Track Feedback - The 1 Thing I've Said To Everyone

[@willsoul007]

So you’re saying I need a new snare?

[@puvendranpillay8802]

You need some snacks

[@hobbs.mp3]

Amazing advice and feedback that I think some of us don't really want to hear, but need to. A lot of us are definitely just looking for validation from someone we respect, but don't fully consider the context of what that means for our music. At the end of the day, our music is usually either for ourselves, or for the masses, so as long as either we're happy, or the people are dancing, I think we should consider that mission accomplished.

[@SvintMvrcus]

Fellow Tool enjoyer 🔥 10,000 days has one of the hardest hitting lyrics I’ve ever heard personally “Fetch me the spirit, the son and the father. Tell them their pillar of faith has ascended.” It’s almost as if MJK is demanding on his mother’s behalf that she be allowed into heaven and knowing his disdain towards religion it’s almost like he’s still hoping there’s a place for her soul to rest while rejecting it himself. Good stuff. I think my problem as an artists is I don’t really know my “why” and after watching your “production direction matters” video I realized I don’t have a direction when I sit down to make a song, I just kind of play some chords and choose a random preset I like then throw some drum samples and build around that. In the “how to uk garage drums” vid you mentioned tone and using light short drum samples with smoother sounds and vice versa, so obvious but overall tone was something I never really took into consideration. One thing I’ve always felt I lacked was bass part writing and your like your bass part vs bass line video really helped because I never knew there was a difference, or what notes to use for a bass line. I’ve been a boombap / lofi beatmaker for a decade but recently I’ve gotten into uk garage so it’s all new to me, and your videos are in a way kind of like a mentorship deal to me so I really appreciate it man 🙏🏼 I hope to some day be able to make music that has people dancing in the club and forgetting about their problems for a bit. Lord knows I definitely need it too sometimes. Also, definitely looking forward to that brand/identity video!

[@cinthie6025]

Awww bless you! And thanks again for joining and carrying the records around 😝 you got great tourmanager skillz too if you ever want to do something else 😅

[@SparmBoy]

This reminds me of what Pete Heller said about his seminal track "Big Love" : "not bad, maybe one day I'll finish it"

[@restlessmosaic]

I am starting to have a very personal type of success that I didn't even think was possible. And to whatever extent I'm coming into it, a lot of what separates musicmaking in my late thirties versus my teens and twenties is exactly what you're saying. I was animated by my own odd ideas, my rhyme schemes, my time signatures, and all these things. But while *I* end up falling in love with songs over these things, that's not most people. There was, to be frank, a lot of "pick me" energy - I was hoping people would fall in love with my music, and kinda me, on my weirdest terms. It was a sort of boundary-testing in relationships - bring out the weirdest things and see if they still wanted to be around me. So I was bringing my personal dysfunctions into my writing and productions, and that meant I was making each song try to do too much. It's the difference between people *respecting/admiring* a song and *liking* it. The more I let the song just be a song and do what songs usually do in people's lives, it worked a lot better.

[@Bthelick]

Great to hear. Yes it's always a tough one. We can make music purely for ourselves and there's nothing wrong with that, but at some point I think most artists still want to be heard/seen/understood, so then learning to communicate becomes it's own skill on top that, it inevitably changes the art but I don't see it as any less honest it's just the natural arc of an artist. And at the end, any fears of 'selling out' or whatever are replaced with satisfaction of reaching and changing other people.

[@niharpatil4046]

The production sage strikes again! Great video, love the point about us asking why vs how

[@thetree2044]

BTheLick - incredible advice where you said about 'why' your making the music and how it fits the narrative you want to portray. Really changed my perspective many thanks

[@carmichaelfinch552]

I just found your channel and watched your video on UKG basslines and it immediately snapped me out of my month long writer's block and within a few hours I already had a bouncy and catchy demo. Time to subscribe and binge all of your videos!

[@Bthelick]

Nice one! Great to hear, thanks 👊

[@theknarlyboy]

You know what I like about you? Your ability to explained yourself without trippin up. There's no "erm" or "errr", it's just straight to the point, and your point is valid. Tis good, tis refreshing, and keeps your videos a sensible and digestible length.

