List of Depeche Mode sample sources by album/The Singles 81→85

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 1985 greatest hits album The Singles 81→85.

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.

The Singles 81→85 (1985)

1. "Dreaming Of Me"

"Dreaming Of Me" is not yet known to contain samples from any identifiable sources.

2. "New Life"

"New Life" Depeche Mode 1981
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Drum elements, snare drum	Korg - Korg Rhythm 55 (KR-55) - 1979	Confirmed	A snare drum sound audible throughout "New Life" is derived from the Korg KR-55 drum machine.	✖

3. "Just Can't Get Enough"

"Just Can't Get Enough" Depeche Mode 1981
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Drum elements, snare drum	Korg - Korg Rhythm 55 (KR-55) - 1979	Confirmed	A snare drum sound audible throughout "Just Can't Get Enough" is derived from the Korg KR-55 drum machine.	✖

4. "See You"

"See You" Depeche Mode 1982
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Synthesizer, choir elements	Palm Products GmbH - PPG Wave 2 - Wavetable "019 ElectricP" - 1981	Confirmed	A synthesized choir sound audible throughout "See You" is partly based on an edit to the PPG Wave 2 wavetable "019 ElectricP".	✖
	Synthesizer, bell elements	Palm Products GmbH - PPG Wave 2 - Wavetable "030 Upper Wavetable" - 1981	Likely	A synthesized bell sound audible throughout "See You" is likely partly based on an edit to the PPG Wave 2 wavetable "030 Upper Wavetable".	✖
	Synthesizer, harpsichord elements	Palm Products GmbH - PPG Wave 2 - Wavetable "013 Clipper" - 1981	Likely	A synthesized harpsichord sound audible throughout "See You" is likely based on an edit to the PPG Wave 2 wavetable "013 Clipper".	✖
	Drum elements, snare drum	Korg - Korg Rhythm 55 (KR-55) - 1979	Confirmed	A series of drum elements audible throughout "See You" are derived from the Korg KR-55 drum machine.	✖

5. "Leave In Silence"

"Leave In Silence" Depeche Mode 1982
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Drum elements, bass drum, snare drum	Simmons - SDSV Drum Synthesizer - 1981	Confirmed	A series of drum elements derived from the Simmons SDSV drum synthesizer are utilised throughout "Leave In Silence".	✖

6. "Get The Balance Right"

"Get The Balance Right" is not yet known to contain samples from any identifiable sources.

7. "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".	✖

8. "Love, In Itself"

"Love, In Itself" Depeche Mode 1983
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Synthesizer, bell elements	Synclavier II System Disk Timbres - 1212 Church Bell	Confirmed	The synthesized solo choir sound most clearly heard in the intro of "Love, In Itself" is derived from an edit of the Synclavier II system disk timbre "Church Bell".	✖
	Synthesizer, choir elements	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).
	Synthesizer, kalimba elements	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).
	Synthesizer elements	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).
	Synthesizer elements	Synclavier II System Disk Timbres - 1257 NICE VIBES 3V	Confirmed	A vibraphone sound utilised throughout the chorus sections of "Love, In Itself" is derived from an edit of the Synclavier II system disk timbre "NICE VIBES 3V".	✖
	Drum elements, bass drum, snare drum, hi tom, mid tom, lo tom, open hi-hat, closed hi-hat	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 "Love, In Itself".	✖

9. "People Are People"

"People Are People" Depeche Mode 1984
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Synthesizer elements	Yamaha DX7 factory ROM #1 Bank A: "TUB BELLS"	Confirmed	A synthesizer element used sporadically throughout "People Are People" is derived from the Yamaha DX7 factory ROM #1 Bank A program "TUB BELLS".	✖

10. "Master And Servant"

