Liam Howlett

Liam Howlett of The Prodigy uses the Roland Gaia SH-01 Synthesizer, as detailed on Theprodigy.info. The Gaia SH-01 is a versatile 37-note virtual analog synthesizer, featuring three oscillators per voice and over 20 waveforms. It offers a substantial sound with 64-voice polyphony, making it ideal for creating layered effects like distortion, flanger, and delay. This lightweight, compact synthesizer is designed for portability, running on AC or battery power, and includes hands-on controls for intuitive sound shaping.

Liam Howlett of The Prodigy uses the Arturia MicroBrute during live performances, as shown in a photo posted on the band's official Facebook page.

"I had loads of analogue gear: Roland Jupiter 8 and 6s, and a Minimoog," Liam says, in this article.

Roland SH-101 About:

This piece was one of the essential live synths in 90's in Liam's setup. Later Liam replaced this silver baby to red Clavia Nord Lead in his setup. But you can still sometimes see this machine on top of the first synth rack on live setup.

Specifications:

Polyphony : Monophonic Oscillators : 1 VCO (Independent levels for Saw, Square / Pulse / PWM and Sub-Oscillator) LFO : Triangle, Square, Random and Noise Waveforms VCF : Resonant, Self-Oscillating LPF, Mod by EG, LFO anKYBD Tracking VCA : ADSR, Mod by EG or Gate Arpeg/Seq : Digital Sequencer up to 100 steps Record / Playback Arpeggiator Patterns : Up, Down, Up/Down Keyboard : 32 keys Control : CV / Gate

Gear info:

The Roland SH-101 is a monophonic bass synthesizer, featuring a 2 1/2 octave 32-note (F-C) keyboard in a light, plastic case. This synth was released in the era just after analog synths like the Moog, ARP, Sequential Circuits, etc. It's siblings include the SH1, SH2, SH3a, SH5, SH7 and SH09. Probably does not sound as FAT as a Moog or ARP. It was designed as a strap-on synth with an optional modulation attachment that stuck out like a guitar neck. It can run on batteries. The SH-101 was pre-MIDI, but it has CV (1 volt/octave cv) and gate inputs in the back. It's sound lies somewhere between the TB-303 and a Juno bass sound. It has a lot of simple but cool features. You can control the VCF, pitch, LFO or all from the pitch bender. It has a white noise generator, arpeggiator with up, down and up/down patterns and a simple real-time sequencer. The LFO offers random, sine, square or noise waveforms. And normal or auto portamento effects give you that elastic bass sound.

There are external clock inputs for the sequencer and arpeggiator, CV/GATE inputs and outputs and a CV hold pedal. The SH-101 also features a very primitive arpeggiator and sequencer as well as portamento. There are also two exclusive versions available.. one is blue and one is red. Other artists that have been using this: Orbital, Future Sound of London, Überzone, The Prodigy, 808 State, The Grid, Cirrus, Eat Static, Jimmy Edgar, Apollo 440, Devo, Union Jack, Luke Vibert, Dirty Vegas, Josh Wink, the Crystal Method, Aphex Twin, Astral Projection, Les Rythmes Digitales, Sense Datum, Squarepusher, Sascha Konietzko of KMFDM/MDFMK, Freddy Fresh, Lab-4, Nitzer Ebb, the Chemical Brothers and many more.

Liam: "We do a totally live bit on stage where we hook up the SH-101 to the 909 using the trigger input and have a little jamming session on stage. That's quite interesting!"

Release date: 1983 Type: Analogue synthesizer

Used:

Used live in Funky Shit and Poison. (With this machine Liam usually played the Relase Yo' Delf - riff between Poison part1 and part2 in live gigs).

According to the site he uses Korg Monologue.

"The Prophecy is one of the few things that produces big distortion as far as a ready-to-run synth goes. It's at its best on stage, though I've used it on just about every track on the new album so far. The programming is so open, it's great for resonant sweeps, and the ribbon is quite handy. You can also record filter changes over MIDI onto the Mac. There are so many different things you can do with it. It's not the type of keyboard I'd go to to start a song with -- it's better for distortion and feedback sounds. It's a shame it's only monophonic -- it's got some good string sounds." – Liam Howlett in a 1996 interview with Sound On Sound.

