Ep2: The Synth Sounds of John Carpenter: Halloween, The Fog, Assault on Precinct 13

[@AlanHowarthOfficial]

Alan Howarth , just to keep writing history correctly, Carpenter's scores starting with Escape were produced in my studio using all of my gear, he didn't need to have any synths as I had all the cool stuff already.

[@neiljvoice1603]

And EFNY is one of the best scores you did together Alan .

[@ryanpage4006]

You sir, are an absolute legend. I remember watching JC movies on VHS as a kid and wondering "who's this guy doing all these scores with carpenter?" It wasn't until I started trying to recreate some of those sounds, that I discovered how much you contributed to the songs (and the overall sound). I now have a small studio with an esq-1, juno 106 and a modular I've built. When I'm not working on my own sounds, I gleefully rip off the tones you created in the late 70s, early 80s, for my own enjoyment. Thank you for that.

[@NeuronalAxon]

You sir, are a legend. These soundtracks are all time classics.

[@docenji]

Wow, the real Alan Howarth, nice.

[@NICKWAPPERER117]

You're the man Alan!

[@Rockhopper1]

5/4 timing is used by telephone companies and alarm firms, the human brain is able to work with 4/4 time but 5/4 makes it work harder. This in turn creates an unsettling feeling, it actually makes you anxious which is why people answer the phone or respond to alarms. Its also fun if sitting near someone on a bus to count 5/4 time and gently tap a ring or tap, you will notice the person next to you get a little uppity. Its also used in dripping water torture, the odd drip of water at 5/4 puts your teeth on edge.

[@EverettDudgeon138]

These are all from Carpenter's sessions with Dan Wyman. Assault On Precinct 13. Moog Modular System 55 Fender Rhodes (for Julie's Theme) Halloween Moog Modular System 55 MiniMoog Piano The Fog Piano Moog Modular System 55 Sequential Circuits Prophet 10 (Single Keyboard)-it was this synth and not the Prophet 5, as programmer Dan Wyman also used it for his personal scores for Hell Night and Without Warning alongside an orchestra. After The Fog, Carpenter went on to work with programmer Alan Howarth. Escape From New York Prophet-5 ARP Quadra ARP Avatar (2) ARP Sequencer Roland CSQ-600 Sequencer Sequential Circuits 700 Programmer Roland SVC-350 Vocoder Linn LM-1 Drum Computer Fender Jazz Bass Fender Stratocaster Halloween ii Prophet 10 Prophet 5 ARP Avatar (2) ARP Quadra ARP Sequencer Roland CSQ-600/Sequencer Sequential Circuits 700 Programmer Linn LM-1 Drum Computer Halloween iii: Season Of The Witch Prophet 10 Prophet 5 ARP Avatar (2) ARP Sequencer Roland CSQ-600/Sequencer Sequential Circuits 700 Programmer Linn LM-1 Drum Computer Christine Prophet 10 Prophet 5 Emulator i ARP Avatar (2) ARP Sequencer Roland CSQ-600/Sequencer Sequential Circuits 700 Programmer Linn LM-1 Drum Computer Big Trouble In Little China (Carpenter and Howarth's first MIDI score) Prophet-5 & Prophet-10 w/ Poly sequencers E-mu Emulator I & II w/CD ROM ARP Avatar (x2) and Arp Sequencer Linn LM-1 , LM-2 & E-mu SP-12 (this combination was treated as one gigantic drum machine. Kurzweil K250 w/user sampling Prophet 2002 Prophet VS-2400 Vector Synth Oberheim 4 voice w/Midi (mostly used as a bass unit) Prince Of Darkness Emulator I & II with CD ROM Kurzwell 250 with 50K sampling Sequential VS-2400 Vector Synthesis Sequential Prophet 10 Sequential Prophet 2002 Oberheim SEM 4 Voice ARP Avatar They Live Synclavier Digital Audio System Emulator II with OMI CD-ROM Yamaha DX7 SCI Prophet 10, 2002 and VS Ensoniq EPS and SQ-80 Oberheim SEM-4 Voice Then Carpenter went on to work with Jim Lang for.... In The Mouth Of Madness and Body Bags Emulator IIIxp (EIVxp on MOM) Forat F16. Hammond B3, Wurlitzer electric piano, MicroMoog, Roland MKS80, D550, Prophet VS, Yamaha DX and TX series, EMU Proteus 1 and 2, Korg M1r and M1rex, AKAI 612 Any questions?

