Depeche Mode - Live sound, past and present
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- Опубліковано 22 вер 2024
- A general discussion on the evolution of Depeche Mode's live sound, including production, keyboards , synthesizers, samplers, technology and performance.
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Alan Wilder's drumming on I Feel You,In Your Room,Rush,Personal Jesus and Never let me Down Again on the devotional tour is the best 😎🥁
A-fukin-Men
Totally agree David
Totally agree.
Did he do Lie to Me?
The bass line leading up “experiences... have a lasting impression”
Love this song.
@@kstats8243 ua-cam.com/video/z8TXjhWCQPE/v-deo.html
I was going to bed, but then came a reason to stay up for another 30 minutes.
Marcin Żwir hahhaha sorry to keep you awake bud !! I hope you enjoy it !! V😎👍
@@VaughnGeorge Half an hour later - it was worth it, no doubt!
Marcin Żwir hahhaha thank you bro!! I’m glad you enjoyed it !! V😎👍
Same here... Vaughn takes our beauty sleep away!!
@@Lofote thank you V:-) xx
When you play songs for over 25 years I guess you have to change something sometimes to keep it interesting for yourself as a band to still play them with passion...
The sad thing about Depeche Mode "live" now is that up to 1994 Depeche Mode were incredible live, since Alan Wilders departure they have become a conventional band. They have lost that thing that made them sound so powerful live, in the earlier years there was a lot more attention to detail and "Enjoy the Silence" is a classic case in point... You point about OMD/Gary Numan using the original sounds is spot on, and to us fans is very important.
So true
Numan is not using "original" sounds any more. The well known Moog synth parts are usually played by guitars nowadays.
@@marguskiis7711 I haven't seen Numan live since 1984 to be honest, it was more of an assumption... OMD I have several times, and they certainly do.
IMO DM's pinnacle album is Violator & DM's pinnacle tour is SOFAD (and I saw both tours several times). What Alan did was 'humanize' their sound. He made their electronic sound, ironically, sound less electronic/rigid and more organic - an element of DM that has unfortunately steadily disappeared since he left....
Agree! Although I can never fully accept long haired Dave!! To me his hair must always remain short and '80s ish'.
The worst thing about seeing DM live is their back catalogue, it's so big now that favourites are no longer played and album tracks unless it's the current one you've got no chance of hearing it, say like "Nothing" "Two Minute Warning" or "Rush" that shiip has sailed. "Shame" pun intended. Then the classic songs they do perform have changed to a mere shadow of it's former self (it sounds ok when you're there)
It's the anal Alan Wilder factor again, it just seems to be that's near enough factor these days. I don't think DM sound so good live these days if (like me) you're a purest. The song "World in My Eyes" makes my hair stand up on end, but on their last tour it's change so much it's a watered down version of it'self. I'm just glad I saw MFTM, Violator and SOFAD tours and I'm kicking myself that I didn't see them before MFTM.
Platetec Well said Tom my friend !! I could not have said it any better !! V 😎👍
In germany and sourounding countrys we have the huge luck that there is this damn good DM coverband called "Forced to Mode" that is playing many old songs that you will probably never hear from DM ever again. And they sound quite like the original DM. :)
ua-cam.com/video/Ua8XJ2jD9eo/v-deo.html
I'm old lol...48 this year and I saw them on their Black Celebration tour. They were an amazing alternative band at that time. I do feel privileged to have been there. Honestly when MFTM came out and they became more mainstream, they lost a bit of appeal for me bc I was hard core alternative back then. I used to look down on main stream music..I was a 1980's music snob lol. I always loved their music right up to Ultra and I remained a huge fan; but I love the fact that I was there to witness them before they became main stream :)
I'm sad that I was far too young to have seen them in their prime( I was born in 1982) , I didn't even become a fan until around the Ultra era .
can't stand the drum fills by christian,when you know he's covering the gaps were alan would've put something in there.......................but i did like the opening of everything counts on the last tour
Pretty much every video you make is a geek talk...in a good way. Love the bits of info and observations. thanks!
awildermode thank you and I am glad you are enjoying the videos !! V😎👍
This channel is really turning into one of the most interesting I've found on UA-cam. Looking forward to the geek series as I play the keyboards as well and delve a bit into writing and recording my own stuff. Great job once again with this video and congrats on the channel's growth, it's well desearved ;)
Diogo Bastos thank you my friend!! People like you make it all more worthwhile!! Cheers !! V😎👍
Yeap, you are right Vaughn, Devotional was the best. If you evolve your essence must remain intact, that is why I miss Alan Wilder, exceptional into detail.
Richard C my bro , we are on the same page as always !! V😎👍
Really sad to accept, since 1995 can’t recover from the loss. I was in my bedroom when I knew about his departure. What a loss, what a waste of talent gone..
That’s the difference, Alan was about the details... Depeche Mode post ‘95 aren’t interested in the details of the music which just so sad!
Ll Kk and boy does it show!
