Synth Icons with Andy Whitmore

Andy Whitmore (andy@andywhitmore.com)
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🎹 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

  1. 1d ago

    The Yamaha CS-80 Explained Through 28 Famous Riffs

    Send us Fan Mail Yamaha CS-80 — 28 Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Know Were CS-80) The Yamaha CS-80 is one of the most expressive analog synthesizers ever made — and its sound is hiding in plain sight across classic pop, rock, TV themes, and film scores. In this episode, I’m playing 28 famous riffs you definitely know, all recreated on the Yamaha CS-80. From lush string pads and bold brass lines to flute-style leads and expressive glides, this is a tour of just how wide-ranging — and musical — the CS-80 really is. All parts are played on the CS-80 itself, using light, record-style effects where needed to match the original vibe. Use the chapter markers to jump between songs, and listen closely to how often this synth shows up in places you might not expect. Intro  Kate Bush – “Babooshka” Intro Lead  Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder – “Ebony and Ivory” Lead Synth  Doctor Who (Peter Howell, 1980s) Signature Sting  Doctor Who (Peter Howell, 1980s) Theme Bass  Toto – “Takin’ It Back” Sine Glissando Pad  Toto – “Africa” Brass Pad  Toto – “Rosanna” Brass Pad  ELO – “Time / Prologue” String Intro  Genesis – “Behind the Lines” Intro Brass (may have been Quadra)  10cc – “Tokyo” String Pad  10cc – “Tokyo” Flute Line  ELO – “Twilight” Brass Line  Michael Jackson – “Human Nature” Brass Pad  Paul McCartney – “Wonderful Xmas Time” Middle 8 Lick  Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder – “Ebony and Ivory” Intro Brass  Kate Bush – “Babooshka” Flute Glide  10cc – “Dreadlock Holiday” Lead Line  10cc – “For You and I” String Pad  ELO – “Yours Truly, 2095” Flute Line  Quincy Jones – “Betcha’ Wouldn’t Hurt Me” Lead Synth  Michael Jackson – “Billie Jean” String Part  10cc – “For You and I” Flute Line  Bruce Springsteen – “Born in the USA” Intro Synth Chordal Melody  Prefab Sprout – “If You Don’t Love Me” Intro Brass  Genesis – “Duchess” String Glide  Genesis – “Duchess” Pluck Line  Genesis – “Turn It On Again” Brass Line  Paul McCartney – “Wonderful Xmas Time” CS-80 Solo  Outro & Summary Questions for you: Which riff did you recognise instantly?Which one surprised you the most?And which synth should I cover next?If you enjoy these quick-fire famous riff episodes, check out my other synth specials and let me know what you’d like to hear next. 🎧 More Synth Icons episodes: Hohner Clavinet D6 – Famous Riffs You Instantly KnowRoland Jupiter-4 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were Jupiter-4)Korg M1 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were M1)🔧 Work with Andy Production, mixing & mastering: https://www.andywhitmore.com/Studio: https://greystokestudio.com/  📲 Connect with Andy YouTube: @AndyWhitmoreInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/andywhitmore2014/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndyWhitmoreMusicTikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@andywhitmore9583🔧 Need professional production, mixing, or mastering?  🎧 Work with Andy Whitmore → andywhitmore.com Support the show

    The Yamaha CS-80 Explained Through 28 Famous Riffs

  2. 4d ago

    Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon | Richard Wright Keyboard Sounds

    Send us Fan Mail A keyboard-focused breakdown of Dark Side of the Moon, using the original Richard Wright instruments: Hammond C3, Wurlitzer 200A, EMS Synthi AKS and Steinway piano. Hear The Dark Side of the Moon as a keyboard-focused journey, recreated on the original instruments associated with Richard Wright’s parts on the album. In this episode, I break down the signature keyboard sounds of Dark Side of the Moon using Hammond C3 with Leslie 147, Steinway Model O grand piano, EMS Synthi AKS, and Wurlitzer 200A. From the swirling synth sequence of On the Run to the haunting textures of The Great Gig in the Sky, these are the sounds that helped define one of the most important albums ever made. Everything is played on the real instruments associated with the album — no plug-ins, no software emulations, just the real thing. Tracks covered Breathe On the Run Time The Great Gig in the Sky Money Us and Them Any Colour You Like Brain Damage Eclipse Credits Engineered by Sam Lofthouse and Alex Hargreaves. Follow the podcast for more keyboard breakdowns, famous riffs, and original-instrument synth content. Support the show

    Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon | Richard Wright Keyboard Sounds

  3. Jul 11

    The Minimoog Model D A/B: What Changed From Vintage to Reissue? (21 Iconic Riffs)

