He lectures at Johns Hopkins University now, I believe. Very lucky students to have someone who evidently had a tech research approach to sound creation from the outset.
Hahaha. Thats the first thing I thought right as he was talking about the beginnings or electronic rock. If you pause it when looking at Mike, its like being at a Kraftwerk concert.
I remember seeing Thomas Dolby as the support act to Depeche Mode at the Liverpool Empire Theatre in 1982. I had no idea who he was. The moment he played 'Wind Power', i was transfixed. Depeche Mode where fantastic. To this day, my love affair with synthesised music continues. Peaking at classic trance in the late 1990's. Even now i enjoy Progressive House/Trance.
I love how people were so respectful and humble back then pre 90's. No pumped up ego, no bragging, no "look at me, I'm sooo great!!" Just two great guys discussing a new technology and considering the audience that they are presenting it to. I don't care what anyone says, WE were such a better species back then. I miss what we used to be.
When people AREN'T humble, and won't take the time to explain things, then it's usually a sign that they're bullshitting, like a lot of these supposed 'DJ's' who jump around and fiddle with knobs at raves and rave-type concerts, they're usually just faking it all, or most of it, but people in the audience don't seem to know that -- or maybe they just don't care. Back in the 80's, no self-respecting musician would have done that. Well, there were the odd few (like Milli Vanilli), but they were 'caught' and paid the price of public humiliation. Nowadays, I doubt people would even balk at guys like that because people don't seem to know or care if a person is actually playing live and creating. Being a musician from way back when, I find this attitude really lame and pathetic. I think many people nowadays just want to get up in front of people and showoff without taking the time to get good at playing any kind of instrument. It's more like going to watch some kind of Karaoke.
I don't know what alternate universe you were in during the 80's, but I wish I had been there instead of the real one. Racism, Sexism, Bullying, hazing, mullets and meatheads were the norm in the 80's. Nothing but pumped up egos and bragging. These two synth guys were considered 'nerds' and were humble because any ego was beaten out of them by dudes drunk on Pabst Blue Ribbon, wearing porn-staches, smoking Marlboro Reds and driving Trans-Ams.
I had such a crush on Thomas Dolby when he first appeared on the scene around 1981. “Urges” is a fantastic single and his first two LPs are knockouts. I think “Airwaves” is one of the most beautiful songs of the past few decades. He still handsome, but here in his heyday he was a gorgeous hot science nerd.
This guy (TD) was my geek hero back in the day. Absolutely loved the golden age of wireless album (still do actually). I remember hearing Wind Power for the first time and had the same feeling I had when I first heard I feel love by Donna Summer. A glimpse into the future feeling. The other kids at school didn’t get it for some reason. He certainly knew his stuff and became one of those important guys in the background in the end. The 70’s-onwards had Eno. The 80’s-onwards had Dolby.
Not blinded in the slightest, one of the things I adore about Thomas is his ability to communicate at the level of the person he’s speaking with. Having also met him, I noticed it immediately-I’m a musician and singer but I have vascular damage and memory issues, and he communicated in a manner that made everything clear and straightforward. These days it’s rare that I am not forced to ask people to speak slower in an online meeting. Thomas is near perfect as humans go, in pretty much every respect. Seeing him in concert next week, can’t wait.
Thomas Dolby is amazing. I got to see him live a few years ago at a small theater here in Portland OR, and in the early days of the Internet, like late 1990s, he designed a General MIDI sound set that was amazing. And The Golden Age of Wireless is on my list of Top 10 albums. He’s so cool.
I’m jealous, I was a teenager and couldn’t get the money together to see him. I wanted to have breakfast with him, for maybe an additional 20 dollars he would do it too! Time goes by fast, that was 12 years ago. I’m still hoping to see him one day, I was able to see Joe Jackson this year in town and that was fantastic. I’d just love to see my other 80’s musician that I adore one of these days.
Wonderful to see you both in Ramsgate.. surprised I didn’t see you as I’ve been swimming there on Main Sands most days recently with the fine weather..
