Van Halen - I’ll Wait Keyboard Cover on Oberheim OB-8 Synth - all parts recreated

I removed all of the original keyboards using Izotope RX software and tried to replicate everything as best I could on my Oberheim OB-8 Synth. (Most likely the OB-Xa was used on the original recording.)
Keyboard only version can be viewed here:
• Van Halen - I'll Wait ...
For those fellow OB-8 owners, here’s my patches:
Main Rhythm part (Upper Keys): AC1 (Trumpet Ensemble) modified. I also put some amp distortion on it via plugins, as Eddie reportedly put it through some music man amps and recorded it that way. I actually tried recording it through a guitar amp as well, but using plugins just sounded better.
Main Rhythm part (Lower Keys): A1 (Brass Ensemble) variant.
Second Synth part, (the 8th notes under the second and third verses) as well as the high notes played underneath the chorus: AC1 (Trumpet Ensemble) modified, recorded directly. Same patch as the main part.
Cool, tripped out noises played just before the guitar solo: AC5 (Circus Organ) but heavily modified.
That little pan flute type sound in the first verse: B8 (Caliope)
When I'm jamming on the D note, that's the same AC1 patch, but I lowered the release way down.
I don’t have the sheet music for this and learned everything by ear. All mistakes are mine.
Recording this gave me a new appreciation for the song, and made me love the guitar solo even more than I did before.

[@LazloNQ]

I feel like I'm sitting there in my favourite 1980s Pizza Hut eating a slice while I hear someone playing the table top pac-man arcade on the west wall of the building. Well done!

[@inasimplerhyme]

That's amazing! And thank you!

[@jraoulmer9962]

Eddie has composed many great Van Halen songs with keys & synths, but "I'll Wait" along with "Jump" were his greatest compositions & I personally think you did fantastic covering it 😎😎😎😎

[@inasimplerhyme]

Wow, thank you so much! That means quite a lot, thank you.

[@jonnyjay3222]

I’d add love walks in with them

[@mikea4015]

You are, without a doubt, the undisputed king of Van Halen keyboard covers. They’re indistinguishable from the recorded tracks.

[@inasimplerhyme]

Oh wow, thank you so much for the kind words! I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.

[@ave-d5x]

ahhhhh, man... thank you. from Southamerica 1983 Eddie was here and GOD had a heart attack.

[@inasimplerhyme]

Glad you enjoyed it, and that you got to see him live!

[@williamshaffer5600]

Outstanding! I played in a band with a guy who played this dot on. Takes me back!

[@jankarlsson8341]

Fantastic snare drum sound on this song.

[@mikefont69]

BAD-ASS bro!

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thank you!

[@EncrypticMethods]

@@inasimplerhyme 🤘🤘

[@jonnyjay3222]

So deliciously 80s sounding 😊

[@CSX2601]

Glad to see the fire extinguisher close by...this f'n smokes! Great work!

[@inasimplerhyme]

Haha! Thank you so much!

[@davidscheidler4811]

Synth never sleeps!

[@michaelkennedy5126]

outstanding keyboarding. like that other guy said - you sound like you played this track on 1984

[@inasimplerhyme]

I GREATLY appreciate you saying that, thank you so much!

[@frankscassi4960]

Man, I just discovered your channel, and I think yours are the most accurate renditions of Van Halen's keyboard songs. Your work is OUTSTANDING. As a HUGE VH fan, guitar player-but-synth-enthusiast-too I just subscribed to your channel. I hope we'll get "And the Cradle will rock" and "Respect the Wind" too someday! Greetings from Italy

[@inasimplerhyme]

Wow, thank you SO MUCH for the incredibly kind words! It is much appreciated. More videos to come!

[@JasonAchilles]

Fantastic. You nailed everything in this. Love that you isolated those solo parts on the video as well

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thank you!

[@chrisjackson7625]

good job doesnt seem easy eddie was a sure genius

[@inasimplerhyme]

@@chrisjackson7625 Thanks! And yes, this was a difficult (but very fun) cover. Ed was the best!

[@hazor777]

Wow - I was almost suspicious that you were “key syncing” and not really even playing - the performance was so damn tight awesome job

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thank you so much! And no key syncing, just me, warts and all!

[@hazor777]

@@inasimplerhyme Excellent job - I’m curious: I would love to get good at playing keys , and I want a old Skool synth - what other gear do you need to complete the set up to play- like what you have : OB - x - and get a good sound . I don’t process anything via a computer , I play in a live sense (guitar) Thanks in advance

[@inasimplerhyme]

@@hazor777 Thanks again! I have the synth going into my computer, and then add the basics like reverb and chorus. (I also do some EQ-ing.). The former could be accomplished with pedals, just like on guitars, I would think. Glad to hear you're getting into synth playing. Have fun!

