Depeche Mode Synth Bass

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yeah, I said Ga-han instead of Gawn. I do apologise. You live and learn. Anyway, hope you enjoy the video.

[@Jay.Ramone]

Think of the old joke: What do you call a pop star whose friends keep disappearing? Dave Gahan

[@dionysiaex5538]

Words are very unnecessary. They can only do harm.

[@pissmilker2313]

Do never let me down again next

[@AlexBallMusic]

@@Jay.Ramone 😂

[@anderslarsson6149]

Funny that’s what everyone said here 🇸🇪 in the 80s until we understood differently much much later ☺️

[@StanleyKubick1]

imagine recording your 7th album and still having a banger like this up the sleeve

[@JonMurray]

Right? When he said 7th I couldn’t believe it. Be digging through their records over the weekend!

[@JonMurray]

Be quiet. I’ll be playing them on Spotify.

[@wonderwheel80s]

Yeah, I always think about this. The best example of this kind of thing (although the genre is totally different) is "Painkiller" by Judas Priest, their 10th album, released in their 21st year of career. The true epitome of heavy metal, at least for me.

[@K.KILLORAN]

While they haven’t had much great stuff in a long while, like them or hate them, you also have to marvel at U2 releasing Joshua tree as their 5th album and Achtung Baby as their 7th. Both those albums are insane and totally different.

[@Its303AcidBass]

They got better with each album.

[@Bigmojo75]

This is splendid. I do all the programming for Depeche Mode Tribute The Devout. This bass line is a massively iconic part of Depeche’s legacy and the right filter behaviour makes it or breaks it. To show this technique applied on other modular / semi modular synths is a very clever idea. A joy to watch.

[@delmac060]

Mod the filter with a Random S/H wave as an alternative. 😆

[@croonologist]

Long Live The Devout. Cheers

[@magicknight8412]

Saw them in Winchester in December, they were bloody brilliant ! Great work sir !

[@Bigmojo75]

@@delmac060 yeah tried that in the early days but the random filter never opened at the right point. Did it with velocity -> filter in the end.

[@novakillbones2140]

"The Devout" would be a better name for a Devo tribute band, don't you think? "D-Mode" would work better for Depeche Mode.

[@deanbr6ndo70]

Ive got to say, this cover is exquisitely done. Fantastic vocals. Absolutely well done all of you.

[@bertvennemann189]

🤝

[@SpikesStudio3]

I have so much emotional baggage tied up with Depeche Mode's music that even hearing this baseline makes me anxious. You just cant credit how good it really is. Was a very big part of my life. Cheers Alex

[@Farewelltokingz]

The genius of Alan Wilder never disappoints

[@titovalasques]

He was an absolutely awesome producer but let’s not forget that it was Martin Gore that wrote this masterpiece.

[@Farewelltokingz]

@@titovalasques wouldn't be a household name without Alan's insistence to give it a dance beat and bassline.

[@titovalasques]

@ Taylor Swift is mainstream but I don’t see that as inherently genius. You think the genius of producing a song is more ingenious than the genius of writing it?

[@GodsRockstarMusic]

@@titovalasques It was a perfect marriage no need to argue jeez great writing AND great production.

[@titovalasques]

@@GodsRockstarMusic Oh I totally agree. It took both or even all of them to create genius which is why I just don't understand (and frankly grow a little tired of) all this Alan Wilder fanboying that's going on everywhere.

[@jamesm601]

Many thanks from way over here in smoky California. Dark times over here, but an Alex Ball video is always a bright spot. Never stop!

[@AlexBallMusic]

So sorry to hear about what's going on there, I really hope it's brought under control very soon and you can come together and rebuild.

[@dvuemedia]

That whole album is a Masterpiece! My daughter who is 16, just got me a t-shirt with that album logo for my birthday, she knows I like this album so much.

