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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Synth Icons with Andy Whitmore
13 Famous Hoover Riffs You Know Instantly!
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Andy Whitmore recreates 13 famous Hoover riffs on the real Roland Alpha Juno-1, using the legendary “WhatThe” preset that helped define rave, hardcore, jungle and techno.
In this episode, I recreate 13 famous Hoover riffs on the real Roland Alpha Juno-1, using the legendary “WhatThe” preset that became one of the most aggressive and recognisable synth sounds in dance music history.
The Hoover sound helped define rave, hardcore, jungle and techno — from early ’90s classics like Human Resource – Dominator, Second Phase – Mentasm, T99 – Anasthasia and The Prodigy – Charly, through to later tracks that brought the sound back again.
Featured tracks:
Second Phase – Mentasm
Human Resource – Dominator
T99 – Anasthasia
The Prodigy – Charly
Baby D – Come Into My World
DJ Seduction – Come On
Mundo Muzique – Acid Pandemonium
X Certificate – Rising 2 The Bass
Plexus – Cactus Rhythm
Nasty Habits – Let’s Go
D.J. P.C. – Inssomniak
DJ Fresh & Sigma – Cylon
Rihanna – Birthday Cake
I also explain where the Hoover sound came from, why it is linked to the Roland Alpha Juno, and why the Alpha Juno-1 can deliver the same raw Hoover tone as the Alpha Juno-2
Which Hoover riff is your favourite — and which one did I miss?
Second phase Mentasm. That is the famous Hoover sound, one of the most aggressive and instantly recognizable synth sounds in dance music history. It comes from the Roland Alpha Juno's What The Preset and it became a defining sound of raid, hardcore, jungle, and techno. In this episode, I'm recreating 13 famous Hoover riffs on the Roland Alpha Juno one using the legendary What The Preset, human resource dominator. Mundo Musique Acid Pandinomium. So that was thirteen famous Hoover riffs recreated on the Roland Alpha Juno one. From early rave and hardcore to later tracks that brought the sound back again, the Hoover has remained one of the most outrageous synth sounds ever made. Let me know in the comments which riff was your favourite and which Hoover riff I missed.