Roland MC4 Roland TR808 Casio VL Tone PPG Wave 2 MicroMoog Simmons SDSV Solina String ensemble Roland VP330 Note the strategically placed cameras so as not to reveal the manufacturer's name ... Product placement was a big NO NO at the BBC back then.
micromoog as usual is head-crushingly loud when he goes to play a bass riff on it. blows my mind that people think that thing doesn't have fat enough bass and they modify it
1:07 Ah, yes, the Casio PT-1 -- ADSR - Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release! -- Thomas Dolby Hyperactive and Flat Earth came 2 years later in 1984? Who is the guy looking like Mensch Machine?
Anyone familiar with propeller heads Reason? Its a program that has anything u will ever need to write electro music.. I am not a fan of Abbelton nor the midi sounds it has they sound cheap..thats more of a DJ program...Rebirth was the first program i used when it came out.. Reason 1.0 was when everything changed....
He lectures at Johns Hopkins University now, I believe. Very lucky students to have someone who evidently had a tech research approach to sound creation from the outset.
Mike Anderson looks like he's from Kraftwerk lol!
…and maybe he doesn’t know what ironic means!
Hahaha. Thats the first thing I thought right as he was talking about the beginnings or electronic rock. If you pause it when looking at Mike, its like being at a Kraftwerk concert.
We are the robots
I don't think it was an accident
Mike Androidson? 😁
I love how Thomas looks in this video. His outfit really makes him look like some sort of mad scientist showing off all of his futuristic gadgets.
Here he’s wearing half of Niles Crane’s wardrobe. Lol
That's what he basically was lol
yea his style is still fresh today
He looks like he commandeers a steam punk zeppelin.
maybe he should have made a song about a mad scientist
I remember seeing Thomas Dolby as the support act to Depeche Mode at the Liverpool Empire Theatre in 1982. I had no idea who he was. The moment he played 'Wind Power', i was transfixed. Depeche Mode where fantastic. To this day, my love affair with synthesised music continues. Peaking at classic trance in the late 1990's. Even now i enjoy Progressive House/Trance.
Wow Thomas and DM..
I love how people were so respectful and humble back then pre 90's. No pumped up ego, no bragging, no "look at me, I'm sooo great!!" Just two great guys discussing a new technology and considering the audience that they are presenting it to. I don't care what anyone says, WE were such a better species back then. I miss what we used to be.
There were these guys around all along. Only Thomas Dolby wasn't one of them. ;)
You're so ignorant it's almost funny
When people AREN'T humble, and won't take the time to explain things, then it's usually a sign that they're bullshitting, like a lot of these supposed 'DJ's' who jump around and fiddle with knobs at raves and rave-type concerts, they're usually just faking it all, or most of it, but people in the audience don't seem to know that -- or maybe they just don't care. Back in the 80's, no self-respecting musician would have done that. Well, there were the odd few (like Milli Vanilli), but they were 'caught' and paid the price of public humiliation. Nowadays, I doubt people would even balk at guys like that because people don't seem to know or care if a person is actually playing live and creating. Being a musician from way back when, I find this attitude really lame and pathetic. I think many people nowadays just want to get up in front of people and showoff without taking the time to get good at playing any kind of instrument. It's more like going to watch some kind of Karaoke.
I don't know what alternate universe you were in during the 80's, but I wish I had been there instead of the real one. Racism, Sexism, Bullying, hazing, mullets and meatheads were the norm in the 80's. Nothing but pumped up egos and bragging. These two synth guys were considered 'nerds' and were humble because any ego was beaten out of them by dudes drunk on Pabst Blue Ribbon, wearing porn-staches, smoking Marlboro Reds and driving Trans-Ams.
@@LAZ-org The world consisted of more than that. :)
Dolby’s got such a cool mad scientist vibe that has aged well. The fact that he’s technologically engaged makes a huge difference.
I dont dig his new toupee.
I had such a crush on Thomas Dolby when he first appeared on the scene around 1981. “Urges” is a fantastic single and his first two LPs are knockouts. I think “Airwaves” is one of the most beautiful songs of the past few decades. He still handsome, but here in his heyday he was a gorgeous hot science nerd.
