Analyzing Björk's HUNTER - It took me MONTHS to get this beat right | Drum Patterns Explained

[@Fauxleroid]

It was probably a 909 sequenced using a Notron hardware sequencer (it looked like a toilet seat). They were using that quite a bit while making this album. I know this for a fact as I visited him at his friend Richards studio in Wakefield during the time of the sessions where I heard some rough mixes. He was using a lot of pro tools audio editing at the time too as this was a new technique to old school technoheads. We we all using AtariST machines a lot up until this point. Ideas were recorded live without sequencing then edited into form. It’s also worth mentioning that Bjork doesn’t get enough credit for the musical ideas. She knew how to use all the gear. Mark was in absolute awe of her.

[@CaptainPikant]

Hi MrCshmn, we finally found some time to dig through the manual of the Notron and confirm that it is indeed possible, as we speculated in a comment 10 days ago. It has red/green velocity groups which can be used to comfortably place unaccented/accented steps and it has an additional accent to push the 909 to maximum oomph. Microtiming per step is also possible. We took Björk's statements as the reason to start this deep dive into the 909's sequencing capabilities - so even if they used the Notron, we proved that it can be done with only the internal sequencer :)

[@leepshin]

Atari ST's should never be overlooked as they're "still" used today. I'm still using mine even though I use Reaper, FL Studio, have a Beatstep Pro and a Roland MC50 in my musical arsenal. The Atari is still extremely useful and fun to use thanks to those inbuilt MIDI ports.

[@sub-jec-tiv]

Bell said once in an interview that it was a Novation DrumStation doing the actual sounds. You can also see the DrumStation being performed in his rack in the live video too. (That tour was amazing! She toured with Bell and strings.) I don’t know who to believe, i wasn’t there! Anyhow, doesn’t matter how they did it, it’s amazing.

[@airfixx_8952]

"She knew how to use all the gear. Mark was in absolute awe of her." Hanging out with Nellee Hooper & 808 state in the early 90s would have been quite the education I'd imagine.

[@MrMikkyn]

This is such a fascinating story from the perspective of a techno musician. Thanks for sharing.

[@twoeggcups]

Mark Bell did so many brilliant tunes. Absolutely love Homogenic. RIP Mark.

[@alvareo92]

Still can’t believe he’s not in this world anymore 😔 such an amazing musician

[@duuuuuuuuuuude]

I don't know him, did he compose for many Bjork's songs?

[@twoeggcups]

@@duuuuuuuuuuude He was in a brilliant band called LFO

[@d_vibe-swe]

​@@duuuuuuuuuuudeI don't think he composed any of her songs? He produced some of them together with Björk though :)

[@Viczarratt]

Mark Bell, wasn't he half of M&N alongside Nick Hatcher? They released the 1994 hardcore tune "You'll be there"

[@neniv]

Homogenic was an album so far ahead of it's time. A genuine masterpiece of music.

[@ai8ght871]

REALLL

[@matthiaslachmund3303]

Absolutely, timeless too and imho by far the best Björk album after her debut.

[@abraham3673]

vespertine sliiiiightly better

[@Stella___9]

Overall Bjork was always way ahead of her time

[@edsohovocals]

This must be one of the most in depth dissections of one of the most complex rhythms ever. And it's so simply and professionally presented. Just wow.

[@mmummumm]

Really impressive

[@alecchase2176]

This is minimalist sound design 101. By lowering the amount of sounds on display, but ramping up dynamics, it does a lot to draw the listener in as they can hear the evolution of a few basic sounds. Love it.

[@chriskelvin248]

I always assumed the “ghost kicks” were simply a function of a delay effect.

[@Fabbv001]

yes now i understand why it felt like complete chaos

[@odesseus]

Hunter is an amazing song. I have to admit I never realized how amazing the drums were (though I thoroughly appreciated them). Thanks for this!

[@-Pol-]

Yeah I agree, this has totally opened my ears.

[@jeanetteandrews3319]

Same here!! Thank you!!!

[@philhasacomputer]

i also tried to rebuild that pattern in VCV ... after a few days I gave up. I thought I'am too stupid ... but you showed me, no Im not too stupid ... Mark Bell is just too brilliant! really really really thanks for that tutorial and transcription. this is mind blowing for me!

[@MrSkelleteen]

I love videos analyzing Björk songs. A lot of people don't understand the technical or structural aspect of her stuff and this explains everything very detailed. Thank you for this. ⚡️

[@christianwheeler8386]

I've been chasing this drum beat since I first heard it all those years ago. This is amazing.

