Ableton Tutorial 9 - Creating Aphex Twin - Flim

I do not own this song but use it under the Fair Use Doctrine for educational purposes on how he might have created the song. It is different than the original.
Sample Set:
store.payloadz....

[@nundale7273]

Excellent drum programming. I like the triplet thing a lot.

[@fimothystorm321]

This song is what made me get into electronic music. It's so great to see a step by step making of.

[@Ryjc21d]

Thank you. this is a wonderful way to explain to friends and family why I love aphex music. to break each part down like that.

[@hassroek]

wait it isn't called film? how could I have read it wrong my entire life?!

[@metascrawlmusic]

I read it wrong for years too. I also thought that early Nirvana single ‘Sliver’ was called ‘Silver’.

[@frtnyt]

@@metascrawlmusic or deftones "knife prty"

[@joshfroscheiser420]

The use of two-note dyad chords was is real eye-opener. So much expression out of simplicity.

[@matiasespina91]

Awesome recreation, I always wondered how does he reached that amazing 'tasty' sound with the drums on Flim, I know that in part the saturation contributes, but the dynamism and organic texture of the sound and the glitches are incredible, the reverb is amazing too, and everything sounds so smooth and the textures blend so well.. This track is some kind of "complex minimalism".. Aphex Twin is amazing

[@wachimol]

I've had a hard time wrapping my head around the random nature of Aphex Twin, this video really helped me out!

[@Hlecktro]

This is a great recreation of a great track

[@dtrninja]

Thanks man its great to get a look in to the production rather than cut and dry tutorials that every one seems to do these days

[@nsjx]

Interesting with the ghosted triplet snares. I didn't realise that the off-the-grid juggle of the triplets was what gave those snappy beats that special jerky groove. Thanks for sharing the knowledge. Cheers!

[@dkepperly1]

Absolutely brilliant. Haters gonna hate..... but this is impressive

[@evanb2973]

Thank you for posting this, I am a major fan of Richard's music, with this video you showed me it is possible to find your own creativity through the possibility of using your own software and synthesizers etc (: Now i make my own music using Ableton.. thanks

[@harveyunderthewood]

That's a really nice reconstruction mate

[@Digiphex]

This is Ableton Live. I used an analog synthesizer to create most of these sounds, but you don't need any synth or Ableton. If you have my samples, you can load them into any sample player and play this song.

[@robertofloris3861]

This is awesome, now do idioteque!

[@MaximumJoy]

That's a sample of an experimental electronic drone recording from the 50s I believe.

[@robertofloris3861]

@@MaximumJoy indeed. The drum programming however is not ;)

[@MaximumJoy]

@@robertofloris3861 True. I would also like a tutorial of it. Fantastic track.

[@skywardstargaze1768]

@@MaximumJoy 1973

[@Digiphex]

He used trackers for awhile. It was easy to introduce randomness into a tracking program. Later he states that he used several Macs and Recycle.

[@katie.d0905]

the drums are insane

[@BirdFluorescent]

doing gods work

[@Digiphex]

Thanks for checking it out.

[@ElektroNoiser]

Amazing job dude! thanks for share! my respects ;-)

[@chiliwilli04]

Quite impressive!

[@graphene1487]

Awesome work!

[@ldmdesign5610]

nice work!

[@funkathighdoses]

Omfg you just made my life

[@redshift4707]

BRILLIANT!

[@AngeloZhadows]

I love your tuts ♥

[@kyuss]

You're the man! Keep em' coming! More BOC!

[@SF8008]

Super. can't wait for the next ones...

[@nebelweiss6999]

Thanks for a excellent tutorial. Are getting into Abelton and just bought a DSI Tempest :) It would be sweet it you made a tutorial on how you made the sounds on Tempest. Keep it up!

[@djnosleeves85]

amazing it sounds like the orginal

[@GraveyarDisciple]

Nice job man. Greatt work

[@GraveyarDisciple]

Hey for the price you should share the session. Just paid but would like to have the session. In any case here [e-mail]

[@cptDhivae]

That sounds awesome dude! Good tutorial.

[@Meamation]

Thats pretty impressive, now I dare you to make Come To Daddy and I'll be gobsmacked

[@darkness988]

There's somebody that made a "cover" in Reason and it's pretty great imo! watch?v=hXXH0dwxML8 vid url for convenience.

[@LongValleyPoetics]

Ha ha I requested this a week ago and you went in the past and made it.

[@Digiphex]

That's because I put instant coffee in the microwave and then drank it.

[@HankAstral]

brilliant tutorial

[@6020fsk]

awesome

[@mylarmelodies]

Ace

[@thomastoews7850]

ace

[@kernostwinsisters6281]

@@thomastoews7850 ace

[@TheBlashMusic]

This is amazing

[@mezuga]

Wowwww great tutorial.. thanks man..

[@mwatkins0590]

The drums sounds a bit different than I remember, but I like those too!

