List of Recoil sample sources by album/SubHuman
| Glossary Terms used in this article |
In audio production, sampling refers to the use of a portion (or sample) from a sound within another recording. During Alan Wilder's tenure with the group, Depeche Mode were among the most prolific acts to make use of sampling technology within a traditional pop music format. Following his departure from Depeche Mode in 1995, Wilder would continue to employ sampling as a means to enhance the atmosphere of his music through the Recoil project, including passages of contemporary music, film soundtracks, sample library audio, and samples from his past work with Depeche Mode. The analysis of these sample sources and how they are manipulated is a popular topic of discussion amongst fans of both groups.
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The sample is confirmed to have been used in the specified song by a past/present member of Depeche Mode, an individual involved in its production, or band archivist Daniel "BRAT" Barassi. | |||
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The sample is independently confirmed to have been used in the specified song. | |||
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The sample is likely to have been used in the specified song but has not yet been confirmed. | |||
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The sample is not yet confirmed to have been used in the specified song. | |||
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The sample is confirmed to not have been used in the specified song. | |||
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It is unclear if the sample was used in the specified song. | |||
Information
This page aims to document all verifiable sound sources utilised by Alan Wilder in the production of the 2007 Recoil album SubHuman.
Due to the manipulated nature of the samples described in this article, there is unavoidable potential for error or sample misattribution. To ensure accuracy, this article strives to use verified quotes from band members and recording personnel with citations wherever possible, audio examples, and independent research voluntarily contributed by Depeche Mode and Recoil fans across the world. This article serves to provide an interesting document on this topic in a tabular format that is organized, well-researched, and reasonably accurate. Please bear in mind that due to the limited number of relevant quotes for each sample from band members or associates involved in the production of the music described on this page, audio samples that lack official confirmation are not guaranteed to be accurate.
This article differentiates samples by their origin: Self-made samples, which describes any material originally recorded by Depeche Mode or Alan Wilder for the Recoil music project, and Sourced samples, which describe samples which were not originally recorded by either group. In addition to confirmed samples, this article also covers samples that are commonly misreported as having been used but have been directly refuted by a member or associate of Depeche Mode or Recoil.
As ever, if you notice an error, wish to contribute or request the removal of information contained within this article, please feel free to contact us.
SubHuman (2007)
"Allelujah"
| "Allelujah" - Recoil 2007 |
Self-made samples | |||
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| Sample | Notes | |||
| Double-tracked "splang" guitar chords | The double-tracked guitar chords originally recorded for use during the chorus sections of "In Your Room" are re-purposed for use throughout "Allelujah". Wilder describes the composition of this sound in a Q&A on Shunt, the official Recoil website: "Affectionately known (to me anyway) as 'Splang' rather than 'twoo, twaa and twee', the sound is derived from a guitar. Each chord was sampled individually and then double-tracked with a second but different guitar sound."[1]
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| Sample sources | ||||
| Sample | Source | Status | Notes | |
| Synth arpeggio and pad | Tangerine Dream - "Rubycon, Part One" - 1975 |
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"Allelujah" employs a manipulated sample of a synth arpeggio derived from Tangerine Dream's "Rubycon, Part One". | |
| Drum loop | Elbow - "Fugitive Motel" - 2003 |
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"5000 Years"
| 5000 Years - Recoil 2007
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| Sample sources | ||||
| Sample | Source | Status | Notes | |
| Arabic singing with orchestral instrumentation | Eric Martinez, Pascal Morel - Earth: Travels & Documentaries - "Mirage" - 1995 |
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A reversed section of audio featuring Arabic vocal stylings and orchestral instrumentation derived from "Mirage", a piece of production music featured on the 1995 Universal Production Music CD Earth: Travels & Documentaries, is utilised in the outro of "5000 Years (A Romanian Elegy For Strings)". | |
| Military marching, chanting | Jac Holzman - Authentic Sound Effects Volume 7 - "Precision Drill Team Sounds Off" - 1964 |
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A sample of military marching and chanting utilised mid-way through "5000 Years" is derived from "Precision Drill Team Sounds Off", a military field recording by Jac Holzman originally featured on the 1964 sound effect LP Authentic Sound Effects Volume 7. | |
| Military marching, chanting | Jac Holzman - Authentic Sound Effects Volume 7 - "Manual Of Arms" - 1964 |
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A sample of standard military manual of arms parade drill utilised in the outro of "5000 Years" is derived from "Manual Of Arms", a military field recording by Jac Holzman originally featured on the 1964 sound effect LP Authentic Sound Effects Volume 7.
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"The Killing Ground"
| "The Killing Ground" - Recoil 2007
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| Sample | Source | Status | Notes | |
| Clarinet melody | Juan Tizol, Joe Lippman, Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra - "Caravan" - 1937 |
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A descending clarinet harmony derived from Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra's 1937 recording of "Caravan" is utilised in the intro of "The Killing Ground". | |
| Harmonica and drum elements | Talk Talk - "The Rainbow" - 1988 |
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"99 To Life"
| - Recoil 2007
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| Sample | Source | Status | Notes | |
| N/A | Digital Intervention - "La Louve" - 2003 |
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B-sides, bonus tracks and remixes
5000 Years (A Romanian Elegy For Strings)
| 5000 Years (A Romanian Elegy For Strings) - Recoil 2010
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| Sample sources | ||||
| Sample | Source | Status | Notes | |
| Arabic singing with orchestral instrumentation | Eric Martinez, Pascal Morel - Earth: Travels & Documentaries - "Mirage" - 1995 |
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A reversed section of audio featuring Arabic vocal stylings and orchestral instrumentation derived from "Mirage", a piece of production music featured on the 1995 Universal Production Music CD Earth: Travels & Documentaries, is utilised in the outro of "5000 Years (A Romanian Elegy For Strings)".
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Notes
References
