This video demonstrates and documents Pea Hicks‘ Sequential Circuits Pro-One synth patches, inspired by the work of Vince Clarke on Yazoo’s Don’t Go.

Here’s what Hicks has to say about the custom patches:

By special request, here’s another Yaz track re-created w/ the Sequential Circuits Pro-One synth. The original actually has a fair amount of ARP 2600 in it, which means that the sounds in my version are a bit hit-and-miss, but I was able to get reasonably close with most of the sounds. My starting point for this was four patches posted at http://www.unease.se/proone.htm which I modified to get closer to the original sounds. The kick is the same patch from the Vince Clarke magazine article that I used on “Only You.” All the other sounds I programmed from scratch. Everything was sequenced in Cubase, and the Pro-One sounds were recorded one at a time via a Kenton Pro Solo MIDI/CV interface.

Note that, as with “Only You,” the original recording is actually pitched a bit sharp. I’ve decided to record my versions at concert pitch (A440) for the sake of keeping things standard.

The snare, clap (heavy reverb), and hi-hat (heavy flanging) are all 808. The kick and toms are Pro-One.

For the record, I don’t view these re-creations as “covers” or creative projects. They’re more like jigsaw puzzles to me. A way to challenge my ear, a way to find out the limits of my limited gear, and a way to try to get into the head of musicians/producers I admire. Otherwise, they’re relatively pointless and aren’t meant to be creative statements in and of themselves.

Here you can download my midi file and patch sheets if you want to have a go and make your own version. Just let me know and give me a mention if you post your version anywhere. https://www.dropbox.com/s/s5342gtfi6omyox/yaz%20-%20don%27t%20go%20-%20pea%20hicks%20transcription.zip

Thanks again to frankperri.com for the blank patch sheets!

via peahix