[@Waevform]

Wow this was so informative! I’m totally ignorant to drum machines but this was fascinating as a Bjork fan

[@KarmaPaym3ntPlan]

Your transcription of this absolutely deserved a video. Top tier

[@CaptainPikant]

Thanks! That first transcription from a few months ago was almost harmless in comparison though. After finding all those extra details we knew we had to make an entire episode on it :)

[@esc8engn]

I'm a huge bjork fanboy, with some musical background. going into the vid, i was a little worried you were gonna break the magic, but no. it's super deep. and i love it all the more now.

[@michaelmann8800]

Absolutely beautiful. "Hunter" just gives me the chills every time I listen to it.

[@beetheimmortal]

It's amazing how many sounds he managed to make with just two instruments.

[@SuperPillage]

Rest in peace Mark Bell.

[@Stopinvadingmyhardware]

Now my suspension from Twitter makes sense.

[@nutster9000]

Exactly what I was thinking. LFO were one of the finest electronic acts of the 90's.

[@bupkis7505]

RIP Art Bell too

[@GNeuman]

​????

[@grimmwerks]

@@bupkis7505didn’t realize the host from C2C was an electronics legend

[@albertpauw8234]

What an effort figuring this one out. Well done! 😊

[@CaptainPikant]

Thanks Albert :)

[@kianhendrick3794]

@@CaptainPikant Could you share the midi files ?

[@ThizOne]

Great dissection of a mind boggling 909 pattern. Mark Bell truly was something special. R.I.P. L...F...O!

[@nsjx]

agreed... ELeh eFFF eFff... OHh!

[@st0rmchild]

The real LFO! Those other knobs should have picked a different name.

[@tr606]

RIP Mark Bell Outstanding video by the way, as usual ❤

[@sub-jec-tiv]

The triplet fill is a hook. Bell was a genius.

[@GNeuman]

I saw them perform this live at the Montreaux Jazz Festival, Switzerland, back in 98. The drum programming makes the album, it's unique

[@etainafuzz]

That beat has always stumped me on parts of it as to how it was done. Thanks for the excellent explanation (and work to dissect it!)

[@abraxasjinx5207]

This beat always gave me a feeling of a soldiers' march. Great song.

[@kablehead]

Björk and Mark Bell are both geniuses.

[@GonzaloTong]

I’m extremely thankful for the KZbin algorithm for this mind-blowing introduction to your channel. I’m was a subscriber just a few minutes in. And also, the care put into your patrons’ names ❤.

[@zacharieschlouch7171]

I bought my first drum machine because of this song and I’ve gained interest to drum machines because of your channel so thank you for this video

[@RealGengarTV]

Your really bringing back the goods on this one

[@RandomNoiseMusic]

Fantastic work 👏 the programing and performance on this track is incredible and you reverse engineered it masterfully 🙌 I’m a big fan of Björk, she and the artists she worked with throughout the years have always been pushing the boundaries of music making

[@real_anxst]

One goat. Price well paid, glad I could help make that happen. Honestly, amazing work here beat bunnies. Thank you!

[@BenGeorge77]

You really brought home the goods on this one.

[@Waldemar_la_Tendresse]

What a genius drum pattern. And what an outstanding work of recreation of that pattern. Your videos always deliver!

[@GhostOfLorelei]

Fun fact, I sequence my TR-8 purely from Ableton because, as much as I love classic sounds, I don't love classic workflows. I totally support you just using the Hapax to get this right.

[@sullycliftona]

Tr8!and tro8. Are a nightmare I have three Roland’s and that’s still got me wandering all th time

[@Labyrinth1010]

What a fun fact.

[@dominickl4456]

This song will never get old to me it’s so good

[@B0K1T0]

Very cool you made a video about this track! ♥Just happened to listen a lot to her music lost week, especially Homogenic. Hunter has always been my favorite track on the album (although All Is Full Of Love is so hauntingly beautiful as well). I've always found the drum patterns so incredibly creative and it's really interesting to see how insane they actually are. Much respect for the hard work 😅

[@KarlSadler]

Wow, that was peak nerdyness and ticked all kinds of boxes, well done!!!

[@prepetually-exploding-mind]

Your commitment to detail is wonderful. Thank you.

[@justinmarney1850]

This was truly epic! Shows absolute mastery of the 909, but also HUGE props cuz this is also amazing modern day programming & reverse engineering!

[@Volundur9567]

Björk and Bell = Genius. Such a good aggro song too!

[@bosnianlain]

this was one of the songs that made me really interested in drum machines some years ago, great video as always, and that cover at the end was sick

[@olliec6996]

Such a great video! Love how clearly you explain things, and the colour palette and production value of your videos really stands out among many other boring channels - keep up the great work!

[@mathewreeve8634]

I’ve always loved Mark’s 909 patterns, especially on his Speedjack album, thank you very much for explaining the method. Amazing video.