The saddest part, I read all biographies, saw rare interviews, there was a point around 2010 where Alan would have for sure accept if they invited him back, then something went cold and it seems he went all introvert/cut himself from DM. Regarding DM of today; saw them a few times and if they announce the band is to retire, I couldn't care less as they are tribute for some years now. Gordeno is good musician, but uninterested, Eigner thinks he's behind Metallica and suffocates rest of the sounds etc (live it was still great on some songs, but I was often frustrated "dear god stop with fu**ing drum fillers"). Sadly nobody of the crew notices this, or it looks like that at least. There are just no layers to their music. Spirit? Had some songs that could have been among their best, great lyrics, but somehow ended up just like polished demos. With generic, robotic "tup-tup-tup-tup-tup..." base line and so on. I'll always love their work until 1995. Some songs after, for sure. But in general, respect and reputation of the band are just falling. Look for example at Judas Priest (different genre but still), they released one of their albums last year! And they are older, but they kept their sound CORE together. Something Martin and the gang seems are ashamed of. It's a sad story really that brings smile to one's face when you reflect to older years where it was all about original music.
liked their synth/ early period the best
Hello bud!! Quick on the buzzer there!! V;-)
I think they definitely "Got the balance right" on the Devotional tour. That was peak Depeche.
So... "Never Let Me Down Again - Live" died for me after the live-drum-snare sound....
I like them live better than on record with the rock band, though I love the records too. Different strokes I suppose.
When I heard the half-tempo version of Black Celebration for the first time I was really impressed and fascinated, because it gave a new touch to a well-known classic. Little did I know that this would be the version they'd basically go on playing for years on, and that's when it got annoying to me.
With fast songs slowed down and the mid-tempo songs turned into ballads that Martin sings accompanied by just a piano or a guitar, the range of the sounds and the range of types of songs that made DM so incredible and stand out substantially got diminished for my taste.
So over the years, this "stadium rock blueprint", as it were, that they used for more and more songs (along with all the changes you mentioned in your videos), is one of the reasons my last DM concert was more than a decade ago, even though after more than 38 years, their name is still the one I blurt out when asked "What's the most influential band in your musical upbringing?".
viveladecadence thank you for this post !! I can totally see where you are coming from !! V 😎👍
As I remeber Martin mentioned that DM have "updated" some of their iconic sounds to make them sound more modern... I miss the original sounds as well!
You’re decoding their evolution perfectly, absolutely justified input
Jonathan Carter my friend thank you so much !! V😎👍
I think a good analogy would be: synthesizers are like painting from primary colors, whereas sampling is like putting together a collage of photographic (bright light! dark room!) fragments.
That is an absolutely brilliant way of putting it !! V;-)
Great content! Love it nd appreciate your openess and view on the progress they made over the years!
Raphael Slowik cheers my friend !! V😎👍
Fantastic video. Your format and structure is getting better each time.
I’m seeing Strangelove in November, I’m Australian and it’s the first time any DM music has been to this land since ‘94. So I’m pumped. Thanks for the insight.
Hello there to you in Auz!! Thank you for the comment and let me know how that gig goes !! Cheers. V;-)
I agree that the current sound of DM live is more like a tribute band...I wish they would go back to the original soundbank...or even get closer to it...
Oh wow, that's right, the way it felt last time- like a tribute band. Good observation.
The attention to detail was Alan again..
he would put weeks of work into preparing the detail of the sounds which were layered and far richer than the "that'll do" selections we have now..
It was interesting working on the "Alan" banks when compiling the stuff for the auction.. There are some very clever mappings and layers on the original discs... especially on some of the unreleased banks ;)
I too was in a DM tribute band(Speak & Spell) for a couple of years and we spent a great deal of time working on the detail of the sounds.. many people are unaware of the details but respond really well when they hear the iconic detail taking them back to a time and the DM they remember
Technomadic Hey hud!! Thank you so much for this !! I’m glad you too appreciate and understand the hard work that went into it !! Welcome to the channel!! V😎😎
Thank you so much for these amazing videos..
You are very welcome!! Thank YOU!! V:-)
I have two confessions to make: 1. I'm a lifelong DM fan. 2. I have only seen DM live once (Devotional Tour). Now that we have that out of the way, Depeche Mode is a studio band, full stop. It is a fool's errand to look for all the magnificent and subtle trappings of incredible sound design and flawless engineering in their live performance. I am completely content knowing that I can turn to any DM studio album between the years 1986 and 1997 to find moments of utter genius. Perhaps the live experience is simply a validation for the attendee that humans, not gods, created these masterpieces.
You can't hear the keyboards live now. They don't pop out. It's like they need to turn the volume up.
You are right !! The keyboards are drowned out and are taking a "back seat" to the drums and guitar!! V;-)
They could leave the guitars backstage more often!
Well done. Your enthusiam really is infectious in the best possible way. Thanks Vaughn.
