Fisher Take It Off Makes No Musical Sense and That's OK!

[@timeades7889]

No 'tricks' no 'BS' just pure facts makes this one of my go to channels to learn more about the craft - Thank you for all the effort you put in

[@FujiBR420]

I make your words mine if it's royalty free. 😅

[@landonh3535]

It makes sense to me. It's a Dmin key and he took liberties with the flat 9 and playing the major 3, both are techniques that harken back to blues/be-bop jazz. It adds funk and bounce to it.

[@josepe217]

???

[@mttlsa686]

Right? Nothing so strange imho. I'm used to do this often, maybe because i like jazzy/funky sound i don't know it's like "natural" to listen to the track in this video, maybe that arpeggiated reverberated stab it's a bit out but seems like it fits so...

[@timchard]

I'm confused, isn't the tonal center D#?

[@swan2000000]

I've been wanting to make my own music for about 10 years now, and every time I try to get into it, I get so SO overwhelmed with what to do. Not only in learning DAWs, but also in general ideas around music. I also have an incredibly short attention span and so that adds to my frustration. Imagine how overjoyed I am to find your videos. It's by far the best way I could ever learn about making the music I want to make. Thank you SO much!

[@soundcloudsash]

Bthelick, you've seriously elevated my production skills in the short time I've found your videos, since the vid "Why your songs don't sound like westend". I'm eternally grateful. Making a new house song every day has become a ritual, it's so much fun and they're coming out super clean. super grateful and would love to donate to you if you have that option. Also, wanted to ask if there's any way you can kinda explain how Eli Brown made "Be The One" , I really like what he did with the bassline, and also he seems to have done something unique with the kick, as it hits harder every 1-2 kicks, idk if that's just the sidechaining he did or something else. thanks so much man truly!

[@Bthelick]

The request list for specific track break downs is pretty big right now. I initially wanted to do them mid week but I'm just not getting time right now. ( i do mention a donation link at the end of videos 👊😉) Great to hear the tracks are improving keep it up 🤟

[@austint19]

I have such an appreciation for your channel man. I haven’t put out anything in years because I felt like my production style was stuck in 2009 but your videos have given me so much confidence to start producing again and it’s so much fun flexing that creative muscle again. Cheers from Detroit!

[@Bthelick]

Thanks Austin welcome back! 👊🤟

[@schqrr]

9:13 sounds amazing lol you got real talent

[@DHarrisChillin]

Commenting because I want the algo to keep recommending your videos and promote them to others. I aspire to make music, but it's also just entertaining to watch you explain everything.

[@justloveeachother4884]

Man you are one of the absolute best production channels on youtube. Absolutely wonderful videos, keep it up!

[@seeroy4597]

Found your channel a few months back and pretty sure i got you your first coffee on ko-fi! Super happy to see others encouraging others to do so as your channel really is a gold mine and you deserve it! Your videos are way above the rest in any topic you cover! Keep up the great work Ben, you inspire lots of us with your knowledge !

[@Bthelick]

I think you did get the first coffee yes!🙏👊 I'm forever thankful thanks for the support seeroy!

[@seeroy4597]

@@Bthelick no problem!! Keep making great videos 😁

[@thiagoscampanha]

Thank you so much for all these classes! I'm from Brazil and I've been learning so much from you these past days... Spectacular

[@jizzawizza23]

Man, I can't emphasize enough how much I enjoy your videos every time I watch them. Best in class in entertainment and knowledge. Well done!!!! EVERYBODY BUY THIS MAN A COFFEE!!!!!

[@alexrazz1234]

So I glad I found your channel, top production, super educational and so knowledgable! I absolutely adore the explanation format of running the songs/examples in the DAW while explaining the topics

[@BrandonMikelPaul]

This video was such a thrill to watch. I love your format. Thank you for blessing us with insight. I’m so inspired to hear to speak with such authority on music theory and music decomposition. Absolutely in awe. Thank you for making your KZbin channel.

