppelin – Trampled Under Foot Bob Marley – Could You Be Loved The Gap Band – Oops Upside Your Head Kool & The Gang – Jungle Boogie Stevie Wonder – You Haven’t Done Nothin’ ELO – Last Train to London The Rolling Stones – Heartbreaker Heatwave – Super Soul Sister Tina Turner – Nutbush City Limits Greg Kihn Band – Jeopardy John Paul Young – Love Is in the Air Sherbet – Howzat RHODES CLAV PRO Find out more about Rhodes Clav Pro: https://youtu.be/lrGHQV-KpOU This episode is a paid collaboration with Rhodes. The link above is an affiliate link, which means I may receive a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. All opinions expressed are my own. WATCH MORE VINTAGE SYNTH VIDEOS https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0Dj_f71KJlNyPbuR4efYpxQXUtmRuX5B PODCAST WEBSITE https://andywhitmore.buzzsprout.com WORK WITH ANDY WHITMORE Music production, studio sessions and one-to-one tuition: https://www.andywhitmore.com/ CONNECT WITH ANDY Greystoke Studio: https://greystokestudio.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andywhitmore2014/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AndyWhitmore Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndyWhitmoreMusic Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/andywhitmore TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@andywhitmore9583 Support the show

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  Episode #31

  Roland Jupiter-4: 23 Iconic Riffs You Know — But Didn’t Realise Were Jupiter-4!

  Sep 13, 202611 minS1

  Send us Fan Mail Andy Whitmore recreates 23 iconic synth riffs, sequences, bass lines and pads on an original vintage Roland Jupiter-4. The Roland Jupiter-4 was Roland’s first polyphonic synthesizer—and one of its most distinctive. Andy Whitmore recreates 23 famous synth parts associated with The Human League, Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, Gary Numan, Simple Minds, Spandau Ballet, The Cars, Styx, LCD Soundsystem, Sharon Van Etten and more, using an original vintage Jupiter-4. The Roland Jupiter-4 was Roland’s first polyphonic synthesizer—and although it was later overshadowed by the Jupiter-8, it appeared on some enormous records. In this episode, record producer and keyboard player Andy Whitmore recreates 23 iconic riffs, sequences, bass lines, brass sounds, pads and synth hooks using his original vintage Roland Jupiter-4. Its raw oscillators, distinctive ensemble effect, unusual modulation and famously unpredictable arpeggiator gave the Jupiter-4 a character unlike almost any other synthesizer. It growls, spits, wobbles and frequently sounds as though it has a mind of its own. The episode features music associated with The Human League, Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, Gary Numan, Simple Minds, Spandau Ballet, Heaven 17, Thomas Dolby, John Foxx, The Cars, Styx, Michael Jackson, LCD Soundsystem and Sharon Van Etten. Every musical example has been recreated and performed on Andy’s original vintage Jupiter-4. TRACKS FEATURED Spandau Ballet – To Cut a Long Story Short Main lead line — 1980 The Human League – Don’t You Want Me Bass — 1981 Depeche Mode – New Life Intro synths — 1981 Duran Duran – Rio Arpeggiated sequence — 1982 Duran Duran – Rio Middle-eight brass pad — 1982 Simple Minds – Theme for Great Cities Lead, pad and distorted Jupiter-4 — 1981 Styx – Too Much Time on My Hands Bass and resonant drone — 1981 Depeche Mode – Just Can’t Get Enough Intro, lead, bass and Roland KR-55B drums — 1981 Michael Jackson – Thriller Intro brass-pad recreation — 1982 The original sound is more commonly associated with the Jupiter-8’s dual mode. The Human League – Open Your Heart Bass and brass riff — 1981 The Cars – Shake It Up Arpeggiator and organ riff — 1981 Depeche Mode – Photographic Bass sequence, lead riff and upper sequence — 1981 Doctor Who Trombone part from the television theme — 1980 Thomas Dolby – Windpower Lead, bass and brass riff — 1982 The Human League – The Things That Dreams Are Made Of Lead and bass — 1981 The Human League – Dreams of Leaving Sequenced bass — 1980 Depeche Mode – Tora! Tora! Tora! Bass — 1981 The Human League – Seconds Bass, pad and strings — 1981 Heaven 17 – Geisha Boys and Temple Girls Random arpeggiator — 1981 Gary Numan – This Wreckage Multiple Jupiter-4 parts — 1980 LCD Soundsystem – How Do You Sleep? Sequence — 2017 Sharon Van Etten – Jupiter 4 Bass and outro lead — 2018 John Foxx – Europe After the Rain High string line — 1981 The Jupiter-8 may have become the superstar of Roland’s Jupiter range, but the Jupiter-4 has a raw, unstable and slightly dangerous quality that remains completely its own. Which Jupiter-4 sound surprised you most? Let me know—and tell me which classic synthesizer I should explore next. Support the show