Thank you Matey !! I really appreciate your support !! V:-)
Devotional tour is my absolute favorite, just perfect! And I also prefer DM live songs the way they were before! On the other hand, changes happen, and I'm just so thankful they've been doing good music and concerts for such a long time! We're lucky fans!
Our points of view about the band evolution are very interesting, and I always learn something a little more technical in our videos, so thanks a lot for the content!
Can't wait for the videos about DM albums!
Hello again Leticia and thank you for your kind words!! Devotional is one of y favorites too!! V;-)
They've arguably got three people to replace Wilder: their drummer, keyboard player and the Ableton guy but they're STILL not as good!
Aha!! You got it!! V;-)
@@VaughnGeorge Alan was their soul
The ableton guy, ahahahaha, that's great. (and true)
Alan Wilder did for DM What Lindsey Buckingham did for Fleetwood Mac, and it's funny that they needed 2 guitarists to replace Lindsey as well... Both artists are equally talented, underrated, and undervalued by their former bands 😭
I agree 100% with you. I don’t expect the exact studio version, but I would expect the distinct DM sound in the live shows. But, whom am I to speak since I have not seen DM live since the Alan days 😬
“I probably sound crazy” 😂 You do a bit but it’s hilarious! Love the passion.
Thank you matey!! V:-)
Daniel Miller played a big part. But don't forget Gareth Jones.
Of course!! V;-)
The blunt simplicity of their early days is something I've always greatly appreciated. The fact they were so up-front about eschewing a drummer is...dare I say, punk rock in a way.
I look forward in seeing the geeky videos. And I really hope you do a thorough break down of songs to hear the sounds separately and then putting them back together, I particularly find that very interesting each time you do that.
Cheers Leonardo , Its all happening right here !! V;-)
Thanks for another great video. Looking forward to more geeky stuff.
Mark Brinton hello to you matey!! Thank you and stay tuned !! V😎👍
One thing i can't stand now is some of my favorite tracks live like Shake the Disease,StrangeLove,A Question of Lust and But Not Tonight is striped down now with only Martin Gore only singing when they should play it live like it was recorded back in the day and when are they ever going to bring back People are People in there set list?
Agreed there David!! All those great songs have been scrapped from the live play lists !! It’s a shame !! V😎👍
Dave has said he wanted to do PAP this last tour but Martin hates the song and his lyrics in it so he vetoed using it.
@@davidw5515 i agree..but if that was the case then But Not Tonight would have been played lots more over the years as well.
Forced to Mode is another tribute band that uses a lot of the original sounds. They sound like DM did in the 80's and 90's. They are detail oriented.
Dennis Moran I’ve just checked them out and was amazed !! V😎👍
I love Forced to Mode! They may be a tribute band, but their so good at what they do.
It’s sad that they’re only playing in Germany.
@@TEDdotcom Thank God not only in Germany! I got to see them in my country (Hungary), so they tour in other countries as well. :)
@@TEDdotcom they played in Spain last saturday
@Alejandro Morales: I wish they could play here in San Francisco East Bay... 😞
Agree so much on the drumming. its too much, does not fit so many songs, and i'll assume many people will agree with me, one reason I fell in love with DM is that they weren't a typical rock band and that they didn't need a drummer.
I think Devotional Tour is the pinnacle of DM live sound. On singles tour they sounded good too, but it was the start of the decay.
Rockjesu I agree !! 😎👍V
I have seen them only three times...the Devotional Tour in Worcester MA, the Singles Tour in NYC and the Spirit Tour last year in Boston. I would agree that the sound was best on Devotional, but the entertainment value and performance just keep getting better. Just look at Martin, he has come out of his shell. And Dave just grows better with age, but his live vocals have definitely taken a hit. I still love them!
Brilliant video ! Loved this one
Thank you Adam!! V:-)
I personally think it's crazy to expect a band to make a song sound the exact same way it sounded 30 years ago.
think about how many more standard rock bands play their songs differently now than they did when they wrote them. guitar petals change, drum kits change, sometimes members change.
I like it when DM reinterprets their songs. I think it keeps the band members energized, otherwise why not just play the recorded version and lip synch, like a two hour top of the pops? haha
Love these videos Vaughn. You need a forum where we can all discuss stuff. UA-cam comment section doesn't really cut it.
Karl Hamilton hi matey !! I’m open to suggestions !! I was considering a Facebook page for the channel but was not sure . Let me know your thoughts bud!! Cheers, V😎👍
@@VaughnGeorge To be honest, Facebook is dying. I'd love to ditch it except I'm stuck with it as I use it for advertising for my business and club night etc. Something like Proboards would be good though. It's free, check it out!
@Vaughn George perhaps Reddit may work as a discussion platform
@@RyRoc Reddit is a mess, a proper forum would be brilliant I think.
@@VaughnGeorge Ah! Not Facebook! I'm interested in a forum but would probably still be more likely to post where the video resides (here on UA-cam).
Once again, great topic Vaughn and food for thought.
I agree, Depeche Modes live Sound has changed over the years but to be fair they’ve gone from four blokes with synths on beer crates to an Arena filling juggernaut with samplers, live drums, multi-tracks and computers.
