List of Depeche Mode sample sources by album/Construction Time Again

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. As pioneers of the electronic music genre, Depeche Mode were among the most prolific acts to make use of sampling technology within a traditional pop music format. Among the many original samples recorded and utilized by Depeche Mode to enhance the atmosphere of their musical output are many that originated elsewhere, including brief passages of musical recordings by other artists, snippets of audio from television shows, radio broadcasts, films, environmental sounds, and more. Analysis of these sample sources and how they are manipulated is a popular topic of discussion amongst fans of the group.

Key
Official	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.
Confirmed	The sample is independently confirmed to have been used in the specified song.
Likely	The sample is likely to have been used in the specified song but has not yet been confirmed.
Unconfirmed	The sample is not yet confirmed to have been used in the specified song.
Disproven	The sample is confirmed to not have been used in the specified song.
Unknown	It is unclear if the sample was used in the specified song.

Information

This page aims to document all verifiable sound sources for many of the musical parts used by Depeche Mode in the production of their 1983 album Construction Time Again.

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 worldwide. This article provides 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 producing the music described on this page, audio samples that lack official confirmation are not guaranteed to be accurate.

This article differentiates samples by origin: Self-made samples, which describe any material initially recorded by Depeche Mode or Recoil, and Sourced samples, which describe samples not initially recorded by either group. In addition to confirmed samples, this article also covers samples commonly misreported as having been used but directly refuted by a member or associate of Depeche Mode or Recoil.

If you notice an error or wish to contribute or request the removal of information contained within this article, please feel free to contact us.

Construction Time Again (1983)

1. "Love, In Itself"

"Love, In Itself" Depeche Mode 1983
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Synthesized choir pad	Synclavier II Timbre Directory Diskette #3 - 2338 Voices #1	Confirmed	The synthesized solo choir sound audible throughout "Love, In Itself" is derived from the "Voices #1" timbre of Synclavier II timbre directory diskette #3.	Click to display/hide audio example Note: In this example, a section of the outro as heard in the center channel of the 2006 5.1 reissue containing the relevant synth choir sound is compared to the source sound as produced by the Arturia Synclavier V, a Synclavier VST emulation (timbre "2338 Voices 1" courtesy of Synclavier co-inventor Cameron Jones via "Timbre Share" Facebook group).
	Chorus kalimba arpeggio	Synclavier II Timbre Directory Diskette #1 - 2136 Calimba #2	Confirmed	The percussive kalimba-like arpeggio heard during the chorus sections of "Love, In Itself" is derived from the "Calimba #2" timbre of Synclavier II timbre directory diskette #1. Notably, this sound is also utilised throughout "It Doesn't Matter" and the middle eight section of "If You Want".	Click to display/hide audio example Note: In this example, a section of the third chorus as heard in the rear right channel of the 2006 5.1 reissue containing the relevant synth line is compared to the source sound as produced by the Arturia Synclavier V, a Synclavier VST emulation (timbre "2136 CALIMBA 2" courtesy of Synclavier co-inventor Cameron Jones via "Timbre Share" Facebook group).
	Synth pad	Synclavier II Timbre Directory Diskette #3 - 2382 String Section	Confirmed	A synth pad sound derived from the "String Section" timbre of Synclavier II timbre directory diskette #3 is utilised throughout the verse sections of "Love, In Itself", heard most prominently during the third verse.	Click to display/hide audio example Note: In this example, a section of the third verse as heard in the rear right channel of the 2006 5.1 reissue containing the relevant synth line is compared to the source sound as produced by the Arturia Synclavier V, a Synclavier VST emulation (timbre "2382 STRING SECTION" courtesy of Synclavier co-inventor Cameron Jones via "Timbre Share" Facebook group).

2. "More Than A Party"

"More Than A Party" is not yet known to contain samples from any identifiable sources.

3. "Pipeline"

"Pipeline" is not yet known to contain samples from any identifiable sources.

4. "Everything Counts"

