Innovative Synthesis - Introduction to Vocoders

"Vocoders are an instantly recognizable synthesizer sound, having been used in popular music since the 1960s. They allow you to ‘talk like a robot’, which while fun, is often not musically useful. However, used properly within a song they can work well, and add a (now rather retro) techno-effect to a piece of music. So how does it all work?"

click here for the full post. Be sure to check out the rest of the posts for more tips on synthesis.

MacBeth M5N Demo

click here for the demo on streetelectronics.

MOOG Memorymoog and The Source Demo

via Scott. "The Moog source starts at 4:02.. Just messing with presets." MP3 on YouSendIt.

HarriL - Synchron Blue (Live)

video upload by HarriL

"MP3. So, another one of these midnight tunes. Gear used: 309, ESX, EMX, K-station and the lovely Revolution on acid. Genre is house-ish. Enjoy and please do leave a comment :)"

Siouxsie and the Banshees - Red Light

YouTube via scythrop. Yamaha CS5. Anyone know the drums?
"Promotional video for album track from 1980 album Kaleidoscope."

THE CURE - Pornography München 84

YouTube via sisterM123. Roland Juno-60 and I'm guessing a JX-3P which you can see in the following video during the same time period:

The Cure - The Walk (live, Glasgow 1984)

YouTube via adz1962.

Note this Top of the Pops vid looks like the Maxi-Korg again:

YouTube via craigatcof.

And the original (no synths pictured but definitely synth heavy):

YouTube via SethOmac. Posts inspired by this VSE thread.

the cure - a forest - amsterdam 1980

YouTube via drewsboo. Maxi-Korg 800DV.

And the original video:

YouTube via Zombified.
You can find the Cure's Play for Today featuring the Roland RS-09 here.

B52s Rock lobster

YouTube via Scootabilly. Guess the synth and the organ.

And a montage with the original song:

Ensoniq Fizmo Demos

YouTube via RanKirlian. via Nusonica.

Yamaha CS-30L

flickr by Plankalkul (click for more synth shots).

click here for the full size shot.