"I had loads of analogue gear: Roland Jupiter 8 and 6s, and a Minimoog," Liam says, in this article.

This synth is Liam's current live favourite and he is using it in every show most of the time messing with it and making different effects and synth sounds to top of the tracks

‘Arturia mini brute’ is used on ‘Timebomb zone’ from the album ‘No Tourists’ by The Prodigy . Intro bass sound and throughout the tune.

This one has been travelling with Liam in his live rig since 2009.

Analog Factory is a powerful, yet extremely easy to use virtual instrument. Loaded with 3500 legendary sounds (instead of 2000 in the first version) carefully selected from the Arturia Classic Synths, Analog Factory provides the contemporary musician with a broad, versatile and instantly striking sonic palette. It is also a very versatile instrument: all sounds are dramatically modifiable, which makes this software stand apart from any sample-based collection of sounds.

Liam Howlett of The Prodigy uses the Oberheim TVS-1 Two Voice synthesizer, a pioneering polyphonic synth first introduced in 1974. Known for its distinct analog sound, it features two voices, each with two VCOs, a lowpass filter, and a mini sequencer. This versatile instrument, produced from 1975 to 1979, is detailed on Theprodigy.info, highlighting its role in Howlett's gear lineup.

Liam Howlett, of The Prodigy, has been linked to the Roland SP-808 GrooveSampler, as noted on The Prodigy.info site. While Liam typically prefers vintage gear from before 1980, the SP-808 offers modern features that could complement his setup. This device is a versatile sampling and recording workstation, ideal for remix artists and DJs, boasting professional-quality phrase sampling, a hard disk audio recorder with 8 tracks, and a host of onboard effects. Released in 1998, it includes innovative features like a dual D-Beam Controller and can store 64 minutes of audio on removable 100MB Zip disks.

Manufactured: 1981-1985 Type: Monophonic Analogue synthesizer

Gear info:

As you can see it comes from the same period and genre as the Roland SH-101 and Moog Prodigy. A very fat sounding synth with arpeggiator and a simple sequencer. It has a good modulation section, some say it's the best thing about the synth. It is remarkably stable in tune once it has warmed up after about 15 minutes. Shouldn't be a problem finding a Pro-One, it's one of the most common monosynths.

Used:

Liam has used this one in live sets. If you have got the Electronic Punks video you can spot this one easily.

Korg MS2000 Virtual Analog Synthesizer

About:

This bad boy was seen on 2004-2005 gigs in Liams live setup. It also can been seen in Spitfire video. Many other well known bands are using it too like The Chemical Brothers and Ladytron.

Korg Monotron Analogue Ribbon Synthesizer From Korg's press release 2010

Liam Howlett of The Prodigy is set to use the Korg Monotron Analogue Ribbon Synthesizer at a large festival date.

The synth was shown to him just 10 minutes before stepping on to the stage at this years Southside Festival in Neuhausen, Germany.

Playing to an audience of over 4,000 fans, Howlett reportedly “got carried away with playing on it”.

One day later, he used it again during their set at the Hurricane Festival in Scheessel, Germany.

The Prodigy are currently touring Europe and are due to play to 65,000-strong crowd at the Milton Keynes Bowl next month.

Powered by two alkaline AAA batteries, the compact monotron can be held in one hand. Although small enough to easily carry with you, the amazing monotron is packed with KORG’s legendary analog technology, generating thick and powerful sounds. Concentrating on the most important sound parameters, the controls have been streamlined as much as possible. The panel contains only five knobs and one switch. With this level of simplicity, now anyone can easily enjoy the world of analog synthesizers.

Palm-sized, battery-powered, ribbon-controlled analog synth with expressive effects and popular Korg filters.

Analog synths were once massive, temperamental monsters, but the Korg monotron proves that big things now come in small packages. The true analog monotron synthesizer fits in your pocket and makes it possible for you to play anytime, anyplace.

Although it is small enough to hold in one hand, the Korg monotron synth delivers enormous, dazzling sounds. The controls have been streamlined for ease of use—concentrating on the most important sound parameters, the panel contains only five knobs and one switch. With this level of simplicity, now anyone can easily enjoy the world of analog synthesizers. It's simply a blast to play.