[@michaell2288]

Great job! I really enjoyed seeing all the different parts. A very underrated song on this epic album!

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thank you, and I agree! Brilliant song!

[@kennethrobinson6738]

Well done!! One of my favorite synth songs to play from one of the greatest of all time, Mr. Eddie Van Halen.

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thank you so much! And agreed!

[@avolaruruguay4625]

great performance beautiful song and sound , I am a Van Halen fan as well those 2 albums Diver Down and 1984 are a piece of art all the best

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thank you so much fellow fan!

[@pjstamm2112]

Great job! This video was a nice find on the third anniversary of EVH passing on.

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thank you so much! And I'm so happy my video could help while you were remembering! It's a sad day, but you can't help but smile when listening to Ed.

[@kennethtedford2650]

This is brilliant! I need to see if I can come close to your patches with my OB-8. Great playing too! As someone who comes from a Classical background, it amazes me how gifted Eddie was with synths and your playing really shows it.

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thank you so much! In the description, there should be a link to a keyboard only version where I go into details about what patches I used, if that helps. And I 100% agree with you about being amazed by Eddie.

[@j88aach]

I was once criticized by my bass player for "showing off" during the intro, which definitely requires the exact cross-over you do (0:08-0:09). That is the only way to sustain the chord long enough with the right hand, then bringing the left hand under the right to start the same phrase up an octave, then right-over-left. It can't happen any other way. Sustain pedals give too much bleed-over. Doing left-over-right hand-cuffs you. Thank you. I feel vindicated. During the Chorus, ("I'll Wait!") the Dsus4 chord should resolve to the minor -- F, not F#. That is what Eddie is singing. Only during the second go-'round ("I'm coming straight for your heart") does the Dsus4 resolve to the major, F#, as you're playing. The pattern repeats again: when they sing "No way!", it''s Dsus4 resolved to D-minor. On the final phrase ("As fine as you are"), it resolves to D-major again. Give it a try. I didn't hear it at first myself, until I got a good pair of Bose headphones. Resolve to D-minor on the 1st & 3rd phrases, and resolve to D-major like you're doing on the 2nd & 4th. I think you'll hear it. Guessing you were classically trained on piano, as I was. So during the Bridge, it's understandable why you would double-tap the D with both hands, then do a second-track playing the chords. The bounce-back rate on piano keys & hammers makes it virtually impossible to do those 16th-notes on the same D with one hand, as you know. But with synths, you can double-tap that D with your left index & middle fingers like a video game, while simultaneously playing those chords with your right. Apologies if my analysis rubbed you the wrong way. Much respect.

[@inasimplerhyme]

Glad I vindicated you on the intro! I'm surprised by the mistakes you mentioned, as I tried really hard on this one to be as accurate as possible (my other videos have mistakes I know about that I realized after I uploaded), but I'll take your word for it. You are mistaken in your assumption about my training, however. I've had none. I taught myself how to play keyboards. I honestly have no idea what Dsus4 is. That's why I have to learn everything by ear. I can figure out sheet music if given enough time (I played saxophone in band as a kid), but it's honestly easier for me to just learn it by listening. Thanks for your critique.

[@j88aach]

@@inasimplerhyme LOL! I played sax in band too! Eddie admits to giving up on reading music at an early age, in favor of playing intuitively. I feel the same. As time went on, I preferred to play by ear rather than read. Music must be felt, not dictated. As for sus-chords (short for suspended, because they provide suspense), I think you'll hear it in this classical piece, Bach's "Toccata & Fugue in D-minor." Everyone knows it, few know the name. Likely more familiar as "The Phantom of the Opera" song. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4OnnHuGabWKf9E Pause at 0:33. It's clearly in the key of D. There's a D bass note (purple), a D primary note (blue, 1st of the chord) & a high-D (green, just for effect). The blue is what we're interested in. That's the chord. At this point, it's D-G-A (1-4-5), so the 3rd is being substituted for a 4th, giving it that unresolved sound. That's a Dsus4. Pause at 0:34. It's now D-E-A (1-2-5). That's a Dsus2. Still feels unresolved, right? Like there's some unfinished business. Pause at 0:35. It finally resolves to the chord everyone in the cathedral was waiting for: D-F#-A, a perfect D-major, giving everyone that feeling; "Ah, FINALLY!" The 1st (D) & 5th (A) were always being played, but he was toying with us, playing the 4th (G), then the 2nd (E), before finally getting around to completing us with the 3rd. A more modern song from the same baroque genre is "Mr Crowley" by Ozzy, an equally spooky song also in the key of D-minor. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWSvp5uae6qCp9U ~0:23 to 0:25, you can hear the resolution from Asus4 to A-major. Asus4 is an unresolved chord, just leaving us hanging. We're all expecting something else to happen. When it resolves to A-major, we feel vindicated; hence the term "resolution". A sus-chord has great power in commanding attention & story-telling. But it must be resolved, else we feel the narrator snubbed us, by omitting the ending.