"Master And Servant" Depeche Mode 1984	Self-made samples
	Sample	Notes			Audio
	Middle eight melody	In May 2020, fan "DMK" kindly provided DM Live Wiki with documentation for a series of Emulator II floppy disks that accompanied a collection of restored studio equipment used by Music For The Masses producer Dave Bascombe during the production of music albums for artists other than Depeche Mode in the mid to late eighties. One floppy disk, labeled "Glass (10)", features an untitled preset ("NULL PRESET"), which contains a bell-like sample. This bell element is used to play a G♯ octave, which is subsequently sampled and layered with a manipulated piano sound to form the melody played on every second bar during the middle eight of "Master And Servant" as it was performed on the Music For The Masses and World Violation tours. Notably, this sound is also used as a melodic accent throughout the Music For The Masses tour arrangement of "Just Can't Get Enough".			✖
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Middle eight melody	Yamaha DX7 factory ROM #1 Bank B: "TOY PIANO"	Confirmed	A metallic bell-like melody performed during the middle eight section of "Master And Servant" as it was performed on the Music For The Masses tour is derived from the Yamaha DX7 factory ROM #1 program "TOY PIANO".	✖

11. "Blasphemous Rumours"

"Blasphemous Rumours" Depeche Mode 1985	Self-made samples
	Sample	Notes			Audio
	Verse snare	The snare heard during the verse sections of "Blasphemous Rumours" was produced by recording the sound of a hammer smashing against a concrete floor. Alan Wilder states in the November 1984 issue of International Musician and Recording World: We sampled some concrete being hit for what turned out to be the snare sound. All that entailed was us hitting a big lump of concrete with a sampling hammer. The engineer / producer we use, Gareth Jones, has got this brilliant little recorder called a Stellavox which we use with two stereo mikes and it's as good as any standard 30ips reel-to-reel but this is very small and therefore very portable. So we just took the Stellavox out into the middle of this big, ambient space and miked up the ground and hit it with a big metal hammer. The sound was... like concrete being hit. I can't really put it any other way.			✖
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Synthesizer, oboe elements	Synclavier II Timbre Directory Diskette #2 - 2263 Oboe Source	Confirmed	The atmospheric oboe melody heard throughout "Blasphemous Rumours" is derived from the "Oboe Source" timbre of Synclavier II timbre directory diskette #2. Wilder comments on the composition of this sound in the Shunt "The Singles 81-85" editorial: Musically too, [Blasphemous Rumours] stood out from the crowd and once again proved that only a group like [Depeche Mode] (with a track whose opening bars featured the unlikely combination of a backwards oboe against a hammer crashing onto concrete) could subvert the pop charts and still have a hit record on their hands.	✖
	Synthesizer, music box elements	Synclavier II Timbre Directory Diskette #3 - 2383 Music Box	Confirmed	A music box melody audible during the first of two middle eight sections of "Blasphemous Rumours" is partly comprised of the "Music Box" timbre of Synclavier II timbre directory diskette #3.	✖
	Synthesizer elements	Yamaha DX7 factory ROM #1 Bank B: "TOY PIANO"	Confirmed	A metallic, bell-like sound derived from the Yamaha DX7 factory ROM #1 program "TOY PIANO" is used to perform a melody during the first middle eight section of "Blasphemous Rumours" as it was performed on the Music For The Masses tour.	✖
	Synthesizer elements	Yamaha DX7 factory ROM #2 Bank A: "SAX BC"	Confirmed	The metallic saxophone-like synth melody following the first and second chorus sections of "Blasphemous Rumours" as it was performed on the Music For The Masses tour is comprised of a sample derived from the Yamaha DX7 factory ROM #2 program "SAX BC".	✖
	Synthesizer elements	Yamaha DX7 factory ROM #2 Bank A: "LOG DRUM"	Confirmed	A synthesizer element audible throughout "Blasphemous Rumours" is derived from the Yamaha DX7 factory ROM #2 Bank A program "LOG DRUM".	✖
	Drum elements, hi-hats	Roland Corporation - Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer - 1980	Confirmed	A series of hi-hat drum elements audible during the chorus and outro sections of "Blasphemous Rumours" are derived from the Roland TR-808 drum machine.	✖

12. "Shake The Disease"