    Send us Fan Mail The Minimoog Model D is one of the most recognisable synth sounds ever recorded — from funk basslines to prog leads and classic pop hooks. In this episode, I’m doing a straight-up A/B comparison: a Vintage Minimoog Model D versus the 2016 Reissue, playing 21 famous riffs, leads, basslines, and effects back-to-back so you can hear what’s changed… and what hasn’t. To keep these riffs true to the records, I’m using light, “record-style” effects where needed (chorus/delay/reverb), but the core sound is always the Minimoog. Both synths are treated the same, so the comparison stays fair. Format Each riff is played on both Model Ds (quick-fire, short, and punchy).Each chapter is labelled Definitely (documented Minimoog) or Likely (strongly associated / commonly credited as Moog/Minimoog).Your call: which one wins — Vintage or Reissue? Definitely IntroParliament — Flash Light (Bass)Rush — Tom Sawyer (Intro/Bass) — BONUS (originally Oberheim OB-X era)Pink Floyd — Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Lead)DEVO — Smart Patrol / Mr. DNA (Effects)Michael Jackson — Rock With You (Lead)Likely Madonna — Holiday (Lead Line)Madonna — Holiday (Bass)Rick Wakeman — Catherine of Aragon (Bass Melody)Dr. Dre — Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang (Lead)D-Train — You’re The One For Me (Bass)Madonna — Borderline (Lead Line)Madonna — Borderline (Bass)Gary Numan — Are “Friends” Electric? (Theme)Gary Numan — Are “Friends” Electric? (Lead Line)Michael Jackson — Workin’ Day and Night (Bass)Michael Jackson — Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough (Bass)Chaka Khan — We Can Work It Out (Bass)Barclay James Harvest — Victims of Circumstance (Lead)Stevie Wonder — I Wish (Bass)Stevie Wonder — Isn’t She Lovely (Bass)Stevie Wonder — That Girl (Bass)OutroIf you enjoy these quick-fire, famous-riff shootouts, check out my other classics (M1, D-50, CS-80, DX7, Prophet, Jupiter series and more) — and tell me which synth you want next.   🎧 More Synth Icons episodes: ·       Hohner Clavinet D6 – Famous Riffs You Instantly Know ·       Roland Jupiter-4 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were Jupiter-4) ·       Korg M1 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were M1) 🔧 Work with Andy ·       Production, mixing & mastering: https://www.andywhitmore.com/ ·       Studio: https://greystokestudio.com/   📲 Connect with Andy ·       YouTube: @AndyWhitmore ·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andywhitmore2014/ ·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndyWhitmoreMusic ·       TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@andywhitmore9583 Support the show

    The Minimoog Model D A/B: What Changed From Vintage to Reissue? (21 Iconic Riffs)

  4. Jul 8

    Roland Jupiter-4: 8 Famous Songs You Know Instantly

    Send us Fan Mail A real Roland Jupiter-4 playing 20 classic riffs across 8 famous songs — no plug-ins, no software, just the original vintage synth. Hear 20 classic riffs across 8 famous songs, recreated on the original Roland Jupiter-4. In this episode, I focus on the real sound of one of the most distinctive vintage analogue synths of the early 80s, known for its raw tone, punchy filter, unique arpeggiator and unmistakable character. From The Human League and Depeche Mode to Simple Minds, Thomas Dolby, Styx and John Foxx, everything is played on the actual Jupiter-4 — no plug-ins, no software, just the real thing. Where the original records used layered Jupiter-4 parts, those layers are recreated here in the same spirit on the real synth.  Featured songs The Human League – Open Your Heart The Cars – Shake It Up Depeche Mode – Photographic Simple Minds – Love Song / Themes for Great Cities Thomas Dolby – Windpower Spandau Ballet – To Cut a Long Story Short Styx – Too Much Time on My Hands John Foxx – Europe After the Rain Jupiter-4 programmed by Paul Soulsby Mixed by Alex Hargreaves Support the show

    Roland Jupiter-4: 8 Famous Songs You Know Instantly

  5. Jul 4

    Genesis: Tony Banks’ JD-800 Live Patches Recreated (90s Tour Sounds)