[@Bthelick]

Oh trust me in the 60 other takes there's lots of erm , and ah!! 🤣🤣 I appreciate the appreciation though thank you. I'm from the North of England where word abbreviation is heavy, and the accent can be hard to understand so I spend considerable time trying to enunciate clear words and writing it all in an order that's digestible. Have a look at my vids in the live stream section you'll see how bad I am normally haha

[@greedokenobi3855]

8:05 Extremely well said!

[@dannymaher664]

Well said my brother. Very diplomatic and directional. All the best as usual...... Dan UK

[@MoonbaseDiscoRecords]

Kind of off topic but House mother Cinthie is probably the most humble and down to earth djs around. And you can always feel it through her posts, video messages, the way she tries to interact almost every comment and her most importantly her stage presence. I think it’s big part of her brand and it suits it perfectly if you making classic house music which is all about positive vibes. As fans, that’s why we don’t give a frack if some her chords are meh or perfect as long as she make us dance and smile and oh boy she is really good at it :) I think there are similar mechanisms why we love your channel. For sone us its just on point topics, articulation or being rational and analytical. But probably we love it because you make us feel like you’re one of us although you’re a production royalty :) sorry for spitting out my life story lol. Amazing advices, as usual. ❤

[@Bthelick]

No don't apologize. That's exactly the point I was making! Cinthie is incredible yes. I had the privilege of having dinner with her after the gig, super real, down to earth and kind. In fact we met because I reached out after she donated to my friend's gofundme.

[@cinthie6025]

Awww thanks so much for the kind words ❤

[@pharmakon7920]

Why am I not surprised you're a tool fan 😂 Great video mate, just found your channel and it's an absolute treasure trove of brilliant, well presented advice and knowledge

[@aurnik]

Well said. It's interesting that you mentioned what your reaction would be for a first listen of Wings Pt2. It seems like with the way music is consumed now, many people only ever give a song that first listen, thereby never getting to the "why" behind the track. I'm curious if this is something that needs a better solution regarding how listeners consume the media, or if the artists need a better way to give context to their work.

[@Bthelick]

Yes well we've all been conditioned into this ADHD format of consuming media now, so it's tough. I don't see it happening through any existing systems. It just comes from keeping up communication with your super fans and selling directly.

[@hesselagergaming1823]

Thank you Bthelick, best/only feedback i think i ever needed. btw Tool is also one of my favorite bands/Groups. Pls never stop making videos : -))

[@bojusmusic]

One of the best videos on music production I've watched in a long time

[@ZeraxGaming]

The answer of "Why" we want to create music is different for everybody - I myself enjoy listening, vibing and dancing to music. I look up to someone like you who gives advice - especially for free - to fellow artists. I cannot thank you enough for that!

[@joegagne9684]

Would love some UK Bass breakdowns

[@djkamnz]

Thank you so much, I really needed to hear this

[@alexanderwerth2785]

Oh man am I glad to have found this channel!

[@niklasstange7706]

one of the best channels i‘ve ever found. Thanks for your great work and your expertise and experience!!! Keep on

[@SalocinMata]

the why is the importante, not the how ... thank you dude!

[@danieljamesoconnor6800]

Feel it baby, feel it! Good advice. Loved the track in the background. Thank you for sharing ✌️

[@artofficialmusic5257]

I met Cinthie last a couple of weeks ago at the Mixmasters retreat. She’s really cool.

[@909.gabriel]

Love this video, it makes sense, I’ll take this advice

[@KevinArdala01]

I'm a big fan of Cinthie: Bassline, Good for You and Me, and Calling are my favourites. I know I was banging on about Maya Jane Coles the other week, but any tutorials inspired by Cinthie would be nice too. 😜👍

[@GrimsBar]

This is insanely true. When getting feedback from other producers they'll often conflict with one another. Completely different advice. I found the best person to ask is my wife. The music is for us mostly anyway. So if she likes it. If she says, I want to hear that one part again, then I know it vibes. 😂

[@johnjamesjeremiahherer]

REALLY GOOD ADVICE!