However. You said something very interesting which i agree with wholeheartedly.
“Their attention to sounds”
I’m their development a big thing was made by the band to never use presets. Never use the same sound twice. Develop their own sounds (sample) - you’re so true - it has been a long time for me since they’ve had an album as sonically interesting as that period Black Celebration, Music for the Masses, Violator and Songs of Faith and Devotion
Why ?
Laziness ? Change of ideology ?
I don’t know the answer .....
However, last week I went to a talk / Q&A with Peter Hook (New Order) who was talking about Unknown Pleasures (and Closer) and he said they hated the mixes of those 2 albums at the time but concedes that Martin Hannett was right and the albums have gone on to be undisputed classics
His point was. It took them years to realise that there is a “studio sound” to a band and a “live sound” to a band ... so I guess the DM answer lies somewhere in between??
Mark Wibrow hi!! Some great insights and suggestion there matey!! Thank you so much !! V😎👍
You're sooooo right about the details...the sound....!!!!
I'm a musician, fell in love with DM in the eighties and never let down since. My ear has evolved with them as time went by. So I'm aware of what you talk about in your videos. And you are right about a lot of things, actually (Stripped, the tribute band, Enjoy the silence , Barrel and so on....). I do share your points of view. 😄😃
You talk about a strange fact, though : I wasn't aware so many songs were detuned on last tours.
Thank yooooooou !!!
Great job, dude!! Really. Go on!
Any video about the "recorded" parts Vs the "live" parts?
Philippe my friend!! Thank you for your kind words !! I am glad you found the channel !! V;-)
The pinnacle of their stage sound was World Violation for me. It seemed like the power of their innovation surged through us three nights in succession at the culmination of the tour. I have to concede that after that there was a residual diminishing of returns. I never had to contest my standing spot so vigorously from then on.
Thank You, I have the same thoughts about sounds of present days. Don't know why they don't use this iconic sounds on current shows. Maybe someone tells them that they fit better this days for younger fellows with new sounds arrangements, really don't know, but I miss this like You.
George as always a great pleasure to watch your videos, thanks :)
rui teixeira and such a pleasure to receive such kind feedback !! Thanks to YOU!! V😎👍
Sadly I stopped going to the concerts. My last one was Delta Machine and I wasn't going to go to that one either but my wife surprised me with tickets. The reason is because of their live sound and Dave doesn't sing all the words. They should put the Teac back in the middle of the stage and give Christian and Peter a break.
Agree with you matey!! V;-)
Also agree 100%
Sometimes I'm also not sure why Dave needs to protect his voice so much , sure voices change as one gets older but I've seen performers who were in their 70s or 80s who could still sing in the same key more or less . Maybe because Dave moves around so much compared to some other performers .
Shadowman820 that is a possibility!! Perhaps he should just move less and sing higher and better !! 😎👍😂😂V
@@VaughnGeorge Yes I mean for example this is how Shirley Bassey could sing in her late 70s . ua-cam.com/video/-orFtcORyuM/v-deo.html
I feel personally Dave has damaged his voice over the years because it for sure has steadily declined since exciter time period.
@@TimothySmiths yeah I think it's possible that his drug use did permanently damage his voice .
@@TimothySmiths Maybe. I think his technique just falls apart because he over tenses his vocal chords.
Just take this performance for example...
ua-cam.com/video/3Z16NtLS40w/v-deo.html
In the beginning, he's relaxed and sounds back in late 80s form, but once he starts belting out the main lyrics, his voice begins to fall back into his worn out throat voice. If he sung more from the chest, he'd sound a lot more like he used to, but he's still so used to the raspy hard voice he used during the Exciter and Angel Tours that he can no longer use.
Thank you for being so passionate. It is funny when you apologise each time you dare a critic. But the points you raised are key. On one side the group wants to do live drumming to please the audience with more show, on the other side the audience would prefer the iconic sounds of their songs... tricky compromise
Awesome video, keep going!
Glad to see Brian here too!!
Alex Ivanov cheers matey !!😎👍
Great vid Vaughn! 👍But you don’t have to keep apologising! We understand what you mean!😃😂😆
Andi thank you for your kind words and welcome to the channel!! V ;-)
What to expect when Mr Sound quited the band in 1995 :(
And boy does it show!
All hail Allah Wilder.
Great vid as usual 👌
Michael cavanagh thank you Sir!! V😎👍
Thanks for your impressive videos and the amount of work you put into it. I would love to know more about the technical stuff DM use on stage, past and present. Stage setup, use of programming like Ableton live, sound processing, samplers etc. That would be fantastic
Hi Daniel and thank you !! Check out my "Geek talk" series coming soon !! V;-)
I think the problem with Dave's voice lies in the fact that he can't put enough of his chest and sing "deeper" as he once could. If you watch their recent live shows, every time he has to hit higher he pulls up his face and sends his voice to the top of his throat, trapping it at the tip of his face, simply cause he can't mix his head voice with the chest one anymore.
