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. 2d ago

    Oberheim OB-8: 20 Iconic Riffs You Know — But Didn’t Realise Were Oberheim!

    Send us Fan Mail Twenty famous riffs and keyboard parts from Prince, Van Halen, Rush, Eurythmics and more, recreated on an original Oberheim OB-8. Andy also explores the history of the OB-X, OB-Xa, OB-SX, OB-8 and modern OB-X8. In this episode of Synth Icons with Andy Whitmore, I recreate 20 famous riffs and keyboard parts using my original vintage Oberheim OB-8. You’ll recognise many of these songs immediately—but you may not realise how many classic recordings featured an Oberheim synthesizer or a sound from the same family. Although the episode contains 20 tracks, many of the recreations are constructed from several separate sounds and performances, including pads, brass stabs, bass lines, strings, sequences and filter sweeps. Some of these sounds took several hours to program, and the complete video and podcast project took around five days to assemble. Every sound in the episode was recreated on an original Oberheim OB-8. However, not every record was originally made using that exact model. Some featured the earlier OB-X or OB-Xa, while others belong more broadly to the classic Oberheim sonic family. The episode concludes with the history of the OB series and a closer look at the OB-8’s most important relatives: 1979 — Oberheim OB-X The predecessor to the OB-Xa and OB-8. Its more discrete, SEM-influenced architecture can give it a rawer, wider and slightly more unpredictable character. 1980 — Oberheim OB-Xa The closest and most significant relative of the OB-8. It replaced the OB-X, used Curtis chips and provided switchable 12-decibel and 24-decibel low-pass filtering. 1980 — Oberheim OB-SX A more preset-based OB-family instrument. It was less programmable than the OB-Xa or OB-8 but still belonged to the same era and sonic world. 1983 — Oberheim OB-8 The instrument featured throughout this episode. It is renowned for its enormous brass sounds, wide pads, splits, unison mode, stereo spread and polished early-80s Oberheim character. 2022 — Oberheim OB-X8 A modern Oberheim that brings together elements of the OB-X, OB-SX, OB-Xa and OB-8, including voice, filter and envelope characteristics inspired by the original instruments. FEATURED TRACKS Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams | OB-X | 1983 Van Halen – Why Can’t This Be Love | OB-8 | 1986 Rush – Subdivisions | OB-Xa | 1982 Sylvester Levay – Airwolf Theme | OB-Xa | 1984 Stevie Nicks – Stand Back | OB-Xa | 1983 Phil Collins – Sussudio | OB-8 | 1985 Simple Minds – Don’t You Forget About Me | OB-8 | 1985 Rush – Tom Sawyer | OB-X | 1981 Rod Stewart – Young Turks | OB-Xa | 1981 Van Halen – Jump | OB-X / OB-Xa | 1983 Prince – 1999 | OB-Xa | 1982 Styx – Mr. Roboto | OB-8 | 1983 Jean-Michel Jarre – L’Ouverture | OB-Xa | 1982 Prince – Delirious | OB-Xa | 1983 Kenny G – Songbird | OB-Xa | 1987 The Police – Invisible Sun | OB-X | 1981 Grover Washington Jr. – Winelight | OB-Xa | 1980 Prince – Little Red Corvette | OB-8 | 1983 Pat Metheny Group and David Bowie – This Is Not America | OB-8 | 1985 Prince – Purple Rain | OB-8 | 1984 WATCH MORE VINTAGE SYNTH VIDEOS https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0Dj_f71KJlNyPbuR4efYpxQXUtmRuX5B PODCAST WEBSITE https://andywhitmore.buzzsprout.com WORK WITH ANDY WHITMORE Music production, studio sessions and one-to-one tuition: https://www.andywhitmore.com/ CONNECT WITH ANDY Greystoke Studio: https://greystokestudio.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andywhitmore2014/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AndyWhitmore Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndyWhitmoreMusic Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/andywhitmore TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@andywhitmore9583 Support the show

    Oberheim OB-8: 20 Iconic Riffs You Know — But Didn’t Realise Were Oberheim!