[@ItsWesSmithYo]

From what I can tell music came first, rules came second, to, well, explain, train and entertain…so as far as creating tunes goes, particularly pop tunes, it just is whatever someone thought sounded dope…and so happens many others did too;) Your “outcome explanations” are awesome…thanks 😎🖤🍭

[@Bthelick]

👊❤️

[@SPASEINC]

Great job mate!

[@KavVerhouzer]

i think you make the best production music videos that i ever saw!!!! you give a lot of insight of how house/dance music works!!! a lot of stuff that i learned but can not tell how cuz i'm working on feeling; it works you give it the words!

[@AngeloSposato]

Nice video Prof! Keep up the good work! 🙏

[@MrAngeloDy]

Your concervative easy to digest style full of clever and non boring subtle humor and your great knowlege makes your channel number one! ...without any overestimation! Thanks, every time exellent content!

[@smallwall4525]

I am pretty new to music production and have been taking what you say as hard rules to follow. I’ve been having to remind myself that these are just new ideas to try out. There is no right or wrong way to make music.

[@Bthelick]

yeah it's easy to forget with music. Always follow you ears and heart (and in the case of dance music follow the movement of your bum and shoulders too!!!) . IMO my rules of thumb are still a great starting point though obvs 😁👍👊

[@smallwall4525]

@@Bthelick Yes of course, it was not a diss at your videos. They are amazing quality!

[@Gedden]

I'm blown away with how good your videos are. Thank you!

[@Omnipotent645]

So thankful for your channel! I really struggle with music theory but I know its the aspect that my production lacks most.

[@Bthelick]

you're certainly not alone, that's what I noticed with all the producers I work with so that's why I started the channel 👊 Thanks for the support

[@ItsNorvek]

I really love following this journey. Thank you so much for daring to share your knowledge with us :)

[@hom3chuk]

Thanks for your videos mate, real gold for the beginners. Playing music has been my hobby for 20 years. Lacking the proper music education I always just 'pressed and guessed' and what you say about having a good ear training is def true. If you consume a lot of the same music over and over again, you start dissecting it to the bone, you know how it sounds, you know how it feels. It's been about a year since I actually started learning musical theory for real after going DAWless. It explains a lot of things I have developed an ear (or a taste lol) for, but so much is still out of the scope of a formal definition, it just sounds good, it feels good. Anyway, keep up with the good work 💙

[@pineoandloeb]

Incredible videos! So awesome

[@seriouce4832]

Your statements are so well weighted in put into context, great video!

[@CTheRobot]

Man, your channel is great. Let me do your job here and break down what you are doing best. In a world of endless content telling us “short cuts” and how do things “industry standard”, you are finding a great way of relating everything back to the measured common sense you have developed through your experience. Keep going, even in the videos where I already know the stuff you’re saying, I am still enjoying them. This video is great! Keep it up!

[@Bthelick]

Much appreciated thanks for the support Jason

[@CTheRobot]

@@Bthelick pleasure’s all mine. I subscribed after the first video of yours I found. Your deep dives are fantastic, I wish we’d had a channel like this 16 years ago 😂

[@aaronblackett3135]

Beautifully explained ! You are the new age guru for everybody who wants to reach their music production enlightenment 🙌🕺🏿👊😎👍

[@koolsea]

Impressive knowledge and skill. I really appreciate the work you put into your presentation and videos.

[@mikemikeska4041]

Thanks!

[@Bthelick]

Thanks so much Mike!

[@DJFINKMUSIC]

That was a great video and a truly amazing remake. Love your sense of humor!

[@rollclubmusic]

love this and also thank you for introducing me to Vital 😍 I'm really impressed by it and I can see it being a big player in the synth game within a couple years

[@xaviermonet6769]

What a great video. Thank you for your work. I'm grateful I found this channel!

[@JoseFernandez-pu5uh]

I appreciate you so much 💛 This channel is amazing.

[@angusab3269]

Great video! Now I'm just thinking of all the cool sounding leads and basslines I've made that aren't in key and then ruined by 'fixing' them to be in key.

