Vince Clarke in the studio 1985

YouTube via Ynnarg

"Interesting piece of how Vince was working in the studio at this early Erasure time. Good old synths."

Vince Clarke 1984 with Fairlight Sampler (Audio)

YouTube Uploaded by Bonnline on Mar 17, 2012

"Very rare tape recording of Vince using the Fairlight Computer back in 1984.
This is an audio recording that was done for Electronic Soundmaker and Computer Music magazine. I found the original magazine and tape in my loft. I thought you'd like to here it so I've converted it into a digital format. Now go make a cup of tea or get a beer, sit back and enjoy this blast from the past."

EMEAPP - vintage synthesizer collection tour - Waveshaper TV Ep.15

Published on Jun 13, 2019 Waveshaper Media

"A tour of some of Electronic Music Education and Preservation Project (EMEAPP)'s mind-blowing collection of vintage synthesizers and electronic music instruments, with EMEAPP Founder and President Vince Pupillo, and Associate Director Vince Pupillo Jr."

EMEAPP

Andy Fletcher of Depeche Mode Has Passed Away

Andy Fletcher passed away today at the age of 60. I saw Depeche Mode live for the first time as a teenager back on July 14, 1986, at the Irvine Meadows Amphitheter in Irvine, CA. I grew up with their music and still listen to them to this day. They will always be a staple in my life. I have Andy Fletcher and the rest of Depeche Mode to thank for so much magic in my life on so many levels, from being a kid frolicking about in the 80s, to an adult dealing with the trials a tribulations of the day. Depeche Mode is a big part of that and Andy Fletcher was core to the band. He will be sorely missed by so many of us.

This post features two images of Andy. One from Wikipedia, and one from Discogs. The following bio is from Wikipedia. Don't miss the last sentence.

"Andrew John Leonard Fletcher (8 July 1961 – c. 26 May 2022), sometimes known as Fletch, was an English keyboard player, DJ, and a founding member of the electronic band Depeche Mode. In 2020, Fletcher was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Depeche Mode.[1]

In the late 1970s, Fletcher and schoolmate Vince Clarke formed the short-lived band No Romance in China, in which Fletcher played bass guitar. In 1980, Fletcher met Martin Gore at the Van Gogh pub on Paycocke Road in Basildon. With Clarke, the trio, now all on synthesizer, formed another group called Composition of Sound.[2] Clarke served as chief songwriter and also provided lead vocals until singer Dave Gahan was recruited into the band later that year, after which they adopted the name Depeche Mode at Gahan's suggestion.[3] Clarke left the group in late 1981, shortly after the release of their debut album Speak & Spell.[2]

Their 1982 follow-up album, A Broken Frame, was recorded as a trio, with Gore taking over primary songwriting duties.[4] Musician and producer Alan Wilder joined the band in late 1982 and the group continued as a quartet until Wilder's departure in 1995. From then on, the core trio of Gahan, Gore, and Fletcher remained active, up to the release of their 2017 album Spirit and ensuing world tour.[5]

Fletcher's role within Depeche Mode was often a topic of speculation. In early incarnations of the band, he played (electric and later synth) bass. As the band evolved after Vince Clarke's departure in 1981, Fletcher's role changed as each of the band members took to the areas that suited them and benefited the band collectively. In a key scene in D.A. Pennebaker's 1989 documentary film about the band, Fletcher clarified these roles: "Martin's the songwriter, Alan's the good musician, Dave's the vocalist, and I bum around."


Andy Fletcher and Daniel Miller talking about Depeche Mode early days

video upload by Michele Bisceglia

"This interview was shot in november 2015, but never edited and published.
We were in Verbier, Switzerland, for the 3 days happening Audi-o-Rama.
Depeche Mode founding member and keyboardist Fletch & Mute Records boss Miller remember the day they met and discuss other stories about the early days of the band"

A search on the first video to feature Depeche Mode comes up with the following 1981 performance from Top of the Pops. Andy Fletcher is on the Moog Prodigy.

Depeche Mode - Just Can't Get Enough 1981

video upload by memorylane1980s

The following is a live tribue by DX5. If you follow the site you should be familiar with his numerous covers of Depeche Mode. This site is about synths and the people who love synths. This is the first tribute I've seen by a fan of Depeche Mode and I wanted to include it.

Andy (Fletch) Fletcher, has sadly passed away today :( :( Chat and synth tribute to him.

video upload by DX5

Erasure - In Studio 1991

YouTube via flatulentphil. via sequencer.de.
"Andy and Vince performing basic versions of 'Perfect Stranger' & 'Chorus'.
This footage was filmed in 1991 before the release of the album Chorus and was broadcast on the Channel 4 UK music show 'Friday night at the dome'"
Synth audio comes in at 2:07 with the Roland MC4 sequencing.

Vince chats about synths

YouTube via erasureLP2006. You can find a few more on sequencer.de.

