About the Artist:

Depeche Mode were formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The founding 4 members were Dave Gahan (Lead vocals), Martin Gore (Lead + backing vocals, Guitar, Keyboards), Andy Fletcher (Keyboards) & Vince Clarke (Keyboards, Backing Vocals) who left after their debut album 'Speak and Spell' and was replaced by Alan Wilder (Keyboards, Drums) who left in 1995. The combination of the Gahan, Gore & Fletcher still tour today with various session  musicians, and as a band they have released 12 studio albums selling over 100 million copies of albums & singles worldwide. Q magazine labelled them 'The most popular electronic band the world has ever known' and included them in the list '50 bands that changed the world'.

The Equipment they use:

ARP 2600

This is a semi-modular analog synthesizer with built in speakers. It was used on Depeche Modes first album, in which they used it as a drum machine to create and electronic kit. The ARP 2600 came with some built-in preset sounds, which enabled novice synth users to begin making sounds straightaway rather than having to use patch cords to create your own sounds, which it could also do. This was why it was marketed mainly to schools and universities and the fist synthesizer that Vince Clarke had.

Roland Jupiter 8

The Jupiter 8 was made between 1981-84. It had the ability to split the keyboard into 2 zones, with a different patch active on each zone. Two features were adjustable portamento and a hold function which gave you the ability to infinitely sustain notes and arpeggios.

The Jupiter 8 had monophonic and Polyphonic modes which meant it could play single notes and chords, there was also a unison mode which allowed it to use all 16 oscillators at once in monophonic mode. Due to the versatility of this model, many later versions are based on this original. Also many modern artists still use this model or try to recreate the sounds that it produced.

Radar system

Abbleton

Light shows/visuals

Influence

http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/depeche-modes-live-setup-revealed-245774