[@inasimplerhyme]

@@j88aach Cool, thanks for the info! Appreciated!

[@FabioAmar100]

Wonderful keyboard covering, dude! One of my favorite MCMLXXXIV songs, actually one of my favorite VH albums, which means one of my top ten of all times. Absolute loving! I was 10 back then, now I'm 52. Alive N kicking hahah

[@inasimplerhyme]

What a great comment! Thanks so much for the kind words!

[@The_AlbertR]

very well done Jon, that sounded perfect

[@inasimplerhyme]

Aw, thank you so much Albert!

[@NYyazoofan]

Spot on!

[@inasimplerhyme]

@@NYyazoofan Thanks!

[@gagealbright]

awesome man. i've been playing this song on keys for 30 years and you def taught me some new stuff!

[@inasimplerhyme]

That's great to hear! Thank you!

[@BK-uf6qr]

Great great work hear. Sound and playing flawless. Plus your nuanced approach is awesome

[@inasimplerhyme]

Wow, thank you so much!

[@jfrtwo]

This is great! One of my favorite rock keyboard compositions of all time!!!

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thank you! I love it too!

[@PaulMarcantoni]

Awesome keyboards play

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thank you!

[@robbelliii]

Damn Eddie was good. More than a guitarist….musical virtuoso!

[@skippythemagnificent3975]

Amazing! Thank you for the class act!

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thank you! And my pleasure!!

[@JeremyWhiteShow]

Absolutely MIGHTY!!

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thank you!!

[@beckyboo1433]

Loving your covers!!

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thanks! I really appreciate it!

[@wildbill1]

Excellent!

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thank you!

[@musictraks1590]

Simply brilliant !!!

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thank you!

[@jackshittle]

You killed it, great job man.

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thank you so much!

[@jackshittle]

@@inasimplerhyme You're welcome 😃!

[@ArtistDrums]

That was fantastic!!!

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thank you!

[@976charlie9]

The best yet Brother!

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thank you so much!

[@philchigges2955]

bravo!!eddie would be proud!!keep on rockin!!

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thank you so much!

[@robcasillas4102]

Outstanding job sir! 👍

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thank you!

[@DavidLee0227]

Spot on! And your OB looks like its still new!

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thanks! I do try to take care of it!

[@johnwmcmahon]

I highly enjoyed watching you recreate that! Great job

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thanks so much!

[@deansley174]

Wow! Awesome!

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thank you!

[@jtk8077]

bangin' awesome, guy!!

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thank you!!

[@crazyoldgooseman]

Awesome

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thanks!

[@bassmanbilly1969]

Sounds phenomenal ❤

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thanks so much!

[@wasichu66]

Great job!

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thanks!

[@pedrorinaldideoliveiralima437]

Congrats and thanks

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thank you!

[@The_Hollywood_Mission]

Great job my friend !!!!!

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thanks again! Really appreciate it. :)

[@72mrbill]

Great job! Fun fact: the chorus of this song was written by Michael McDonald. No joke.

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thank you! And true! He also helped with the lyrics!

[@han1075]

Excellent!! Great Job!

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thanks!

[@jwdickinson1]

PERFECT! 💥💥💥💥💥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thank you!

[@andrejz8954]

Look at the dude rock! :)

[@martinvigo8589]

Super 🎉 este sinte tiene el sonido clásico de van Halen es muy bueno este en calidad de vida de sounds.

[@inasimplerhyme]

¡Gracias!

[@LouserTV]

Thanks for doing right!

[@inasimplerhyme]

You're welcome! My pleasure!

[@LouserTV]

Poor Eddie and Geddy got so much hate for liking keys@@inasimplerhyme

[@steves.4720]

As always, completely nailed it! Fantastic job! It was the Xa in the original, but this sounds pretty damn spot on. Are you considering getting the OB-X8?

