Geoff Downes

"Well, I've always quite liked Korg stuff. I've got a Polysix and a Mono/Poly which I use a bit, and then most recently a DW8000. They're the only ones I find suitably different-sounding from anything else. And that's the reason I buy machines, after all - because they don't sound like anything else."

"Well, I've always quite liked Korg stuff. I've got a Polysix and a Mono/Poly which I use a bit, and then most recently a DW8000. They're the only ones I find suitably different-sounding from anything else. And that's the reason I buy machines, after all - because they don't sound like anything else."

"I got the EII a day or two before we started work on the third Asia album and it didn't have a sequencer on it at the time, and the MIDI hadn't come through on either the Fairlight or the Synclavier (which I was on the point of buying), so the Synthex's MIDI sequencer was really useful for sequencing the EII."

"I got iRig Keys Pro a while ago and it has been an invaluable road companion ever since. But, now IK Multimedia has taken the portable studio/keyboard to another level. The iRig Keys I/O is my new favorite keyboard to travel with. It's packed with so many useful features including a full 4-octave keyboard and input for voice or guitar ideal for writing and recording while on the road with stereo quarter inch outputs ideal for use on stage. iRig Keys I/O is an amazing piece of kit! Just plug in to your laptop and you have very your own mobile studio!"

"I’m using to 2 MacBook Pro laptops both with Mainstage. The upper keyboard (Impulse) center, and lower right Studiologic are the controllers. I use these exclusively for the retro-simulations and complex orchestral patches. For instance, I use a number of some 3rd party plugins such as: IK Sampletank, Omnisphere, G-Media, M-tron etc. Both computers are loaded with these plugins. It is very helpful in recreating the retro analogue keys sounds from the early Yes stuff such as mellotrons, organs, electric pianos, church organs, Minimoogs etc."

In this Music video, he can clearly be seen playing the CP80

In this photo, which shows Downes during the recording sessions, the Oberheim Xpander can be seen.

"I've had nearly all of my analogue synthesizers modified for MIDI including the Minimoog and the Elka Synthex; though modifying a synthesizer that was built ten years ago isn't exactly easy..."

"Well, I've always quite liked Korg stuff. I've got a Polysix and a Mono/Poly which I use a bit, and then most recently a DW8000. They're the only ones I find suitably different-sounding from anything else. And that's the reason I buy machines, after all - because they don't sound like anything else."

"The DW8000 and the DVP1 are getting back onto the right track, and the DW does have some very nice things on it, like the aftertouch and so on. It has a nice, wide, encompassing sound."

"I got iRig Keys Pro a while ago and it has been an invaluable road companion ever since. But, now IK Multimedia has taken the portable studio/keyboard to another level. The iRig Keys I/O is my new favorite keyboard to travel with. It's packed with so many useful features including a full 4-octave keyboard and input for voice or guitar ideal for writing and recording while on the road with stereo quarter inch outputs ideal for use on stage. iRig Keys I/O is an amazing piece of kit! Just plug in to your laptop and you have very your own mobile studio!"

Geoff's comments on GForce impOSCar, from the GForce website: "Having been a member of the original Oscar owner's club in the mid-eighties (this was made up of assorted geriatrics, weirdos pot-heads!), I was very curious (and dubious) to see how this new damned elusive impOscar would measure up against its mentor. You see, there was always that ONE sound that you could get out of the original Oscar and not from anything else which made it really quite special. Well I can honestly say in comparison, after having worked with impOScar for some months now, the answer is simply: Better - and better. Very inspirational sounds, ease of operation, full polyphony, fatter-than-fat bass and many other very cool features make it without doubt one of the best software synths on the market in my opinion. And most importantly, you can still get that ONE sound that sounds like nothing else. In fact, you can get quite a few more than just one! Bloody brilliant - Get one. Now!"

"I’m using to 2 MacBook Pro laptops both with Mainstage. The upper keyboard (Impulse) center, and lower right Studiologic are the controllers. I use these exclusively for the retro-simulations and complex orchestral patches. For instance, I use a number of some 3rd party plugins such as: IK Sampletank, Omnisphere, G-Media, M-tron etc. Both computers are loaded with these plugins. It is very helpful in recreating the retro analogue keys sounds from the early Yes stuff such as mellotrons, organs, electric pianos, church organs, Minimoogs etc."

"I’m using to 2 MacBook Pro laptops both with Mainstage. The upper keyboard (Impulse) center, and lower right Studiologic are the controllers. I use these exclusively for the retro-simulations and complex orchestral patches. For instance, I use a number of some 3rd party plugins such as: IK Sampletank, Omnisphere, G-Media, M-tron etc. Both computers are loaded with these plugins. It is very helpful in recreating the retro analogue keys sounds from the early Yes stuff such as mellotrons, organs, electric pianos, church organs, Minimoogs etc."

A Mac G4 was used on Geoff Downes' Shadows and Reflections, according to the liner notes.

Emagic Logic Audio was used on Geoff Downes' Shadows and Reflections, according to the liner notes.

A MOTU 2408 was used on Geoff Downes' Shadows and Reflections, according to the liner notes.

In the image provided, Geoff Downes is clearly seen using a Roland AX-7 Midi Controller Keytar.

At 29 seconds into the video "Asia - Only Time Will Tell (Live In Tokyo)" on YouTube, Geoff Downes can be seen using a Roland SH-201 Synthesizer during a live performance with Asia.

Geoff Downes is confirmed to use the Moog Taurus I, as evidenced by a photograph available on ProgArchives.com.

Geoff Downes is confirmed to have used a Hammond J-122 organ, as evidenced by a photograph available on ProgArchives.com.

Geoff Downes is confirmed to have used a Sequential Circuits Prophet Remote, as evidenced by a photograph available on ProgArchives.com.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DIswc9FzXMB/?igsh=MXQwbG9jODZjMmo3dA==

In this Instagram post by the Ginza Jujiya Dirigent Division (dirigentjp), Geoff Downes can be seen performing live using a Studiologic Numa X Piano GT as the upper keyboard in his dual-keyboard setup.

This keyboard was used during ASIA’s live performance at Billboard Live Yokohama on 6 February 2026, where it formed the upper tier of a vertically stacked two-keyboard rig and was used throughout the entire show.

Based on on-site observation and photographs taken by the submitter at the venue, the upper Numa X Piano GT was primarily used for lead parts and solo lines. The “GT” marking and Studiologic branding are clearly visible on the instrument, confirming the exact model used in this performance.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DIswc9FzXMB/?igsh=MXQwbG9jODZjMmo3dA==

In this Instagram post by the Ginza Jujiya Dirigent Division (dirigentjp), Geoff Downes can also be seen using a Studiologic Numa X Piano as the lower keyboard in his live setup.

This keyboard was likewise used during ASIA’s live performance at Billboard Live Yokohama on 6 February 2026, paired with the upper Numa X Piano GT as part of his main two-tier live keyboard rig and used across the full setlist.

According to on-site observation and photographs taken by the submitter, the lower Numa X Piano was mainly used for chords, pads, and other harmonic textures, supporting the upper keyboard throughout the performance. The model name and chassis design are clearly visible, allowing the instrument to be identified with confidence.