Martin L. Gore

In this video of Martin Gore performing "Breathe" during the Exciter tour in 2001, he can be seen playing a Micro-Frets Spacetone electric guitar. Around 2:07 some good shots of the guitar can be seen.

"Nice delicate sound." as M.G. states in this video, where he shows his guitar collection at 0:37. Plays it in Studio sessions version of classic Stories of old, performed in 2008, that took place during recording sessions for the album Sounds of Universe.

His is sunburst. Can be seen 1:01 into this video. Probably only used in the studio.

In MusicRadar's interview with Depeche Mode's techs on the Delta Machines tour it was revealed that ""Sample wise we're using Native Instruments Kontakt and Massive a lot too. We're also using a lot of GMedia ImpOSCar and Synthogy Ivory for pianos too. There are some sounds you can't get with the synths, so we use the samples for those, but there's a lot we can do and we try to use the synths as much as possible. Stripped is a good example of that. The big lead sound is Massive and ImpOSCar all layered up to create that main riff sound." Martin is strictly using software when he puts his guitars down for older material, he has a Roland Edirol controller as well as an Access Virus both commanding Muse Receptors with various plugins loaded.

Recently Depeche Mode swept through Copenhagen on their 2017 World Tour and T-Rex jumped at the opportunity to meet up with Jez Webb, Martin Gore’s guitar tech, to take a sneak peek at how they use our pedals to produce the amazing sound they are known for.

Martin is operating a BBC Micro computer throughout this video.

In a 1983 video of Depeche Mode, Martin L. Gore is seen using the Casio Casiotone MT-30 at timestamps 2:41 and 3:26.

Martin L. Gore of Depeche Mode owned a Dave Smith Instruments Prophet 12, which was sold for charity on Reverb.com in 2019.

Martin L. Gore, of Depeche Mode, owned a Roland Alpha Juno-2 synthesizer, which was sold for charity on Reverb.com in 2019.

Sold on Reverb.com in 2019 for charity.

Martin Gore’s guitar tech Jez Webb: “The past couple of tours we have been using the TC Electronic G-System. This has been the hub, the brains of everything for us. We've got pretty much a patch for every different song. There we go! "A Question of Time" there, "Wrong" and "Personal Jesus", just as a few examples.”

This is from the TC Electronic video “Gear Run: Martin Gore of Depeche Mode”, uploaded March 2010, 0:16 into the video. The upload date indicates this was Depeche Mode’s Tour of the Universe.

Martin Gore’s guitar tech Jez Webb: “This time we've incorporated into the setup the RJM Looping System, which we get patch changes from the TC. This brings in different pedals when we need them. Basically distortions because the G-system didn't have any distortion with it.”

This is from the TC Electronic video “Gear Run: Martin Gore of Depeche Mode”, uploaded March 2010, 0:42 into the video. The upload date indicates this was Depeche Mode’s Tour of the Universe.

Martin Gore’s guitar tech Jez Webb: “The G-system we also use for amp switching. We're running a stereo setup here using the Rivera Venus 5. We've used Rivera for about 10 years now and they have been a good amp to us. Very reliable, good sounds and we're touring those again. So that's stereo into two 2x12 cabinets.”

This is from the TC Electronic video “Gear Run: Martin Gore of Depeche Mode”, uploaded March 2010, 1:30 into the video. The upload date indicates this was Depeche Mode’s Tour of the Universe.

At 1:50, "PCR-800" can be seen on the back of both Martin's keyboards.

Tom Oberheim himself has posted oa couple of pictures of Martin with his new TVS-PRO on his Facebook page .....

The linked picture shows Martin down on the floor in his studio recently playing the TVS_PRO.

His is blue. Uses it live in the song Wrong. Can be seen 0:59 into this video.

In MusicRadar's interview with Depeche Mode's techs on the Delta Machines tour it was revealed that:

"Sample wise we're using Native Instruments Kontakt and Massive a lot too. We're also using a lot of GMedia ImpOSCar and Synthogy Ivory for pianos too. There are some sounds you can't get with the synths, so we use the samples for those, but there's a lot we can do and we try to use the synths as much as possible. Stripped is a good example of that. The big lead sound is Massive and ImpOSCar all layered up to create that main riff sound."

Martin is strictly using software when he puts his guitars down for older material, he has a Roland Edirol controller as well as an Access Virus both commanding Muse Receptors with various plugins loaded.

Martin pictured using the Memorymoog in the studio. In the caption he's quoted as saying:

"Technology has just changed so much... It was a feat just to get a drum machine just to run in time with a sequencer back when we started. Now you've almost got endless possibilities."

Depeche Mode's engineer Gareth Jones says Depeche Mode used the ARP 2600 for recording People are People "Everything was layered one instrument at a time," explains Jones. "Because of our relatively limited resources and because we couldn't save any of the analogue synths, we didn't have the whole song playing at the same time. It was very different to how we work now. We had the demo, so we knew where the song was going, and then we'd record something — for instance, guide drums, followed by a guide bass from something like a Minimoog, then a rhythm sequence from a triggered ARP sequencer running an ARP 2600, and then maybe something else.

Martin Gore played an Emu Emax HD/SE and a Yamaha DX7 IID during the "Music for the Masses" tour.