[@sub-jec-tiv]

Wish my tour T-shirt from that tour with the flower in blue hadn't got holes in it from me wearing it as often as possible as a teenager. :))

[@TheSudsy]

cool, my daughter (26) has a tattoo of the album cover on "album" leg.

[@henninghoefer]

"Enjoy the silence" is probably my favourite love song ever. Thank you and Clemens for that awesome cover! You've made my day.

[@Sandelec-gm2cl]

I agree with you.. I have the 12 inches vinyl with the long version..✌🏻😅

[@dyscotopia]

I guess it's a love song? I've always found it to be more of a song about returning to what's essential and beyond the endless chatter that we feel compelled to fill the "dead air" that is actually fully alive with potential

[@chriswareham]

Alan Wilder was such a huge part of Depeche Mode's distinctive sound - he would spend hours in the studio essentially co-producing their albums while the other three were off elsewhere. They've had a few tracks I like since he left, but he definitely added a lot to the basic demos that Martin Gore would present the band with. That's not to lessen the importance of Martin, as he clearly was the most important in creating the foundations of the songs.

[@HJPhilippi]

Alan Wilder fan boy alert. Like me, too. 😊 But then again... who isn't?

[@blakecasimir]

To be fair, Mark Bell also did a fantastic job, just in a rather different style. RIP.

[@nobel11]

I miss his Recoil music. I was great, hearing his sound and production, but applied in such a different style and technique. He really made almost cinematic music, if that makes any sense.

[@TimesOfTheSines.official]

I agree, I'd love to see him working on something with Atticus Ross & Trent Reznor. Alan & Atticus have much in common imo

[@leif12345]

@@nobel11 I have very frequently imagined Recoil tracks as a soundtrack for a movie. Think of “Drifting” as an establishing shot over the ocean as a plane or helicopter approaches the city at night… just exquisite.

[@ringsystemmusic]

holy cow this is literally my favorite synth bassline of all time thank you so much

[@JonMurray]

Awesome job recreating the bass man! Thanks for taking the time. Superb cover as well guys!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you sir.

[@MarcelaoSCS]

Woooh! ! I was only expecting instruments and I'm rewarded with vocals too! Amazing!

[@crifox16]

i will never forget when my dad first played this record for me. my head just about exploded during the intro of world in my eyes. talk about kicking off an album! still my favorite song and favorite record of all time

[@random007nadir]

That comment makes me feel so old!

[@rkic5440]

Love to know what did the drums on that track 🤔

[@GP-2000]

Big fan of Clemens. More collaborations please. ❤❤ 🤘🤘 This is one of my favorite covers now. Excellent work guys.

[@nitfumble]

Started watching for the information, stayed for the cover. Thanks Alex!

[@beaglemusiclabs]

Love the combination of music history and practical composition/sound design tips, plus the excellent cover version! thank you

[@TisMeJohnDee]

Expertly described as usual, thanks and Happy New year. Brilliant cover at the end Clemens Wenners vocals spot on.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers! And Happy New year to you too.

[@ThomasMOIV]

WOW! As you said, many, many variables, but: This definitely is essentially it. To be able to recreate this from scratch takes some serious skill even if you have the right synth. Thanks for showing!!! I have been loving this bass line for... well... since it was released 😅

[@DetlevSchwabe]

It's a special day whenever Alex releases a new video. Give this guy an Oscar already!

[@sub-jec-tiv]

00:20 "In 1989 Depeche Mode were still wearing leather and bondage gear." :) My favorite electronic pop music of all time. Saw them live on these classic 80s albums, they were stunning live at the time. Their combination of songwriting and sound design is just unmatched, especially their 80s albums. Thanks for the video!! Really fun!!

[@pablowentscobar]

Fantastic video sir. As a synth-noob I get a lot of value out of this type of video. As you said, I don't really care about recreating this song, but learning the techniques and theories of how to arrive at this sound is super beneficial to me at this point. Thank you Alex, top shelf fren. BTW, your cover is amazing.