"Shake The Disease" - Depeche Mode 1985	Sample overview
	Click to display/hide audio
	Self-made samples
	Sample	Notes			Audio
	Synthesizer, organ elements	A processed organ sound based on a custom Synclavier II timbre is combined with another musical element to form the melodic hook audible throughout "Shake The Disease".			Click to display/hide audio example Note: The above audio example features a customized edit to Partial 1 of Synclavier II System Disk timbre "1213 ORGAN" produced in Arturia Synclavier V. The timbre is designed to closely mimic the harmonics of the audio signal of the organ timbre as heard throughout "Shake The Disease".
	Synthesizer, bass elements	A processed sound based on a custom Synclavier II timbre is combined with other musical elements to form the bassline audible throughout "Shake The Disease".			Click to display/hide audio example Note: The above audio example features a custom Synclavier II timbre using two Partials produced in Arturia Synclavier V. The timbre is designed to closely mimic the harmonics of the audio signal of the timbre as heard throughout "Shake The Disease".
	Synthesizer, bass elements	A synthesized bass sound based on a custom Synclavier II timbre is performed with other musical elements to form the bassline audible throughout "Shake The Disease".			Click to display/hide audio example Note: The above audio example features a custom Synclavier II timbre produced in Arturia Synclavier V. The timbre is designed to closely mimic the harmonics of the audio signal of the relevant sound as heard throughout "Shake The Disease".
	Synthesizer, bass elements	A synthesized bass sound based on a custom Synclavier II timbre is performed with other musical elements to form the bass sound audible sporadically throughout "Shake The Disease".			Click to display/hide audio example Note: The above audio example features a custom Synclavier II timbre produced in Arturia Synclavier V. The timbre is designed to closely mimic the harmonics of the audio signal of the relevant sound as heard sporadically throughout "Shake The Disease".
	Synthesizer, organ elements	A processed synthesized sound based on a custom Synclavier II timbre is audible during the chorus and outro sections of "Shake The Disease".			Click to display/hide audio example Note: The above audio example features a custom Synclavier II timbre produced in Arturia Synclavier V. The timbre is designed to closely mimic the harmonics of the audio signal of the relevant sound as heard during the chorus and outro sections of "Shake The Disease".
	Synthesizer elements	A synthesized sound based on a custom Synclavier II timbre designed for use during the verse sections of "Everything Counts" is layered with a separate musical element to form the melody performed throughout the verse sections of "Shake The Disease".			Click to display/hide audio example Note: The above audio example features a custom Synclavier II timbre produced in Arturia Synclavier V. The timbre is designed to closely mimic the harmonics of the audio signal of the relevant sound as heard during the verse sections of "Shake The Disease".
	Synthesizer elements	A synthesized sound based on a custom Synclavier II timbre is combined with multiple other musical elements to perform a melody audible during the middle eight section of "Shake The Disease".			Click to display/hide audio example Note: The above audio example features a custom Synclavier II timbre produced in Arturia Synclavier V. The timbre is designed to closely mimic the harmonics of the audio signal of the relevant sound as heard during the middle eight section of "Shake The Disease".
	Synthesizer elements	A synthesized sound based on a custom Synclavier II timbre is combined with multiple other musical elements to perform a melody audible during the middle eight section of "Shake The Disease".			Click to display/hide audio example Note: The above audio example features a custom timbre utilising all four available Partials of the Synclavier II produced in Arturia Synclavier V. The timbre is designed to closely mimic the harmonics of the audio signal of the relevant sound as heard in the middle eight of "Shake The Disease". A sawtooth ramp waveshape is enabled for the vibrato waveshape setting of all four partials.
	Synthesizer elements	A synthesized sound based on a custom Synclavier II timbre is combined with multiple other musical elements to perform a melody audible during the middle eight section of "Shake The Disease".			Click to display/hide audio example Note: The above audio example features a custom Synclavier II timbre produced in Arturia Synclavier V. The timbre is designed to closely mimic the harmonics of the audio signal of the relevant sound as heard during the middle eight section of "Shake The Disease".
	Melodic elements	A celeste-like element is layered with a variety of other musical parts (including a separate bell sample and synthesized parts. This distinctive sound would also see use in several other Depeche Mode songs recorded during this era, including "It Doesn't Matter Two" and "But Not Tonight") to form a melodic part audible during the post-chorus sections of "Shake The Disease".			✖
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Synthesizer elements	Synclavier II Resynth Library Disk #4 - 4464 Harp	Confirmed	A harp-like synth pluck sound derived from the "Harp" timbre of Synclavier II Resynth library diskette #4 is layered with a separate sampled sound to form the lead melody heard during the chorus sections of "Shake The Disease".	Click to display/hide audio example Note: In this example, a selection of audio derived from "Shake The Disease" is compared to the source sound as produced by the Arturia Synclavier V, a Synclavier VST emulation (Resynth timbre "4464 Harp" courtesy of Synclavier co-inventor Cameron Jones via "Timbre Share" Facebook group).
	Synthesizer elements	Synclavier II Timbre Directory Diskette #3 - 2337 Chimes #1 and Synclavier II Timbre Directory Diskette #1 - 2136 Calimba #2	Confirmed	A combination sound utilising two Synclavier partials (featuring edits to Synclavier II timbre directory diskette #3 "Chimes #1" and Synclavier II timbre directory diskette #1 "Calimba #2") is used to play a brief melody during the post-chorus sections of "Shake The Disease".	Click to display/hide audio example
	Mandolin, synthesizer elements	Emulator II factory library disk #25: Nylon Guitar & Mandolin and Yamaha DX7 factory ROM #1 Bank B: "CALIOPE"	Confirmed	A mandolin instrument derived from Emulator II factory library disk #25 "Nylon Guitar & Mandolin" is layered with an edit to Yamaha DX7 factory Rom #1 program "CALIOPE" to perform a melody audible during the middle eight section of "Shake The Disease".	Click to display/hide audio example
	Piano elements	Emulator II factory library disk #04: Grand Piano - Preset #1: "Piano #1"	Confirmed	"Shake The Disease" utilises a series of edited samples derived from Emulator II factory library disk #04 "Grand Piano". As is common practice with multi-sampled instruments, the samples are keymapped onto separate sections of a sampler keyboard in accordance with their pitch to approximate the differences in tone between notes of differing octaves on a traditional piano, and are subsequently layered with a guitar-like sample to form the melody performed in the latter half of each verse section.	✖
	Drum elements, bass drum	Yamaha Corporation - Yamaha RX-11 digital drum machine - 1984	Confirmed	A series of edited bass drum samples derived from the Yamaha RX-11 programmable drum machine are utilised throughout "Shake The Disease".	Click to display/hide audio example
	Drum elements, snare drum	Yamaha Corporation - Yamaha RX-11 digital drum machine - 1984	Confirmed	A snare drum sample derived from the Yamaha RX-11 programmable drum machine are utilised throughout "Shake The Disease".	Click to display/hide audio example