[@kouseitakeda9611]

youre a great teacher!! and this video was special in the way that you also teach people that music is universal.

[@jacksonqualls3660]

thank you for posting these every week ! so helpful

[@el-rey-del-ritmo]

i love these videos. so much knowledge, so accessible. keep on going man!

[@carlstardj]

Appreciate all the awesome videos! Thank you!

[@MenUruMTA]

Ill always love your way to teach us, thx Bthe!

[@samuelhamilton5245]

Hi Bthelick. Thanks for the video. My favourite video of yours so far is the bass processing video. It was immensely helpful from a theoretical and technical standpoint. If I may suggest new video ideas: lead processing tutorial (similar to mau p / dom dolla tracks) or drums/perc processing tutorial. Cheers from Canada - Sam

[@Bthelick]

Usually anything above the bass is down to sound selection, for leads; other than aesthetic preferences of delay/verb I don't do anything. For drums check out my "secret to my drum sound" short video. (Spoiler it's the same deal; sound selection and no processing)

[@djelvis1]

yoooo! spent the last couple weeks in ibiza.. happy to get back and see new vids. saw fisher drop this at Hi. yeeeesh.

[@eterblaz]

Interesting video, I have a simple view on all of this: If it sounds good, it works out fine. That is and should be the main core of any music production or any artistic pursuit. Some artists use the complete music theory system as much as they can, and cannot come up with something new because they are so engrained to create something out of a preexisting formula injected into a "Genre" or something. But some other artists use different sources of theory that has nothing to do with the medium and it works because its a translation from the inner world into a materialized form. Both approaches work as so many I am not aware of.

[@puvendranpillay8802]

1. subconsciously incompetent ( you don't know that you're bad) 2. consciously incompetent ( you know that you're bad) 3. consciously competent ( you know that you're good) 4. Subconsciously competent ( you don't know how good you are) The stages of learning. Deadmau5 and other people that are legendary without formal training are in 4. Thanks B for the video. Love your way of teaching!

[@ModifiedeGM]

Love these videos! I think this is the only KZbin channel I am subscribed to

[@Bthelick]

I'm honoured thankyou 🙏

[@ruk2023--]

I don't always follow scales. I just go with what sounds good because a lot of synth presets are detuned anyway which affects their real pitch.

[@afistfullofmustard3006]

brilliant video mate. super on point and well explained

[@Yourstrulyent_]

I was classically trained and you just blew my mind about the 5ths thing 😂

[@jonzfilms]

True legend. 👍 ❤Thank you

[@FaithlessFlight]

Would love to see a deep dive on Keinemusik (Rampa, &ME, Adam Port) - especially their pianos and Melodies

[@Bthelick]

Yeah I've been looking at &ME and black coffee recently. Are they classed as "Acoustic house"?

[@FaithlessFlight]

@@Bthelick Yeah I guess so! Their keys sounds very 'live', especially in their songs like 'Muye' and 'The Rapture III' and even Rampa's Remix of Bind by RY X

[@skidogleb]

Interestingly people use the phrase Rule of Thumb quite approximately, I’ve heard it used to mean “gospel” pretty much. I didn’t realize how ironically precise its own meaning really is!

[@JonnyProperly]

I beleive this is what Ive always referred to as a Happy Accident, Sometimes they are awesome!

[@wolfgangrecordings]

not really a happy accident, i write music by ear and don't know my scales & chords but i go with what sounds good. by your definition 100% of my melodies are accidental but you can have creative direction and agency without knowing the theory

[@stuartgreen2552]

Love your channel. Incredible 👏

[@phynyxsound]

You are among the best for learning anything useful! Even for pro producers! Not that I'm one :D

[@Bittamin]

Best channel I’ve found for house music so far. Hoping to see you break down klaus veen soon!!! Dude is the Goat of house tracks in my opinion

[@AlexParker808]

Felix Da Housecat & Soulwax - Rocket Ride from NFS-U2 had a similar vibe with the alternating minor/major thingie. Also The Crystal Method - Born Too Slow from NFS-U1 had something similar in the vibe. You see, it's all about getting that NFS feel lol. Jokes aside, it sounds good than it is good. The Chemical Brothers - The Salmon Dance has that too. Kiss From A Rose anyone? If you guys know any other songs with this "feel" reply here, let's make a playlist!