[@ChipRobertsOfficial]

I love America, I love the 80s, and I love the modern era because I get to watch videos about vintage synths whenever I want and nobody can tell me what to do!

[@Savoy1984]

This is one of the best videos on the internet.

[@tonyorob]

Assault On Precinct 13 is easily the best movie score I ever heard.

[@HyBound]

Man, I have to say, after three years, these videos are still some of my favorites. I hope Justin comes back to work on these; I get the well-produced full-production videos take more time, but it's so worth it. I find this is true for all of the different channels that take time to make a production of their videos: you can tell when someone takes the time to make something special. If these are all there is, I will just have to say, thank you Justin, for what you gave to these. You made music and vintage gear more enjoyable.

[@meclazine]

That was freaking amazing. The quality of the bass in that theme was immense. Excellent KZbin videos of some amazing movie themes.

[@JDSoundsets]

Assault on Precinct 13 is one of my all time fav tracks by anyone :) Mark Shreeve did the best cover imho

[@rexterrocks]

I love that 'Assault on Precinct 13' bass motif and constantly used to play around with it on bass guitar or keyboards. It's so catchy. I thought it would be good to use. It seems Afrika Bambaata and others thought the same.

[@STRAIGHTP]

Awesome. Carpenter is a huge influence to me and so many others. Great job!

[@rick1969ful]

Nice to see the 70's /80's boards at work and doing what they do best (putting digital to shame)

[@macdaddybender]

I'm a bit late to the party but I didn't realise John Carpenter also made his own music. I've listened to the 'Lost Themes' album and it is amazing. This guy is a genius, a brilliant director AND an outstanding musical talent. If you haven't heard his stuff and you're into synths then you need to check it out.

[@HyBound]

I am loving these videos. Though, I would listen to someone playing around on vintage synths all day...

[@rferia539]

I saw John Carpenter perform his movie hits a few years back at Day for Night. It was pretty rockin'. I didn't expect to rock out so much to soundtracks, but the melodies (several pieces strung together) was pretty cool. His heavy metal back up band mates were pretty awesome, too.

[@Johny40Se7en]

Really nice sort of tribute video. John Carpenter's such a wizard of films and music and I really can't wait to see and hear what the next Halloween film is gonna be like, John Carpenter's supposedly really involved in it so it should be awesome.

Love John Carpenter. Learned all of his music on piano. Simple but heavy shit. And...Trent Reznor has just covered Halloween. Genius.

[@bazzadavison7965]

Great video, great music. John Carpenter is a cinematic and musical god, regardless of his later poorer output. Any director who gave us Assault on Precinct 13, Halloween , The Fog, The Thing, Escape From New York, They Live, Big Trouble in Little China, Christine, Starman, Prince of Darkness, In the Mouth of Madness should be revered for the genius that he is. Ace director. Ace musician.

[@scampoli25]

Currently in desperate need of a room full of wooden synthesizers with tons of Death Star-esk knobs and switches.

[@bobthesalesclerk]

If your synth doesn't have wood on it somewhere it's not worth your time.

[@bobthesalesclerk]

Except the esq-1. I miss mine. Magical synth.

[@p.granger8824]

I didn’t have that one, it sort of fell through the cracks. I Love Ensoniq though. First had a Mirage, then an EPS which I still have and an SQ2.

[@plainchemicals]

Great series Reverb! Love the John Carpenter sound.

[@OneDarkMartian]

This is the best video I've seen in a long time! I'd love more like this and more detail on the settings, crafting the sounds etc! Brilliant!

[@ReubenSound]

The soundtracks to Dawn of the Dead and Susperia, both by Goblin, are my favourites.

[@falangistavaleroso9689]

me too

[@deathtape1249]

Great series! I've always had a THING for Carpenter's sound. Currently recreating my favs "Matthew Ghost Story & Walk To The Lighthouse" from The Fog.

[@RealMNeutral31]

My favorite synth sounds hands down goes to Charles Bernstein. THe composer of the original A Nightmare on Elm Street. If you guys explore that one, I will really appreciate it. That to me is the best synth sounds and one of the best horror movie soundtrack of all time.