[@djmumma]

That’s so insightful and useful. Stories and audience all day. Thank-you! ❤

[@derickatkins5032]

Was wondering if the intro music was as something you released ? It’s really beautiful

[@Bthelick]

Aw thanks. I release everything eventually. My policy is nothing stays on the hard drive! I made this quickly using the stutter house plot session , as soon as I find a vocal it will get released 🙏👊

[@TranceferLane]

I appreciate your choice of a game at @6:00 :D. Great video

[@threeMetreJim]

There are probably not many people that don't have an interest in music. I've always been fascinated by it, and always admired (and envied to some degree) people that are able to produce music and/or play an instrument. I thought that I'd have a go, as a hobbyist, seeing that technology has advanced to the point you don't need a huge studio set-up any more. I treat music making as a sort of puzzle, where you have to learn how to solve obstacles to get something sounding 'acceptable' using knowledge (a lot provided by yourself, and other channels). As I started actively listening to music in the late 80's and early 90's, I've started out trying the limited resources methods that the old 'rave' producers had to work with, to try and force some creativity out, as I'm not a very creative person, usually. I have taken your advice, and let any random person listen/comment on my creations without worrying too much about how good, or otherwise, those people think the creations are. I would guess the end goal would be to reach an acceptable standard and then use that to bring some kind of joy/excitement to myself and my friends, rather than try to make it an income generator.

[@Gedden]

Thank you yet again for a great video! Fantastic advice!

[@WillWerkZ]

I agree with you on your point of view. Music is an art. Everyone wants to be measured against something else. That why plugin companies will get rich while certain people will go broke. Imagine Picasso asking if his art was good to someone who favors Michelangelo or if someone said how does this color of paint look… not only is it subjective but it’s a matter of how it makes you feel. Art is about emotion. Music is art. That’s why I know I’ll work on something and it’ll never feel like it’s complete. But sometimes you have to let it go. That piece may inspire someone else. How many remakes and reworks end up becoming a new thing. Even Benny Benassi had a hit reworked by David Guetta and he loved it more than his original because it was what he was looking for. Sometimes we are the square pegs that need to find the right place for us to fit. We have to stop trying to be the most valuable player and just be content with being a part of the team.

[@onairrecordings]

Real talk ❤❤

[@AzRBeatz]

You are living legend sir.

[@Andrew-rz7qt]

I love making music without the pressure of making money from it. I come to you for advice on how to do something and you always help. I'm going to give something back.. if you want to make money from music try working with the mindset of NOT. The first thing I learnt was direction, know what it is you are making.

[@musazichle8476]

I don't even create music, but I loved this piece of advice. Thank you

[@bassyjay6281]

Just Wowwww! that's so true btheclick!! Nice video once again

[@playbooksessions8325]

I think if the artist themselves loves the music they are making, then that should be enough

[@defectiveresistor]

I was just thinking that myself.

[@Bthelick]

Yes, It's usually only enough for a hobbyist though unfortunately. You have to love what you do regardless but at some point if you want it to pay then just pleasing yourself doesn't usually work when your trying to keep a roof over your head. You don't have compromise your integrity though, it's mainly you have to learn how to communicate better, something many artists struggle with early on. Then after that you have to learn how to sell your ideas too, again not easy. Then you have to learn how to be found. With nearly a million tracks made a every single day it's yet another struggle on top. Long term, making great music you love becomes the easy bit! As that's what you will inevitably be most practiced in. It's the other 90% of work getting it out there that makes or breaks a career.

[@keithwiseman3847]

Validation at last. Thank you. It is the music that I want to make. And I'm loving it. Still learning of course, but loving the journey

[@maXXer00]

"come darling, Bthelick dropped another gem*

[@RETROZENmusic]

Very insightful, thank you for this!

[@juliusmiliusJM]

Thank you❤

[@uniqueflowsnake]

this is great stufff. Stuff i needed to hear 20 yrs ago. i hope this saves time for the younglins who need to hear it. pees an luv.