  2. 5d ago

    Roland D-50 – 20 Iconic Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Know Were D-50)

    Send us Fan Mail In this Synth Icons episode, Andy Whitmore dives into the digital, glassy world of the Roland D-50 – with 20 iconic riffs you definitely know, but maybe never realised were D-50. Every sound in this episode comes from a real D-50, using classic factory presets like Pizzagogo, DigitalNativeDance, Staccato Heaven, Glass Voices, Metal Harp, Cathedral/pipe organs, Shakuhachi, Griitttarr and more. No other synths, no samples – just the D-50 doing what it does best. 🎧 Tracks & sounds featured include: Michael Jackson – Man in the Mirror (I-84 Afterthought)Enya – Orinoco Flow (I-44 Pizzagogo)Eric Clapton – Bad Love (I-77 O K Chorale)Gary Numan – America (I-37 Soundtrack)Star Trek: The Next Generation – Season 1 theme / OST (I-51 Glass Voices)Paula Abdul – Straight Up (I-15 Horn Section)Christopher Cross – Sailing (I-43 Basin Strat Blues)Taylor Dayne – Tell It to My Heart (I-15 Horn Section)George Michael – Faith (I-38 Cathedral Organ)Mica Paris – My One Temptation (I-15 Horn Section)Phil Collins – Another Day in Paradise (I-12 Metal Harp)Bananarama – Love in the First Degree (I-15 Horn Section)Mr. President – Coco Jamboo (I-16 Living Calliope)Boy Meets Girl – Waiting for a Star to Fall (I-21 DigitalNativeDance)Sabrina – Boys Boys Boys (I-15 Horn Section)Spagna – Call Me (I-15 Horn Section)George Michael – Father Figure (I-66 Shakuhachi)Pink Floyd – Run Like Hell (I-26 Griitttarr – reimagined on D-50)Michael Jackson – Dirty Diana (I-21 DigitalNativeDance)Michael Cooper – Shoop Shoop (Never Stop Givin’ You Love) (I-61 Staccato Heaven)Plus preset demos: Intruder FX and Staccato HeavenExpect plenty of “wait… that’s a D-50?!” moments as these factory patches pop up in huge pop, rock and TV themes from the late 80s and early 90s. 🎹 More Synth Icons episodes: Korg M1 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were M1)Sequential Prophet-5 – Famous Riffs You Instantly KnowRoland Jupiter-8 & Jupiter-4 – Hidden 80s Synth GemsHohner Clavinet D6 – Famous Riffs You Instantly KnowCS-80 / Vangelis sounds and Yamaha DX7 specials✏️ 1-to-1 lessons & synth help If you want one-to-one lessons on how to program or produce in Logic Pro – or you’d like help programming synths (hardware or analogue-style VSTs) – head over to Andy’s website and get in touch. 📲Connect with me: 🌐 Website → https://greystokestudio.com/ 📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/andywhitmore2014/ 📺 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@AndyWhitmore 👍 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/AndyWhitmoreMusic 𝕏 X → https://twitter.com/andywhitmore 🎵 TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@andywhitmore9583 If you enjoy this D-50 special, follow the Synth Icons podcast, leave a rating or review, and let Andy know which synth – or which artist – you’d like to hear next. Support the show

    Roland D-50 – 20 Iconic Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Know Were D-50)

  3. Sep 2

    Yamaha CS-80 – Vangelis’ Blade Runner & Chariots of Fire (Real Hardware, Full FX)

    Send us Fan Mail In this Synth Icons episode, Andy Whitmore fires up the real Yamaha CS-80 to recreate some of Vangelis’ most iconic moments – this time with the full effects chain rebuilt. Big reverbs, delays and chorus bring the CS-80 right back into that huge, cinematic Blade Runner / Chariots of Fire space. Across the episode you’ll hear eight classic Vangelis riffs, all played on an original CS-80, focusing on brass, strings, flutes and pads – with no soft synths and no emulations, just pure vintage hardware. 🎧 Riffs featured: Vangelis – Chariots of Fire – Brass melodyVangelis – Blade Runner – Brass lineVangelis – Blade Runner – String padJon & Vangelis – I Hear You Now – Main themeVangelis – Chariots of Fire – Brass lickVangelis – To the Unknown Man – Intro melodyVangelis – Blade Runner – Flute intro lineVangelis – Blade Runner – Brass line (no bass)Expect long, evolving notes, expressive vibrato and that unmistakable CS-80 warmth, all swimming in reverb and delay just like the original recordings. 🎹 More Synth Icons episodes: Korg M1 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were M1)Yamaha DX7 – Classic 80s Riffs & PresetsRoland Jupiter-4 & Jupiter-8 – Hidden 80s Synth GemsSequential Prophet-5 – Famous Riffs You Instantly KnowHohner Clavinet D6 – Famous Riffs You Instantly KnowRoland D-50 – Iconic Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Know Were D-50)✏️ 1-to-1 lessons & synth help If you want one-to-one lessons on how to program or produce in Logic Pro – or you’d like help programming synths (hardware or analogue-style VSTs) – head over to Andy’s website and get in touch. 📲Connect with me: 🌐 Website → https://greystokestudio.com/ 📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/andywhitmore2014/ 📺 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@AndyWhitmore 👍 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/AndyWhitmoreMusic 𝕏 X → https://twitter.com/andywhitmore 🎵 TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@andywhitmore9583 If you enjoy this CS-80 / Vangelis special, follow the Synth Icons podcast, leave a rating or review, and let Andy know which Vangelis moment, which CS-80 sound, or which synth you’d like to hear next. Support the show

