A. MXR Bass Synth

B. Novation Bass Station II

The Jacksons – “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)”

Album: Destiny (1978)
Writers: Michael Jackson, Randy Jackson
Producer: The Jacksons
Notable For: A disco-funk classic, infectious groove, tight rhythm section, and prominent use of synths during the pivotal transition from ’70s disco to ’80s funk-pop.

Key Synths and Gear Used

ARP 2600

• Role: Iconic synth brass stabs and lead lines.

• Evidence: Greg Phillinganes, primary session keyboardist, frequently cited use of the ARP 2600 on Jacksons/Jackson solo projects for brass and lead sounds. Listen to the punchy, bright stabs—signature ARP.

Fender Rhodes Electric Piano

• Role: Core keyboard groove.

• Evidence: Clearly audible throughout the track—classic Rhodes tone forming the harmonic bed.

Clavinet (Hohner D6)

• Role: Funky, percussive riffs and comping.

• Evidence: Key to the song’s groove, part of the classic late ’70s/early ’80s funk sound palette.

Yamaha CS-80 (Possibly)

• Role: Pads, strings, or subtle atmospheric layers.

• Evidence: The CS-80 was beginning to appear in late-70s big-budget sessions, and its lush pads fit the era and sound. No explicit liner note, but period-appropriate.

MiniMoog Model D

• Role: Synth bass support (possible layering with live bass).

• Evidence: The Minimoog was a go-to for punchy bass and was used across Jacksons’ late 70s work. The track features a deep, driving synth bass undercurrent, especially in the extended version.

Acoustic & Electric Piano

• Role: Additional harmonic support.

• Evidence: Classic disco production style called for layering acoustic grand and electric keys.

Drum Machines & Rhythm

• Acoustic drums drive the groove (Jonathan “Sugarfoot” Moffett), but early use of electronic percussion (Syndrums/similar analog drum modules) can be heard in the fills and high-pitched effects.

• Handclaps: Layered and possibly reinforced with sampled/electronic claps.

Production Techniques

• Layering: Live and electronic instruments interwoven (synths stacked with Rhodes/Clavinet).

• Orchestration: Horns recorded live; synths often doubled for extra punch.

• Mix: Synths pushed forward in the mix, contributing to the energetic, almost “proto-’80s” feel.

Sources

• Keyboard Magazine: Multiple interviews with Greg Phillinganes (late 1970s/early 1980s) confirm ARP 2600 and Rhodes use.

• Sound On Sound: "Classic Tracks: The Jacksons 'Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)'"

• Album Liner Notes: Destiny (1978) – Greg Phillinganes (keyboards), synthesizer credits.

• Vintage Synth Explorer: ARP 2600, Minimoog, Yamaha CS-80

• Red Bull Music Academy: RBMA lectures and interviews on ’70s funk/disco synths.

Summary Table

Conclusion

“Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)” is a showcase for late-’70s funk-disco keyboard and synth layering: ARP 2600 brass, Rhodes and Clavinet groove, and deep synth bass, with live drums and early electronic percussion shaping a sound that points the way toward Michael Jackson’s coming solo breakthroughs.

A. Novation Bass Station II

B. MXR Bass Synth MB301

Zapp & Roger’s “Dance Floor”: Synths and Production Breakdown

Track Overview

• Artist: Zapp (featuring Roger Troutman)

• Release: Zapp II (1982)

• Notable For: Reaching #1 on Billboard R&B; considered a landmark of 1980s funk, electro-boogie, and the “talkbox” sound.

Key Synths Used on “Dance Floor”

Minimoog Model D

• Role: Primary bass lines and talkbox melodies.

• Evidence: Interviews and studio footage confirm Roger Troutman’s heavy use of the Minimoog for both fat synth bass and lead lines routed through his talkbox.

Oberheim OB-X/OB-Xa

• Role: Chord stabs and polyphonic layers.

• Evidence: The brassy, lush chords are characteristic of Oberheim polysynths, widely used by Zapp during this period.

ARP Quadra

• Role: String/pad textures and color.

• Evidence: Referenced in period interviews and known Zapp setups for added textural complexity.

Linn LM-1 Drum Computer

• Role: Drum programming.

• Evidence: “Dance Floor”’s tight, digital drum sound is consistent with the early LM-1, which Zapp helped popularize in R&B and funk.

Talkbox (Electro-Harmonix Golden Throat)

• Role: Signature robotic vocal sound.

