List of Recoil sample sources by album/Remixes by Alan Wilder

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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.

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 utilised in the production of all non-Recoil remix projects produced by Alan Wilder for other artists.

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.

Releases featuring remixes by Alan Wilder

Time Turns Around - Very Special Version (1989)

"Time Turns Around (Eurotech Version)"

"Time Turns Around (Eurotech Version)"
Toni Halliday
1989
Self-made samples
Sample Notes Audio
Synthesizer elements Alan Wilder's (Eurotech Version) remix of Toni Halliday's "Time Turns Around" utilises a four-note bass synth sequence derived from a longer seven note sequence originally recorded for use throughout Depeche Mode's "Never Let Me Down Again".

Sample sources
Sample Source Status Notes Audio
Drum elements, snare drum Fine Young Cannibals - "She Drives Me Crazy" - 26 December 1988
Confirmed
A manipulated snare drum audible likely derived from the opening moments of the Fine Young Cannibals 1988 single "She Drives Me Crazy" is utilised throughout the "Eurotech" remix of "Time Turns Around". Prior to any editing applied post-sampling, the original snare's characteristic "pop" effect was achieved by recording the snare separately, then placing a speaker on top of the snare drum and a microphone below it, with the original recording played through the speaker and re-recorded.[1] Notably, this sound would later be used throughout Depeche Mode's "Halo".
Piano, bass guitar elements Emulator III OMI Universe of Sounds Volume 1 - Funk Bass
Confirmed
A bass guitar stab heard throughout the "Eurotech" remix of "Time Turns Around" is likely derived from the Emulator III Universe Of Sounds Volume 1 voice "Funk Bass". Notably, this sound would later see use throughout Depeche Mode's "Policy Of Truth".

As Is (1991)

"Come Alive"

"Come Alive"
Nitzer Ebb
1990

Sample sources
Sample Source Status Notes Audio
Synthesizer elements Bassomatic - "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Bass" - 1990
Confirmed
A filtered rhythm element derived from a synthesizer heard in the intro of the 1990 Bassomatic song "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Bass" for the album of the same name is time-stretched and re-pitched for use in "Come Alive" starting from the four minute ten second mark.[2]
Ambient elements, phone ringing Akai S1000/S1100 Sound Library - SE1003 BELLS - "PHONE"
Confirmed
A manipulated sample of a telephone ringing derived from Akai S1000/S1000 sound library disk "SE1003 BELLS" is utilised sporadically throughout "Come Alive".[footnotes 1]

Industrial Complex (2010)

"I Am Undone (Alan Wilder Remix)"

"I Am Undone (Alan Wilder Remix)"
Nitzer Ebb
2011

Sample sources
Sample Source Status Notes Audio
Tom drum, cymbal elements Scott Walker - Tilt - "Manhattan" - 1995
Confirmed
A manipulated section of audio derived from "Manhattan" by Scott Walker is utilised throughout "I Am Undone (Alan Wilder Remix)".

Remixes 2: 81-11 (2011)

"In Chains (Alan Wilder Remix)"

"In Chains (Alan Wilder Remix)"
Depeche Mode
2011
Self-made samples
Sample Notes Audio
Vocal elements, heavy breathing A manipulated section of audio featuring breathing elements originally recorded by Nicole Blackman for Recoil's "Breath Control" is utilised mid-way through "In Chains (Alan Wilder Remix)".
Synthesizer elements A textured bass element originally recorded for Depeche Mode's "Black Celebration" is confirmed by Wilder as having been re-purposed for his remix of "In Chains".

Sample sources
Sample Source Status Notes Audio
Ambient elements Depeche Mode - "I Want It All" - 2005
Official
A synthesized pad phrase originally recorded for Depeche Mode's "I Want It All" is confirmed by Wilder as having been re-purposed for his remix of "In Chains".
Orchestral elements Depeche Mode - "I Am You" - 2001
Official
An orchestral string passage originally recorded for Depeche Mode's "I Am You" is confirmed by Wilder as having been re-purposed for his remix of "In Chains".
Guitar elements The Durutti Column - Vini Reilly - "Requiem Again" - March 1989
Confirmed
A series of manipulated, processed sections of audio derived from "Requiem Again" by The Durutti Column are utilised in the outro section of the Alan Wilder remix of "In Chains".
Ambient, orchestral elements Jonny Greenwood - Bodysong - "Bode Radio/Glass Light/Broken Hearts" - 27 October 2003
Confirmed
A series of audio samples featuring atmospheric and orchestral elements derived from "Bode Radio/Glass Light/Broken Hearts" by Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood for the 2003 Bodysong film soundtrack is utilised in the opening verse sections of the Alan Wilder remix of "In Chains".

Click to display/hide audio example

Drum, bass guitar elements UNKLE - War Stories - "Keys to the Kingdom" - 20 June 2007
Confirmed
A section of audio derived from "Keys to the Kingdom" by UNKLE is utilised in the outro of the Alan Wilder remix of "In Chains".
Piano, orchestral, vocal elements Massive Attack - "Paradise Circus (Breakage's Tight Rope Remix)" - 8 February 2010
Confirmed
A series of piano and orchestral string phrases playing both forwards and in reverse derived from "Paradise Circus (Breakage's Tight Rope Remix)" by Massive Attack are utilised in the outro of the Alan Wilder remix of "In Chains".

Non - Red (2011)

"Minutes (Expansion Mix)"

"Minutes (Expansion Mix)"
SONOIO
2011

Sample sources
Sample Source Status Notes Audio
Orchestral elements Sacha Puttnam - The Confessional - Music from Robert Lepage's Film - "The Unravelling (End Title Theme)" - 1996
Confirmed
A manipulated section of audio derived from "The Unravelling (End Title Theme)" by Sacha Puttnam as featured on the 1996 film soundtrack The Confessional - Music from Robert Lepage's Film is utilised mid-way through "Minutes (Expansion Mix)".
Vocal elements Robert Lepage - Le Confessionnal (The Confessional) - 24 August 1995
Confirmed
A manipulated section of audio derived from the 1995 film Le Confessionnal (The Confessional) by Robert Lepage is utilised in the outro of "Minutes (Expansion Mix)".[footnotes 2]

Notes

  1. Fan credit: Richard López.
  2. Credit to fan Karine Cnudde of the Shunt Facebook group for this discovery.

References

  1. Daley, Dan (1 March 2001). "Classic Tracks: Fine Young Cannibals' "She Drives Me Crazy"".
  2. Credit to 'Fatherless Child' for this discovery.