    Send us Fan Mail Watcher • Carpet Crawlers • Invisible Touch • Mama • Follow You Follow Me • I Can’t Dance — live-style JD-800 patch recreations + parts Tony Banks used the Roland JD-800 throughout Genesis’ 1990s tours—here are my closest recreations of his live patches, with the parts transcribed and played in Tony’s live style across six iconic songs. Tony Banks’ Genesis JD-800 live tour patches recreated (1990s). In this episode, I recreate Tony Banks’ Roland JD-800 live patches as heard on Genesis’ big 90s tours—then I play the parts the way Tony performed them on stage. A lot of these lines began life in the studio on totally different instruments (Mellotron, Prophet-10, ARP 2600), but the live JD-800 versions have their own character: big, authoritative pads, punchy stabs, and that unmistakable 90s touring sheen. Technical note: I’m playing the parts on my JD-800, but what you’re hearing here is the Roland Cloud JD-800 plug-in. Also, my hardware JD-800 buttons aren’t behaving, so I can’t reliably save patches—everything you hear is my best “get it right in the moment” recreation. If you’re into Genesis keys, Tony Banks parts, and classic synth textures, you’ll enjoy this one.  Tell me your favourite patch/part, and what Genesis/Tony Banks sound I should tackle next (song + section if possible). Chapters / Timestamps Intro  Watcher of the Skies — Main string pad (studio origin: Mellotron)  Carpet Crawlers — Main string pad (studio origin: Mellotron layer)  Invisible Touch — Stabby keyboard (studio origin: Prophet-10)  Mama — Main pad (studio origin: Prophet-10)  Follow You Follow Me — Chorus lead riff (studio origin: ARP 2600)  I Can’t Dance — “Bruiser Tines”  Summary / What should I recreate next?   Note on authenticity: Live rigs aren’t always about perfectly matching the studio source—they’re about making the part translate through a PA, night after night. This episode focuses specifically on the live JD-800 vibe. 🎧 More Synth Icons episodes: ·       Hohner Clavinet D6 – Famous Riffs You Instantly Know ·       Roland Jupiter-4 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were Jupiter-4) ·       Korg M1 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were M1) 🔧 Work with Andy ·       Production, mixing & mastering: https://www.andywhitmore.com/ ·       Studio: https://greystokestudio.com/   📲 Connect with Andy ·       YouTube: @AndyWhitmore ·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andywhitmore2014/ ·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndyWhitmoreMusic ·       TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@andywhitmore9583 Support the show

    Genesis: Tony Banks’ JD-800 Live Patches Recreated (90s Tour Sounds)

  6. Jul 1

    13 Famous Hoover Riffs You Know Instantly!

    Send us Fan Mail Andy Whitmore recreates 13 famous Hoover riffs on the real Roland Alpha Juno-1, using the legendary “WhatThe” preset that helped define rave, hardcore, jungle and techno.  In this episode, I recreate 13 famous Hoover riffs on the real Roland Alpha Juno-1, using the legendary “WhatThe” preset that became one of the most aggressive and recognisable synth sounds in dance music history. The Hoover sound helped define rave, hardcore, jungle and techno — from early ’90s classics like Human Resource – Dominator, Second Phase – Mentasm, T99 – Anasthasia and The Prodigy – Charly, through to later tracks that brought the sound back again.     Featured tracks:     Second Phase – Mentasm Human Resource – Dominator T99 – Anasthasia The Prodigy – Charly Baby D – Come Into My World DJ Seduction – Come On Mundo Muzique – Acid Pandemonium X Certificate – Rising 2 The Bass Plexus – Cactus Rhythm Nasty Habits – Let’s Go D.J. P.C. – Inssomniak DJ Fresh & Sigma – Cylon Rihanna – Birthday Cake         I also explain where the Hoover sound came from, why it is linked to the Roland Alpha Juno, and why the Alpha Juno-1 can deliver the same raw Hoover tone as the Alpha Juno-2   Which Hoover riff is your favourite — and which one did I miss? Support the show

    13 Famous Hoover Riffs You Know Instantly!

  7. Jun 27

    Korg M1: 21 Iconic Riffs You Know (But Forgot Existed!)

    Send us Fan Mail Pure nostalgia and pure presets: the Korg M1 — one of the most recognisable keyboards of all time — and 21 famous parts you’ve definitely heard on records. This is the talky companion to my YouTube riffs video. In the video I reveal the song name + the preset before I play each part, so this isn’t a guessing game. It’s more like: here’s the sound, why it matters, and what to listen for. Important note: these are M1 recreations / M1-style parts. That doesn’t automatically mean the original record used only a Korg M1 — many tracks were layered with other synths, samplers and effects. The goal here is to spotlight the signature M1 character: Piano 16’, Organ 2, Choir, pads, and that famous Slap Bass. If you want a Part 3, tell me what to include: artist + track + the exact section you want recreated (timestamp appreciated). Intro Black Box — I Don’t Know Anybody Else — I01 Piano 16' Robin S — Luv 4 Luv — I17 Organ 2 N-Joi — Anthem — I01 Piano 16' Sabrina Johnston — Peace — I01 Piano 16' Nightcrawlers — Surrender Your Love — I17 Organ 2 Kraze — The Party — I01 Piano 16' 49ers — Touch Me — I01 Piano 16' Sandra — Hiroshima — I00 Universe Tasmin Archer — Sleeping Satellite — I30 Lore Law & Order Theme — I46 Slap Bass Madonna — Vogue — I01 Piano 16' Aerosmith — Janie’s Got a Gun — I46 Slap Bass OMD — Sailing on the Seven Seas — I00 Universe (not confirmed) OMD — Pandora’s Box — I23 Choir OMD — Call My Name — I23 Choir Awesome 3 — Don’t Go — I01 Piano 16' Dream Frequency — Feel So Real — I01 Piano 16' M.A.N.I.C. — I’m Comin’ Hardcore — I01 Piano 16' Jaydee — Plastic Dreams — I17 Organ 2 Playahitty — The Summer Is Magic — I17 Organ 2 Whigfield — Gimmie Gimmie — I17 Organ 2 Summary A fast, talky companion to my YouTube riffs video: 21 instantly recognisable Korg M1-style hooks with the presets explained and called out up front.   🎧 More Synth Icons episodes: ·       Hohner Clavinet D6 – Famous Riffs You Instantly Know ·       Roland Jupiter-4 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were Jupiter-4) ·       Korg M1 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were M1) 🔧 Work with Andy ·       Production, mixing & mastering: https://www.andywhitmore.com/ ·       Studio: https://greystokestudio.com/   📲 Connect with Andy ·       YouTube: @AndyWhitmore ·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andywhitmore2014/ ·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndyWhitmoreMusic ·       TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@andywhitmore9583 Support the show