[@saarin0tsorry]

This song (and album) has been a staple for me and I have never even considered how the sound of the iconic bass line was created. I shared it with my old band mates and friends from that great time in DM music. Thanks for all you do!

[@carlosmodegahan4455]

This is Awesome!!! Please do more Depeche Mode videos, so many iconic sounds that were so innovative at the time, and still sound great! Very nice cover version and vocals!

[@everpuremusic]

There are a million cover versions out there. But this one just made me smile from start to end. And thanks for the rundown of the bass - it's so simple and yet so spectacularly effective!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Ah thank you! Yes, all the parts just work exactly as though they've always been together.

[@ScotLang]

I really love how you demonstrated the patch on multiple synthesizers. It really highlights how unique each one is. Would be interested in that as a recurring series of videos. Cheers

[@brianthomas6758]

Clemens is brilliant!

[@zoartis]

All your videos show the quality of the work you put into each release. You articulate and present the subject and the technical background well, but I also really like your humour! I really respect and appreciate your channel! Thank you!

[@nik_elektrik]

The bass / filter sequencing on Violator is absolutely fab. My favourites: the intro sequences to „Halo“ and „World in my eyes“, which I made my ringtone decades ago.

[@DJKL]

I always love your vocals Alex, but Clemens is amazing on this cover!

[@AlexBallMusic]

He is! My attempt was terrible.

[@DJKL]

@AlexBallMusic sometimes you gotta know when to fold 'em 😜

[@MattUFO33]

Never would have thought to add that flat-envelope filter mod for the click - brilliant!!

[@VirtualModular]

Yeah that's a great trick. Mixing different CV sources is one of the best things about modular, and multiple envelopes/LFOs etc can really make sounds come alive. Amazing work here! 👌

[@burado1974]

What a classic song, I just love this song, amazing melody. It's a quite odd song when you break down but a classic. That guitar line is just pure gold, I just can't get enough of it and I've heard it a thousand times.

[@BluemanDrummer]

One of the greatest records ever. Blue dress, the music, the absolutely brilliant lyrics, it’s a masterpiece

[@jamesscott6548]

Brilliant as always Alex , one of my all time favourite DM tracks

[@magicknight8412]

So cool, this was very interesting. Love seeing these incredible songs broken down and how they were made. Violator really sparked my interest and love for Depeche Mode and also helped me get through some dark times.

[@DaveG207]

A masterpiece as ever. Great to see Clemens in there, I miss his videos!

[@NeonDream81]

I always love videos showing how classic sounds like this one were made, and you make it very entertaining to watch.

[@FatNorthernBigot]

"Enjoy the System" was almost worth it for the name alone.

[@Meteotrance]

I was 6 or 7 years old when the big brother of my neighbour , buy this album on his brand new Phillips CD player and hifi system and jesus , i love every track of this album it was a huge sonic shock when i listen to this almost day one of the release, it became a massive hit !

[@rossjackson2455]

I love everything about your content man, please keep making it.

[@bradfordkeithmadison953]

Welp, here I was for at least a decade or two just certain this was done with a 2600. Excellent information, excellently presented (as always) sir!

[@RetroClaire]

Amazing. I love the 80s synth sound and the cover at the end was brilliantly done 🙂

[@DaxHamel]

I've seen so many people try, it's about time I got to see someone succeed. THanks.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you!

[@saulcross9690]

Another excellent cover and another excellent breakdown of the patch design.

[@Magnus_Loov]

Beyond amazing. Enjoyed it to the max! Everything from the explanations, the story behind it (and the research behind it) the extremely professional video production going on and the fantastic cover at the end! Really appreciate the work put into all these videos. And the fact that they still are done in such a relaxed and often with a blink in the eye kind of way! Top notch!

[@PocketUnv]

That's a beautiful rendition you did at the end, and as always, your ability to teach these things is nothing short of phenomenal.