    Yamaha CS-80 – Vangelis’ Blade Runner & Chariots of Fire (Real Hardware, Full FX)

  4. Aug 30

    Sequential Prophet-5 – Famous Riffs You Instantly Know! (Radiohead, D Train, Cameo + more)

    Send us Fan Mail Paste this into the main description box: In this Synth Icons episode, Andy Whitmore puts the Sequential Prophet-5 Rev 3.2 through its paces with a stack of famous riffs – from moody pads to punchy bass lines and full-on synth leads. You’ll hear classic parts from Radiohead, D Train, Cameo, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Phil Collins, Pink Floyd, Talking Heads and Daryl Hall & John Oates – all played on Andy’s own Prophet-5, with no other synths in the chain. The episode finishes with a fuller Prophet-5 recreation of “You’re the One for Me” by D Train. Riffs & Sections Radiohead – Everything In Its Right Place (main riff)The Cars – Let’s Go (intro melody)Talking Heads – This Must Be the Place (flute-style lead)Phil Collins – In the Air Tonight (Prophet-5 pad)Pink Floyd – Run Like Hell (driving synth line)Frankie Goes to Hollywood – Relax (bass drops & brass licks)D Train – You’re the One for Me (bass, lead, extra synth parts, bass drops & organ-style solo)Cameo – She’s Strange (moody Prophet-5 lines)Daryl Hall & John Oates – I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do) (filter swell, main riff & flute lick)D Train – You’re the One for Me (Prophet-5 song recreation)🎧 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/@andywhitmore9583If you enjoy this Prophet-5 special, follow the Synth Icons podcast, leave a rating or review, and let Andy know which synth – or which artist – you’d like to hear next. Support the show

    Sequential Prophet-5 – Famous Riffs You Instantly Know! (Radiohead, D Train, Cameo + more)

  5. Aug 26

    Hohner Clavinet D6 – 12 Famous Riffs You Instantly Know! (Superstition, Trampled Under Foot + more)

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Synth Icons, we funk things up with one of the most instantly recognisable keyboards in music history — the Hohner Clavinet D6. With its sharp, percussive tone and rhythm guitar-like attack, the Clavinet became a cornerstone of funk, soul and rock throughout the 70s and early 80s. I recreate 12 classic riffs that defined its legendary sound — all played on a real Clavinet D6, no software, no emulations. 🎧 Featured riffs include: Stevie Wonder – SuperstitionStevie Wonder – Higher GroundThe Gap Band – Oops Upside Your HeadBob Marley – Could You Be LovedKool & The Gang – Jungle BoogieLed Zeppelin – Trampled Under FootThe Commodores – Machine GunThe Meters – Just Kissed My BabySteely Dan – Kid CharlemagneBilly Preston – Outa-Space …and more!From Motown to rock arenas, reggae to jazz fusion — this keyboard changed groove music forever. If you love funk history, vintage keyboards and iconic riffs, this episode is for you. 🎹🔥 🎛️ Work with me (production, mixing & mastering): https://www.andywhitmore.com 🔗 Connect with Andy Whitmore Website: https://greystokestudio.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/@AndyWhitmore Instagram: https://instagram.com/andywhitmore2014 Facebook: https://facebook.com/AndyWhitmoreMusic TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@andywhitmore9583 #HohnerClavinet #ClavinetD6 #FunkRiffs #VintageKeys #StevieWonder #Superstition #KeyboardLegends #FunkMusic #SynthIcons #MusicPodcast Support the show

    Hohner Clavinet D6 – 12 Famous Riffs You Instantly Know! (Superstition, Trampled Under Foot + more)

  6. Aug 23

    Roland Jupiter-4: 15 Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were Jupiter-4!)