Thus, he has to stick with his "bluesy" raspy manner which doesn't benefit too many of older Depeche songs (I totally with you here on the Barrel).
Great video once again :)
Kei hi!! A great explanation there and very interesting too!! Thank you !! V:-)
Totally Agree with you...
Great as usual! THANK YOU SO MUCH!
They’ve been my favorite band for so many years but I can’t afford to see them. I really want to before they stop playing!
Sean my friend , I sincerely hope you will be able to some day!! V;-)
@@VaughnGeorge thank you!!! random question- what's your favorite DM album?
mine's Playing the Angel, because all the songs are damn good including the B sides and I feel the album doesn't get that much recognition because it's not in their golden years.
Vaughn, these videos are friggim treasures man. I would've killed for you to have been making these around 2012-13 when I was attempting to replicate DM's sounds/techniques on my own. Please keep up the good work brother.
Some people are just awesome, so does Vaughn George!
Thank you Chan!! Welcome on board my friend !!VG :-)
@@VaughnGeorge I hope one day I can speak to you via whatsapp or live chat!
Like is not enough. Loved this. Along with all your stuff.
Thank you Michele and welcome to the channel ! VG :-)
Interesting aspect is the part and importance of backing tape/recording. The idea of backing tape was taken from The Original Futurist Band Human League. 1980 -- 1981 only drum machine parts came from tape. Then they started to add every kind other sounds to tape: bass, effects, several keyboard and backing vocal parts. More and more. I just checked a live from 1985 and then even Alan had not much to do onstage. He waved his hands like Fletch and most of time he just sang back vocals. The "live" performance was basically The Tape, Dave and some live instrumental parts. Ca 20 -- 50% was really live. And they did sometimes the quasy Neubauten "percussion" shows too. So it went on until Violator tour when Martin started to play guitar and they played more instruments altogether. During the "Devotional" tour Alan played both keyboards and drums and Martin more guitars. But still, a lot of stuff came from tape. 50 -- 75%.
And the another phase came when Christian was added as permanent live drummer in 1996. It changed a lot. Backing recording/file contains mostly bass, additional percussion, some synths now. Live element rose to ca 75 -- 90%. Its a big difference.
Disagree. Gordeno plays quite a loss less than what Alan used to play. It's his piano ad libbing that gives the impression he plays a lot
lol well Alan has the right sounds but frankly yeah if they wanted to use better sounds they could . The excellent Depeche Mode cover band "Forced to Mode" is much better with using the right sound . As for Gary Numan I suspect he's very much involved in the live arrangements of his songs so of coarse he would know what to use and pays attention to it .
Shadowman820 absolutely agree there my friend !! I’ve just checked out Forced to mode and it’s like WOW!!V😎👍
@@VaughnGeorge Yes they are IMO the best DM cover band , at least from the ones I know of .
I don't think you will ever read this comment, Vaughn, but I think you're really holding yourself back from saying that most songs are butchered by the live drumming. And that's fine. I "wash" my ears with the older performances whenever I hear one of the newer ones. I also want to thank you for your content. You're that friend that doesn't get tired of speaking about Depeche Mode. From one loyal fan to another, I am excited to hear your music. Thank you.
Hello my friend and thank you for your comment! Please check out my "Spirits Of The Forest Review" video and see how I do not hold back on my criticism . VG :-)
Hello there! I’ve been following you for a while! I think we share the passion for Depeche Mode, and despite sometimes I don’t agree with your points of view I respect them and totally get them. In this particular subject I am one of those that enjoys more Depeche Mode live performances than the original records, but that is because I am more inclined to the rocky sound than the more pure electronic one. I guess that many of those little changes in the iconic sounds are due to the band trying to update and refresh the sound to make it less 80’s and more current, and I think that is a legit attempt. Thanks for your videos and keep going!
Thank you for your support in the Channel Vinicio!! Much appreciated!! V:-)
Vaughn you’re spot on once again. Another great clinical analysis of the band we love so much. There was a former member of the band that was a sound designer as well as an accomplished musician. There are no current sound designers in DM anymore. Hear the difference?
You are so right in what you are saying mate!! Its almost just generic sounds these days !! V;-)
Random thoughts: Thank you, Vaughn. Sky cam is good. Your coffee/tea cup is empty. Totally agree about Dave's Vocal Budgeting. I thought I was the only one bothered by that. I miss Dave/Martin's mid-80-90s vocals. I want an Access Virus Ti2 (darkstar). Really looking forward to Global Spirit Tour official video .. when/if they release it. I still think their live performances are getting better even if their current renditions don't exactly match studio sounds. I love it when they do a 'special' remix of a classic for a live concert. Dave is older and maybe not as spry, but damn if he doesn't give it his absolute all at every concert. The ultimate front man. "We're not worthy" /Wayne's World. Looking forward to your next vid. Cheers! 👍🎶
Navarre hi!! I loved reading this collection of random thoughts!! And yes my coffee cup was empty!! I look forward to more comments from you in future!! Thank you matey!! V;-)
Again you have summed up exactly how I feel about DM live these days. Also thank you for explaining why tracks like Stripped do not feel as anthemic as before as a had commented on on one of your other videos. Looking forward to to your Geek series, In that series any chance you can cover some sound design tips to get a DM like sound. I know a lot of it is sample based but would like to try and create someDM influenced sounds with synths for the music I am creating.