[@tectonia2605]

This track still hasn’t lost it’s charm and significance to the history of electronic music. Thanks for this video. 🙏🏻

[@QSDigitalVideo]

I've adored this track for years and your cover is epic. Brilliant work. Nice vocal too.

[@otrava88]

this cover is something else man. everything is perfect: from bass to vocals! thank you!

[@lfo2vco]

Nicely done sir, you and Clemens nailed it!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks very much!

[@caezium.133]

This is amazing, Alex!

[@Jay.Ramone]

It's a glorious track. Your cover was great, and love the tutorial. Thank you!

[@JozsefWittek]

Great recreation of Enjoy the Silence! Thanks for the awesome video!

[@kerzwhile]

My God this is great! ❤ love your version too! 😉 and yes, Violator is a very rare masteriece! I actually had NO idea that was a system 700. 😮

[@twoeggcups]

Another gem of a video.

[@ianwynne764]

Hello Alex: This bass line is amazing. You have shown what great ears you have. Thank you.

[@R_Durand]

So after 8:15 when the next chorus starts on the album version, I’ve always loved that huge zap-bass part that has the super tight attack and a swell.. I’ve been trying to repro that kind of sound for years, and have always been curious how it was done (probably 2 or more sounds layered?). Alan uses a similar sound in the middle of Faith Healer on Recoil Bloodline. Really loved seeing this video 🤗🎹

[@effettoneve]

As far as I know, it's a layer made with an harpsichord sample pitched 2 octaves down and with a fast attack envelope to get the "zap". If you try it, please gimme a feedback ❤

[@filavadrit]

Orgogliosamente prodotta in Italia 💙 !! Great video & cover thank you !!

[@doctorscoot]

I remember when this was released and holy fuck from the first second of listening to the album me and my mate were just absolutely stunned with how brilliant it was - and still is.

[@canadude6401]

Great upload and rendition!. The bass synth in Halo is similar but darker . "You wear guilt, like shackles on your feet, like a Halo in reverse" Intro gives me chills even now 34 years later!!

[@XandyBarry]

Really cool video, thanks so much for sharing. That was quite impressive how you recreated it by ear so well. Excellent!

[@LFOVCF]

I've always loved that bassline. just so deliciously synthy! I'd say you bloody nailed it! Great version guys!

[@ClemensWennersMusic]

I was so invested in your fantastic video that I almost forgot I would show up in it! 🤣

[@AlexBallMusic]

Wait, that dude looks familiar?! :)

[@marsupialmicron]

Sometimes, from listening to a song so many times, you suddenly stop really listening to it. That's what happened to me with Enjoy the Silence. But when, for some reason, you pay attention to it, you realize that it's a great song that has even made me shed a few tears.

[@leesparey]

There is something deeply emotional in it isn't there, towards the end - especially live

[@CBG]

History, education, tutorial and absolutely fantastic cover, as alway you deliver!

[@dillipphunbar7924]

Thankyou Mr Ball and all who contributed. Love this song and really like your cover. I was trying to harmonize to it.

[@Tiziano_Ferrari]

Superb video, congratulations indeed.

[@EarmonkeyMusic]

Great job Alex. I’ve always loved that filtered bass line and I like using these types of techniques. Way back in the day when I only had the Juno 106 I used my DOS-based PC-MIDI sequencer (Prism) and I’d sequence MIDI values and send them to the pitch bender and use that to open and close the VCF to get this kind of effect. The things you do when you’re limited 😂

[@AlexBallMusic]

Haha, I love that! The joys of simplicity and limitation is so true. I still remember commands from my Dad's Acorn and BBC computers in the 80s. I also remember using DOS and showing my brother deltree C:\Doom\ or whatever you wanted to remove to clear space and my brother just typed deltree C:\ and wiped my dad's entire computer. Haha.

