Nostalgic Explorer

By: Giovanni Escalera
  • Summary

  • Join Nostalgic Explorer as you get deep into the legendary synthesizers, drum machines, recorders, and other vintage gear that brought classic sounds to life. From the Roland Juno-60 to the TR-808 or the LinnDrum, I unveil the features, functionalities, and rich history behind each machine.

    I won't just talk history - I will FIRE UP these vintage machines and showcase their sonic magic through demos and explorations.

    This podcast is for synth enthusiasts, gear lovers, and anyone curious about how music was made in the 70s, 80s, and 90s - the era of analog warmth, MIDI cables, and endless sonic possibilities.

    Want to share your vintage gear memories or ask a question?

    Join the community! Leave a comment and explore with me.

    Please leave a review, share, and comment… thanks for listening!

    You can follow Nostalgic Explorer on YouTube or follow me on Instagram
    Giovanni Escalera
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Episodes
  • The Cars: The Making of ‘Drive’ + The Love Story Behind the Hit | Synth Recreation & Mixing Tips
    Jan 25 2025

    How The Cars’ ‘Drive’ became an 80s classic ballad, blending synth innovation and heartfelt storytelling. Discover the emotional heart behind ‘Drive’ and the groundbreaking synths that made it unforgettable. This week I dive into how Ric Ocasek and Paulina Porizkova’s connection brought emotional depth to this classic love song and the synth breakdown setup that defined its sound. I recreate “Drive” in my studio, using vintage and software tools to get as close to the original sound as possible. Plus I´ll show you how to use Logic Pro synths and plugins, including reverb, EQ, and other effects, to emulate the original track’s sound. Thank you for the support and Subscribe for more nostalgic synth and music explorations as I recreate classics like ‘Drive.


    Thanks so much for your support! If you enjoy nostalgic explorations like this, consider supporting the channel to help keep them going ⁠HERE⁠ Other places you’ll find me:

    ►⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ ► ⁠Instagram ⁠ ► ⁠Facebook⁠ ►⁠TikTok

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    11 mins
  • Soft Cell: The Making of ‘Tainted Love’: From Forgotten Soul to Synthpop Hit | Gear & Free Stems
    Jan 25 2025

    Today, I’m diving into Tainted Love by Soft Cell, and the fascinating story behind the 1981 hit that redefined electronic music and became a global phenomenon. From its origins as a Northern Soul track performed by Gloria Jones to its radical reinvention by Marc Almond and David Ball, this is the journey of how “Tainted Love” became an iconic track. I'll tell you how producer Mike Thorne, alongside Soft Cell, used possibly synths like the Roland CR-78, Korg Synthe Bass, and the Synclavier to craft its stark yet danceable sound. I’ll also be recreating the track and try to capture the essence of Tainted Love, passing it through a vintage Tascam tape recorder to replicate the raw, analog warmth of the original production. Here are the instruments I used: -Roland CR-78 -Waldford Streichfett -Korg MiniKorg 700 SK1 -Digitakt -Tascam 424 MKII -Logic Pro -Software Synths Included in the Logic Pro version including Vintage B3 Organ, ES2, Mellotron, and RetroSyn and plugins. FREE STEMS To thank you for your support and help in growing this amazing community, I’m offering the stems as a free download for you to explore and enjoy. Thanks so much for your support! If you enjoy nostalgic explorations like this, consider supporting the channel to help keep them going HERE Other places you’ll find me:

    ►⁠YouTube⁠ ► Instagram ► Facebook ►TikTok

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    8 mins
  • The Making of “Just Can’t Get Enough” by Depeche Mode | Synth-Pop Origins Uncovered
    Jan 25 2025

    What happens when four young musicians from Basildon redefine the sound of an era? Depeche Mode’s Just Can’t Get Enough is more than just a catchy synth-pop anthem; the song propelled the band into stardom while signaling the end of their first chapter. We'll dive into the fascinating production journey of this iconic track, recorded at Blackwing Studios under the guidance of producer Daniel Miller. How Vince Clarke created minimalist songwriting and emotional lyrics with a backstory of his inspiration, and the analog gear—like the Korg KR-55, Moog Prodigy, and Yamaha CS-5—that crafted its signature sound. I relive the magic of this timeless track as I break down its production, history, and impact on music using the following gear: - Moog Source - Korg Rhythm DR-55 - Juno 60 - Korg Electribe - Linndrum - Logic Pro - Tascam 22-4 Reel-to-Reel Tape Recorder Thanks so much for your support! If you enjoy nostalgic explorations like this, consider supporting the channel to help keep them going ⁠HERE⁠ Other places you’ll find me:

    ►⁠YouTube⁠ ► ⁠Instagram ⁠ ► ⁠Facebook⁠ ►⁠TikTok⁠

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    9 mins

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