Bryan Jackson hello matey !! Thank you for your interest in the channel!! That is a great topic suggestion for the “Geek Talk” series !! Keep watching !! V😎👍
@@VaughnGeorge Would you mind if I emailed you some links to my music. Purely doing it for some fun but would like your opinion on it as you seem to have very similar tastes to me.
Personally, I think the current drum rhythm for Barrel of a Gun suits quite well. But you are right about Dave's voice for that song.
The live drumming for all of the other songs you mentioned...I completely agree.
The live drumming for Violator tracks nowadays can be so frustrating that it even puts me off listening to the studio versions for a few days.
I would like to know if you have any qualms about the 2006 digital remastering of DM's albums. They have by no means been submerged in the loudness war, but even to my amateur ears I can hear a difference, particularly in the loudness of the bass line. Just vaguely off-putting, but this might just be a downward slope.
Gabby_ V hello to you again!! I’ve not particularly heard the 2007 masters but I will happily give it a listen !!V😎👍
Hi Vaughn, another hardcore fan here. I had a pretty much similar history with Depeche Mode as you (getting into music because of them), but a bit earlier. As a child in the 80s I listened to synth-pop (DM, OMD, China Crisis, Rational Youth etc.) and all my mates in school thought I was a weirdo (in my country the only accepted music genre was Heavy Metal or Hard Rock) and they didn't understand at all.
Luckily there were good records stores around so one was able to find this kind of music, although could not afford many vinyls with the weekly allowance. I remember always waiting for a new single from DM and it was a big thing for me to hear the song for the first time.
Anyway, as much as I love Depeche Mode, I never could not get past the fact that they used tape machine on their live performances as to my mind it was cheating and a cheap way to get around the problem of having only three players on the stage. So I got an after-school job in a supermarket and saved money for first a synth and then for a Yamaha QX7 (later exchanged that to a Roland MC-500 Mk2) and learned how to sequence Depeche Mode songs. Then later I formed a band with couple of my friends and played 15 years in weddings and other occasions (DM songs among others), using just the old 80s gear and floppy disks.
To me MIDI was not cheating, using backing tapes was :)
I totally agree with you !!
Even if I'm 24 I find there's something missing since Alan's departure. And yes ! this drum kit sound is so annoying for those like me who are drum-machines addict. Meanwhile on the last tour I've found very interresting the way they played Bowie's Heroes, Christian is behind controling a drum machine and then come back on the drum kit for the last minutes of the song. I think it will be nice if they keep that in mind for the future live setup.
Antoine Henn hello matey!! I’m always glad to hear the opinions of younger fans and it’s interesting to hear that the younger fans really have the same opinions as the older fans !! V😎👍
I’d argue being a conventional rock band now is more stuck in the past than what they were doing in the early 80s
chris schiefen that is well said mate !! V😎👍
Tuning down a half step is very common for most rock bands live, to make it easier for the vocalist to sing in a lower key, and maintain health with vocals over the course of the lengthy tour. Especially as the years roll on for the band. In some cases, the lower tuning adds a bit more deepness, eerieness to the song. I understand the reactions to the Live drummer, but Im a rock fan at heart and Love Depeche Mode's more rocked up live approach. Thanks for the video and this amazing channel.
You’re not wrong.
Great vid my friend!
Thank you again Oscar!! V;-)
I saw one of the last North American dates of the Spirit tour and I almost felt guilty that I didn’t love the show as I’m a huge fan. I was pretty close to the site of the stage and the drums were just sooo loud and drowned out so much of the music. Your explanations nail the exact reasons why it just wasn’t as amazing as when Alan was there.
Thank you Joanna!! I am glad you are enjoying the channel!! V:-)
Definetly agree with you George, Depeche mode with live drums just doesn't suit the band, specially when you have a guy that overplays everything ( eigner), that said, i would love to see Depeche with a drummer with a v kit on stage using the drums samples from the original songs
Right there Sebastian I am glad you agree !! V:-)
Mate! I love the sound in your Intro. Is it one you made yourself? Would love to hear the full version.
Avid vaughty.bandcamp.com/track/neon-views-2#f4.bcbits.com/img/a2933596749_10.jpg
There you go my friend !! VG 😎👍🎹
About the drums and the sound change, you are spot on! Seriously, even the cover band got it more right than DM now.
So, here are my two cents, which, as far as I'm aware, are like DM these days: long ass boring, without some vital ingredients, and with their best years behind them.
