Secrets to Steve Porcaro’s Sound: The CS-80 & More

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

"In this episode, I hang with Steve Porcaro for an up-close, hands-on look at the secrets behind his sound, with Toto and much more! Discover the musical thinking that shaped some of the most iconic synthesizer moments in pop history.
You’ll watch Steve perform on the legendary Yamaha CS-80, and demonstrate exactly why its polyphonic aftertouch changed everything. He shows how touch, phrasing, and pressure become part of the music itself, then recreates the iconic Africa brass sound, breaking down how it was programmed and performing it right before our eyes. We also pause to honor David L. Abell and Clark Spangler, two essential figures in synthesizer history whose whose work helped bring instruments like the CS-80 into the spotlight
Along the way, Steve shares stories from working with David Paich and David Foster, and how his collaborations shaped their sound. You’ll also see a beautiful portamento and glissando demonstration tied to "After the Love Has Gone" by Earth, Wind & Fire and 'Serious Music' by Hall & Oates, revealing how Steve approached expressive movement on the keyboard.
Steve then breaks open his 'go-to' CS-80 panel settings and shows how he used them on 'Rosanna' and 'Mama' by Toto, offering a rare look at the real-world musical decisions behind those songs.
Finally, Steve and I talk about the true secret sauce behind so many signature songs from the ’80s and ’90s, from Toto and beyond—the attention to detail, musical sensitivity, and collaboration between specialists, all working selflessly in service of a great song.
This is a rare, in-the-room masterclass with one of the great musical minds of our time."

Toto’s Steve Porcaro Shows How He Created the Synth Sounds on Africa, Human Nature, Rosanna, ...

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

"In this monumental video, I’m sitting down in Steve Porcaro’s studio for a rare, up-close demonstartions at how one of the true synth legends created some of the most iconic sounds in music history.

What makes this so special is that Steve takes us step by step through the exact synthesizer techniques he used on massive hit records — including Michael Jackson’s 'Human Nature,' Toto’s 'Africa' and 'Rosanna,' as well as classic tracks for Hall & Oates, Don Henley, Donna Summer, and more. He also recreates these sounds on the same model vintage synthesizers he used on the original recordings.

As we dig in, Steve shares his personal approach to synthesis, how he builds multi-dimensional sounds, thinks about atmosphere and texture, and shapes parts so they serve the song emotionally, not just sonically. He also reveals how he writes out synthesizer parts on score paper, treating synths like orchestral instruments and arranging them with real intention.

This isn’t a preset rundown or surface-level demo. It’s a candid, in-studio conversation about process, musical thinking, with hands-on demonstrations from someone who helped define the sound of an era. If you’ve ever wondered how these legendary synth parts were truly made, now you can get it straight from the source, this is a moment you don’t want to miss!"

‪@PlantWave‬ Meets the “Plantasia” Moog Modular | Live Jam

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music and PlantWave

"Join me for a one-of-a-kind musical experience filmed inside the iconic Mickey Hargitay Plants in Hollywood. In this special session, I’m improvising on the legendary 1969 Moog IIIc “Plantasia” Modular Synthesizer—the same model used on Mort Garson’s Mother Earth's Plantasia—along with my Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave, while the plants themselves generate melodies through PlantWave.

How PlantWave Works
PlantWave is a bio-music device that connects to a plant’s leaves and measures subtle changes in electrical conductivity. Those fluctuations are translated into MIDI data, which then becomes musical notes, rhythms, and patterns. It’s not “the plant playing an instrument” in the human sense—it's more like the plant’s natural signals being converted into music we can hear and respond to.

The Jam
As PlantWave transforms real-time electrical signals from the plants into beautiful, evolving musical patterns, I’m tuning in, responding, and improvising on the Moog IIIc and 3rd Wave—matching their phrases with my own melodies and rhythms. Every moment emerges organically, completely unique, and impossible to recreate the same way twice.

About the Location
Mickey Hargitay Plants has been an LA landmark for decades, and creating this performance surrounded by their lush greenery made the experience even more magical.