[@nilxnull]

Awesome!

[@prestonwest2828]

nice job! Thank you

[@tristan300]

I love aphex twin, always have always will. I dig tutorials on music production, but its the trademark crazy that is lacking here. Thats what i want to see.

[@tonehome1]

hey, many thanks for the technique and sounds i've paid for, but really, you can't expect us to be able to record the tracks like you have recorded them? it's impossible to copy them 'note for note' too because of the fuzzy youtube resolution. please let us download the live set (track info) so we can use the sounds you have sold me. they are sort of useless without the midi tracks too. i'm happy to create all the drum racks, etc, but it's the recorded midi tracks i need make it work!!!

[@Digiphex]

Thanks Bro.

[@getsbaked]

i'm on a 4.6ghz quad core windows PC, never had any problems, never looked back.

[@hidden7003]

good job!

[@Digiphex]

The sounds are available in the sample set. See link above.

[@kraftzug66]

bravo!!

[@magicj89]

Very cool man what editing program is this can you use a synthesizer / drum machine or is it all digital?

[@telkmx]

Would love to know how did you synthesis the sound. I'm trying to recreate this plucked sounds but this is really hard. And just downloading the sound wouldnt teach me how to do it. So will love if you let us know. Nice video bytheway

[@morganlak4337]

The melody sounds to me like a square wave with short attack, medium decay and some release, a low pass filter and a good amount of reverb. I think in the original song it's a little more than that, but in this remake I think that's all it is

[@nvghtime695]

@@morganlak4337 It sounds to me more like a triangle wave, rather than a square wave

[@aaronj.waters1296]

Really good job! Now do a cover of "Girl/Boy Song" and I'll be *really* impressed! :P ;)

[@joshsmulowitz6484]

Flyin'

[@Digiphex]

Yes, there are several videos left to make, I know.

[@nebsounds]

good work on the synths man! I did the same on logic a while ago, you can check it out on my channel

[@arisumego]

Would you mind sharing the project file?

[@2pandaemonium2]

Anyone know from which drum machine these samples come from? I saw one of the kicks is from a 707

[@ElephantTusks]

Could you please do some videos on Tycho and Mitch Murder.

[@leviathan5515]

>the aphex flute

[@Digiphex]

No. You can learn a lot without using my samples. There are all kinds of drum machine samples on the internet for free and instrument samples too. But if you want to do it exactly like me you can use my sample collection if you desire.

[@KristinaPetukhina]

Here it is midi tabs and sheets of Apex Twin shho.bandcamp.com/track/aphex-twin-alberto-balsalm-piano-cover-sheet-midi-tabs-chords

[@craigfrober316]

Really enjoyed this. Any chance of the midi data dude? Looking to learn this song on actual drums!

[@Digiphex]

No this was years ago. The MIDI is shown on the screen though all you have to do is click it in a piano roll.

[@epocfeal]

Enjoy supporting proprietary software.

[@snoopdoggdankkush9285]

do a cover of it's a vibe

[@snoopdoggdankkush9285]

?

[@SF8008]

Great job! I'd also saturate the drums :)

[@cptDhivae]

How are you able to mimic the notes so well? Are you just really good at playing by ear and stuff?

[@Sentinel-dr1yx]

I am unable to splice to MIDI. When I right click, that option isn't there.

[@adambubacarr]

I trying to buy the sample pack but in says my card is not valid... Can you sell it to me privately or something? I really want the sounds, thanks for doing this!

[@natcarlotto6397]

Bass track should have been more clear the second verse you only show the second half of the loop. I dont mind doing it by ear but itd be easier with the video being clearer

[@modernclics]

Interesting What kind of software lets you do that? I heard that AT used to write his own software some time ago.

[@KnutKniffte]

i made this with playstation 2 a decade ago. ;)

[@3asafhen]

The link to the sample set is not working ]=

[@emiajsama]

We have to buy the samples though... right?

[@Th3Wz]

Just want you to know that the Sub in your pack is actually a G and so the MIDI doesn't really match

[@Digiphex]

The sub is whatever the Root Key setting is on your sampler. Change it to whatever you want but at C3 as the Root Key it matches up.

[@speedick4259]

lol apple is all there is. good video anywho ;D

[@Nick-Drake]

This tutorial is amazing unfortunately I think its a little fast and I have a hard time imitating the exact sequences. I would and im sure others would be willing to pay for these tutorials in further detail and pay for the pack as well.

[@Th3Wz]

Search for Aphex Twin Flim MIDI in google

[@seanseanseanseansean]

I like these tutorials. How about putting a webcam in the corner of the screen?

[@erikbraziunas4368]

Hey Dude, just curious. In the sample pack you sell is it all the pre-recorded sounds or are they the ableton instruments?

[@Digiphex]

+Erik Braziunas It is just like the video shows. They are samples I have made from Tempest drums, Roland Juno 60, Fantom X and other sources.