[@Bthelick]

Everyday is the same - NiN

[@AlexParker808]

@@Bthelick talking rock, Pearl Jam - Even Flow, Limp Bizkit - My Way 🤪

[@AutPen38]

Please don't bring Pearl Jam into this. They used the so-called "Devil's interval" which should obviously be banned. Eddie Vedder should be in prison for making such awful atonal music.

[@smodemusic4942]

Another fantastic, video. 💯

[@iskoopmonkies]

Found your channel by chance and i’m learning so much. Would love your take on bass house genre, more specifically knock2. I think his sound is quite unique and I can’t figure out what i’m listening to

[@Bthelick]

I touched on bass house in the video "genres that don't use chords" but I do intend to get round to a proper video on it. It's not easy reverse engineering those sounds, there's heavy use of non-standard oscillators through distortion, which makes it very much a trial and error affair.

[@Mtaalas]

About that "No parallel 5ths" rule... it's a rule that comes from how fifth as an interval sounds. Fifth is so perfect, that you can't distinguish two different notes when played together, you hear a fifth as a one single "sound". Thus it's in a way "harmonically uninteresting" interval when it comes to chords and if one's"harmony" consists of fifths in succession, they're not that interesting, nor are they very sophisticated, so it's discouraged. There are other reasons as well, but this is one of the large ones. These "rules" aren't just arbitrary, they come from centuries of music theory and they're always based on real phenomenon. They come from certain expectations one as an artist should be striving for if one calls themselves a professional composer. Sure, you can toss those rules if you want, that's fine... but if you don't understand WHY rules exist or some things are encouraged and others are not, you're doing yourself a disservice and are not reaching your potential. And this is what really separates professionals from amateurs: that professional understands why rules exists, what they are about... and breaks them regardless WHEN IT'S APPROPRIATE TO DO SO for their vision. Amateur doesn't understand why, and does whatever they please with no consideration... which of them is more in control of their craft? :) And then ultimately, one has to decide, do they want to be in control of or stumble around in darkness until hey come up with gold? And there's no right or wrong answer, each of us must answer that question by ourselves. And nobody should blame someone from reaching a different answer than someone else.

[@ruk2023--]

5:50 - that pitch up. Is it a simple pitch automation with a tremolo or flanger? It's an effect I want to make use of and you probably have a better solution than I do.

[@Bthelick]

You mean this?; 9:40

[@ruk2023--]

@@Bthelick What's happened here is I didn't watch the end of the video before commenting. I'm good for that, Thanks!

[@Bthelick]

@ruk2023-- 🤣 np. well I do ramble on sometimes hard to listen to me for too long!!

[@szeredaiakos]

The magic of the chromatic scale is that you can express a musical sensation in any way shape or form and at any time.

[@MouldySoul]

7:47 "not n easily definable scale" it's a harmonic minor.

[@Bthelick]

Harmonic minor doesn't have a flat 2, major 3rd or major 6 it's just minor with a major 7th. None of that lines up with this. Is there a reason you think it's harmonic minor?

[@deeptriptv7617]

After 12 years in music school i work this way... 😊 No meter wher i start...always i get there where i want. But i use much much more noise 😅. Cool ❤ video.

[@pushtoenter4174]

As always. Great stuff.

[@Gangstatwinkie351]

this is insane, thankyou

[@thekevofantasyfootballshow]

I learn so much from these videos

[@ApexDubb]

i very much respect your attitude and approach good sir. definitely earned a sub from me

[@qwetwemusic6790]

That's so interesting! Subscribed! :)

[@AliasMaurice]

Is it like modal jazz if there are different modes built from d# ?

[@Bthelick]

Yes that's right 👊

[@artemsky7334]

You are the best!

