List of Depeche Mode sample sources by album

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This article is about the various sample sources used on Depeche Mode album tracks and official remixes. For sample sources used on Recoil works, see Recoil sample sources. For sample sources used on Martin Gore works, see List of Martin Gore sample sources by album. For sample sources in the live arrangements of Depeche Mode songs as they were performed on the various concert tours undertaken by the group, see List of Depeche Mode live sample sources by tour.
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 are among the most prolific acts to utilise 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 documents all verifiable sound sources for many of the musical parts used by Depeche Mode in the production of their studio albums recorded between 1981 and 2023.

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, 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.

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.

Studio albums

Album-8185.jpg

The Singles 81→85 (1985)

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

Album-SOTU.jpg

Sounds Of The Universe (2009)

Sounds Of The Universe is not yet known to contain samples from any identifiable sources.

Album-Delta.jpg

Delta Machine (2013)

Delta Machine is not known to contain samples from any identifiable sources.

Album-Spirit.jpg

Spirit (2017)

Spirit is not known to contain samples from any identifiable sources.

Album-MM.jpg

Memento Mori (2023)

Memento Mori is not yet known to contain samples from any identifiable sources.


Other works

Until The End Of The World (Music From The Motion Picture Soundtrack)

"Death's Door"

"Death's Door"
Depeche Mode
1991

Sample sources
Sample Source Status Notes Audio
Drum elements Angelo Badalamenti - Music From Twin Peaks - "Freshly Squeezed" - 11 September 1990
Confirmed
A manipulated sample derived from Angelo Badalamenti's instrumental "Freshly Squeezed" as featured on the 1990 Twin Peaks television series soundtrack is utilised throughout all versions of "Death's Door".

References


Notes