This is a rare combination of vintage analog synthesis, modern wavetable power, plant-generated musical data, and real-time human improvisation. I hope you enjoy this unique collaboration between nature and machines."

The Most Misunderstood Knob On Your Synth

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

"Allow me to demystify one of synthesis’ most misunderstood controls: the resonance knob. Using a variety of examples, I’ll show you how adjusting resonance can add character, while also explaining how the loss of bass as you turn it up can even substitute for a high-pass filter.

Resonance can be used for vocal-like effects by creating a fixed-frequency formant in the filter, or by controlling the filter with an ADSR envelope generator to shape percussive attacks at the front of a sound.

Then I take things further by making subtle changes to the filter’s attack envelope, revealing how a sound can 'speak' with even more personality.

This video is perfect for synth learners or anyone looking to unlock the full creative potential of resonance!"

"🎛️ Think Like a Synth Learn the exact method I've used for decades on hit records & films
👉 https://anthonymarinellimusic.com/pro..."

The #1 Reason Your Basslines Don’t Hit

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

"Ever wonder why your basslines don’t hit the way they should? I’ve seen the same problem for decades—and in this video, I’ll show you the #1 reason it happens and exactly how to fix it.

I’ll walk you through some of the techniques I’ve used on hit records and film scores over the last 40 years—techniques you can apply on any synth to make your basslines punch harder and stand out in your tracks.

Whether you’re editing presets or creating your own sounds from scratch, I’ll show you how to craft memorable, expressive bass tones that fit the song and move people.

For a deeper understanding of these techniques and to learn about all the classic synth modules check out my method Think Like a Synth, my online course that helps you break free from presets and truly understand to create sounds that payoff in your music."

🎛️ Think Like a Synth Learn the exact method I've used for decades on hit records & films
👉 https://anthonymarinellimusic.com/pro...

Anthony Marinelli Music Synth Studio Revealed | Studio Tour 2025

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

"I finally agreed to make a video showing my synthesizer studio. I'm NOT a collector, so you'll see the instruments I've used for over four decades to do my work. It's also my space for composing. In this deep dive studio tour, I walk you through every corner of my space, showing how everything’s connected for performing, recording, and creative flow.

You’ll see icons like the 'Plantasia' Moog Modular IIIc, Synclavier II, Rhodes Chroma with Expander & Enabler, Oberheim Four Voice, Elka Synthex, Roland Jupiter 8, Sequential Circuits Prophet-5, ARP 2600s, Korg MS modular synths, some classic Minimoog — plus a few modern synths I’ve added as I look to the future. Alongside the synths are vintage drum machines, string machines, and rare electric keyboards including a 1973 Fender Rhodes Suitcase and Hohner Clavinet/Pianet Duo.

We'll also explore racks of outboard gear, vocoder units, tape echoes, and a vast array of my custom guitar pedal options, efx pedal boards and studio effects racks that make this room endlessly inspiring. I'll also reveal how my entire studio is designed for instant creativity, featuring 48 channels of synth drivers and stage boxes, so any synth can be patched and recorded on the fly."

https://anthonymarinellimusic.com/pages/about

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Modern Synth Meets Vintage Sound | The 3rd Wave

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

🌊 Sign up for your chance to win a 3rd Wave
👉 https://anthonymarinellimusic.com/3rd...

🎛️ Think Like a Synth Learn the exact method I've used for decades on hit records & films
👉 https://anthonymarinellimusic.com/pro...

Design Philosophy of Every Oberheim Synthesizer with Legend Marcus Ryle

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

"Marcus Ryle is one of the great heroes of synthesizer history. At Oberheim in the early ’80s, he worked side-by-side designing with Tom Oberheim on legendary instruments like the DSX Digital Sequencer, the OB-Xa and OB-8, the DMX drum machine, and the groundbreaking Xpander and Matrix-12 synthesizers. These innovations revolutionized electronic music and still define the sound of a generation.

In this video, Marcus shares the inside story of Oberheim’s design culture—why certain features appeared on some synths and not others—and how those choices shaped the future of music.