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  Episode #30

  Oberheim OB-8: 20 Iconic Riffs You Know — But Didn’t Realise Were Oberheim!

  Sep 9, 202610 minS1

  Send us Fan Mail Twenty famous riffs and keyboard parts from Prince, Van Halen, Rush, Eurythmics and more, recreated on an original Oberheim OB-8. Andy also explores the history of the OB-X, OB-Xa, OB-SX, OB-8 and modern OB-X8. In this episode of Synth Icons with Andy Whitmore , I recreate 20 famous riffs and keyboard parts using my original vintage Oberheim OB-8. You’ll recognise many of these songs immediately—but you may not realise how many classic recordings featured an Oberheim synthesizer or a sound from the same family. Although the episode contains 20 tracks, many of the recreations are constructed from several separate sounds and performances, including pads, brass stabs, bass lines, strings, sequences and filter sweeps. Some of these sounds took several hours to program, and the complete video and podcast project took around five days to assemble. Every sound in the episode was recreated on an original Oberheim OB-8. However, not every record was originally made using that exact model. Some featured the earlier OB-X or OB-Xa, while others belong more broadly to the classic Oberheim sonic family. The episode concludes with the history of the OB series and a closer look at the OB-8’s most important relatives: 1979 — Oberheim OB-X The predecessor to the OB-Xa and OB-8. Its more discrete, SEM-influenced architecture can give it a rawer, wider and slightly more unpredictable character. 1980 — Oberheim OB-Xa The closest and most significant relative of the OB-8. It replaced the OB-X, used Curtis chips and provided switchable 12-decibel and 24-decibel low-pass filtering. 1980 — Oberheim OB-SX A more preset-based OB-family instrument. It was less programmable than the OB-Xa or OB-8 but still belonged to the same era and sonic world. 1983 — Oberheim OB-8 The instrument featured throughout this episode. It is renowned for its enormous brass sounds, wide pads, splits, unison mode, stereo spread and polished early-80s Oberheim character. 2022 — Oberheim OB-X8 A modern Oberheim that brings together elements of the OB-X, OB-SX, OB-Xa and OB-8, including voice, filter and envelope characteristics inspired by the original instruments. FEATURED TRACKS Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams | OB-X | 1983 Van Halen – Why Can’t This Be Love | OB-8 | 1986 Rush – Subdivisions | OB-Xa | 1982 Sylvester Levay – Airwolf Theme | OB-Xa | 1984 Stevie Nicks – Stand Back | OB-Xa | 1983 Phil Collins – Sussudio | OB-8 | 1985 Simple Minds – Don’t You Forget About Me | OB-8 | 1985 Rush – Tom Sawyer | OB-X | 1981 Rod Stewart – Young Turks | OB-Xa | 1981 Van Halen – Jump | OB-X / OB-Xa | 1983 Prince – 1999 | OB-Xa | 1982 Styx – Mr. Roboto | OB-8 | 1983 Jean-Michel Jarre – L’Ouverture | OB-Xa | 1982 Prince – Delirious | OB-Xa | 1983 Kenny G – Songbird | OB-Xa | 1987 The Police – Invisible Sun | OB-X | 1981 Grover Washington Jr. – Winelight | OB-Xa | 1980 Prince – Little Red Corvette | OB-8 | 1983 Pat Metheny Group and David Bowie – This Is Not America | OB-8 | 1985 Prince – Purple Rain | OB-8 | 1984 WATCH MORE VINTAGE SYNTH VIDEOS https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0Dj_f71KJlNyPbuR4efYpxQXUtmRuX5B PODCAST WEBSITE https://andywhitmore.buzzsprout.com WORK WITH ANDY WHITMORE Music production, studio sessions and one-to-one tuition: https://www.andywhitmore.com/ CONNECT WITH ANDY Greystoke Studio: https://greystokestudio.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andywhitmore2014/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AndyWhitmore Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndyWhitmoreMusic Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/andywhitmore TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@andywhitmore9583 Support the show