• Evidence: Roger’s hallmark technique, using a talkbox to vocalize Minimoog melodies.

Production Techniques

• FX: Analog phaser (e.g., MXR Phase 90), chorus, and tape delay (Roland Space Echo) for extra movement and depth.

• Signal Chain: Synths often layered, some run through guitar amps for added warmth and punch.

Sources

• Keyboard Magazine (1982–1984): Print interviews confirming synths and roles.

• Red Bull Music Academy: "Zapp & Roger – The Untold Story" (2018) — detailed oral history from Zapp members.

• Greg Jackson Interview (Funkatopia): Studio engineer/producer’s gear recollections.

• Vintage Synth Explorer Forums: Community-verified synth rigs and historical gear lists.

• Album Liner Notes (Zapp II, 1982): Credits Roger with “all keyboards, synthesizers, guitars, talkbox, and lead vocals.”

Summary Table

Conclusion

“Dance Floor” is powered by a classic analog synth arsenal—Minimoog, Oberheim OB-X/OB-Xa, ARP Quadra, and Linn LM-1—blended with Roger Troutman’s iconic talkbox. This setup defined the Zapp sound and set the template for 1980s funk and modern G-Funk.

A. Novation Bass Station II

B. MXR Bass Synth

Bruno Mars – “24K Magic”

Album: 24K Magic (2016)
Producers: Shampoo Press & Curl (Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, Christopher Brody Brown), with additional production by The Stereotypes
Notable For: Grammy-winning retro funk anthem, instantly recognizable for its synth leads, punchy talkbox, and “West Coast G-Funk meets ‘80s boogie” vibe.

Key Synths and Gear Used

Minimoog Model D (Reissue)

• Role: Funky synth bass, classic analog leads.

• Evidence: Producer Brody Brown confirmed in interviews that the Minimoog (including the 2016 reissue) was a backbone of the “24K Magic” bass and lead lines.

Roland Juno-106

• Role: Polyphonic pads, synth brass, and chord stabs.

• Evidence: Studio photos and interviews confirm the Juno-106 as a go-to for the stabs and lush background chords, adding that authentic ‘80s pop sheen.

Yamaha DX7

• Role: Bell-like electric piano tones and digital accents.

• Evidence: The glassy, digital keyboard sounds and “tines” are classic DX7, confirmed by session keyboardists and producer interviews.

Talkbox (Custom Rig, likely MXR or Boss + MIDI Controller)

• Role: Vocal lead lines and hooks (“What y’all trying to do?”).

• Evidence: Byron “Mr. Talkbox” Chambers recorded the famous talkbox sections using a MIDI keyboard triggering a softsynth, routed through a hardware talkbox pedal. [Source: Sweetwater, Rolling Stone, Mr. Talkbox interviews]

Prophet-6 (Dave Smith Instruments)

• Role: Additional analog layers, pads, and some effects.

• Evidence: The Prophet-6 is seen in several behind-the-scenes shots and matches the lush, analog warmth in the arrangement.

Drum Machines: LinnDrum, Roland TR-808/909 (Samples and Softsynths)

• Role: Classic, snappy drum programming.

• Evidence: While much of the groove is built from live drum hits and samples, retro drum machines were referenced for the punchy claps and snares.

Production Techniques

• Layering: Multiple synths stacked for fat, harmonically rich textures—Minimoog and Juno for bass and stabs, DX7 for sheen, Prophet-6 for depth.

• Talkbox: Key part of the hook—performed live and meticulously layered into the mix for impact.

• Sequencing: Combination of MIDI sequencing and live performance, often capturing “one-take” feel.

• Vintage Meets Modern: Real analog gear blended with digital plugins and modern mixing techniques to mimic—and update—the ‘80s funk/R&B sound.

Sources

• Sound On Sound: "Inside Track: Bruno Mars ‘24K Magic’"

• Sweetwater: Mr. Talkbox interview

• Rolling Stone: Bruno Mars interview on retro production

• Vintage Synth Explorer: Minimoog, Juno-106, DX7, Prophet-6

• Studio Session Footage/Photos: Producer Instagram posts and studio walkthroughs (2016–2017)

Summary Table

Conclusion

“24K Magic” is a masterful blend of real analog synths (Minimoog, Juno-106, Prophet-6), digital classics (DX7), and iconic talkbox, all layered and produced with modern clarity. It’s a retro-futurist clinic in how to nail that classic boogie-funk vibe for a new era.