Beyond Oberheim, Marcus co-founded Alesis, where he helped create the groundbreaking ADAT digital recorder, Quadraverb and HR16 drum machine... and later Line 6, where he pioneered digital modeling amps and effects, including the legendary POD. He also played a pivotal role in helping Tom Oberheim reclaim the Oberheim name, and he continues to be actively involved in the design of today’s newest Oberheim instruments—ensuring the spirit of innovation carries forward.

Few designers have influenced so many eras of music technology—Oberheim, Alesis, Line 6, Sequential, Focusrite and now the reborn Sequential/Oberheim. Marcus Ryle’s story is a masterclass in how his innovation changed music forever."

https://anthonymarinellimusic.com/pages/about

Why Most People Use Sequencers Wrong (Do THIS Instead)

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

"Are you making this BIG sequencer mistake? Most people use sequencers to control pitch—but that’s not the only approach, especially if you want your synthesizer to sound alive and musical when spontaneously creating new music. In this video, I'll reveal one of my favorite sequencer tricks: using sequencers for accent and rhythm, while controlling pitch directly from the keyboard.

This technique lets you stay spontaneous with the notes and adds real-time surprises when creating songs or performing live (as opposed to working in a more controlled DAW enviornment). I'll wals you through the patch, gives step-by-step sequencer tips, and plays musical examples so you can hear exactly how it transforms a sequence into something dynamic and expressive.

✨ What you’ll learn in this video:
• How to use a sequencer for rhythm and accents instead of pitch
• Why controlling pitch on the keyboard in real-time can make your sequencer playing more musical
• Patch examples and live demonstrations on vintage synthesizers
• A mindset shift that will change how you think about sequencers forever"

🎛️ Think Like a Synth Learn the exact method I've used for decades on hit records & films
👉 https://anthonymarinellimusic.com/pro...

Inside Tom Oberheim’s Garage Workshop

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

See the full interview here, and the SEM Story here.

"Step inside the legendary garage workshop of Tom Oberheim—the birthplace of some of the most iconic sounds in music history. In this rare behind-the-scenes tour, Tom shares his latest creation: a custom-built computer he’s designing entirely from scratch—just because he loves the way it sounds.

Along the way, Tom opens up his treasure chest of innovations, showing us priceless prototypes from his storied career, including the original Maestro Phase Shifter prototype and circuit boards that paved the way for his groundbreaking synthesizers.

I’m joined by Rob Rosen (Rosen Sound) and Marcus Ryle (Alesis, Line 6) as we hear directly from Tom himself, walking through this sacred space filled with history, innovation, and pure sonic imagination.
👉 Don’t miss this intimate glimpse into the genius of a true pioneer."

https://oberheim.com/

https://anthonymarinellimusic.com

This Little Box Changed Synths Forever | Tom Oberheim’s SEM Story

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

See the full interview here.

"How did the legendary Oberheim SEM (Synthesizer Expander Module) come to life? In this video, Tom Oberheim himself tells the story of how necessity became the mother of invention.
After creating the world’s first digital sequencer, Tom needed a dedicated synthesizer voice to play back the note information generated by the sequencer. His solution was the SEM — a compact, self-contained synth voice that could be sequenced while leaving a musician’s main synthesizer free to perform alongside it. This groundbreaking idea gave players entirely new creative possibilities and laid the foundation for some of the most influential instruments in music history. Join me, along with Rob Rosen (Rosen Sound) and Marcus Ryle (Alesis, Line 6), as we hear directly from Tom about the innovation that started it all.
👉 Discover how the SEM was born and why it changed the future of synthesis."

https://oberheim.com/

https://anthonymarinellimusic.com

The Secret to the "Oberheim Sound"

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

See the full interview here.