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  Episode #29

  Roland D-50 – 20 Iconic Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Know Were D-50)

  Sep 6, 202612 minS1

  Send us Fan Mail In this Synth Icons episode, Andy Whitmore dives into the digital, glassy world of the Roland D-50 – with 20 iconic riffs you definitely know, but maybe never realised were D-50. Every sound in this episode comes from a real D-50, using classic factory presets like Pizzagogo, DigitalNativeDance, Staccato Heaven, Glass Voices, Metal Harp, Cathedral/pipe organs, Shakuhachi, Griitttarr and more. No other synths, no samples – just the D-50 doing what it does best. Tracks & sounds featured include: Michael Jackson – Man in the Mirror (I-84 Afterthought ) Enya – Orinoco Flow (I-44 Pizzagogo ) Eric Clapton – Bad Love (I-77 O K Chorale ) Gary Numan – America (I-37 Soundtrack ) Star Trek: The Next Generation – Season 1 theme / OST (I-51 Glass Voices ) Paula Abdul – Straight Up (I-15 Horn Section ) Christopher Cross – Sailing (I-43 Basin Strat Blues ) Taylor Dayne – Tell It to My Heart (I-15 Horn Section ) George Michael – Faith (I-38 Cathedral Organ ) Mica Paris – My One Temptation (I-15 Horn Section ) Phil Collins – Another Day in Paradise (I-12 Metal Harp ) Bananarama – Love in the First Degree (I-15 Horn Section ) Mr. President – Coco Jamboo (I-16 Living Calliope ) Boy Meets Girl – Waiting for a Star to Fall (I-21 DigitalNativeDance ) Sabrina – Boys Boys Boys (I-15 Horn Section ) Spagna – Call Me (I-15 Horn Section ) George Michael – Father Figure (I-66 Shakuhachi ) Pink Floyd – Run Like Hell (I-26 Griitttarr – reimagined on D-50) Michael Jackson – Dirty Diana (I-21 DigitalNativeDance ) Michael Cooper – Shoop Shoop (Never Stop Givin’ You Love) (I-61 Staccato Heaven ) Plus preset demos: Intruder FX and Staccato Heaven Expect plenty of “wait… that’s a D-50?!” moments as these factory patches pop up in huge pop, rock and TV themes from the late 80s and early 90s. More Synth Icons episodes: Korg M1 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were M1) Sequential Prophet-5 – Famous Riffs You Instantly Know Roland Jupiter-8 & Jupiter-4 – Hidden 80s Synth Gems Hohner Clavinet D6 – Famous Riffs You Instantly Know CS-80 / Vangelis sounds and Yamaha DX7 specials ✏️ 1-to-1 lessons & synth help If you want one-to-one lessons on how to program or produce in Logic Pro – or you’d like help programming synths (hardware or analogue-style VSTs) – head over to Andy’s website and get in touch. Connect with me: Website → https://greystokestudio.com/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/andywhitmore2014/ YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@AndyWhitmore Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/AndyWhitmoreMusic X → https://twitter.com/andywhitmore TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@andywhitmore9583 If you enjoy this D-50 special, follow the Synth Icons podcast, leave a rating or review, and let Andy know which synth – or which artist – you’d like to hear next. Support the show

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