I have talked in my comments about when DM crossed the "stadium rock" threshold, around 1993. Yes, they first started playing arenas on Black Celebration Tour, then did some big-ass stadia in Music for the Masses and finally got sold out arenas everywhere at the Violator tour...and then they added guitars. I ain't talking about that small lick in Behind the Wheel, or the simple riffs on Enjoy and Jesus; I am talking about the fat, BIG guitars on SOFAD. That was the threshold: after that, they were registered into people's minds as a guitar band, so returning to the old 3-piece synth lineup just wouldn't do. Thus, they added guitars and a regular drummer and the rest is history really.
I was listening to Devotional yesterday, and by God, AW absolutely MURDERS the drums. I mean, he absolutely bangs on them, to the point where I was like "how the fuck they didn't break?"
For all it's worth, I asked my best friend who is a drummer and he liked Christian the best, but he also had praise for Alan: according to him, he was "solid but like a bank accountant" and then I thought he was talking about Fletch #joke.
Also, I have to ask you, as someone who has tried in DAW's to emulate the choir samples, is it actually a stock sample off EMAX II? People haven't got a hold of it yet, and it would be pretty weird if Depeche themselves haven't, as they should have all the samples, Alan-made or not.
I also find the transposing of some songs quite natural: like it or not, Dave and Mart are closing into their 7th decade, and it is showing naturally in their voices. As we say in greek "κανένας δεν μπορεί να νικήσει τον πανδαμάτορα χρόνο", to save you the translation, it means "no one can win against the all-conquering time". I ain't saying that in order to diminish their output or to say they should find some retirement homes to live in, but it is a sad truth.
However, I strongly disagree with your opinion on Stripped: Christian Eigner really bangs the drums in there, and it sort of "widens" the whole sound. The song is naturally electronic and robotic from the ground up; Eigner gives it a human touch that really balances things. I mean, even in pre-drum tours they did a "conga-pad" jam between the first chorus and second verse, perhaps for the same reason.
Black Celebration might actually be the one song I disagree with when it comes to live drumming: the drums on the studio track are sparse and few and far between, at least in the first couple of minutes. Playing them live simply makes them awkward and...it just shows how there were programmed drums on the studio album.
I also want to give my support again for the Geek Talk feature! I ain't a musician, but I like seeing this stuff and learning more and more, which you certaintly do.
ALSO, YOU WON'T DO A REVIEW ON THE DEMO TAPES? A TRAVESTY! A MONUMENT(see what I did there?)AL DISGRACE!
Not really though, I'm glad you didn't.
Great video once again, I am surely looking forward to seeing what you have next!
@Alfred Castañeda Sorry mate, but all my comments are on the same vein😂 I am writing them while watching the video itself, and thus I may start writing on one topic and Vaughn suddently jumps to another, leaving me to try and rush through it all. I know that simplicity's best(or maybe the easiest), but hey, everything counts in large amounts😂
This is the best video you’ve done so far, the geekier the better, Godspeed!
Cheers Shane !! You're going to love the GEEK TALK segment which I'm rolling out soon!! V:-)
Vaughn George Sounds great, I’d love to find out what programme Kerry Hopwood uses for their live playback. I know Christian uses Ableton for his drum processing, but not sure if that’s what they use for the ‘tracks’, but it is what a lot of bands use. I’m also intrigued by listening to their soundboard tracks (that you can find on UA-cam), how many tracks they use! Even Martins guitar parts are there, for songs like Personal Jesus, which makes me realise what Martin meant when he said to you: “We overdub everything live”! Even the synth guitars on Rush are all backing tracks! Yeah!
They sound more like a traditional rock band with synths. Gordeno and Eigner take away the depth of Alan's genius.
Very True Owen !! I agree !! VG :-)
Thanks for another great video Vaughn. I am a life long Depeche Mode fan and love these videos. Have you considered doing some New Order videos?
The motorbike sound is one of the old standard sounds from the EMU keyboard that DM used extensively in the mid eighties. Alan demonstrated this sample in the “Collected” introductory series of vids prior to the auction by Omega auctions a few years back.
I watched a documentary that said it was a sample of a Porche that Dave had hired at the time. Never knew it was a motorbike until today.
@@KarlHamilton It was only the ignition sound of Dave's Porsche. The motorbike sound, as M Hoppy put it right, was an EMU preset sound, which was a bit manipulated.
@@patee101 every day's a school day.
Totally agree with what you said about Barrel of a Gun. I was at a concert in 2017 and it sounded really off in my opinion. I loved all the other songs though. Also can't wait for your album reviews :)
skirmisher015 thanks my friend !! Keep watching !! 😎👍V
listening 2 this .....whilst im in my truck in the czech republic.....quality
ole ole ole ole ole wawaw cheers to you there my friend in the Czech Republic !! V😎👍
@@VaughnGeorge im a english truck driver ....deliverng in the czech republic...love dm.....but andy mccluskey blows dave gahan away ..... ur channel is class keep it up
@@enolagay9 aha!! Correction , you are a fellow Brit!! All the best to you there my good friend!! I am glad the channel is keeping you company out there on the open road!! Be safe out there bro and thank you as always for your kind messages!! I will catch up with you again soon on the next video!! V:-)
@@VaughnGeorge topman......