[@dddvision]

Ahh, but I suspect that the processes of those who press and guess their way to success can be studied, and even repeated to some degree. They are probably thinking entirely at the level of arrangement of elements right from the start. For example, they may think, I need a riser here, a stab there, some bass movement, some chords that make me feel a certain way, etc.

[@finbeats]

The paradox at the end is so true like wtf 😂 i also watch this atleast once a week for some reason

[@lgustavomata]

Awesome video!

[@E-1K]

Pretty sure Deadmau5 uses Xfer's Cthulhu. The chord/music theory plugin from Steve Duda, a very good friend of Deadmau5. Definitely some great software for those of us with 'a lot of room for improvement' with our music theory knowledge.

[@Bthelick]

Yeah that's likely for sure . It is a great plug Steve makes some great tools 👊

[@bbyrdee1239]

BIG BIG BIG Bthelick fan

[@nyamnyam1416]

Hi. Don't know if many of your followers know Shingo Nakamura, but I am a huge fan of his music. He played at Tomorrowland this year. I would be delighted to see a video that teaches how to make melodic/progressive house in the style of Shingo.

[@ruk2023--]

6:14 would you consider yourself a DAW to DAW salesman?

[@mjlblake]

I love these track breakdowns. Everyone of them makes me think about heading back to the Mac and starting a new track. One track that keeps getting to me is Desko-Ascend. The trick fluttering sound is just amazing. Is there a reason why this sound is so engaging?

[@Bthelick]

Probably because it's off grid. Not much is traditionally so it sounds fresh. Well it did until everyone and their dog started doing it for the last year! It stops people dancing so you can't really fit more than 1 in a set too, you gotta be careful about what crowd it's for.

[@mjlblake]

@@Bthelick I totally understand, it’s an interesting effect that peaks your interest. More engaging for those who listen rather than dance. But it might make an interesting subject for a video (I’m sure the list is already long). “Things that you don’t expect, why they work and when to use them.” I also want to know how it’s done! Time to upgrade from playing around on GarageBand and switch to Albeton 😊

[@finbeats]

12:18 how philosophical of you! 🔥

[@mikewalko536]

Great video- funny enough a friend and I were discussing what rule of thumb meant last night. Apparently the etymology is unconfirmed so people shouldn't take your purported origin of the phrase as gospel :-) case in point.

[@jesusflore8394]

lmao you're the shit man, obsessed w your videos

[@ightoaks]

Amazing

[@CantHandleMikeHawk]

Mr. Lick, i have a slightly unrelated question (unrelated to the video but to do with music). Idk if you dj but I want to start and want to know what I should start out with. Was thinking about cdjs because they're the standard but if I want to save money what about a pioneer xdj xz?? Or something by denon?

[@Bthelick]

I can't answer that one sorry, in the studio guy behind the djs but rarely get to DJ myself.

[@CantHandleMikeHawk]

@Bthelick if you ever see your dj mates please ask but if you can't no biggie the production stuff is already gold

[@Bangers_mostly]

I love this guy!

[@jonzfilms]

Buy this man a coffee ☕️

[@hooley9855]

If you find the time to breakdown a HiLo (Oliver Heldens alias) track, maybe something like Kronos or Mercury i would be very appreciative! They are so well produced and when seeing him play live the track ripples through your body it was insane 😂 love the videos mate

[@keiichitw]

Hilo is just crazy. Ever since his track renegade master i was in love. It was also crazy finding out he was actually oliver heldens, my favourite future house artist back then haha. Kronos is just something else

[@chrisfinkbohner]

Can you do a break down of slick city,dua lipa - electricity

[@liamfishface]

i knew it sounded off! i didn’t like it bc of this reason and i thought i was the only one hearing the off notes

[@AntiTrollable]

everything is chromatic and its just about finding tension and release in a coherent way.

[@masonflintmusic]

Press and guess baby!!!

[@Ahungryhungarian]

I was so dearly hoping you recorded yourself for the vocal

[@Bthelick]

Haha I should start doing that to avoid copyright claims shouldn't I?

