List of Depeche Mode live sample sources by tour/1987-1988 Music For The Masses Tour
Glossary Terms used in this article |
In audio production, sampling refers to the use of a portion (or sample) from a sound within another recording. As pioneers of the electronic music genre, Depeche Mode were among the most prolific acts to make use of sampling technology within a traditional pop music format. Among the many original samples recorded and utilized by Depeche Mode to enhance the atmosphere of their musical output are many that originated elsewhere, including brief passages of musical recordings by other artists, snippets of audio from television shows, radio broadcasts, films, environmental sounds, and more. Analysis of these sample sources and how they are manipulated is a popular topic of discussion amongst fans of the group.
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The sample is confirmed to have been used in the specified song by a past/present member of Depeche Mode, an individual involved in its production, or band archivist Daniel "BRAT" Barassi. | |||
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The sample is independently confirmed to have been used in the specified song. | |||
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The sample is likely to have been used in the specified song but has not yet been confirmed. | |||
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The sample is not yet confirmed to have been used in the specified song. | |||
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The sample is confirmed to not have been used in the specified song. | |||
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It is unclear if the sample was used in the specified song. |
Information
This page documents all verifiable sound sources for many of the musical parts used by Depeche Mode in the live concert tour arrangements of songs performed on the 1987-1988 Music For The Masses Tour.
Due to the manipulated nature of the samples described in this article, there is unavoidable potential for error or sample misattribution. To ensure accuracy, this article strives to use verified quotes from band members and recording personnel with citations wherever possible, audio examples, and independent research voluntarily contributed by Depeche Mode and Recoil fans worldwide. This article provides an interesting document on this topic in a tabular format that is organized, well-researched, and reasonably accurate. Please bear in mind that due to the limited number of relevant quotes for each sample from band members or associates involved in producing the music described on this page, audio samples that lack official confirmation are not guaranteed to be accurate.
This article differentiates samples by origin: Self-made samples, which describe any material initially recorded by Depeche Mode or Recoil, and Sourced samples, which describe samples not initially recorded by either group. In addition to confirmed samples, this article also covers samples commonly misreported as having been used but directly refuted by a member or associate of Depeche Mode or Recoil.
If you notice an error or wish to contribute or request the removal of information contained within this article, please feel free to contact us.
1987-1988 Music For The Masses Tour
1. Pimpf
"Pimpf" Depeche Mode 1987 |
Self-made samples | ||||
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Sample | Notes | Audio | |||
Exploding firework | An exploding firework sound originally recorded for use with "Stripped" is layered in with a large choir stab in the outro of "Pimpf". The sample is played in time with the choir several notes below its original key. Notably, this sample is also occasionally played on the final note during live performances of "Never Let Me Down Again". |
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Sample sources | |||||
Sample | Source | Status | Notes | Audio | |
Tubular bells | Emulator II factory library disk #67: Tubular Bells - Preset #1: "Tubular Bell" |
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The tubular bells utilised in the final moments of "Pimpf" are derived from Emulator II factory disk #67 "Tubular Bells". | Click to display/hide audio example | |
Sitar pluck | Emulator II factory library disk #61: Sitar - Preset #3: "Sitar 2", SAMPLE 6 |
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A plucked sitar sample derived from the "Sitar 2" preset of Emulator II factory library disk #61 "Sitar" is layered with other sounds to form the four note "Strangelove" riff played throughout "Interlude No. 1 - Mission Impossible", the instrumental interlude that follows "Pimpf". The full sample consists of a plucked sitar playing a G♯ with a slight pitch bend. The sample is looped with a tight loop lasting approximately four milliseconds starting just after the initial transient of the sample, producing a unique "buzzy" tone with the transient of a natural sitar pluck. The resulting sample is then played back with filtering and subtle vibrato. Notably, this sample is also used in "Behind The Wheel" and "Master And Servant" as it was performed on the Music For The Masses and World Violation tours. |
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2. Behind The Wheel
"Behind The Wheel" Depeche Mode 1987 |
Self-made samples | ||||
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Sample | Notes | Audio | |||
Bassline | The bassline of "Behind The Wheel" is comprised of a series of sampled and synthesised parts which combine to form the driving bass rhythm audible throughout the song. These sounds include a sample of a hand striking the end of a hoover tube, a pitched-down sample of a guitar pluck, and a Minimoog bass for additional low end presence.[1] The sampled elements are utilised throughout the song, whereas the Minimoog section begins at the end of the second verse. Notably, the hoover tube sample is re-used as a bass layer in the Recoil instrumental "The Sermon". | ||||