    Korg M1: 21 Iconic Riffs You Know (But Forgot Existed!)

  8. Jun 24

    Yamaha CS-40M – 9 Famous Songs, 27 Classic Synth Parts

    Send us Fan Mail Andy Whitmore explores the underrated Yamaha CS-40M, recreating 27 classic synth parts from 9 famous songs by The Stranglers, Duran Duran, Ultravox, Simple Minds, Landscape, Section 25, Bill Nelson and Our Daughter’s Wedding. In this episode, Andy dives into the characterful sound of the Yamaha CS-40M — a classic 2-note duophonic analogue synth first released in 1979. It originally cost around £650, which is over £4,000 in today’s money, and good examples now sell for roughly £2,300. The CS-40M sits in the wider Yamaha CS family and can be thought of as a smaller, grittier cousin of the legendary Yamaha CS-80. It doesn’t have the CS-80’s huge 8-voice polyphony or polyphonic aftertouch, but it does share some of that unmistakable Yamaha analogue character — big oscillators, expressive filters, multiple modulation sources and the famous ring modulator. Rather than simply playing one riff per song, Andy recreates multiple parts where possible: basses, leads, textures, counter-melodies, sequences and layered synth lines. Across the 9 tracks, you’ll hear 27 separate Yamaha CS-40M parts recreated on the original hardware. Sounds for this episode were programmed by Andy’s friend and fellow synth programmer Paul Soulsby, who helped bring these classic early-80s synth parts back to life on the CS-40M. Everything you hear is played on the real Yamaha CS-40M. No software synths, no samples — just the original instrument doing what it does best. If you love classic synths, early-80s new wave, synth-pop, post-punk and finding out what these vintage instruments can really do, this one is for you. What you’ll hear in this episode Classic Yamaha CS-40M analogue tones  2-note duophonic synth parts  Ring modulation and modulation textures  Early-80s synth-pop, new wave and post-punk sounds  Bass parts, leads, pads, counter-melodies and layered synth lines  27 classic synth parts recreated on the original Yamaha CS-40M Featured artists include The Stranglers, Duran Duran, Ultravox, Simple Minds, Landscape, Section 25, Bill Nelson and Our Daughter’s Wedding. Parts recreated Landscape – Einstein a Go-Go – 2 parts  Duran Duran – The Chauffeur – 2 parts  The Stranglers – Golden Brown – 1 part  Ultravox – The Voice – 1 part  Simple Minds – 70 Cities as Love Brings the Fall – 4 parts  Ultravox – Sleepwalk – 5 parts  Section 25 – Looking From a Hilltop – 2 parts  Bill Nelson – Living in My Limousine – 5 parts  Our Daughter’s Wedding – Lawnchairs – 5 parts Listen / watch more For more synth breakdowns, famous riff recreations and classic keyboard content, visit Andy Whitmore online. Andy Whitmore: https://www.andywhitmore.com/ Greystoke Studio: https://greystokestudio.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AndyWhitmore Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andywhitmore2014/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@andywhitmore9583 Support the show If you enjoy these classic synth recreations, please follow the podcast, subscribe on YouTube and leave a comment letting Andy know which synth or artist you’d like covered next. Support the show

    Yamaha CS-40M – 9 Famous Songs, 27 Classic Synth Parts
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About

🎹 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

Information

  • Creator
    Andy Whitmore (andy@andywhitmore.com)
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Synth Icons with Andy Whitmore
  • Show Website
    Synth Icons with Andy Whitmore