Synth Icons with Andy Whitmore
🎹 Synth Icons is the podcast where legendary keyboards come back to life. Hosted by producer and synth expert Andy Whitmore, each episode dives into the world’s most iconic synthesizers — from the lush analog power of the Yamaha CS-80, to the digital sparkle of the DX7, to the unmistakable sounds of the Korg M1.
Andy recreates famous riffs, compares hardware to modern software emulations, and reveals the stories, sounds, and production secrets behind the instruments that shaped pop, film, and electronic music.
If you're a synth enthusiast, a producer, or just love classic hits, Synth Icons lets you hear the legends for yourself.
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🎧 Watch the full video versions on YouTube → @AndyWhitmore
Synth Icons with Andy Whitmore
The Yamaha CS-80 Explained Through 28 Famous Riffs
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Yamaha CS-80 — 28 Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Know Were CS-80)
The Yamaha CS-80 is one of the most expressive analog synthesizers ever made — and its sound is hiding in plain sight across classic pop, rock, TV themes, and film scores.
In this episode, I’m playing 28 famous riffs you definitely know, all recreated on the Yamaha CS-80. From lush string pads and bold brass lines to flute-style leads and expressive glides, this is a tour of just how wide-ranging — and musical — the CS-80 really is.
All parts are played on the CS-80 itself, using light, record-style effects where needed to match the original vibe. Use the chapter markers to jump between songs, and listen closely to how often this synth shows up in places you might not expect.
Intro
Kate Bush – “Babooshka” Intro Lead
Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder – “Ebony and Ivory” Lead Synth
Doctor Who (Peter Howell, 1980s) Signature Sting
Doctor Who (Peter Howell, 1980s) Theme Bass
Toto – “Takin’ It Back” Sine Glissando Pad
Toto – “Africa” Brass Pad
Toto – “Rosanna” Brass Pad
ELO – “Time / Prologue” String Intro
Genesis – “Behind the Lines” Intro Brass (may have been Quadra)
10cc – “Tokyo” String Pad
10cc – “Tokyo” Flute Line
ELO – “Twilight” Brass Line
Michael Jackson – “Human Nature” Brass Pad
Paul McCartney – “Wonderful Xmas Time” Middle 8 Lick
Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder – “Ebony and Ivory” Intro Brass
Kate Bush – “Babooshka” Flute Glide
10cc – “Dreadlock Holiday” Lead Line
10cc – “For You and I” String Pad
ELO – “Yours Truly, 2095” Flute Line
Quincy Jones – “Betcha’ Wouldn’t Hurt Me” Lead Synth
Michael Jackson – “Billie Jean” String Part
10cc – “For You and I” Flute Line
Bruce Springsteen – “Born in the USA” Intro Synth Chordal Melody
Prefab Sprout – “If You Don’t Love Me” Intro Brass
Genesis – “Duchess” String Glide
Genesis – “Duchess” Pluck Line
Genesis – “Turn It On Again” Brass Line
Paul McCartney – “Wonderful Xmas Time” CS-80 Solo
Outro & Summary
Questions for you:
- Which riff did you recognise instantly?
- Which one surprised you the most?
- And which synth should I cover next?
If you enjoy these quick-fire famous riff episodes, check out my other synth specials and let me know what you’d like to hear next.
🎧 More Synth Icons episodes:
- Hohner Clavinet D6 – Famous Riffs You Instantly Know
- Roland Jupiter-4 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were Jupiter-4)
- Korg M1 – Famous Riffs You Know (But Didn’t Realise Were M1)
🔧 Work with Andy
- Production, mixing & mastering: https://www.andywhitmore.com/
- Studio: https://greystokestudio.com/
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The Yamaha CS80. A few synthesizers have a reputation quite like this one. It's often described as expressive, emotional, or even alive. And unlike a lot of vintage gear, the reputation is absolutely earned. The CS80 isn't just about how it sounds, it's about how it responds. Polyphonic aftertouch, that iconic ribbon controller, and a playing feel that reacts to your hands in a way most synths simply don't. You don't just trigger the notes, but you shape them in real time. And that's why the CS80 turns up everywhere. Classic pop records, progressive rock, TV themes, film scores, from bold brass hooks to lush string pads, flute style leads, and those unmistakable expressive bends this synth has been hiding in plain sight for decades. So in this episode, I'm firing out the CS80 and playing 28 famous riffs you definitely know but probably didn't realise was a CS80. All the parts you're about to hear are played on the CS80 itself. Where the original recordings used effects, I'm using light record style processing to keep the vibe right, but the sound source is always the same instrument. This is a quick fire format, short example, straight to the point, designed to let your ears do the work. Alright, let's get into it. Kate Bush, Baboushka. Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder Ebony and Ivory. Doctor Who, theme base. Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder, Ebony and Ivory. Genesis Duchess Genesis, turn it on again. Paul McCartney, Wonderful Christmas. And that was a Yamaha CS eighty, a legendary sent for a good reason, not just because it sounds huge, but because it plays like an instrument. And the way sound responds to performance makes it feel expressive in a way very few synthesizers ever have. And that's why it works so well across so many styles. It can sound polished, dramatic, warm, aggressive, cinematic, and somehow still human. Whether it's carrying a melody, filling out a harmony, or adding movement to a track, the CS80 has a presence that's hard to replace. Now it's your turn. What riff did you recognize instantly? Which one surprised you most? And if you could choose the next synth for those famous riff episodes, what should it be? If you enjoyed this, check out my other famous Riff videos and synth specials and thanks for listening. I'll see you on the next one.