What some electronic bands do is they will have a live drummer but will also have electronic drum sounds on most all tracks so they just use live drums to supplement or enhance the electronic drums , not replace them . Sometimes this approach would suit some Depeche Mode Tracks live .
I love the Dave Gahan 'growl'!
Hit the nail on the head with your analogy of ETS live. Also in your previous video on the Gordeno piano in NLMD. Well done sir!👌🏽
Thank YOU Chris!! V;-)
My personal opinion i believe the only two DM tracks that should be played live with live drums is I Feel You and Personal Jesus that's it😉
I would like to see them ditch live drums period and bring back DM the SynthPop band 😎🎹
101 live DM
I had a qs6 loved it !
They are not bad synths. V;-)
Fully with you there.
Note about Devotional: on the Enjoy the Silence live version they put on the XLCD of In your Room Dave sang the first chorus. In the video he doesn't anymore.
On the detail of the songs i have a good example: STRIPPED! They just forgot the thunder sound in some very important places. And it actually completely threw me out of the song when I was on the concert in 2017. I was dancing, with closed eyes and singing... and then i waited for the great "reverse thunder sound" before the "let me hear you make decisions" part (where on the Deveotional show even the backing videos reacted to greatly to further extend the effect) and... they just left it out. Because for Gordeno and the others the song is not so by heart, they just replicated it somehow. And yes, the chorus sound of Enjoy the Silence doesn't fit anymore in recent tours. Alan did change sounds here and there, for example completely redid the absolutely genious bassline of World in my eyes in the Devotional tour.... but he did a equally great sounding one! And THATs the point, he cared about the sound.
As for cover bands... look for FORCED 2 MODE. They pay MUCH more attention to sound (not just Daves voice) than Depeche Mode.
Lofote thank you for a brilliant post !! Appreciate your input !! V 😎👍V
Great vid mate.. and you do sound crazy ...:) :) :)
Andrew Giddey my bro!! So good to see you are still following the channel!! At the end of the day, this is all YOUR fault !! You and your Casio keyboard set me on this path all those years back !! 😂😂😂
Much love to you my dear friend !! V😎👍
@@VaughnGeorge Been fun to watch the vids mate... Their fun, informative , well researched / you know your sh#@ and well told... Keep em coming! Howzit to the family!!!
Andrew Giddey family is good bro and how are your folks ?
@@VaughnGeorge The old timers are good mate... Still in good health and thats the most important thing!!! Hopefully we will all meet up again someday! What a party that would be.. Think the last time was at Ryans wedding:) That was a hoot...
@@andrewgiddey1619 a rendezvous is long over due bud!! Please send my love to your folks!! V:-) xx
Fun fact: Gary Numan wanted to sign Depeche Mode. But someone told him that they already were signed to another label, even though they weren't.
Hey...
Love your channel. Found it by a fluke....but what a great experience.
I was keen on your German influence show....but I missed De/vision despite I know they are late 80's early 90's....
Please do a show on De/vision and/or MESH....
Michael hi!! welcome to the channel!! I will discuss the those bands in future !! V;-)
The early years were their best ,live too..
Speaking of Gary Numan, watched that Android In La La Land documentary you mentioned a few videos ago. It was brilliant! Never really appreciated his body of work, always had him down as a two hit wonder with Are Friends Electric & Cars. But what a revelation! Hopefully going to see him in Dublin in September now, so cheers for that haha! His songwriting process was really interesting, the way he draws the melody out and makes the words physically fit, gonna try it myself!
Karl Hamilton glad I could introduce you to it !! Cheers V👍😎
Great vid Vaughn! How much do those synth/pianos cost that Gordeno uses on live Somebody etc? I'd love to have one as I find the most re-playable bits from the concerts to be Martin's piano Shake The Disease and others. If that one's really expensive, what keyboard synth would you recommend to a beginner on a budget only buying one item?! Thanks, - Rob.
Awesome 😀 Big Thanks 👍
Regarding Depeche using generic/naff sounds. I fear the sad fact is that they don't give a shit anymore, it's just a money making scheme for them now. They are just phoning it in at this stage. Harsh, but true :(
Karl Hamilton As long as they don't turn into what KISS has become: A bloated, lip syncing travesty all about spectacle.
@@michaelwilson2340 Kiss have always been shite tbh
@@KarlHamilton How dare you!😀
Totally agreed
Maybe they don't give a shit or maybe they really can't hear the difference who knows .
Walking In My Shoes sounded right only on Devotional Tour. And on Recoil - Strange Hour live in Budapest. Coincidence? This is a truly epic song, that the band cannot replicate live anymore. Just put on the Devotional version back to back with any version from the post-exciter DM live show
Biser Angelov agree with you on that matey !! V😎👍
VG: the transposition - are they just transposing the keyboards? Or did they relearn the parts?