"At home I've got a basic setup of demos. I've got (Hybrid Arts) ADAM machines for the recording, and I program onn (Steinberg) Cubase. I use an Akai CD3000, a (Roland) JD-800, and c (Clavia) Nord Lead. The Nord is a very interesting synthesizer -- the fact that you can record all your movements real time into computer, wave sweeps and everthing. I like it. I've also got three ARP 2600's and two Minimoogs. But I tend to keep things very basic at that stage."

"At home I've got a basic setup of demos. I've got (Hybrid Arts) ADAM machines for the recording, and I program on (Steinberg) Cubase. I use an Akai CD3000, a (Roland) JD-800, and a (Clavia) Nord Lead. The Nord is a very interesting synthesizer -- the fact that you can record all your movements real time into computer, wave sweeps and everthing. I like it. I've also got three ARP 2600's and two Minimoogs. But I tend to keep things very basic at that stage."

Martin is awarded the Matriarch via Moog at the 2019 Moog Fest! 51:20 on the video

Martin uses this guitar in "Angel" during the 2013-2014 'Delta Machine Tour'.

Sold on Reverb.com in 2019 for charity.

This Ensonic Fizmo Synthesizer is from the private collection of Martin Gore, founding member of Depeche Mode

SN: FIZMO-11570. Ensoniq synthesizer. A couple of key contacts have fallen out. Taped to the front. The red LP screen cover has come off.Taped to the front. IEC included. Signed by Martin Gore.

All items in The Official Martin Gore of Depeche Mode Reverb Shop ship fully insured with delivery confirmation and include a signed and embossed Certificate of Authenticity from Martin Gore.

Sold on Reverb.com in 2019 for charity.

This Behringer Deep Mind 12D is from the private collection of Martin Gore, founding member of Depeche Mode.

Before making clones of iconic synths, Behringer cuts its teeth on DeepMind, its flagship analog polyphonic keyboard synthesizer. Now, that synth (which earned its name for complex programming capabilities) gets a little sibling. DeepMind 12D is a desktop synth that bring’s the flagship’s sound design capabilities into a more compact and portable package. The keyboard version’s two analog oscillators and LFOs per voice, 8-channel modulation matrix, 32-step sequencer, and 4 FX engines make their way over into DeepMind 12D, and at an even more handsome price point.

SN: S170500490CF7. In box. With rack ears and manual.

All items in The Official Martin Gore of Depeche Mode Reverb Shop ship fully insured with delivery confirmation and include a signed and embossed Certificate of Authenticity from Martin Gore.

After further review, there can be little doubt in this photo that that is a Gretsch Chet Atkins Nashville guitar.

From Musician magazine, October 1993 issue:

"Depeche Mode keeps things simple onstage: no amplifiers. Every sound, from keyboards to guitar to drums, runs through the P.A. system: a Brittania Pow Flashlight System. Dave Gahan and the backup singers use Samson Synth radio microphones with EU 757 capsules. Martin Gore plays a Roland A-50 and Alan Wilder plays an Akai MX1000, each controlling two Emulator Emax II samplers: Andrew Fletcher has another pair of Emaxes. Each pair is hooked up in parallel, so that if one were to malfunction, the other is ready. But 'I don't remember an instance when we had to go to a spare,' says Wob Roberts, the keyboard technician. Samples come from strange and sundry sources, including old analog equipment. The piano onstage is a Korg 01/W Pro X transplanted into a grand-piano body. For down-stage keyboards, Fletcher and Wilder use Philip Reese MIDI line drivers. A MicroLynx sends SMPTE time code to the video and film setups. Away from the keyboards, Gore plays either a Gretsch Country Gentleman or a copy of a Gretsch Anniversary guitar, strung with Gibson strings, from .010 to .046 gauge. Dick Knight copied Gore's original Gretsch for stage use, using Gretsch parts but adding more wood in the body to cut down feedback. The guitars run through a MESA/Boogie Tri-Axis preamp and a Zoom 9002 effects processor, with a Sennheiser UHF transmitter. Wilder's drums are mostly Yamahas: a 22" bass drum and 12", 13", 14" and 16" tom-toms. He uses Noble and Cooley piccolo and 7" snare drums and Zildjian K cymbals: a 22" ride, an 18" China, 16" and 18" crashes, a 6" splash and 13" hi-hats. And don't forget the tapes: two Sony 3324s, one of them a spare. Of the 24 tracks, Depeche Mode uses only 14, because many of the songs were dubbed from a 16-track Tascam that used 12 tracks for sound and four for sync. 'As soon as anyone sees the size of the machines, they think the whole show is on tape,' says Roberts. 'But it's just bass and drum parts and a couple of sequences. This band does not mime.'"

Martin Gore’s guitar tech Jez Webb: “…there's a couple of pedals which live out on the stage with Martin. That's basically the only thing that's out there with him which is a Fuzz Phazzer, which he picked up in rehearsals in New York, which is used in the song "It's No Good" and also for the opening song "In Chains" he uses a Wah pedal.”

This is from the TC Electronic video “Gear Run: Martin Gore of Depeche Mode”, uploaded March 2010, 1:07 into the video. The upload date indicates this was Depeche Mode’s Tour of the Universe.

From the GuitarPlayer article "Depeche Mode's Martin Gore," Gore says, "I also got quite a few Maestro pedals—a PS-1 Phase Shifter, an MPS-1 Mini- Phase, and an FZ-1A Fuzz-Tone—as well as Ross compression and distortion pedals that I used a lot, too."