Ribbon controller keyboard offers easy expression Borrowing the enjoyment of performing with a simple touch from Korg's wildly popular KAOSS products, the monotron synth's ribbon controller keyboard takes this ease of use even farther. Simple finger gestures can produce expressive effects such as vibrato and glide.

1VCO, 1VCF, 1LFO - Modular synthesis building blocks The Korg monotron's circuit is radically simple: one voltage-controlled oscillator, one voltage-controlled filter, and one low frequency oscillator. As a result, the process of sound creation is intuitive, and instantly understandable. And it's tons of fun. This Korg synth provides the joy of sonic creativity that's at the heart of analog synthesis.

The famous Korg filter This Korg synthesizer starts with the same highly acclaimed VCF circuit as KORG's classic MS-10 and original MS-20 semi-modular synths, and adds extra oomph to the resonance. Originally released over 30 years ago, these synthesizers are still coveted today for their aggressive, dynamic filters. The VCF Cutoff knob sets the frequency or tone of the filter; the VCF Peak (resonance) knob adds emphasis.

Semi modular satisfaction Just as on the original MS-20, the monotron's filter can be patched into, allowing any external audio source to be processed by the monotron's filter. The input jack (AUX input) built into the Korg synthesizer's compact body inserts the AUX input into the signal path right before the VCF. This provides a great way to connect a KAOSSILATOR, a keyboard, a guitar, a digital audio player or even an unmixed track to the Korg monotron synth and enjoy tone-bending filter effects.

Versatile LFO provides audio and visual excitement The LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator) can affect either the oscillator pitch or the filter cutoff. Both the speed and the intensity are individually adjustable, so you can create anything from a gentle vibrato to swooping tone changes of galactic proportions. As you turn the LFO Rate knob—featuring an embedded LED—the speed of the modulation effect and the speed of the blinking LED will change in tandem.

Listen anywhere—alone or with friends The ultimate in compactness, the Korg monotron synth includes a built-in miniature speaker. Along with the battery operation, this feature allows you to enjoy the monotron everywhere. There's also a headphone output that you can use when creating sounds at home, for recording, or for connecting to an amplifier or PA system. When used, it cuts off the speaker so you get personal monitoring or so that you get the full effect of your larger speaker system.

monotron key features: VCO Voltage Controlled Oscillator VCF with Cutoff and Peak Control LFO can be applied to the Pitch (VCO) or Filter(VCF) Ribbon controller keyboard Original Analog (VCF) Filter taken from the classic MS-10 & MS-20 Aux input jack lets you apply filter to any audio source Built-in speaker and battery power for Go Anywhere Analog sound Headphone jack for private use

Liam Howlett of The Prodigy occasionally uses the Novation Bass Station, a monophonic analogue synthesizer, during live performances. This information is detailed on The Prodigy's equipment page on Theprodigy.info.

Info: JD-990's voice architecture includes "analog-like" parameters such as ring modulation, Frequency Cross Modulation (FXM) and oscillator sync. The JD-990 also incorporates 'structures' and can use any expansion boards or PCM cards created for the JV80 or JD800. Additional features include 6MB or ROM waveform data (expandable to 16MB) 24 voice polyphony and 8 part multitimbral capability 320x80 dot backlit LCD display 8 outputs configured as four stereo pairs and 2 space rack mount design. An on-board multiple effects processor can be used in both single or multi-timbral modes. A special super synth part can use up to 8 effects simultaneously, while other parts can use reverb, chorus and delay.

About:

One of Liam's main sound sources for strings and stuff. Used:

Liam uses this synth for almost every track in Jilted Genration album, and it can be heard at the beginning of Poison. It was also used to the main riff on Voodoo People. There is also a preset sound called "EML Wobbler" that is used in ending of 3 Kilos.

Poison (the opening riff) Voodoo People (the main riff)

Liam's quotes: "A year after selling my JD800, I did buy the JD990, which I think is really good. I've got all the expansion boards for it, but I don't use many of the analogue sounds off the vintage board -- it's mainly used for textures and strings. It's got a good distorted guitar, too. "

"I use the JD-990 on every track I do. I used it on the opening of Poison and everyone said 'Aw - where did you get that sound?' It was one of my own sounds that I modified. I used it on Voodoo People for the main riff."

Liam is seen trying out his new Roland Aira System 1 in this behind the scenes video from December 2015. In this video, he is figuring out how to tune it, then decides its "pretty good." Warning-this video contains mild swearing.

