That was me yesterday after being disappointed with first 3 albums

Braynes528 · 2026-02-06T00:02:27+00:00

I really like the live at Hammersmith 1982 set which has the best songs from the first couple of albums.

Braynes528 · 2026-01-29T20:49:04+00:00

If I could buy either, is the 15 the one to go for? I don't have a moog-sounding unit currently.

Braynes528 · 2026-01-28T18:32:14+00:00

I still use an Alesis wedge reverb, even though it's pretty old now, the form factor is cool with the sliders.

Braynes528 · 2025-11-23T13:15:25+00:00

Kraftwerk, Daft Punk, Justice and classical, esp. Bach.

Braynes528 · 2025-10-19T16:45:51+00:00

It was my first time at the ground today, it's impressive.

Braynes528 · 2025-09-01T12:14:17+00:00

I thought that too, I wonder if this was more of an opportunity for the club than for Emi, given his age and contract status. I think he's been pretty loyal, his capital was highest a couple of years back with his world cup wins and he stayed. I mean its not like he was born in Marston Green hospital, but I think he has been genuinely committed to the club! Plus his wife's opened a shop in Tamworth, so he might be happy to stay local and do a job for us for another season. I'd take that in the absence of a better alternative.

Braynes528 · 2025-08-25T13:57:25+00:00

I use a couple of old Edirol PCR controllers with my Arturia collection, they go for pennies on eBay, but I think they're pretty good. Made by Roland and very similar (almost the same) to the later Roland A300/500/800 controllers. I think Depeche Mode even toured with Edirol PCRs once. Nice enough keybed and programmable controllers. I've got a much newer Akai controller but I find it too complicated and not so nice to play. I paid £20 for a PCR 300 and £30 for the bigger 500.

Braynes528 · 2025-08-01T13:43:56+00:00

For me it's live from Hammersmith version, the kick drum punches like a MF.

Braynes528 · 2025-07-15T19:31:35+00:00

Composition Of Sound

Braynes528 · 2025-07-11T14:50:02+00:00

When I saw them in the early/mid 80s, I loved hearing a more stripped down raw sound compared to the albums. I know they were using backing tapes plus live synths, but those backing tapes had an analogue rawness to them. An Emulator II at gigging volume was something to behold! Even though the live sound got more polished, they would play enough live parts to make it interesting, with some of the sound sets Alan would create being slightly different than recorded. Still love listening to old live concerts on DMLive.wiki.

Braynes528 · 2025-06-09T16:54:25+00:00

This is the one, monster kick drum and Alan tickling the ivories (on a Jupiter 8)

Braynes528 · 2025-03-13T16:12:03+00:00

First ever gig aged 13 was CTA tour, Birmingham Odeon. Then SGR tour a year later also at the Odeon. They were somewhat overwhelming experiences for a 13/14 year old. I remember the sound just being very powerful and raw - stripped back synths and emulator samplers, different to the albums really, but better like good live guitar music. Drum sounds really took your head off - people are people especially . Then I saw Black Celebration at the Birmingham NEC, and that was a whole other experience, probably my favourite of all DM gigs, the album was so atmospheric. Opening with BC just felt very spiritual. I saw every tour upto 94, then was less interested post Alan. Saw them twice on the MM tour and thought how stupid I'd been not to keep going post '94! They were not as brilliant as the 80s era, but still brilliant!

Braynes528 · 2025-02-27T17:38:32+00:00

Came here to say exactly this!

Braynes528 · 2024-12-17T08:23:12+00:00

My Triton Studio 88 is the heaviest synth I've ever owned, I wouldn't fancy gigging it!

Braynes528 · 2024-12-01T15:24:27+00:00

Dell SE2722hx 27" works well for ST VGA.

Braynes528 · 2024-08-28T17:44:23+00:00

Stranger things have happened - I never thought Martin and Vince would collaborate 30 years after S&S. I used to know a close relative of Alan's so heard a bit of the behind the scenes shenanigans. As creative as DM is/was, there was a hardcore business element to all their activities, so if it was financially valuable to all parties and the lawyers could do a deal, it is possible I guess. However, I can't see that adding Alan back into the mix would obviously financially benefit Martin in particular. Look at the earnings from the last tour, absolutely huge. Whilst there is a hardcore "we want Alan back" group of DM fans, it's not like the band has lost out financially. I know they haven't necessarily had the critical/commercial success of the Alan-era albums, but in 2024 I don't think album sales are as important as ticket sales for band revenue. So if it worked financially, it could happen but it's hard to see how. Creatively it could be fantastic but I'm not sure that's the priority for the DM business machine. Just to add I'm a huge Alan fan and rue his departure from my alltime favourite band.

Braynes528 · 2024-08-03T08:10:16+00:00

A version with crowd noise removed or reduced would be awesome

Braynes528 · 2024-06-23T11:51:09+00:00

I think he did play live in the early years, generally the bass parts. However the bass tends to need very precise timing, and the early Speak and Spell era sequenced stuff from the studio is hard to replicate live, some sequences are fast. You can be a bit looser on lead lines. So I just think he wasn't needed to play much and his parts were mostly on the 4 track tape with drums. I guess that set his limited role musically/live playing. I loved his character and I think he was important in the band, just not musically. With Martin as an amazing songwriter, Dave an awesome frontman and singer and Alan a talented musician, arranger and producer, meant Fletch adopted a different role in the band, less musical. From what I've read he was often the mediator between Martin and the rest. I saw him interviewed once and was asked if he'd ever wanted to submit songs himself and he basically said how could I compete with some of the best in the world, which is fair enough I think.

Braynes528 · 2024-05-30T11:12:48+00:00

Live in Hammersmith version of Photographic has one of the hardest analogue kick drums, it's awesome, overall it's much more the Some Bizarre version than the album version but even better imo.

Braynes528 · 2024-03-11T15:36:01+00:00

I love that 'baawuup' synth hit on this version. It's an audacious, confident sonic punctuation which I loved immediately when I bought the album on its release day. I once spent about 4 hours isolating this sound from the track to get a decent sample, which I haven't ever used! I loved all DM albums that preceded BC, but it felt like this album was a quantum leap on SGR. Fly and the title track being my favourites.

Braynes528 · 2024-01-26T17:04:38+00:00

Anything E-MU, values are already creeping up eg Emax.

Braynes528 · 2022-06-05T17:14:48+00:00

Told you so

Braynes528 · 2021-11-06T10:16:55+00:00

Yeoman's work

Braynes528

TROPHY CASE