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Synth Icons, we shine a light on one of the most underrated classic analog synths of all time — the Roland Jupiter-4. Before the Juno-60 and Jupiter-8 stole the spotlight, this synth helped shape the sound of early synth-pop with its raw, punchy tone and lush analog character. I recreate 15 famous Jupiter-4 riffs from legendary artists including Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, The Human League, Gary Numan, Michael Jackson, Heaven 17 and more. Expect shimmering brass pads, pulsing basses, eerie arps, vintage strings and bold leads — all played on a real Jupiter-4. ✅ No plugins ✅ No samples ✅ 100% authentic analog 🎧 Featured tracks include: The Human League – Don’t You Want MeDepeche Mode – I Just Can’t Get EnoughDoctor Who Theme – Peter Howell versionDuran Duran – RioMichael Jackson – ThrillerGary Numan – The WreckageLCD Soundsystem – How Do You Sleep?Sharon Van Etten – Jupiter 4 …and more synth classics.If you love vintage synths, new wave, electro, Italo and synth-pop history, this episode is for you. 🎹 Listen to more Synth Icons episodes Korg M1 – Famous Riffs Yamaha DX7 – 21 Iconic Sounds Yamaha CS-80 Blind Test 🔗 Connect with Andy Whitmore Website: https://greystokestudio.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/@AndyWhitmore Instagram: https://instagram.com/andywhitmore2014 Facebook: https://facebook.com/AndyWhitmoreMusic 🎚️ Work with me (mixing/production/mastering): https://andywhitmore.com Roland Jupiter-4, Jupiter 4, Roland Synth, Vintage Synth, Analog Synth, Synth Pop, Depeche Mode, The Human League, Duran Duran, Gary Numan, 80s Synths, Synth Icons, Music Production, Retro Synths Support the show

    Roland Jupiter-4: 15 Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were Jupiter-4!)

  7. Aug 19

    Korg M1: 14 Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were M1!)

    Send us Fan Mail The Korg M1 is one of the most iconic keyboards ever made — the sound of late-’80s and early-’90s pop, dance, and film music. In this episode of Synth Icons, producer and synth collector Andy Whitmore recreates 13 legendary riffs that defined the era. From the unmistakable Piano 16’ and Universe sounds to classic hits by House, Madonna, Inner City, and Pet Shop Boys, you’ll instantly recognise how the M1 shaped the sound of a generation. Every riff is performed on the original hardware — no samples, no emulations — giving you the real sound of the synth that changed everything. 👉 Follow for more classic synth deep-dives, blind tests, and studio stories from @AndyWhitmore. 🎹 Watch the full video version on YouTube → @AndyWhitmore 🎧 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 📲 Connect with me:  🌐 greystokestudio.com 📸 Instagram → @andywhitmore2014 📺 YouTube → Andy Whitmore 👍 Facebook → Andy Whitmore Music 🐦 Twitter → @andywhitmore 🎵 TikTok → @andywhitmore9583 Support the show

    Korg M1: 14 Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were M1!)

  8. Aug 16

    Yamaha DX7: 21 Iconic Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were DX7!)

    Send us Fan Mail The Yamaha DX7 is one of the most iconic synthesizers of all time, shaping the sound of pop, rock, funk, electronic, and film music throughout the 80s and 90s. In this episode, I recreate 21 legendary riffs that defined decades of music — from Berlin and Toto to Michael Jackson, Vangelis, Madonna, Phil Collins, Sade, Daft Punk, and more. All played note-for-note on the original DX7 — no software, no emulation. From the lush E.Piano of Elton John’s Sacrifice to the haunting Syn-Vox of The X-Files Theme, these instantly recognizable sounds tell the story of how one synth became a legend. 👉 Follow the podcast for more classic synth deep-dives, iconic sounds, and the stories behind them. 🎧 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 📲 Connect with me:  🌐 greystokestudio.com 📸 Instagram → @andywhitmore2014 📺 YouTube → Andy Whitmore 👍 Facebook → Andy Whitmore Music 🐦 Twitter → @andywhitmore 🎵 TikTok → @andywhitmore9583 Support the show

    Yamaha DX7: 21 Iconic Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were DX7!)
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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
    30
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Synth Icons with Andy Whitmore
  • Show Website
    Synth Icons with Andy Whitmore

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