[@edsohovocals]

This is exceptionally good work. Thank you so much. 🙌🏻

[@noou]

Really cool, I've always been fascinated by that pattern, and not knowing all those 909 tricks, they sounded like crazy single note programming on an external sequencer to me. Now I see it's so much more than that. Thanks!

[@unduloid]

This sounds like some of the rhythms we would sometimes play in the latin percussion group I was part of, with the bass drum part played on a surdo.

[@CaptainPikant]

I noticed that spanish/latin influence too and then Björk actually said in that very same podcast that they took Ravel's Boléro as an inspiration :)

[@Labyrinth1010]

Cool! I didn’t know that.

[@els1f]

OMG this is my favorite artist and one of my favorite songs of hers! I'm so glad you did this🙌🙏

[@michaelkonomos]

Man this is SO good. You are really expert at this.

[@Aburner1109]

I love the colors in these videos ^^ When working with tech that mostly comes in matt black and monotone, there's a tendency to think that the best sets match that pallette. But the colors you use actually compliment the gear, and it makes a huge difference!

[@CaptainPikant]

Thank you so much :) :)

[@Aeon_Replicant]

This video is a dream come true. Thank you vey much.

[@d_vibe-swe]

I absolutely love Homogenic and Björk. Thanks for showing these expressive 909 patterns!

[@tuesdi]

wow the full instrumental version at the end sounds like something out of Dune

[@cstevenson1234]

My mother had this album back in the day - the cover used to terrify me

[@drdef]

Great drum track and an excellent breakdown in this video... blew my mind when I found out it was supposed to be inspired by Ravel's Bolero

[@giullianomartini]

Mark Bell is an underrated genius. Their work with Björk is pure treasure on her first three albums. I think Hyperballad is produced by him too, another absolute masterpiece. RIP Mark, we miss you as LFO and Björk composer too.

[@superhumantrueman]

Couldn't agree more. I was lucky enough to see LFO live, easily one of the best sets I have ever seen.

[@jeshkam]

​@@superhumantruemanAs a duo or after Gez left?

[@superhumantrueman]

@@jeshkam It was just Mark I am afraid. He opened for Squarepusher, but IMO he stole the show.

[@stamen_]

He's not underrated. We all love him X

[@giullianomartini]

@@stamen_ Underrated for mainstream and the media in general, it's simple. He is like Squarepusher, a gold gem of treasures.

[@thesurgingmass]

Just brilliant! Really love your work and the mind numbing attention to detail! Looking forward to more.

[@humanprogram]

What a brilliant beat, and wonderful explanation as usual!

[@pwaegemans]

Awesome breakdown of a beautiful and hypnotic song. I wish somebody could explain it to me like this back in the 90s when I tried to make music like this but had no clue about what was going on.

[@CreationTVstation]

Love Björk! Fantastic video breakdown of the drums!

[@RaquelFoster]

The pattern reminds me so much of Girl/Boy Song from Richard D. James Album - and that was a year earlier. Girl/Boy Song is like a happy lullaby, and Hunter is the ominous version. 🙂

[@CaptainPikant]

Interesting! You're right, there are some similarities :)

[@karl.weaver]

Well observed, maybe Mark was inspired by it?

[@alexjeanedvard]

Björk has said that she and Richard were friends / hanging out in the 90s

[@tomhekker]

Björk and Richard D. James were/are pretty good friends, wouldn’t surprise me if they inspired each other 🙂

[@RaquelFoster]

@@alexjeanedvard Yeah Bjork loves Aphex Twin. She liked the Come to Daddy video so much that she got the director to make the All Is Full of Love video.

[@karaloca]

Marks drum programming in his track ‘Freak’ is outstanding.

[@calliespltn]

dope breakdown!! he was so talented it’s genuinely insane. the track is so awesome

[@arasharfa]

this song changed my life.

[@khalylehagood3222]

This video is so thorough and amazing.

[@jeremyjohnson7441]

Fair to say, this has got to be one of the most complicated 909 patterns ever programmed. Can anyone suggest other contenders? I really can’t think of anything else that’s even close. (So happy to see this deconstructed. This pattern has fascinated me for the past 30ish years!)

[@teagancombest6049]

I'm not sure what drum machines were used but Objekt's track Cactus is probably my favorite beat to confuse people.

[@petrolotommaso]

wow this is incredible, thank you so much

[@tidalboxer]

God this beat is just amazing. It’s one of my favorite beats ever. You are right. It’s like they talking yo each other. And the small variations in different bars is what makes it less boring and interesting as hell. I wish Bjork would make more stuff like this. After around Volta I just couldn’t find was she started to delve into interesting. I’ll always have her early stuff though. Edit: actually that’s a like. Vulnicura was amazing.

