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 overview
	Click to display/hide audio
	Self-made samples
	Sample	Notes			Audio
	Synthesizer elements	A synthesized sound based on a custom Synclavier II timbre is utilised as a fill sporadically throughout "Love, In Itself".			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 "Love, In Itself".
	Synthesizer elements	An electric piano-like synthesized sound based on a custom Synclavier II timbre is utilised during the verse sections of "Love, In Itself".			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 "Love, In Itself".
	Synthesizer elements	A synthesized sound based on a custom Synclavier II timbre is utilised during the second and third verse sections of "Love, In Itself".			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 second and third verse sections of "Love, In Itself".
	Synthesizer elements	A synthesized sound likely to be based on a custom Synclavier II timbre is utilised throughout "Love, In Itself".			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 "Love, In Itself".
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Synthesizer, bell elements	Synclavier II System Disk Timbres - 1212 Church Bell	Confirmed	A synthesized sound most clearly heard in the intro of "Love, In Itself" is derived from an edit to 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".	✖

2. "More Than A Party"

"More Than A Party" Depeche Mode 1983
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Synthesizer, music box elements	Synclavier II Timbre Directory Diskette #3 - 2383 Music Box	Confirmed	A music box melody audible throughout "More Than A Party" is partly comprised of the "Music Box" timbre of Synclavier II timbre directory diskette #3.	✖
	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 "More Than A Party".	✖

3. "Pipeline"

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

4. "Everything Counts"

"Everything Counts" Depeche Mode 1983	Self-made samples
	Sample	Notes			Audio
	Synthesizer elements	A processed sound likely based on a custom Synclavier II timbre is audible throughout the verse sections of "Everything Counts".			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 timbre as heard throughout the verse sections of "Everything Counts".
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	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"

"Two Minute Warning" Depeche Mode 1983	Self-made samples
	Sample	Notes			Audio
	Synthesizer elements	A synthesized sound based on a custom Synclavier II timbre is utilised throughout "Two Minute Warning".			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 "Two Minute Warning".
	Synthesizer elements	A synthesized sound based on a custom Synclavier II timbre is utilised throughout the outro section of "Two Minute Warning".			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 the outro section of "Two Minute Warning".
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Drum elements, snare drum	Simmons - SDSV Drum Synthesizer - 1981	Confirmed	A series of drum elements derived from the Simmons SDSV drum synthesizer are utilised throughout "Two Minute Warning".	✖
	Drum elements, open hi-hat, closed hi-hat, rimshot	Roland Corporation - Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer - 1980	Confirmed	A series of drum elements audible throughout "Two Minute Warning" are derived from the Roland TR-808 drum machine.	✖

6. "Shame"

"Shame" Depeche Mode 1983
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Synthesizer, kalimba elements	Synclavier II Timbre Directory Diskette #1 - 2136 Calimba #2	Confirmed	The percussive kalimba-like arpeggio heard sporadically throughout "Shame" is derived from the "Calimba #2" timbre of Synclavier II timbre directory diskette #1.	✖
	Synthesizer, organ elements	Synclavier II Timbre Directory Diskette #1 - 2174 ORGAN 1	Confirmed	The organ melody heard sporadically throughout "Shame" is performed using the "ORGAN 1" timbre of Synclavier II timbre directory diskette #1.	✖

7. "The Landscape Is Changing"

"The Landscape Is Changing" - Depeche Mode 1983	Sample overview
	Click to display/hide audio
	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.	✖
	Synthesizer, bell elements	Synclavier II System Disk Timbres - 1212 Church Bell	Confirmed	A synthesized sound audible in the outro of "The Landscape Is Changing" is derived from Synclavier II system disk timbre "Church Bell".	✖
	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".	✖

8. "Told You So"

"Told You So" Depeche Mode 1983
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	Middle eight organ	E-mu Systems - Emulator I factory library disk #28: Pipe Organ (04-005-102M1, 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".	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.
	Choir elements	E-mu Systems - Emulator I factory library disk #16: Male Voice - Female Voice (02-002-101M2)	Confirmed	A choir element derived from Emulator I factory library disk #16 "Male Voice - Female Voice" is utilised throughout the chorus and outro sections of "Told You So".	✖
	Drum, tom drum elements	E-mu Systems - Emulator I factory library disk #53: Drum Set (07-001-401M)	Confirmed	A series of processed tom drum elements derived from Emulator I factory library disk #53 "Drum Set" are utilised sporadically throughout "Told You So".	✖
	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 "Told You So".	✖
	Drum elements, crash cymbal, closed hi-hat, open hi-hat	Linn Electronics - LinnDrum - 1982	Confirmed	A series of drum machine sounds including a crash cymbal and open and closed hi-hats derived from the LinnDrum drum machine are utilised throughout "Told You So".	✖

9. "And Then..."

"And Then" Depeche Mode 1983
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	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 "And Then".	✖
	Drum, tom drum elements	E-mu Systems - Emulator I factory library disk #53: Drum Set (07-001-401M)	Confirmed	A series of processed tom drum elements derived from Emulator I factory library disk #53 "Drum Set" are utilised sporadically throughout "And Then...".	✖

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".	✖
	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" Depeche Mode 1983	Self-made samples
	Sample	Notes			Audio
	Synthesizer elements	A synthesized sound based on a custom Synclavier II timbre is utilised throughout the chorus sections of "Fools".			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 the chorus sections of "Fools".
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	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 "Fools".	✖

"Fools (Bigger)"

"Fools" Depeche Mode 1983	Self-made samples
	Sample	Notes			Audio
	Synthesizer elements	A synthesized sound based on a custom Synclavier II timbre is utilised throughout the chorus sections of "Fools (Bigger)".			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 the chorus sections of "Fools (Bigger)".
	Sample sources
	Sample	Source	Status	Notes	Audio
	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 "Fools (Bigger)".	✖