Noisegate & Luke Million: Synths That Shook the Stage (and Your Nan’s China Cabinet)

Next, we get the all-star rundown: Moog System 55, Korg MS-20, Yamaha DX7, and a cheeky nod to Arturia Pigments. The Moog modular? It’s all big-bottomed girth and academic exclusivity, unless you were Keith Emerson dragging the thing on stage like a madman. But then came the Minimoog—finally, a synth you could actually gig with, no patch-cord jungle required. Suddenly, keyboardists weren’t just background scenery—they were synth lords, shredding front and centre.

By the time the DX7 arrives, it’s digital chaos in a box. FM synthesis goes mainstream, and everyone from pop stars to pub cover bands is hammering out those glassy bells and basses. The AstroLab’s emulations let Luke and Lachlan flick through these eras like a demented Spotify playlist. Each machine has its own sonic thumbprint, and the lads never let you forget it.

It wouldn’t be synth history without a parade of legends. We get stories and riffs from the likes of Emerson, Wakeman, Herbie Hancock, Giorgio Moroder, Jean-Michel Jarre, and Vangelis. Noisegate doesn’t just name-drop—they showcase how these machines literally invented genres and movie soundtracks. From the ARP 2600’s R2-D2 chirps to Pink Floyd’s ‘On the Run’ on an EMS Synthi, it’s a who’s-who of gear and tracks that rewired pop culture.

You’ll hear about Fairlight’s digital wizardry, Kate Bush’s sampled cellos, and how synths crashed the Hollywood gates. If you want to hear Luke nail these licks live (or argue about what Herbie used on ‘Chameleon’), the video’s your ticket to the bunker. Some moments just don’t translate to text—they need to be heard at full tilt.

Wrapping up, the duo reflect on the current synth landscape: a wild, glorious mess of software, hardware, clones and classics. There’s more choice than ever, but the old gear still packs a punch—whether you’re a nostalgia junkie or a next-gen sound hacker. The memorable takeaway? You don’t need original vintage to make bangers. Use what inspires you—AstroLab, soft synths, or battered analog boxes.

Luke’s most treasured kit? The Oberheim OB-8. Most undervalued? Turns out, he loves them all. If you’re looking for the real action, get your hands on the gear and watch the video—some synth stories just need to be experienced live, with the volume set to stun.