[@thomasclarke9342]

best channel on youtube hands down thank you for what you do

[@MikePietersen]

Funny what you mention from 08:00 about why making a track is important and not giving feedback only based of what is in there. I was working months on fan-made soundtrack of Avatar The Way of Water while referencing very specific tracks for certain parts (the melody idea actually came to me in the middle of the IMAX cinema). I wanted to make the music align with the video editing of the movie in such a way, so that you can follow via the video what is going on in the movie chronologically to an extent, but also hear in the music what is going on in the movie emotionally at every section of the track that aligned with the video. So making a synergy. Eventually I made an unusual structure of 10 minutes for this reason while i was editing the video and making the track at the same time to see what can work. Compared to all the trance tracks that I referenced, the structure was not the same. Also in terms of the total frequency balance with the kick. The track was intended for orchestral uplifting trance music with a punchy 140bpm track without any harshness, but still with high frequency instruments in it to express the main theme of the film (the conflict between the RDA & Na'Vi & the moments of Jake's family). I doubted a lot of times while referencing what was good or wrong. While I made some better decisions in general with it since I am not experienced enough, some certain smaller tweaks were not possible to sound like a certain instrument in the other track, because then it wouldn't sound as balanced anymore in the track with the rest. Even after some time now, I would have changed a couple minor things. After seeing this video, maybe I say that because that the process of making and being creative is done instead of being more objectively. I still think the 2nd option. I love the philosophical/psychological perspective you have in these videos to expand everyone's view on the process of music. Cheers.

[@ezenelex]

lwhat a curse we are all under at 2:50... lol. the best source of feedback we can get is a crowd but producing always happens alone/in a small group if that. this is a very eye opening video

[@b-r-a-i-n-r-o-t]

it is worth pointing out that many audiences will have just as powerful of and just as many biases as artists, except they will often lack the language to articulate their biases.

[@Bthelick]

Very true good point

[@DennisWilliamsDJ]

I considered asking you for feedback on a track but after watching this video you made me realize I'm not "there" yet. Need a plan first ^_^

[@rockmonkeynut]

a fellow Tool fan, ahhhmazing band live. mind blowing.

[@conrad03]

man this was incredible advice. thank you

[@UKBassTutorials]

The tool fan to bass music tutorial creator pipeline is real.

[@grunntalll]

I think the narrative and story and why thing is my biggest weakness, especially connected to lyrics.

[@RolledInARaw]

Always the truth thank you so much

[@UseYourEarsBro]

Spot on mate. As always, wise words

[@DanHaycocks]

Beautifully put 🎉 🌞

[@gamefantasticcuz]

Amazing. Can almost applied to a lot of things.

[@jenbanim]

"Its the story that spreads the music". This is 100% true and I've got really mixed feelings about it As a music nerd, I like to imagine there's something transcendent about the music I love. Like the hours I spend analyzing a melody bring me closer to something important. Like I could lose my memory, hear a track again for the first time, and feel the same way I do now. I take pride in finding hidden gems and listening through albums. I scoff at the fake sob stories on American Idol. I wish people would stop caring what's popular and to follow their taste whatever direction it takes them But that's stupid and it's denying the power music has as a medium for telling a story. 10,000 Hours means more because I know why it exists. I found my favorite band because of their persona, and I view everything they make through that lens. When I'm singing along to "Everybody" I don't care whether or not the Backstreet Boys were manufactured to make money I really don't know what to think

[@ps4broadbanddrifter281]

This video right here and all the others you've blessed us with is why I'll keep coming to your channel again and again. Nothing but excellence. Also, this is the second time you've used footage from 2 video games I love dearly, Warframe and Path of Exile. They're both my go to activities when I need to take my mind off of things for a while. I'm assuming you play them?

[@Bthelick]

Yes same here, games are my go to when I need to switch off from music. I showed it in one of the finishing tracks rants, the steam collection is getting a little ridiculous now 🤦‍♂️ I have thousands of hours in POE and WF (and others). Not played WF for a while but I will go back.

