Vintage Synth Explorer Forums

what synth plays pad and bells/any ideas?

DX7 is an obvious guess.

There's definitely DX7 in there, but the pads are from something else. There were a number of synth players on that album, so probably a wide range of gear was used. If I had to guess, I'd say Jupiter-8, Emulator II (some of the pads sound like it), maybe Synclavier as well.

There were about six session keyboardists playing on that album so it's difficult to say what synths were used on
each song.

Anyway, I think Wally "the Prophet" Badarou and Larry "Synergy" Fast were two of the keyboardists playing on this song. The album was recorded in the fall of 1984 and by that time "The Prophet" used to use a Prophet 5 (the man loved this synth but never owned one, go figure!) and Synclavier II. Larry Fast probably used his movable studio setup which comprised of Memorymoog, Prophet 5 rev 3, Moog 15 w/additional Moog modules, Minimoog, DX-7, and possibly Emulator II.

Sounds like a DX 7. Those warm pads are very distinctive.

In certain way I have that Brian Eno flavor when I listen to them....

balma wrote:Sounds like a DX 7. Those warm pads are very distinctive.

In certain way I have that Brian Eno flavor when I listen to them....

Warm pads and DX7 in the same context? Hmm

The bell-sounding pads are probably DX7 but there's more going on in that song than that... I hear some Emulator II in there or something along those lines--some of the pads sound like those in Mr. Mister's "Broken Wings" which was EII, and some analog too like Prophet-5 or Jupiter-8 or something.

The players credited for this song are Wally Badarou, Jack Waldman, Brian Eddolls, and Dave Lebolt.

Badarou was known for playing the Prophet 5 as well as Synclavier.

Waldman was using a PPG 2.2 or 2.3 and OB-Xa around this time.

LeBolt was known more for his piano playing though he did play synths. Was in Billy Joel's band at this time.

No info to be had on Eddolls.

I've been enjoying the new cd Can't Slow Down. It's a 2 cd/1 DVD collection which includes the new album, remixes of the hits and a concert on the DVD with the new singer Kelly Hanson(he's fantastic).
What a great, down to earth Rock n Roll band. I've always enjoyed their music but never purchased anything, but at $12.00USD at WalMart, I couldn't resist and I'm glad I got it.

I e-mailed Brian Eddolls and got a reply. He says he owned and played a Synclavier on the song. He was brought in at the end of the sessions. He also says that he remembers Tom Bailey playing the descending melody on a Jupiter 8.

D-Collector wrote:

balma wrote:Sounds like a DX 7. Those warm pads are very distinctive.

In certain way I have that Brian Eno flavor when I listen to them....

Warm pads and DX7 in the same context? Hmm

Warm pad at the intro of Where the Streets Have No Name?

V301H wrote:I e-mailed Brian Eddolls and got a reply. He says he owned and played a Synclavier on the song. He was brought in at the end of the sessions. He also says that he remembers Tom Bailey playing the descending melody on a Jupiter 8.

And I e-mailed Wally Badarou and got a reply

As far as he could remember he used a Prophet 5 and Synclavier II, and Mick Jones added Jupiter-8.
He does remember having done the bells with the Synclavier.

cheers,
Micke

Good work, Micke. Now if only we can track down Jack Waldman and Dave LeBolt.

I love threads like these! Always been fascinated by this stuff, what was used and how it was used to create some of those sounds we all are familiar with.

There was a recent article in Keyboard magazine about the (cancelled) Michael Jackson comeback tour, and interviews with all the key guys (no pun intended ) in what they used to create all the signature sounds BOTH then and now.

By the way - I have a custom Pad patch for my Korg R3 that at least to my ears sounds a lot like the warm pad on the song. I can post the gory details (settings) if someone's interested.

Micke & V301H thanks for joining the topic and for the inf. you had got.It's always precious/