[@Labyrinth1010]

Biophillia is awesome, too! I think Fossora may be great too. I need a few more listens.

[@hasush]

Beautiful. You opened a brand new world for me. Thank you.

[@Senshobeats]

Brilliant as always!! You guys are incredible

[@CaptainPikant]

Thank you so much Sensho 🖤

[@nickwallette6201]

Was just listening to this album a week ago. It's so good.

[@smol.robots]

I NEED this channel to be bigger.

[@quixotic333]

björk is one of a kind, and truly the best of our time

[@Mewted]

your solution is actually pretty elegant. only other option i can think of is an external clock that has a pattern chaining mode itself with defineable steps or step length divisible by all patterns..like 8 and (4 with a reset), so maybe even something like the EH 8Step or just a good ol late 70's/early 80's cv seq. i think that'd get more complicated though and not as conveniently recalled as using the internal seq and song mode... so I'm pretty sure you nailed it. esp. given bjork's statement.. and yeah, im sure he came in with this pre-planned or at least in the armory. no way he committed that kinda murder on the spot without premeditation. RIP Mark Bell! Legend.

[@RetroPlus]

I love this pattern, i'm impressed you were able to accurately figure this out, or should i say sussed it out

[@thomas-florez]

Wow, great explaination! I was just looking for something like this just two days ago, fantastic job!

[@mattyjepson]

One of the coolest music lessons ever.

[@crmsn_]

Daaaaaaamn... as a huge fan of electronic gear and Björk, this was an absolute joy to watch. Thank you! Definitely subbing. 🖤

[@FuZZbaLLbee]

I love how this pattern is so different from seemingly anything else.

[@CaptainPikant]

True, I haven't heard anything quite like it on a drum machine.

[@igordemelo4128]

Bro this is the sickest video on internet dude

[@withallduerespectcompletely]

It will always be timelessly sophisticated, meaning masterpiece & classic

[@mac__tv]

Damn! I've been looking for this for ages. Thank you man

[@robertcarolinar]

This video is amazing, thank you for taking the time to explain this! ♥

[@omniosi]

Fantastic lesson and presentation. down to the scripted thanks at the end!!!

[@Lia-A-Eastwood]

Brilliant detailed explanation. 👍🎵

[@suki4410]

I love this song, but i will never build this pattern in a drum machine. Thank you for this detailed explanation of this genius music!

[@ChrisLeeW00]

Cool to find a channel that deep dives, and not just making ads for all the new gear.

[@christophervincent77]

This is a really awesome breakdown - that whole album is an underrated masterpiece. I've always thought it was because so little of it is "danceable".

[@passengerseed]

I'm pretty sure homogenic is very well rated and seen as an extremely influencial piece lol

[@christophervincent77]

@@passengerseed maybe I'm either just out of the loop or traveling in the wrong circles then. I just remember when it came out that people were still stuck on Army of Me :)

[@SamiJumppanen]

Yes, the album is very special! It is very strong, different, controversial, sensitive, calm, storm, everything. The harsh machinery hurts the ear before you sink in and understand it all. Brilliant.

[@Labyrinth1010]

“Underrated” Hilarious.

[@lsf3og]

Thanks for this bow to Mark Bell. Björk and LFO were truly a power couple

[@DavidHilowitzMusic]

wonderful video

[@CaptainPikant]

Hi David! Thank you so much :)

[@leaedenk5975]

You did an amazing work.❤ But I must admit that I prefered the kick and snare together.. even if this is one of my favorite songs of Bjorg. Very interesting to hear all this separately. Thank you for sharing.

[@verenas3536]

I xan remember biying the album as a double cd and constantly being in awe.

[@adamarmstrong9408]

I saw him live in the club fabric in London in 2003 he was amazing live! RIP Mark

[@rachofthetower]

thank you for the lovely tut! 🙏

[@ricardojmestre]

Brilliant! I don't know how have figured out this one, many thanks!

[@edrochagoncalves]

Phenomenal video, thanks 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@fishstickkitty8068]

I friggin love this song!!!

[@llittlegreyhound]

Your production and value iare amazing captain!

[@malfunctionnnn]

this pattern has confused me for years, it’s amazing to see it all layed out in a way that makes sense to me!

[@scartissue121]

Love the breakdown of pattern 2 completely

[@DigitalBard1]

Do you notice how the kick and snare start talking to each other. Love that, and it's true

[@lerenegat9]

Best beatmaking tutorial ever. Premeditated intelligence ❤

[@EmilyRafferty]

I use this song for dance...its amazing for isolations... as you said its primal.... I just go off ear, but mannnn, i feel like you just gave me so much more to work with... this is awesome