Liam Howlett Can be seen. using a Virus Ti Darkstar in this live photo from 2015.

listed in Liam Howlett's gear list

The Korg ER-1 sounds great right out of the box. [...] The other Korg gear I use which is still one of my favourite keyboards is the MS20

theprodigy.info cites a Korg magazine interview, published November 2000.

Made by: Moog Electronics (USA) from 1979-1984 Release date: 1979 Type: Monophonic Analogue synthesizer Designed by: Rich Walborn, Tony Marchese Original price: £295 Current price: £225

About:

This was the very first synth that Liam bought. He just purchased a keyboard with the intention of making a few songs for fun. It inspired the name of band whilst recording their first demo tape. Liam wrote the name "The Prodigy" to the demo tape that he gave to Keith and Leeroy. But now the Moog have now gone bust, but 11000 Prodigy's were produced from 1979-84 so you shouldn't have any problem finding one.

Used:

Liam has used this machine in all his first tracks! Nowadays you can still sometimes see this machine in live shows.

Gear info:

Probably Moog´s biggest selling synth next to Minimoog. Unlike many other Moogs that are being sold this was truly a performance keyboard not a novelty toy. If you want that fat analog sound that is becoming very popular again this is it. Dual Oscillator/Triple Waveform each Osc. Has both Filter and Loudness contour controls.

The Prodigy is a simple, dual-oscillator analogue monosynth with a single filter and two three-stage envelopes. It also has oscillator sync. As a beginner's analogue keyboard, though, it's clearly laid out and easy to use. It's used commonly in techno-electronica. Pretty handy for that 'fat' bass sound that you can't quite get from anything other than a Moog. Also great for making weird effects, leads, and percussion sounds.

This keyboard will do everything from Full Out Analog Bass Lines to Screaming Techno Synth sounds to Monster Leads. Not at all a bad synthesizer, but very limited in programming and flexibility. And the first models had no external control inputs. The Prodigy is not the best Moog ever made, but it was particularly successful in the UK.

It has been used by many other artists such as Depeche Mode, Blur, The Album Leaf, Fatboy Slim, 808 State, Trent Reznor, Astral Projection and Moloko.

Liam Howlett of The Prodigy uses the Roland Alpha Juno-2, a synthesizer known for its 5-octave, 61-note keyboard with velocity and aftertouch, and an external memory cartridge slot. This model stands out with its Alpha Dial for parameter editing and its ability to emulate 303 sounds through proper programming. According to The Prodigy .info, this synth was employed in the production of the track "Charly."

listed in Liam Howlett's gear list

Roland TB-303 Bass Line About:

Liam Howlett have had several of these over the years. There has been at least two competitions with Liams 303 as a prize for winner. I bet he still has at least one. He has it connected to the Kenton MIDI Box which converts the CV signal into MIDI.

Links:

Roland TB-303 Bassline - Exclusive pictures, patterns, free e-mail aliasing, tuning and modifications, emulators, samples, midi sequences, links. World Of The TB-303 - Includes reviews, articles, advice, patches, links; details on the new MC-303. Acid.ch- TB-303 modification page, TB-303 link list, aluminium cases for the TB-303. Bass Line Land- A site dedicated to the famous Roland TB-303 including sounds, manual, schematics, original sales brochure, emulators, and more. The Creators of Electronic Dance Music! - TB-303 TR-909, the tools for Dance Music! Devil Fish- Modifications for the TB-303 Kristofers TB-303 - page - Explanation of what a TB-303 is Realm of TB303- A personal page about the BassLine with some pictures. Review Page: Roland TB-303 - ROLAND TB-303 BassLine The TB-303 Operation Manual - Full manual online (also downloadable in ZIP format). Liam: "I like the 303, but so many people used it in the acid house days. When I use it, I really overload the mixer so I get a distorted bass line instead. Usually when you program the 303 you've got things like Slide and Accent. Well, you don't get that with MIDI, you just get the basic sound. Sometimes I'd prefer to get an old sequencer box instead of using MIDI so I could get the true synth sound."

Release Date:1982 Price: $1200 (about)

Gear info:

This is the most famous acid machine! 303 is a little silver box. It looks very simply and weak, but you can do so damn cool acid sounds with it! If there is a tune with lots of wicked resonations you can definitely hear 303! In fact this is nowadays pretty expensive machine, but if you wanted to make some good acid resonations this is the right machine for you!