[@WarriorEsoteric]

Agee, extremely terrifying score

[@ottowlazlo2432]

You nailed those motifs, Justin.

[@Sereosh]

Your videos are so well made.

[@jplus2601]

No “Escape From New York”? That’s my favorite!

[@unfailingfeline5215]

John Carpenter goes fuckin hard on Assault on Precinct 13

[@gregmonk9037]

:) carpenter goodness, when that prophet 5 kicked in though,,, oooh suits you sir!!

[@christdolphin69]

"hi there, mark reverb here and im joined by rick flanger and eduardo granular synthesis"

[@christopherbell4543]

Wow that Prophet 5 sounds incredible.

[@timurnugumanov8164]

Wow, man this video is so movie-like, and all this Carpenter cuts and elements are great!

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

Great job. Carpenter's music is deceptively complex, and fit his films with aplomb. Often sounding simple, minimalist, but detailed and intelligent upon inspection. Agree on the Ensoniq ESQ-1 (same with the SQ-80) very underrated synths. A guy named Mik300z has made great use of getting Vangelis-like sounds from it. You could alsouse an ARP here to get part of the Carpenter sound. Though if you mentioned it, I missed it.

[@JayHennigan]

Amazing insight Justin, you've actually just inspired me to go rewatch The Fog - I'm a huge John Carpenter fan (and an all round horror fan per se) but The Fog is probably my least watched movie of his - yeah I know. But today is Sunday 10 April 2022 when I'm watching your video, so I'm gonna chill and go for a stroll in the fog soon 😉 . Great video, great work, thanks!

[@TenThumbsProductions]

Great video and what a sweet looking spot.

[@weave_of_k]

I was inquiring about making some old school horror music. I have a Prophet 5, so hearing about it being used in some of my favorite horror movies makes me so happy. Also, the Prophet 5 was used for the original Terminator movie soundtrack!

[@reneotten2288]

Awesome vid. And let's face it, all these tunes are simple and sober and that what makes them so strong.

[@Reef.Jones.official]

I love Carpenter. Great video ! And great KB models you have !

[@renangoncalvesflores]

Love this series. This and the Twin Peak's episode are my favorites.

[@davidhuggins16]

Great stuff. Would love to see a video on the synth sounds of The Terminator. Brad Fiedel's score is iconic.

[@Gizgirl70]

Brilliant teacher-tutor! Also, the likeness to Tom Hardy is an added bonus ... :))

[@felixucoff]

What about Blade Runner next? Or Vangelis in general. Yellow Magic Orchestra would be sweet too!

[@F-Andre]

its basically the cs80 :) most of them were presets on the well known records... kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6eXdnR6dq2qhaM

[@elliebee6537]

They actually have a blade runner episode.

[@Reprodestruxion]

Ryuichi Sakamoto

[@OpiumZA]

another 10/10 video, love the effort

[@merlinmorzeck5840]

Love your "The Synths of..." videos. Really helped me understanding the depth of the tracks. Bought myself a casio cz101 to learn the basics. Would love to see a video on the synths/sounds of Trent Reznors/Atticus Ross` movie scores.

[@snolan1990]

How did you get on with the 101? It is actually a very unconvetional synth but if it is your first foray into the field it may be easier to get to grips with.

[@NeuronalAxon]

I like Casio's PD sound generation, actually.

[@MrRamone97]

Even though I should have known, I almost wee'd myself at the beginning when Mike appeared. Haha

[@billyjordan9602]

This is a cool perspective on history! A well done mini documentary. Thank you

[@MattHalpain]

Big trouble little China would be fun to see you recreate of John Carpenter. So awesome to see this video of the break down of some John Carpenter movies scores.

[@KristerNielsen]

Could you please show a sheet of your settings for the Model D? I'm trying to recreate the sound on my Behringer Model D but can't see how it is set up. Thanks.

[@ggsmith48906]

Very interesting that Halloween is all synthesizer! I've loved that theme since I saw the movie as a teen, and learned to play it on the piano. To my ears, I'm hearing brass in there, a small tuba ensemble and maybe some baritone. But I suppose that could be created through synthesizer

[@Chkhenkelosaur]

What a fortunate last name, Justin!