[@dylanowens3949]

Most likely produced by Chris Lake as is most of Fisher's stuff. He has some production streams from a couple years ago, well worth the watch! Great video as always 😎

[@Bthelick]

He's credited on the ones he does, doesn't appear to be part of this one. Everyone is confused as what a producer does though so I might have to a rant on that too by the looks of it 🤣

[@leevikamarainen1493]

​@@BthelickI probably belong to one of those ignorant people so please do! 😂

[@krunge]

​@@Bthelick It's hardly no secret he's the man behind Fisher's biggest track Losing It even though he's not credited. Also on this particular track it's actually Chris Lakes wife Gita speaking just using an alias :)

[@Bthelick]

Oh gita is his wife? Ok thanks. Still though, people need to understand what a producer does in music.

[@molem348]

@@Bthelick I'm pretty sure when anyone mentions Chris Lake "producing" Fisher (as they always do) it's more of a Maarten Vorwerk way than Rick Rubin way! Awesome channel, please keep them coming :-)

[@matthewdemetree6743]

can we get a full guide to vital ? that would be amazing.

[@Bthelick]

Have you seen my 2 synth videos ?

[@jasoncoen4428]

Great video as always! Will these projects files be available at any stage?

[@Bthelick]

It's not legal to re distribute other's samples. If I ever get round to making my own drum sample library it might be possible to legally share projects of my own tracks, but I will still have to wait until after release to prevent copyright complications.

[@jasoncoen4428]

@@Bthelick ah I see thank you for the explanation

[@NARXOVERHERE]

Will you post the project file ?? , i'm so tired trying follow every move in your videos by drag and pull and pause the video ...

[@Bthelick]

Until I find time to make my own sample libraries i can only give away midi only project files. (It's illegal to redistribute samples and software that aren't mine)

[@NARXOVERHERE]

@@Bthelick hope you will make it soon

[@NARXOVERHERE]

how about the drum , the fx T__T , which videos i should watch next ...

[@Bthelick]

@@NARXOVERHERE sorry I don't understand the question. What is fx T__T?

[@NARXOVERHERE]

​@@Bthelick T__T is just the cry emotion icon haha sorry . by fx I mean the uplifter and downlifter that would work well for this track. Also, I had a question about the mixing stage. ., sorry for asking too much . Maybe you should make contents on your donate site .. idk . By the way, I think your Vital presets and everything else are fantastic! The only exception might be the Bass 1 preset, which sounds a little different from the original. anyway thank you so much for everything

[@isaac10231]

You gotta do a lesson on how you worked out those difficult notes.

[@Bthelick]

I slowed the original to half to give me a chance, and I slowed it without time stretching to bring that high sound down an octave also. Then it's a case of make a similar sound , and then play-stop-repeat x1000 on every single change until you find the notes! Years of ear training means but this point I have near perfect relative pitch so that speeds things up , but the process is the same regardless.

[@gramsta836]

It doesn't make sense because that synth with the fifths is essentially a percussive element. Percussion doesn't necessarily need to be in key as long as it is adding to the groove and not detracting from the melodic integrity of the track.

[@Bthelick]

5ths? You mean the guitar style stab?

[@gramsta836]

@@Bthelick yes sorry, I realized its more than just a fifth.

[@bigmanmike12]

smashed it again

[@microsoftpain2734]

So you ARE processing your bass actually!) More power to the "rule of thumb" rule haha

[@Bthelick]

where? apart from 1 eq bump to match the reference there is no processing I didn't mention in the bass processing video. its high pass into stereo faker into sidechain! 👊

[@microsoftpain2734]

@@Bthelick I'm speaking about this highpass filter indeed. I'm yet to figure how to use those things without ungluing kick from bass too much)

[@Bthelick]

I show it in the bass processing video

[@bauleTV]

Broski, you’re sick with it. Can we get these presets for vital 🙏

[@Bthelick]

Watch the full video...

[@Viqaso]

Amazing Channel do you do mentoring ? project reviews?

[@Bthelick]

Re mentoring, The music and videos take all my time right now sorry. Why would you want my feedback?