"Everything Counts" Depeche Mode 1983
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Synthesizer elements	Yamaha Corporation - Yamaha DX7 factory ROM #2 Bank B: "SYN-LEAD 2"	Confirmed	The keyboard riff played throughout the chorus and outro sections of "Everything Counts" is played using an edit of Yamaha DX7 factory ROM #2 Bank B: "SYN-LEAD 2".	✖
	Synthesizer elements	Yamaha Corporation - Yamaha DX7 factory ROM #4 Bank A: "OBOE"	Confirmed	The Music For The Masses tour arrangement of "Everything Counts" employs an oboe-like sample derived from the Yamaha DX7 factory ROM #4 program "OBOE". The sample is layered with a separate sample for sporadic use as an oscillating two note swell occurring once per bar throughout the song.	✖
	Synthesizer elements	Yamaha Corporation - Yamaha DX7 factory ROM #1 Bank A: "STRINGS 1"	Confirmed	A brassy synthesized strings pad heard sporadically during the verse sections of "Everything Counts" is played using an edit of Yamaha DX7 factory ROM #1 Bank A: "STRINGS 1".	✖
	Drum elements	E-mu Systems - E-mu Drumulator - 1983	Confirmed	A series of drum elements derived from the E-mu Drumulator programmable drum machine are utilised throughout "Everything Counts".	✖

5. "Two Minute Warning"

"More Than A Party" is not yet known to contain samples from any identifiable sources.

6. "Shame"

"Shame" is not yet known to contain samples from any identifiable sources.

7. "The Landscape Is Changing"

"The Landscape Is Changing" Depeche Mode 1983
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Synthesizer elements	Synclavier II Timbre Directory Diskette #1 - 2148 ELEC.DULCIMER 2	Confirmed	The sitar-like melody audible throughout the verse sections of "The Landscape Is Changing" is derived from an edit of "2148 - ELEC.DULCIMER 2", a dulcimer-like timbre featured on Synclavier II timbre directory diskette #1. Similarly, an edit of the "ELEC.DULCIMER 2" timbre would see later use during the verse sections of "Behind The Wheel".	✖
	Synthesizer elements	Synclavier II Timbre Directory Diskette #1 - 2136 CALIMBA 2	Confirmed	A melody audible in the intro and outro sections of "The Landscape Is Changing" is partly derived from "2136 - CALIMBA 2", a timbre featured on Synclavier II timbre directory diskette #1.	✖
	Synthesizer elements	Synclavier II Timbre Directory Diskette #3 - 2361 Voices 2	Confirmed	A choir pad heard most prominently in the outro section of "The Landscape Is Changing" is derived from "2361 Voices 2", a timbre featured on Synclavier II timbre directory diskette #3.	✖
	Drum elements	E-mu Systems - E-mu Drumulator - 1983	Confirmed	A series of bass drum, snare drum, and hi-hat samples derived from the E-mu Drumulator programmable drum machine are utilised throughout "The Landscape Is Changing".	✖
	Spoken word in German	Einstürzende Neubauten - "Merle (Die Elektrik)" - 1983	Unknown		✖

8. "Told You So"

"Told You So" Depeche Mode 1983
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Middle eight organ	E-MU Emulator I factory library disk #28 Prod Set - "Pipe Organ (L) (04-005-102M1) - Pipe Organ (U) (04-005-101M1)"	Confirmed	The middle eight section of "Told You So" employs a pipe organ instrument derived from Emulator I factory library disk #28 "Pipe Organ - Pipe Organ".	Click to display/hide audio example Note: In this example, Emulator I factory disk $28 "Pipe Organ - Pipe Organ" is compared to the middle eight section of "Told You So" as heard in the center channel of the 2006 Construction Time Again 5.1 reissue.

9. "And Then"

"And Then" is not yet known to contain samples from any identifiable sources.

B-sides, bonus tracks and remixes

"Work Hard"

"Work Hard" Depeche Mode 1983
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Synthesizer elements	Synclavier II Timbre Directory Diskette #1 - 2311 CAR HORN	Confirmed	The horn sound effect audible throughout "Work Hard" is derived from Synclavier II timbre directory diskette #3 "2311 CAR HORN".	✖
	Synthesizer elements	Synclavier II Timbre Directory Diskette #1 - 2164 Heavy Keyboard	Confirmed	A melody played sporadically throughout "Work Hard" is played using Synclavier II timbre directory diskette #1 "2164 Heavy Keyboard" layered with a tubular bell-like sound derived from Yamaha DX7 factory ROM #1 Bank A: "TUB BELLS".	✖
	Synthesizer elements	Yamaha Corporation - Yamaha DX7 factory ROM #1 Bank A: "TUB BELLS"	Confirmed	A melody played sporadically throughout "Work Hard" is played using Synclavier II timbre directory diskette #1 "2164 Heavy Keyboard" layered with a tubular bell-like sound derived from Yamaha DX7 factory ROM #1 Bank A: "TUB BELLS".	✖
	Drum elements	E-mu Systems - E-mu Drumulator - 1983	Confirmed	A series of drum elements derived from the E-mu Drumulator programmable drum machine are utilised throughout "Work Hard".	✖

"Fools"

"Fools" is not yet known to contain samples from any identifiable sources.