Ha ha yes he has a something about him. Glad I wasn't the only one albeit more on the straight side of the spectrum 😊
Aaaaaayyy rolitranco e m4 r& c0
This guy (TD) was my geek hero back in the day. Absolutely loved the golden age of wireless album (still do actually). I remember hearing Wind Power for the first time and had the same feeling I had when I first heard I feel love by Donna Summer. A glimpse into the future feeling. The other kids at school didn’t get it for some reason.
He certainly knew his stuff and became one of those important guys in the background in the end. The 70’s-onwards had Eno. The 80’s-onwards had Dolby.
Golden Age of Wireless had some many great tracks. Influential album!
It's a beautiful album.
SCIENCE!
Well he blinded me with science towards the end 🤔🤣
Not blinded in the slightest, one of the things I adore about Thomas is his ability to communicate at the level of the person he’s speaking with. Having also met him, I noticed it immediately-I’m a musician and singer but I have vascular damage and memory issues, and he communicated in a manner that made everything clear and straightforward. These days it’s rare that I am not forced to ask people to speak slower in an online meeting. Thomas is near perfect as humans go, in pretty much every respect. Seeing him in concert next week, can’t wait.
I love how his sequencer demonstration continues in the background until the end of the clip
only nerds are not bothered with this
In 1982, this was very very modern 😮
Wow ! love that sequence Thomas is playing sounds lovely
That was awesome! Thank you for posting it.
Thomas dolby has the same PDNA as a mad professor 🙏
1:17 Da Da Da (The other German 'fook' tune)
Was gonna say same. As soon as I heard that preset…
Heard that exact keyboard, it would come with a cassette that would go in the black slot. Most of the cassettes were folk songs
Aha!
And my first electronic instrument even a kid could afford one. 😃
This is pure gold
thomas dolby, man that guy knows his stuff.
"this is an analog sequencer" turns to the most digital thing there, PPG wave 2.2 with it's microprocessor driven 8 bit wavetables.
and the usability of the sequencer was straight from hell
Thomas Dolby, The Godfather of Electronic Western Pop!
Thomas Dolby is amazing. I got to see him live a few years ago at a small theater here in Portland OR, and in the early days of the Internet, like late 1990s, he designed a General MIDI sound set that was amazing. And The Golden Age of Wireless is on my list of Top 10 albums. He’s so cool.
I’m jealous, I was a teenager and couldn’t get the money together to see him. I wanted to have breakfast with him, for maybe an additional 20 dollars he would do it too!
Time goes by fast, that was 12 years ago. I’m still hoping to see him one day, I was able to see Joe Jackson this year in town and that was fantastic. I’d just love to see my other 80’s musician that I adore one of these days.
I saw Thomas Dolby, presenting some internet tunes at NAB in Vegas in 1999. It was quite memorable.
Super sick Waldorf PPG Wave riff!
Great history. I started with synths back in 1978 with Yamaha CS10. Anyway thank's for the video😊
Consider buying a Yamaha Reface CS - you'll love it. ;)
Well I had it already, but then I purchased Yamaha CK60.
@@friedrichExplorer - I don't find that instrument anywhere, just CK61, which is a stage piano. Sure about the name?
I love how he explain in detail how midi works
‘ these things are very expensive’ …they are now that’s for sure 😂
if i watched this in the 80s id think this was pure sci fi, its remarkable what was existing back then, the complexity
Wonderful to see you both in Ramsgate.. surprised I didn’t see you as I’ve been swimming there on Main Sands most days recently with the fine weather..
Going to see Dolby on 02 Ritz Manchester in August.. Flat earth is still a stunning album
Tom's still the dude!
He's blinding me with science
Thomas Dolby, legend.
thanks for uploading this, really interesting
1:20 don't tease us with the intro of a Trio song
Casio yoyo
He's blinded me with science 😂😂😂
A relic from 1982
Thank you so much! That was brilliant.
Love that music he makes - arrr its too short
What song is he playing at 3:00?
Love the way that bass line works against that ostinato.
0:54 That´s such an unusual 808 beat 😵💫😋🫣 I just love that wonderful machine ❤️🧡💛🤍 #RolandTR808 🎉
@ 3:35. That computer terminal was replaced by MIDI a year later.