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thank you so much Steve! If I didn't have an OB-8 already, I'd probably consider it, but considering the expense, the next synth I would get would be either the Roland D-50 or DX-7 so I could start trying to emulate songs off OU812.

[@steves.4720]

@@inasimplerhyme Completely understood! Go DX first as that's prominent on OU812 - When It's Love & Mine all Mine are both presets if I recall correctly, though it's been about 30 years since I had a DX. Truly fantastic work, keep them coming!

[@inasimplerhyme]

@@steves.4720 Oh, really? For some reason I thought the D-50 would be more likely, but I haven't played with either, so that's great to know! And thanks so much again!!

[@LouieSimonedi]

awesome...great job Man!... was Eddie a great musician/composer or what???

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thank you! And I tend to think so. :)

[@wperdew6078]

Killer

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thanks!

[@ステビア-q5e]

nice vid

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thanks!

[@JustyStoky]

Great job again! I love this more than Jump on 1984. What are your patch settings ( Oscs, Filter Resonance, ADSR) for the opening and fundamental riff through the song?

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thank you so much Justin! For the main riff, I started with AC1, Trumpet Ensemble, but I don't remember how I tweaked it, honestly. I unfortunately accidentally deleted those patches in an attempt to save them! So I'd have to re-create them myself. When I do, I'll come back here and let you know!

[@JustyStoky]

@@inasimplerhyme Cool thanks!

[@jfrtwo]

A young Eric Clapton playing Van Halen?? 🙂

[@sunsgettingreallow8318]

sounds spot on! wonder if this is possible with a Novation Summit too

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thanks so much! Not familiar with the Novation Summit.

[@minisurfbanana]

Niiice❤

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thank you!

[@deltasyn7434]

I think EVH used a guitar amp on his synth to make that sound.

[@inasimplerhyme]

You are 100% correct. Specifically, a couple of MusicMan amps.

[@deltasyn7434]

@@inasimplerhyme Damn. The way I had to find out was I had decided to replicate that sound using (layered) VSTs. It took awhile, but the epiphany came to me was when I noticed how I pretty had to overload the hell outta everything to get that "electric saxophone" sound. So I ended tinkering with a guitar amp VST and a multiband compressor. And between those two, I was able to get the sound. But even then, it has to be dialed in very carefully because you need to take it right to where you have some clipping. And not only that, you have to get the harmonics in the right spot or else the LH keys will sound like crap. Then using a multband compressor, limit the sound by just a hair. It was many many many steps to trial and error to get that sound. It takes about 8GB of memory just to run everything lol. It's like a mad scientist project.

[@inasimplerhyme]

@@deltasyn7434 I know! I actually tried sending audio through an amp and re-recording it, but I wasn't gettin results I liked, so I used emulation plugins instead. I'm still not happy with what I got, but it's okay.

[@malcolm77]

Excellent. I have an Xa, could you please guide me into creating this patch?

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thanks! I don't have an Xa, which is what Ed used on I'll Wait, but the plan is to make a tutorial on this song with my OB-8 sometime relatively soon!

[@sspotter1978]

Fantastic work. How do you know which sounds to use? Trial and error or do you have a list of settings?

[@inasimplerhyme]

Thank you! And 100% Trial and error. I started with the first patch, A1, and went through all of them until I found patches that sounded like a good starting point, and then modified them as needed.

[@sspotter1978]

@@inasimplerhyme That makes it that much more impressive. Thank you for your hard work. It's greatly appreciated.

[@inasimplerhyme]

@@sspotter1978 Aw, thanks! I had a blast doing it!

[@el_micha]

Arturia´s "OB-Xa V" VST plugin actually has a preset that is quite close! It´s called "I`ll wait VH" and is found in the brass-category. They also got the "Jump"-Preset which imho sounds better than all the presets in the free OB-Xd Plugin. OB-Xd is still a good start for tweaking the knobs to match the original sound…

[@michaelroman7331]

Man!!! Killer keys no joke!. I think eddie would be impressed.

[@inasimplerhyme]

Oh wow, thank you so much!

[@michaelroman7331]

Where are u from? Join my band

[@inasimplerhyme]

@@michaelroman7331 I don't have the time to join a band unfortunately, but thanks!

[@michaelroman7331]

Where filming an ill wait cover music video. Sure could use ur keys, would u mind if we used ur track? Im pretty particular with sound and ur dead on! I dont know any keyboard players around here that can play that good. Would obv give u credits for ur keys. Let me know

[@inasimplerhyme]

@@michaelroman7331 Sure, feel free to use it for a cover. Thanks!

[@omarquezada3279]

4:20 LITTLE EDDIE 😊