Soft Machine Members, Gear & Sound

British rock band

Genre

Art rock Progressive rock Space rock Symphonic rock Psychedelic rock Jazz fusion Acid rock Krautrock Canterbury scene Experimental Jazz rock zolo

Members

Select a Soft Machine band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.

Andy Summers

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

The Police Eric Burdon & the Animals Andy Summers & Robert Fripp Strontium 90 Dantalian’s Chariot Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band The Secret Society Circa Zero

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Allan Holdsworth

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Level 42 U.K. Bruford HoBoLeMa The New Tony Williams Lifetime Allan Holdsworth Group

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Kevin Ayers

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Groups:

Kevin Ayers & The Whole World

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Mike Ratledge

Roles:

Keyboardist Composer

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Daevid Allen

Roles:

Singer Guitarist

Groups:

Gong New York Gong Acid Mothers Guru Guru Gong Acid Mothers Gong

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Hugh Hopper

Roles:

Bassist

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Robert Wyatt

Roles:

Singer Drummer

Groups:

Matching Mole

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Roy Babbington

Roles:

Bassist

Groups:

Nucleus Centipede Delivery Solid Gold Cadillac

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Elton Dean

Roles:

Composer

Groups:

Supersister Bluesology

No gear added

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Lyn Dobson

Groups:

The Flys

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Rab Spall
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Nick Evans
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Keith Tippett

Roles:

Keyboardist Composer

Groups:

King Crimson Young Marble Giants The Keith Tippett Group Keith Tippett Septet Keith Tippett Tapestry Orchestra Hugh Hopper & Elton Dean & Keith Tippett & Joe Gallivan Keith and Julie Tippett Centipede Delivery Marsupilami In Cahoots The Blue Notes Mujician

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About

Soft Machine is a pioneering English band known for their groundbreaking contributions to art rock, progressive rock, and jazz fusion. Emerging from the vibrant Canterbury scene in the mid-1960s, the group was initially formed by Robert Wyatt (drums, vocals), Kevin Ayers (bass, vocals), Mike Ratledge (keyboards), and Daevid Allen (guitar). Over the years, Soft Machine's lineup has seen numerous changes, with notable musicians like Hugh Hopper (bass), Elton Dean (saxophone), and John Marshall (drums) contributing to its ever-evolving sound. The band is celebrated for its innovative blend of psychedelic rock, jazz rock, and experimental music, influencing a wide array of artists and genres.

How to Sound Like Soft Machine

Soft Machine's sound is characterized by its complex, improvisational nature, melding the intricacies of jazz with the exploratory edge of rock. This creates a dynamic and often unpredictable sonic landscape, marked by extended instrumental passages and intricate time signatures. The use of vintage keyboards, such as the Lowrey Holiday Deluxe TLO, imparts a distinctive, textured layer to their music, while the interplay between saxophones and guitars adds a rich, harmonic depth. Their music often features fuzz-laden bass lines and layered percussive elements, creating a tapestry of sound that is both cerebral and visceral. Embracing both ambient and aggressive tones, Soft Machine's compositions challenge and engage, offering a listening experience that is as intellectually stimulating as it is emotionally resonant.

Discography

The Soft Machine

1968

Volume Two (Remastered)

1969

Live In Europe 1970

1970

Third

1970

Fourth

1971

Fifth

1972

Music Alive (Live 1972)

1972

Seven

1973

Six

1973

Facelift

2002

Somewhere in Soho

2004

Breda Reactor

2005

British Tour '75

2005

Alive and Well - Recorded in Paris

2010

Softs

2010

Tales of Taliesin: An Anthology 1975-1981

2011

The Harvest Albums 1975-1978

2019

Live at the Baked Potato

2020

Drop (2025 Remastered version)

2025

Get the Soft Machine Sound

Want to sound like Soft Machine? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.