"Discover the true origin of the “Oberheim Sound” in this rare and revealing conversation. Legendary synth pioneer Tom Oberheim himself explains how he dialed in his iconic tone—locking himself in a room with nothing but a bag of resistors, capacitors, and an oscilloscope. Over several days, Tom tweaked and tuned until he was satisfied, even embracing a level of filter distortion that most engineers at the time would have rejected. That bold choice became the unmistakable warmth, grit, and musicality that defined the Oberheim legacy.

He’s joined by Marcus Ryle (Alesis, Line 6) and Rob Rosen (Rosen Sound) as they dive into the legacy of Oberheim instruments—from the SEM to the OB-series—and how they shaped music for artists like Prince, Stevie Wonder, Queen, and Daft Punk.

This is the inside story of how imperfection became perfection, and how one man’s vision changed music forever. Don’t miss this exclusive conversation with three icons of synthesis history."

https://oberheim.com/

https://anthonymarinellimusic.com

Tom Oberheim: The Genius Behind the Greatest Sounding Synthesizers

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

"Today, we’re at the home of Tom Oberheim — one of the original pioneers who shaped synthesizers and music history. Tom's legacy includes some of the most groundbreaking innovations: (a stand alone ring modulator, the first commercially available phase shifter pedal (my personal favorite), an early digital sequencer, the Oberheim DS-2, and the SEM the first commercially available polyphonic synthesizer made in 2, 4 and 8 voice models, followed by favorites such as the OB-X, OB-Xa, OB-8, Xpander, Matrix 12, DMX drum machine and more... of course, most importantly he gave us the unmistakable "Oberheim sound" on his entire collection of iconic synthesizers that have inspired compositions and performances on countless records by multiple generations of artists.

Joining me for this special interview is my friend Rob Rosen from Rosen Sound—talented musician and renowned expert in synth restoration and preservation, and someone who's worked closely for a while with Tom to keep Oberheim instruments and ALL vintage synthesizers alive for future generations of musicians.
We’ll also be joined by Marcus Ryle, who's done so much. Marcus began his career working closely with Tom, at Oberheim, was a session musician, designed dozens of affordable and accessible products for Alesis - including the ADAT multitrack recording, Quadraverb digital reverb, and HR-1 drum machine, and later co-founded Line 6 (creating innovative guitar effects and revolutionizing digital modeling technology). His insight into Tom’s innovations—and his own contributions in music history —makes this a rare, deeply meaningful conversation.
Let’s get into it."

https://oberheim.com/

https://anthonymarinellimusic.com

Teaching Kids to ‘Think Like a Synth’

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

"What happens when you program an ARP 2600 with two curious kids? A whole lot of wild and fun sounds. In this video, Anthony shows his daughters how to “Think Like a Synth” by recreating everything from a roaring lion to a 727 jet taking off — plus rain forest, crickets, birds, fire truck sirens, and even a talking synth that says “Oh yeah!”. Many of these patches are available for you to create using the ARP 2600 patch book.

This isn't just about music — it’s about learning how to shape sound, think creatively, and have fun doing it! There’s plenty of laughter, hands-on excitement, curious faces, and “wait, what?!” moments.

If you’ve ever wondered what synthesis is all about, this video shows how anyone — even kids — can dive in — and Think Like a Synth."

"🎛️ Think Like a Synth Learn the exact method I've used for decades on hit records & films 👉 https://anthonymarinellimusic.com/pro..."

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Crazy side note: when I (matrix) was in the 9th grade, I actually visted Anthony Marinelli's studio in the 80s on a mini field trip with a few studens in my Geometry class. Anthony sampled our voices and played them back on his Synclavier. Not long after, I bought my first synth, an Oberheim Matrix-6 in 1986. The matrix alias comes from the Matrix-6.

‘Who Are You’ – Tim Pierce & Anthony Marinelli Break Down Pete Townshend’s Guitar Effects

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

"When The Who’s 'Who Are You' hit the airwaves, it stopped Tim Pierce in his tracks. That synth-driven guitar sound—bold, aggressive, and totally different—had a huge impact on him as a young musician. In this video, we dive deep into that exact sound.
Tim and I break down how Pete Townshend used a synth and guitar together to create one of the most iconic intros in rock history. I recreate the patch on my original ARP 2600, and Tim brings his firepower to the guitar as we perform the track, analyze the tone, and talk about why this sound was such a game-changer.
This is more than a breakdown—it’s a tribute to a moment that marked how synthesizers would change the sound of rock music."