[@perishableskills4160]

I'm stoked to have found this series! Love seeing what goes into making some of these old 80s tracks. Would you consider doing a video on Creepshow (1982)? That soundtrack was amazing. Cheers!

[@rockymaldonado7758]

Creepshow, Phantasm, and Suspiria have thee best soundtracks imo

[@blahblah606]

I'd love to see a breakdown on Clockwork Orange or the Shining by Wendy Carlos. 👁🍊

[@kendo5862]

Fantastic - thank you! I can't even play chopsticks but this was great

[@MaxStephens77]

do the Synth sounds of Adventure Time, i always thought that show had a cool soundtrack

[@alejandron.molina1295]

I just discovered this channel, I gotta say you guys have amazing content.

[@jasmeerlabeer4591]

MORE! I WANT MORE OF THESE! This was awesome!!

[@swampthing94]

Halloween is one of those weird 80s horror movies. IT WASN'T RELEASED IN THE 80s FFS

[@JimijaymesProductions]

There are so many sounds and music from the late 70s that everyone assumes is 80s cos it is so synth driven not realising alot of those synths are from the 70s (prophet 5, jupiter 4, OB-X and of course many moogs)

[@alaskanchops3035]

JimijaymesGuitarist yeah and the cs-80

[@drinnerd8532]

In retrospect, 1978 was pretty-much 1980... of course not "technically," but it's still right on the verge as styles and sounds had already started their evolution into the 80's era of common trend, even a couple of years earlier... None the less, you are still correct.

Same with the Fog, made in 1979.

[@timusukotto]

everyone knows "the 80s" began in 1978 and ended in 1987 :-)

[@SvenFx-22]

absolutely LOVE all these videos keep making them

[@r-saint]

This video should have x10 more views.

[@jakobgunnarsson9546]

Goblin's soundtracks, aswell as Fabio Frizzi would be great.

[@thelifeproductions1]

This is a great tutorial. I also think you can apply this playing style to modern Trap tracks as well.

[@mentholdeathray]

So fun! Watching in 2021 and loving it.

[@Russell1982]

This was great, a lot of fun to watch. How about a follow up, looking at Escape from New York and Halloween 3?

[@nervedamage3097]

Rad work, love JCs scores they just fit perfectly! Would love to see/hear you do the sounds from the video game Mass Effect

[@Noone-of-your-Business]

Also, did you know that the Michael Myers mask was in fact a William Shanter Kirk mask painted white with the eye holes cut out slightly larger?

[@Seekimo]

When that moog comes in!!!!!

[@AlbertSirup]

Maybe you could do an episode on the Soundtracks by Goblin next? I'd love to see one for suspiria (of course it's not all synth-based).

[@schepler2]

Albert Sirup The problem with Goblin, although I love them, they're not *really* a synth band. They used a lot of traditional rock instruments, and of course the organ. Obviously, some of their scores were more synth-based ("Contamination" comes to mind). But in general, they weren't.

[@dannylerch]

@@schepler2 I saw them live twice last year and Claudio definitely had a Mini Moog, a Prophet 5, Roland Juno Di and a few other synths on stage. He only had one organ and I think it was a Fender Rhoads Mark 1?

[@PIlotrcm]

Love this channel!

[@jacksonfritts2988]

Wow! Thank you so much!

[@johnrigdon5308]

Very cool. Loving these videos

[@benkata]

Your Mike Myers interludes are pretty dam funny, bro

[@prophetate]

Absolutely awesome! :)

[@killwize]

...he look back right as a car passes... (so well timed)

[@horder2344]

Love it..watching in bed and actually made me jump lol.. brilliant deconstruction of those classic film hooks..now off try myself ( and fail no doubt!!)

[@abado5603]

For me the best and most “Carpenteresque” score is Christine!

[@dstrats]

Loved this one!!!

[@spacetravelrecords5361]

Would be great if you could make more videos on Carpenter! Scape form new york would be awesome!

[@raggedrec]

Could ye guys do a studio tour of the setup love the layout of the place

[@David22232]

Perfect sounds, I play in my you tube account : Halloween theme and Lourie's theme 🎃

[@Kid_Convalescent]

This video is clinically under-viewed.