[@erikbraziunas4368]

+Wavestrike Electronics OK. Yeah, I think my question was would I be purchasing audio wav files (like loops) or the samples with the midi programming? In the video you are showing the midi and that's what I'm most interested in. I think I could learn something from looking at the midi programming more closely. I'm not great at programming drums. And you are. Great job BTW! Really sounds fantastic. And that's a lovely collection of gear you mention. I've been in the box but am getting a Sub 37 to have something hands on to play with.

[@TheBlashMusic]

May I ask what Analog equipment you used for this?

[@Digiphex]

iMac 3.3 GHz. Ableton 8. Said goodbye to buggy PC stuff and never looked back. For music, Apple is all there is.

[@TheBlashMusic]

oooo you used tempest pardon the comment

[@blonieamw2998]

this is my first ever look at "ableton" wow... yea, I have no desire to use this program

[@DjRayAndSolible]

Andy Wiatrowski its actually really user friendly

[@blonieamw2998]

might actually get it this month, ill bet yr right about the ease of use

[@blonieamw2998]

too many friends of mine use it, feel like I need to in the least have it in my stuff

[@blonieamw2998]

got some Korg Volcas and TE- POs instead of getting more DAW stuff.. I agree with recursiveidentity, FL is very good, so is cubebase

[@deniseshaharkrivosh]

I actually prefer your version :)

[@modernclics]

What do you mean by 'complex generation' all I see here is pure editing.

[@mybiggrin]

ok under fair use you can use this as a youtube tutorial yes, but you're actually selling the musical ideas (a replica of the track) henceforth actually selling the track (and for a markup price haha) via a template. something strange about that logic.

[@Digiphex]

No you are mistaken. I sell sample sounds, my sample sounds that I made myself. If you want you can make Aphex Twin or Bach with them, that Is up to you.

[@gr1lled_cheese]

fix the link, please. it says "We working on trying to solve this issue." and I can't do anything with that

[@Digiphex]

Link fixed.

[@gr1lled_cheese]

Digiphex Electronics thank you!

[@domeskeetz]

call me crazy but don't chords have to have three notes to be considered an actual chord?

[@led990]

No, you can play a chord with the 1 and 5 for example, it's a shitty chord, but it's still a chord none-the-less.

[@Bigbootiemike]

A chord with only two notes is considered a "dyad chord".

[@thomasmiddleton1886]

GL Sargas i love you mate

[@pauloshaughnessy384]

The file doesnt include the ableton project file.. Is it not supposed to?

[@Digiphex]

+Paul O Shaughnessy It is exactly like the video shows, and also the description "Sample Set." I don't mind giving it to you but this was three years ago and I don't have it. You can piece it together quite easily from the video though in probably 20 minutes or so.

[@natcarlotto6397]

+Wavestrike Electronics those drums take way more than 20 minutes

[@iklock]

This is a pretty simple song by Aphex's standards - Don't be fooled! Get tutorial too

[@rnx516]

Are you from China?

[@Digiphex]

Lol.

[@AdamX21198]

What the hell is all this new Trap and Drill crap? Bring back the Drill'n'Bass!

[@TheOscestra]

rebuild something is not doing it!

[@andrewobele1536]

ewww gross hat

[@shiningdogawake]

Impressive, but doesn't sound even close soundwise. Nice try 'tho.

[@mckali9999]

It sounds VERY close to the original. Who knows how he was able to recreate the drum pattern. Do you have any idea how hard it is to replicate a song exactly the way the artist made it? Appreciate what this man did. I love it.

[@Frobbl]

How does this not sound even close? It sounds extremely similar. And redoing Aphex Twins drum patterns like this deserves a lot respect

[@dune3231]

The fact that he recreated drum pattern does not mean that it sounds similar to original. Music don't include only melody and beat but also mastering.

[@icsupa]

Whats the point?

[@stevoofd]

Hunter S. Thompson once said in an interview that he typed over a whole book written by one of his idols. When asked why he would do such a thing he replied it was to get into the mindset of a genius. I think the same basic logic can be applied here.

[@Uvisir]

stevoofd Indeed, it's a good technique! thats how I learned aswell, and you do learn a great deal about yourself and the other person.

[@Bagginsess]

a genius does not need to get into a mindset, he makes his own. not mad, just saying

[@hosti4051]

if you have no idea where to start, you start by copying, then with what you learn, you make something new

[@midinerd]

doing a note-for-note transcription can teach you a lot. also listening to (for example) flim 30% slowed from vinyl lets you see a lot of the drum programming. you learn how the guy's mind was arranging chord progressions or keeping a common note and alternating the interval distance above/below, the pacing of how the composition breathes as it moves along.

[@animanoir]

nicce!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@KristinaPetukhina]

Here it is midi tabs and sheets of Apex Twin shho.bandcamp.com/track/aphex-twin-alberto-balsalm-piano-cover-sheet-midi-tabs-chords