Simmons SDSV w/ Vince Gutman Click Defeat Mod

Published on Sep 20, 2018 Ed Rose

"Simmons SDSV w/ Vince Gutman Click Defeat Mod"

EMEAPP's ARP 2500

Playlist:

1. DON SLEPIAN gives a tour of EMEAPP's ARP 2500

DON SLEPIAN gives a tour of EMEAPP's ARP 2500. Make sure to watch Don perform on this system in the two accompanying videos. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of ARP Instruments and the ARP 2500 modular synthesizer.
SHOW LESS

2. DON SLEPIAN, on the EMEAPP ARP 2500, ARP Quadra and dual ARP 2600s. Performance ONE.

Electronic music pioneer, DON SLEPIAN, on the EMEAPP ARP 2500, ARP Quadra and dual ARP 2600s Performance ONE of TWO, in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of ARP Instruments and the rare ARP 2500 modular synthesizer, Don Slepian visits the Electronic Music Education and Preservation Project for a hands-on live performance. Be sure to sign up for a FREE membership at www.emeapp.org.SHOW LESS

3. ARP 2500 modular synth performance celebrating 50 years of ARP Instruments, feat. VINCE PUPILLO, Jr.

ARP 2500 modular synth performance celebrating 50 years of ARP Instruments, feat. VINCE PUPILLO, Jr.

4.

Musikmese: eowave MAGMA Analogue Bassline with Sequencer and Memory

via eowave

"COMING SOON
Our prototype called KOMA has become the MAGMA! The MAGMA is an analogue bassline synthesizer inspired by classical synths from the 1980s. It offers the possibility to mix 4 different waveforms (saw, square, sub, noise). The 24 dB low-pass filter is also inspired from classical filters from the 80s.

To this particular sound of the 80s, we added a touch of modernity with modern controls and parameters saving features. The 16 steps sequencer has 4 rows: 1 for the notes and 3 freely assignable to a parameter of your choice that enables to create living sequences with sonorities like Vince Clark or Yann Hammer.

Oscillator section
- analogue VCO with square saw sub (sub can be 1 or 2 octaves below the master freq), noise.
- VCO can be modulated by LFO and PW
- Variable glide
- mixer to mix the 4 waveforms

Filter section
Full analogue VCO, filter, VCA.
- external audio with a trimmer to feed the filter
- 24dB low pass filter roland style for a classical 80s sound
- filter can be modulated by env2, KB, lfo.

VCA section
- Vca is affected to env1
- 2 envelopes ADSR modulate respectively the amplitude and the filter.
Attack goes from 2ms to 10s.

LFO section
- LFO with 8 waveforms (triangle, ramp up, ramp down, square, random, digital noise, staircase up, staircase down)

Connections
audio in
audio out
MIDI in
Usb (for software update and MIDI in&out)

Sequencer
- 16 steps sequencer with LED
- 4 rows: 1 row controls gates and notes.
- 3 other rows are freely assignable to any parameter of the front panel.
- You can transpose the sequencer with an external MIDI keyboard.


Technical specifications
Availability: Spring 2012: The MAGMA will be introduced at the Musikmesse in Francfort - 21-24 March 2012, Hall 5.1. booth A80A"

Update: the official press release and a note on the Musikmesse:

"After 2 years of development, we are finally introducing the MAGMA, a new analogue bassline synthesizer with sequencer and memory. The MAGMA is the definitive version of our prototype called KOMA. We're very excited to show the MAGMA at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt on Eowave's booth, Hall 5.1, booth A80A. The MAGMA is an analogue bassline synthesizer inspired by classical synths from the 1980s. It offers the possibility to mix 4 different waveforms (saw, square, sub, noise). The 24 dB low-pass filter is also inspired from classical filters.
To this particular sound of the 80s, we added a touch of modernity with modern controls and parameters saving features. The 16 steps sequencer has 4 rows: 1 for the notes and 3 freely assignable to a parameter of your choice that enables to create living sequences with sonorities like Vince Clark or Yann Hammer.

We'll also show the Ribbon, the Domino and the Persephone markII with the new Metallique resonator loud speaker.

If you wish to meet us at the Musikmesse, please write me back to schedule a meeting time. "

Vince Clark's Home For Sale

Listed on Barton Wyatt for 1,995,000 (I'm guessing GBP).

"A truly exceptional and innovative new home situated in secluded wooded grounds of approximately 5.6 acres. Three bedrooms (all bedrooms en-suite) first floor balcony, entrance hall, sitting room with games area, open plan dining room, kitchen/dining room with breakfast area off overlooking the pool, utility room, large store room, lower ground floor with indoor swimming pool, electrics cupboard, large basement storage, access to double garage...

The house is approached via a driveway and at the head of the drive, there is a separate copper roof annexe building which was formerly a recording studio which could be converted to a gym or separate accommodation subject to any planning consents. This house is designed for someone who wants to be different and enjoy a unique home in this secluded but convenient location."