Head hair makes all the difference. If only hair tech could revive lost hairs, only makes me think we've come very short.
If only we could get past worrying about such things. As it is, Dolby just got a wig. He posted a video about it.
I recognize the beat at 1:19. It's the da da da song by Trio......
1:19 - As heard on 'Da Da Da' by Trio 😀
Brilliant upload
Great video.
an innovator and amazing musician
Please make the synthesiser a song that was being played a song
With all that stuff, the ARP String Ensemble (Solina) still finds its way into the group to do all that it does, which is strings, but the best !!
Now I see where Tony Law got his look from
Love it!
2:10 does anyone know if there is an actual track of this?
If it isn’t that’s a shame. It amazingly haunting.
Hope someone could tell us 🙏
I want to know how to program that 808 loop at 0:53
I used to have the 808 back then. It’s the shuffle preset which speeds up the tempo and then a slower 808 tempo beat.
The vocoder at the end of the video sounds like the Borg. 😂
That's the brief case of Saga 🙂
fantastic....!!!!!!
Kraftwerk, YMO / Ryuichi Sakamoto, Human League and then Thomas Dolby :)
Hi Thomas! I love you!
Thanks! 🎻✌️🙂😎
A shame they cropped the video.
I got hooked what synths could do back in 1980, but the damn things cost more than most cars.
I was born in 1982❤ 🎹🎼 Thomas Dolby is my father 😂
Do you have a list of the devices presented here ?
Roland MC4
Roland TR808
Casio VL Tone
PPG Wave 2
MicroMoog
Simmons SDSV
Solina String ensemble
Roland VP330
Note the strategically placed cameras so as not to reveal the manufacturer's name ... Product placement was a big NO NO at the BBC back then.
1:18 - that drum loops been sampled for a fairly well known song, anyone know what it was?
Dadada by Trio
Almost like anything Mr. Dolby does.
He blinded me with Science 😮
Science!!!
Yes but where’s Miss Sakamoto?
Oh really? I found it pretty well accessable.
2:23 What a beast
Correction. Its demo tune is the Spanish national anthem. (I think)
That bah bah bah beat from the £30 synth
Daa Daa Daa 😅
They could have made that 808 drum machine SING, missed opportunity haha
Missed opportunity yes. 808 is legendary.
Thomas & Ralf.
micromoog as usual is head-crushingly loud when he goes to play a bass riff on it. blows my mind that people think that thing doesn't have fat enough bass and they modify it
Ultravox 77 era 👍😎🫖
whats that preset
which one?
never heard an 808 called a drum computer before.
The end bit: Pink Floyd - Sheep
"He converteth me to lamb cutlets"
Europa and the pirate twins..
Analog synths gave the 80s sound.
The Multimoog fatness is still amazing
He’s blinding us with science
Radio Cristal tune at 7am 😅
Anyone else think that was Niles Crane in the thumbnail?
1:07 Ah, yes, the Casio PT-1 -- ADSR - Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release! -- Thomas Dolby Hyperactive and Flat Earth came 2 years later in 1984? Who is the guy looking like Mensch Machine?
Look man, you can just dump it on to TAPE!
The Casio is from Trios DaDaDa…
Genau!
A German ‘what’ tune?
life after Foreigners 4 album
👍👍🎶✌️🙏☯️
Da Daa Da Da
Sorry but has Hawkwind been totally ignored ?
Does it have a burglar alarm though?
The more futuristic it appears at the time, the more hoplessly dated it seems year later
"The Flat Earth" Album is a masterpiece for me. I imagine it was written whilst surrounded by gadgets like these.
Blimey a Casio VL Tone. Da da da
i cant see it catching on
1:29 I think you've angered him...
2:24 invents trap
lol. 1:11 man in 1982 you could buy a Yamaha cs-01.
Pre-MIDI MIDI
Anyone familiar with propeller heads Reason? Its a program that has anything u will ever need to write electro music.. I am not a fan of Abbelton nor the midi sounds it has they sound cheap..thats more of a DJ program...Rebirth was the first program i used when it came out.. Reason 1.0 was when everything changed....
He's British?!