[@1061shrink1061]

I got a Behringer mini VS for Christmas, which is my first ever synth. I’m still wrapping my head around it, but this video was one of the first that made me realise I could use the vectors to switch between the four variations of the square wave. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@cerebralkaos2385]

Thank you so much Alex! I have been trying to nail this sound for ages on my Behringer System 100. Great video to start the year!

[@UlyssesZopol]

This is a really excellent reproduction! And that voice really fits well.

[@ShadowMatrix666]

Cooles Cover you match the sound perfectly ...Chapeau

[@ThinkerThunker]

Great info! And really well done on the cover. Loved it.

[@colinstu]

THUMBS UP!!! for that whole cover, marvelous!!! I don't know if I have a 'fav' DM song but this is indeed on my list of 10-20 favs of theirs!

[@markcrowley65]

It's some achievement to do justice to such a wonderful classic song. Well done to both of you

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you very much!

[@domlisboa4024]

Incredible work as always Alex. Every video is entertaining and informative.

[@regplasma7906]

Great work Alex.

[@macronencer]

Another excellent video, Alex! I always look forward to your uploads. Nice cover from you and Clemens too.

[@starsky101]

Clemens makes awesome covers and partnered with a synth god well that’s made the first week back to work a lot easier!

[@shawnstone4949]

A friggin epic album! Amazing sound quality. They did a very good job

[@jlpower]

Love it! Been excited for this since you first mentioned it. My own… personal… favorite on this basically perfect album is Policy of Truth. Cheers!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers! Glad it delivered.

[@therealmattmann]

Brilliant and very educational video and VERY EXCELLENT covver of one of the most iconic DM songs ever! Cheerios!!

[@climbatize]

Love these deconstruction type uploads. It kinda reminds me of "Jim Pavloff's Making of "The Prodigy - Smack My Bitch Up" in Ableton", showing where Liam got his samples from and how he used them for the final mix. Brilliant stuff!

[@koosfockens1707]

Excellent work yet again! Even Geert would be proud!

[@darwiniandude]

I really enjoyed the Enjoy The Silence. Thanks! Great cover, production and awesome vocals too.

[@jamakamicka]

Another great informative deconstruct of a truly epic band and track. Yes we adore Depeche Mode. Kudes cover ❤

[@JafarCalley]

I loved this whole vid. Synth theory with a cracking cover of one of my favourite songs. Interesting vocal harmonies at the end too :)

[@AlbertaDMode]

First proper video in ages about Violator production namely legendary Enjoy The Silence bass line. This sound is timeless!

[@Tonepusher]

That channel is fantastic. Love your videos man. That System 700 sounds so good 🥺. That third oscillator though, great catch hehe 👂

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers! Yeah, the devil is in the detail with these things.

[@kevyray7440]

Amazing. Just love how you keep these old bad boys playing the music they're supposed to 😊

[@cerfvolantle]

Excellent … une belle surprise … d’un son de Bass à une performance … Merci

[@sawsquaresinetube]

Thanks! I finally found an applicable use for my Roland System 700!

[@gasolineandwine]

EYOOO, Clemens Wenners on vocals!! Magnificent work all around Alex ✨

[@spishe683]

Brilliant video. I'm a bit obsessed with DM bass sounds, so would love a video on tracks like Never Let Me Down Again, Black Celebration - and just deep bass sounds in general. Plus any aspect of DM or Kraftwerk is always great.

[@jayweb702]

My favorite album from them! Simply marvelous!

[@glencutwerkboom]

Excellent video and cover! What a perfect arrangement this song is.

[@shannongolden]

Seriously Super Sweet Video. Wow, Thanks From All DP and 80's Music Fans. You Did Grrrreat! 😎🤙

[@agilekind]

Fabulous job on the cover! Loved all the layers. Really well done 👍 It’s also clear I really need a System 700 to join the other 12 Roland synths in my studio!

[@cromulence]

Great tutorial and the cover is absolutely fantastic. Wonderful stuff.

[@mr_floydst]

Excellent work by both you and Clemens!