I'm not sure if the bottom studio image is from this location. The image is not from the listing.

via oli. Also see Vince Clark Studio For Sale

Yazoo - 'Nobody's Diary'

YouTube via pedesnet. via Ade in the comments of this post.
"Commercial video for Yazoo's 1983 hitsingle 'Nobody's Diary'."
Vince Clark on Roland SH-101 played as a keytar. Is there anyone better at synth pop than Vince?

ARP 2600x2=ARP 5200: DUAL ARP 2600 MELODIC PERFORMANCE FEAT. VINCE PUPILLO JR.

video upload by EMEAPP

"The iconic ARP 2600 is an undeniable classic, 50 years old and going strong. Here in their full glory are our pair of Tonus-era ARP 2600 semi-modular synthesizers (the 2600 on the left was formerly Jack Bruce's) running in tandem with our ARP 1613 Sequencer along with the Arturia KeyStep, KORG SDD-3000 digital delay and Roland MX-1 performed by EMEAPP associate director and sound designer Vince Pupillo Jr.. This performance was created for and featured in the Alan R. Pearlman Foundation's ARP 2600 virtual 'Synthposium' on September 18, 2021 which celebrated the 50th anniversary of this legendary instrument. Both of our organizations are dedicated to preserving the legacies of electronic music pioneers and we are proud to be a partner with Dina Pearlman and her dedicated team who do wonderful work in uplifting the life and legacy of Alan R. Pearlman. This one's for you Dina! Enjoy!"

https://alanrpearlmanfoundation.org/

Vince Clarke's Analogue Monologues Part 5 - Synton Syrinx

"The fifth webisode in Vince Clarke's increasingly irreverent series of 'Analogue Monologues' on online now for your viewing pleasure. Dedicated to the Syrinx this is a film that I think will appeal to you equally whether you have a passion for vintage synths or not. Music, facts, deadpan humour and more... check it out!" [Part 5 on the right]

1982 SCI Pro-One Review by Vince Clarke

Noyzelab has a review of the Pro-One by Vince Clarke scanned from One.. Two.. Testing issue #1 from 1982. Click through for the scan.

Update: and one for the Jupiter-8 here.  Not sure who did that one though.

Vince Clarke 1984

flickr by Neil Vance (click for more)

full size.

Vince Clarke of Depeche Mode, Yaz and Erasure.

Anyone know what that is on the top left?

I/O Chapel Hill Synth Meet Saturday Tomorrow June 22 in North Carolina

via Vince Mecankill on Facebook

Makers: Make Noise, Moog Music, Synthetic Sound Labs, Analog Craftsman, WMD, Topobrillo, 4ms, Steady State Fate, STG, Pro Modular, Delptronics, Hexinverter.net, Flight of Harmony, Synthwerks.

Performers: Doom Asylum, Vortex Ranger, Gabriel Duceppe, Ben Davis, Vince Sico of Mecankill?, Subtle Body, and Richard Devine.

Vince Clarke's Analogue Monologues Part 6 - The Polyfusion

"The sixth webisode in Vince Clarke's increasingly irreverent series of 'Analogue Monologues' on online now for you. Dedicated to the Polyfusion it's another winner, whether you have a deep interest in the world of vintage synthesisers or not. Music, facts, humour and a picture of some hippies, what more could you need! I've also done a lot of work on the video player on the website which will - hopefully - mean that it will stream without quite as many problems as previously... check it out!"

Vince Clarke with Analogue Solutions Leipzig-S

via Tom J Carpenter of Analogue Solutions on Facebook

"Vince Clarke loves his Analogue Solutions Leipzig-S analogue synth/sequencer"

Vince Clarke's Old Buchla 100 Modular System at The Synth Sanctuary

Published on Jun 1, 2017 123synthland

"This video features the Buchla 100 we got from our friend Vince Clarke of Erasure, Yaz, Depeche Mode, etc, meticulously restored by Tone Tweakers and in use at The Synth Sanctuary, New York City based vintage synth recording studio."

Simmons SDSV with Vince Gutman Click Defeat Mod & Simmons SDSV #666 with MIDI

Published on Mar 26, 2020 The Simmons Guy

"Quick demo of the Vince Gutman Click Defeat Mod on Simmons SDSV Electronic Drum Synthesizer."

Simmons SDSV #666 Test Drive B

Published on Mar 26, 2020 The Simmons Guy

"Demo of Simmons SDSV #666 with MIDI"

Simmons SDSV Hi Hat Controlled by Simmons MTM

Published on Mar 26, 2020

"Quick demo showing how Simmons MTM controls Simmons SDSV HiHat operation using Mod Wheel for Open/Closed."

Vince Clarke Analogue Monologues Part 4 - Boss DR-55 & Roland JP-4

Video at Vince Clarke Music here. For some reason there was only audio when I first watched. Reloading the page brought the video in.