What Synthesizers did Prince use in the 80s? I am starting my process of collecting old gear that he used in the 80s, so if anyone can help, I'd truly appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

ENSONIQ MIRAGE, JUNO, ROLAND D-50, YAHAHA DX-7

obeheim OB-8 "crappy DX7" poly moogs. hmmm???

Rumor has it he's used Communist synthesizers.

The Obeheim synths rocked! They're sound was PHAT!
I wish Prince would bring them back in the mix.

Prince also used the first sampler created in the 80's, the emu-lator. They had some inbuilt sounds that he used on some albums (like the black album, lovesexy).

he was also one of the first people (if not the first) to use the linn-drum machine.
the obeheim synths were definately the back bone of his sound during the 80s.

good to see some topics and posts from people who are musicians and understand the stucture and the recording process.

good luck!

The Linn LM1 is his weapon of choice for Drum Machine beats. The LM2 sounded the same if that's any help.

He also used the Fairlight sampling system as well for a lot of tracks in the 85-88 period. Tracks like "It" were made using it.

Peace

Anybody know what he's playing on stage now in the ONA tour?
I figure it's a Rhodes and a Yamaha Motif?

thanks guys

Whatever he was using was the straight up bomb!! Cause those 80's Prince and Time lps were the shit. DX7 as primitive as it is today was very popular in those times.

He also used the Fairlight sampling system as well for a lot of tracks in the 85-88 period. Tracks like "It" were made using it.
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Thankyou, that's the name of the sampler I was talking about, the fairlight. It was an Australian invention that some guy came across by accident. The inventor sampled his dog barking, and the Fairlight was born. (a concept that Prince caught on to, he sampled a dog bark to the snare drum of some tracks like "La La La Hee Hee Hee") They were hella expensive at the time, and Prince used them between 85 & 88 like Blurredeye said.