Website - https://www.anthonymarinellimusic.com
Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_...
IMDb - http://www.imdb.me/anthonymarinelli

Creating ambient music with Hainbach in his Berlin studio

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

"Join Anthony Marinelli as he visits Hainbach in his legendary Berlin studio for a one-of-a-kind musical collaboration. Surrounded by vintage synths, precision filter banks, tape machines, and Hainbach’s signature sonic oddities, the two artists step into uncharted territory to create an improvised ambient electronic piece. Watch Anthony step outside his usual musical environment and dive headfirst into Hainbach’s world of beautifully unstable textures, subtle modulations, and analog magic—all while having an unforgettable time exploring sound together."

https://www.anthonymarinellimusic.com

Hainbach Introduces outta-control Italian Synths!

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

"When I visited Hainbach at his amazing studio in Berlin, and he introduced me to a whole new world of sound—rare Italian synths that completely reset my thinking. The Farfisa Polychrome is hands down the best string machine I’ve ever heard, with rich choir and synth textures and a built-in phaser that sounds like no other effect I’ve used. The Webo Welson (late 70's) is a rockin’ beast with ripping oscillators, tearing portamento, and beautifully saturated presets that just ooze character. And then there’s the Realton Variophon Gig—a breath-controlled synth that lets you shape the timbre with your mouth. It’s expressive, has rich variable noisy modulation goodness, and is unlike any vocoder or synth I’ve ever played.

Hainbach really opened my ears to a sound palette I didn’t even know existed. He’s a very generous to hang with, and I left his studio totally inspired to create new music. You will too."

Mike Dean, StarPowerDrummer & 2 Vintage Moog Modulars

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

"No script. No presets. Just raw vintage synth power!

Join me for an explosive, 100% spontaneous synth jam featuring Mike Dean and powerhouse drummer Russell Holzman (@starpowerdrummer) performing on some of the most iconic vintage synths ever made - unlike anything you’ve seen

We’re firing up legends like the Moog IIIc ('The Plantasia Moog'), Moog Model 55, Oberheim Eight Voice SEM, Roland Jupiter-8, and the Minimoog—all dialed in and recorded live.

Turn up your speakers and witness what happens in real time when three artists meet in a room full of classic analog instruments

Special Thank You to Rob Rosen @RosenSound for supplying the most awesome Moog Model 55 & explosive Oberheim Eight Voice SEM!

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Making Nuclear Music with Hainbach

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

"Join me for a rare opportunity to step into the incredible world of Hainbach at his studio in Berlin—filled with vintage nuclear test equipment he’s brilliantly turned into musical instruments… and plenty of other wild synthesizers!

Hainbach is known for making haunting, immersive soundscapes using everything from lab gear to tape loops to modular synths. His music feels like it's from another dimension—organic, rich, hypnotic and totally captivating. In this video, I explore his unique setup and we dive into a completely new palette of sounds together. It was inspiring to see how he breathes life into machines that were never meant to make music… and to try my hand at making "nuclear music" myself.

If you're into experimental sound design, synths, or just curious how scientific gear from the Cold War can become part of modern composition—this is something you’ve got to see (and hear)."

https://anthonymarinellimusic.com

Improvised Jam on Iconic Vintage Synths!

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

"Fresh off Superbooth 2025, I dropped into the Synthesizer Museum in Berlin for a rare, fully improvised performance on their legendary vintage synths—including the Yamaha CS-80, two ARP 2600s, and a Roland Jupiter-8.
Joining me was my longtime friend and Vienna-based artist Felix of Flame, playing his custom FLAME drum and percussion instruments. Together, we dove into a one-of-a-kind sonic journey—shaped by texture, tone, and the moment.
No script. No presets. Just raw, analog expression—captured live!"