13. "It's Called A Heart"

"It's Called A Heart" Depeche Mode 1985	Self-made samples
	Sample	Notes			Audio
	Guitar elements	"It's Called A Heart" makes sporadic use of a looped guitar part during the instrumental breaks following each chorus section. This sample would later famously be used to form the lead melody heard throughout "A Question Of Time".			✖
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Bass elements	Emulator II factory library disk #06: "Bass, Synth, Drums"	Confirmed	"It's Called A Heart" utilises a bass guitar sample derived from Emulator II factory library disk #06 "Bass, Synth, Drums".	✖
	Choir elements	Emulator II factory library disk #12: "Voices" - SAMPLE 3	Confirmed	A choir pad audible throughout the intro and verse sections of "It's Called A Heart" features a sample derived from the "Voices 1" preset of Emulator II factory library disk #12 "Voices". Notably, this sample is also used throughout "But Not Tonight".	✖

B-sides, bonus tracks and remixes

"Flexible"

"Flexible" Depeche Mode 1985
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Bass elements	Emulator II factory library disk #06: "Bass, Synth, Drums"	Confirmed	"Flexible" utilises a bass guitar sample derived from Emulator II factory library disk #06 "Bass, Synth, Drums".	✖
	Choir elements	Emulator II factory library disk #12: "Voices" - SAMPLE 3	Confirmed	A sample derived from the "Voices 1" preset of Emulator II factory library disk #12 "Voices" is utilised throughout "Flexible".	✖
	Banjo elements	Emulator II factory library disk #23: "Accordian & Banjo" - SAMPLE 7	Confirmed	A looping sample of a strummed banjo derived from Emulator II factory library disk #23 "Accordian & Banjo" is audible throughout "Flexible".	✖
	Cello, violin elements	Emulator II factory library disk #37: "Cello & Violin" - SAMPLE 11, SAMPLE 12	Confirmed	Two samples derived from Emulator II factory library disk #37 "Cello & Violin" are utilised sporadically throughout "Flexible".	✖