[@KillerStudios]

Superb work fellas.

[@B1ueD3vi1]

Vangelis and Tangerine Dream next!!!

[@Brklynsbaby]

That Myers mask in the beginning was so derpy

[@foarks]

incredible

[@bernardogui3933]

great video!! fun and interesting.

[@theboytheycalljonny1]

Great series. Thank you!

[@ignaciodelvillararce4925]

Good work

[@darrenhirst9900]

When the music first started the hairs stood up and I got nervous. Dam I hate music. 😂 Reverb you're one cool guy and I love your content.

[@bobbyberetta4206]

Damn that was badass!

[@SuperDimdamdom]

Hi, very interesting demonstration but….Some points are wrong or missing: John Carpenter neither use the Elka Synthex! You're right about the Prophet 5 & 10 but he also used two ARP synth much as you could imagine. Alan Howarth worked a lot with him and talked about the Arp Quadra and Arp Avatar and neither concerning the Italian ELKA Synthex The Howarth studio was: Prophet 5, Prophet 10 ARP Qaudra, ARP Avatar (2), ARP Sequencer, Roland CSQ-600 Sequencer, Sequential Circuits 700 Programmer, Roland SVC-350 Vocoder, Linn LM-1 Drum Computer, Fender Jazz Bass, Fender Stratocaster). ALAN HOWARTH: "Quadra wan in several cues. In the opening titles of EFNY as part of the chord pattern and also in the arpeggiated riff after the body of the cue. Quadra is also in the DUke arrives and the president at the train. The final cue, across the 69th street bridge is also a stack of quadra and avatars and prophet on the main melody." "The BIG lead line on the Halloween II is a stack of overdubs from the SCI prophet 5 &10. Remember, this was 24 track analog stuff, so before MIDI and all the computer sequencers, I had to overdub. The other Halloween part, the 1/8 note stuff is from the ARPs. There were 2 ARP Avatars (Really Oddsseys) that were driven by the ARP sequencer. The Quadra was also overdubbed as the BIG line. I used the Linn Drum as the master clock for everything and it had a FSK tone that I recorded to track 23 of the 24 track tape. This way I could sync the sequencer to the tape for overdubs." Concerning Assault on Pressinct 13, Carpenter used a EMS VCS3 which was very very unstable.

[@justindelay]

Thanks for the additional info- super helpful for folks who want to dig deeper. I didn't know that it was a VCS3 on Assault- we learn something new every day!

[@488mikael]

Dan Wyman/Sound arts did all the synth work on Carpenter's early scores to AOP13, Halloween and The Fog. Howarth was not involved in those scores, his first work with Carpenter was on Escape from New York. Carpenter did indeed use an EMS VCS 3 but that was on Dark Star, not Assault... All the synthesis for AOP 13, Halloween and The Fog was done on an expanded Moog modular IIIP with the optional double sequencer complement.

[@WINTERMUTE_AI]

Do one about HALLOWEEN III, that has the best soundtrack.

[@mikkonevalainen9318]

Cool! Thanks! Escape from New York main theme next, maybe.

[@danazawa1]

This is fantastic!

[@BoyAditya]

Justin Delay works on reverb ^_^

[@mathiasmyren9611]

Love this, so well done :)

[@TheManm333]

Halloween and Assault On Precinct 13 have the best themes.

[@8bitheroes86]

Thats was great

[@djmouglie]

Ensoniq ESQ-1 for piano sounds?!! .. what a strange thing.

[@ScreaminJoeBlade]

According to Dr. Dan Wyman the man that helped program the synths for the soundtrack out of the USC synth lab:"I used only the modular system Moog III: five boxes of modules, with 4 sequencers, two keyboards, and a Ribbon Controller [a touch-sensitive strip that controls pitch]. However, I may have duplicated one or two of the sfx on a Minimoog which was in the room… I had ARP 2600s, Sonic 6, that Oberheim, and other instruments… their sound did not match the quality we were looking for. I had written the Moog Modular Systems Handbook for Bob Moog, and without reservation preferred the quality of this famous instrument to any other." - no mention of any version of the PROPHET synths.. Checkout cultureramp.com/killer-punk/

[@RepublicConstitution]

Beautiful