Car door shutting snare | In May 2020, fan "DMK" kindly provided DM Live Wiki with documentation for a series of Emulator II floppy disks that accompanied a collection of restored studio equipment used by Music For The Masses co-producer Dave Bascombe during the production of music albums for artists other than Depeche Mode in the mid to late eighties. One floppy disk, labeled "Driving Sound FX", features two presets comprised of various car-related sounds. The second of two presets, titled "DRIVING 12#", features the sound of a car door shutting, which is layered with other more traditional snare sounds throughout "Behind The Wheel". This sound is most clearly heard in the intro of the Devotional tour arrangement of "Behind The Wheel". | Click to display/hide audio example | |||
Wine glass arpeggio | In May 2020, fan "DMK" kindly provided DM Live Wiki with documentation for a series of Emulator II floppy disks that accompanied a collection of restored studio equipment used by Music For The Masses co-producer Dave Bascombe during the production of music albums for artists other than Depeche Mode in the mid to late eighties. One floppy disk, labeled "Wineglass (106)", features an untitled preset ("NULL PRESET"), which contains a bell-like sample, presumably the sound of a wine glass being tapped. This sample is used to produce the textured arpeggio that occurs throughout "Behind The Wheel", most clearly heard during the instrumental break immediately after the first verse. Notably, this sound is also used in "Never Let Me Down Again", "Strangelove", "Route 66", and the Recoil instrumental "Grain". | ||||
"Submarine" verse stabs | In May 2020, fan "DMK" kindly provided DM Live Wiki with documentation for a series of Emulator II floppy disks that accompanied a collection of restored studio equipment used by Music For The Masses co-producer Dave Bascombe during the production of music albums for artists other than Depeche Mode in the mid to late eighties. One floppy disk, labeled "Guns & Submarine (109)", features an untitled preset ("NULL PRESET"), which contains a series of relevant samples, the third of which is a submarine sonar navigation system sound. This sample is processed with reverb and played with a long decay to produce the "ghostly" monophonic melody performed during the verse sections of "Behind The Wheel". | Click to display/hide audio example
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Sample sources | |||||
Sample | Source | Status | Notes | Audio | |
Sitar pluck | Emulator II factory library disk #61: Sitar - Preset #3: "Sitar 2", SAMPLE 6 |
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A plucked sitar sample derived from the "Sitar 2" preset of Emulator II factory library disk #61 "Sitar" is layered with a similar plucked sound to form the counter melody audible throughout "Behind The Wheel". The full sample consists of a plucked sitar playing a G♯ with a slight pitch bend. The sample is looped with a tight loop lasting approximately four milliseconds starting just after the initial transient of the sample, producing a unique "buzzy" tone with the transient of a natural sitar pluck. The resulting sample is then played back with filtering and subtle vibrato.
Notably, this sample is also used in "Strangelove" and "Master And Servant" as it was performed on the Music For The Masses and World Violation tours. |
Click to display/hide audio example | |
Snare/tambourine | Talk Talk - "I Don't Believe In You" - 1986 |
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A snare and tambourine hit derived from Talk Talk's "I Don't Believe In You" is used throughout "Behind The Wheel". | Click to display/hide audio example | |
Verse marimba melody | Emulator II factory library disk #34: Vibraphones & Marimbas - Preset #7: "Marimbas" |
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A marimba sample derived from Emulator II factory library disk #34 "Vibraphones & Marimbas" is utilised during the verse sections of "Behind The Wheel" as it was performed on the 1987-1988 Music For The Masses tour. |
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3. Strangelove
4. Sacred
5. Something To Do
6. Blasphemous Rumours
7. Stripped
8. Somebody
9. The Things You Said
10. Black Celebration
11. Shake The Disease
12. Nothing
13. Pleasure, Little Treasure
14. People Are People
15. A Question Of Time
16. Never Let Me Down Again
17. A Question Of Lust
18. Master And Servant
19. Just Can't Get Enough
"Just Can't Get Enough" Depeche Mode 1981 |
Self-made samples | ||||
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Sample | Notes | Audio | |||
Bell-like melody accent | In May 2020, fan "DMK" kindly provided DM Live Wiki with documentation for a series of Emulator II floppy disks that accompanied a collection of restored studio equipment used by Music For The Masses producer Dave Bascombe during the production of music albums for artists other than Depeche Mode in the mid to late eighties. One floppy disk, labeled "Glass (10)", features an untitled preset ("NULL PRESET"), which contains a bell-like sample. This bell element is used to play a melodic accent on the main melody best heard in the opening moments of the Music For The Masses tour arrangement of "Just Can't Get Enough". Notably, a variation of this sound is used during the middle eight section of "Master And Servant" as it was performed on the aforementioned tour as well as the World Violation tour. | Click to display/hide audio example
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Sample sources | |||||
Sample | Source | Status | Notes | Audio | |
Trumpet stabs | Emulator II factory library disk #21: Assorted Trombones - Preset #1: "7 TRUMPETS", SAMPLE 4 |
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The Music For The Masses tour arrangement of "Just Can't Get Enough" employs a sample of a trumpet derived from the "7 TRUMPETS" preset of Emulator II factory library disk #21 "Assorted Trombones". | Click to display/hide audio example
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20. Everything Counts
Notes
References
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