Used:

Claustrophobic Sting Firestarter Funky Shit Used in many live tracks (Lose Your Mind, Acid Break and Lyrical Terrorists) Stand Up

Relase date: 1979 Type: Analog synthesizer

About: The Roland VP-330 combined a simple String Synth with a Vocoder. The strings sound very similar to Roland's RS Series. The VP-330 was built in two main versions. The original MK-1 had rocker switches and the MK-2 had buttons eith LED's. The MK-1 is said to sound richer.

Used: Ghost Town

Liam's comment:

"I've got this upstairs -- I borrowed it from a friend to record some stuff for the new album. I think it's one of those things you can use a couple of times, and then throw in a cupboard. It's got some nice strings on it, but you can't get many sounds from the vocoder. The typical '80s electro voice, but not much else. " "I'm using [the VP-330] on Ghost Town. I don't surround myself with loads of gear. I'm better with limited stuff and getting the most out of it."

About:

The Electribe EM-1 Music Production System is another great Electribe series instrument with two analog emulated synth-parts and eight drum-parts. Sort of combining the elements of the original Electribe EA-1 and ER-1, the new EM-1 is an all-in-one groove and dance music machine for DJs and musicians alike!

The EM-1 has loads of drum sounds, all of which are excellent for dance music. There are 144 different sounds, and patterns can have up to eight drum parts. Parts can be muted and individually processed, live and in realtime. The synth sounds consist of 50 waveforms and a pattern can hold up to two synth parts. Waveform editing includes volume, panning, envelope, filtering, roll-effect, internal effects processing, pitch, and glide (portamento). The filter is only a 12 dB/oct low-pass with cutoff and resonance controls which is a little thin, but it still gets the point across.

Naturally, the EM-1 features an advanced built-in sequencer with multi-effects for complete Music Production features. The sequencer holds up to 256 patterns and 16 songs. It ships with 192 of them full of cool dance programs to get you going. Sequencing is done in step or real time using the 16 pads which represent 16th notes of a 1-bar pattern. Patterns can be up to 64-steps (4-bars) long. Built-in effects consist of two processors, a Master (global) Delay and one of 11 Insert Effects. The insert effects include Reverb, Flanger/Chorus, Phaser, Ring modulator, Pitch shifter, Compressor, Distortion, Decimator, Resonator, and Modulation Delay. The Motion Sequencer functions can record movements of the EM-1's knobs in realtime and store them with your Patterns to add rhythmic effects, filter sweeps, and evolving synth or effect changes.

The EM-1 is certainly a cool dance music production system! On the Professional level, its two-voices of synth parts is very slim pickings. On the other hand, it can offer Pro-DJ's incredible performance potential! For example, you can store up to 64 patterns to the step keys for realtime pattern recall. Combine that with realtime part muting/soloing, and realtime filtering, tweaking and effecting, tap-tempo or MIDI clock sync for an excellent groove machine! Although there are far fewer hands-on knobs than on the Yamaha AN-200 and DX-200, the EM-1 is less expensive and offers a great nag for its buck! Used:

Before Always Outnumbered was finished Liam told in several interviews that he has been using Electribes and the new album is going to be sounding quite electronic. Anyway all tracks were binned before the actual new album was released.

About:

It's got Liam's favourite string sound on it. He has used the strings, piano and a few other sounds on Experience and Jilted albums.

Gear info:

128 high quality instruments, 6 part multitimbral and 30 note polyphony. This unit has the same specifications as the Roland U-20 keyboard without the keys. It has all the same sounds and features packaged in a compact single-space sound module.

Used:

Everybody in the Place, Out Of Space

Liam's comment: "I've had that years. That's one of my all-time favourites for strings; the strings on there are a Prodigy trademark! If anyone puts a bit of chorus on those strings, you get the sound from 'Out Of Space' straight away.

Liam Howlett of The Prodigy uses the ARP 2600 synthesizer, as seen in a photo posted on The Prodigy's official Facebook page.

Liam Howlett of The Prodigy uses the Korg MicroKORG Synthesizer/Vocoder during live performances, as shown in a photo on The Prodigy's official Facebook page.