Soul II Soul featuring Caron Wheeler · Club Classics Vol. One, 1989
Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)
7 sourced items across 3 sectionsVerified5Reported2
What the sources do and do not say
Sound On Sound Classic Tracks piece with programmer Gota Yashiki and Jazzie B. Gear named for the song itself is limited to the drum machines and the bass synths; the studio's SSL desk and plate reverbs are mentioned only as facilities, so they are left out. The sampler used on the track is not named for this song, so the TX16W and QX3 rows are album-level.
Bass line
3 items
Gota Yashiki
Instrument
The real chain
Yamaha TX802
Verified
FM tone generator module that Yashiki used for the bass line, mixing a couple of its preset sounds.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Close match
Arturia DX7 V
instrument
Models the DX7. This unit uses the same six-operator FM design.
Also worth a look 1
- Digital Suburban Dexed (A free DX7 emulation. This unit uses the same six-operator FM design)
The real chain
Moog Minimoog
Verified
Used for the bass sound together with the Yamaha TX802.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
Arturia Mini V
instrument
Model of the Minimoog Model D.
Also worth a look 1
- Universal Audio Moog Minimoog (Minimoog model made with Moog)
The real chain
Roland TR-808
Verified
Its bass drum was added to the bass line for extra low end.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
D16 Group Nepheton 2
drum instrument
An emulation of the TR-808.
Also worth a look 1
- Roland Roland Cloud (Roland's own subscription, which includes its software TR-808)
Drums and beat
2 items
Gota Yashiki
Instrument
The real chain
Roland TR-808
Verified
Drum machine brought in alongside a drum kit and DJ-played breakbeats for the track's beat, then sampled and mixed with them.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
Get the sound · our suggestion
Emulation of this unit
D16 Group Nepheton 2
drum instrument
An emulation of the TR-808.
Also worth a look 1
- Roland Roland Cloud (Roland's own subscription, which includes its software TR-808)
The real chain
Roland TR-909
Verified
Drum machine brought in alongside a drum kit and DJ-played breakbeats for the track's beat, then sampled and mixed with them.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
Get the sound · our suggestion
Emulation of this unit
D16 Group Drumazon 2
drum instrument
An emulation of the TR-909.
Also worth a look 1
- Roland Roland Cloud (Roland's own subscription, which includes its software TR-909)
Programming and sampling
2 items
Gota Yashiki
Instrument
The real chain
Yamaha TX16W
ReportedAlbum sessions
Album sessions, not stated for this song: 12-bit sampler that formed part of Yashiki's programming setup in 1989.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Approximate
TAL Software TAL-Sampler
instrument
A sampler plugin with vintage-style converters. It is not a model of this unit, and you load your own samples.
The real chain
Yamaha QX3
ReportedAlbum sessions
Album sessions, not stated for this song: 16-track MIDI sequencer that formed part of Yashiki's programming setup in 1989.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
Get the sound · our suggestion
No plugin suggested. A sequencer, computer or synchroniser. It controls other equipment and makes no sound of its own. Any DAW does this job.
Sources
- Classic Tracks: Soul II Soul 'Back To Life', Sound On Sound, 2022-09. Accessed 15 Nov 2026.
What the ratings mean
Stated by the engineer, producer or artist, or by the manufacturer.
Stated by a reputable secondary source.
An educated suggestion, not a documented fact.
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