[@fradav68]

Great stuff as always 👌👏

[@C-MAGs]

I'm a chemical engineer. It's a lot of maths and reading scripts. I make music because I need to do something creative! I rarely like the music I make and never even post it anywhere but, I just need the process of doing it, in my life. :)

[@ItsWiddit]

HE DONT MISS!

[@ruk2023--]

Very useful video but I'm actually more interested in how you make that breathy, airy gating sound on the chords in the background.

[@Bthelick]

It's a quick track I put together made up of various sounds from the stutter house video they are all shown there. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ronPdmmtp5KVqdEsi=19sAhS_RlmZSZXUB

[@renek.6434]

There are many tracks of successful artists that are mixed far from perfect. On the other hand, there is a lot of boring music mixed to perfection. To me it's also important that music is unique and doesn't just sound like anything else in the genre.

[@Bthelick]

Well said. Look at PAWSA. Perfect recent example. The complete opposite of what most would consider a 'professional club mix' yet goes off in a club because it sounds like nothing else!

[@itskittens]

wow can we get a breakdown of the track in this vid? its so good

[@Bthelick]

Thanks, I made it out of the stutter house plots I researched for that video.

[@itskittens]

@@Bthelick ill go check it out thank you

[@ruleset]

I knew reddit and discord feedback groups are useless, glad I never felt the need to use those

[@DJ_DIMSIM]

Mr. Bthelick, Would you recommend tone dear for ear training?

[@Bthelick]

Are you referring to tonedeaftest.com?

[@DJ_DIMSIM]

@@Bthelickno it’s tonedear the first thing that comes up when you search ear training

[@Bthelick]

Oh sorry I thought it was a typo! I'm not aware of it I'll give a look

[@nomaddigitalmusic]

Perfect on point! Ty

[@LabofmusicRecords]

ah ok, let me check my cow bell samples, this will fix all my tracks :)

[@drrodopszin]

Me ignoring context of the video: "Bro, just stop speaking in the sub bass region!"

[@vihaantahiliani658]

Live masterclass when 😭

[@eraybuzz]

I'm wondering, what's the why to your music. What's your story?

[@Bthelick]

Good question thank you! I do plan on making a "my story" video for the channel. I make music for all kinds of reasons, chasing a feeling, experimentation, tributes to my influences, practice, based on musical principles, ghost writing, to teach from, puzzle solving, money, but mostly fun.

[@benolinquimpo5801]

As if finding Virji and UKG content wasn’t cool enough, man drops random Warframe footage. You make it hard not to like you fine sir!!

[@chambre466]

thx

[@13Skribbles]

I'm just happy to see a video on KZbin that isn't about politics or some entitled person throwing a temper tantrum

[@Forward000]

good video

[@ruk2023--]

Are we sure about James Hype using AI for Wild's vocals? I know he uses AI for vocals but I thought wild was a direct rip from Sharam's Get Wild. Not sure how that guy recreated it because AI was about as likely in 2009 as it was in 1993.

[@Bthelick]

No the one he did this year. That uses jodeci

[@ruk2023--]

@@Bthelick Why didn't he just use Sharam's version because it sounds absolutely identical to what he finished up with including all the pitch bends?

[@Bthelick]

@@ruk2023-- same reason for any sample replay, so you don't have to spend time and money finding permission and buying the rights to the sample

[@ruk2023--]

@@Bthelick So I can use AI to recreate something and take all the royalties if the song does well?

[@Bthelick]

@@ruk2023-- if the recording is 'yours ' you get the royalties from that. In the case of a remix you'll still have to pay 100% writing royalties to the original writers.

[@jamesdrevett]

Felt bad for liking. Was sat on 707.

[@Bthelick]

I don't understand could you explain? A Roland 707?

[@phosyton7254]

Just have to ask, are you by any chance a warframe player or was the shot just a coincidence?

[@Bthelick]

I was, only got a measly 1k hours in it. Haven't played for a while I got into poe big time. I do plan on returning the new quests / modes daviri etc look great.

[@phosyton7254]

@@Bthelick I used to play it a lot myself now it's been a while. I only play when something new comes out anymore got around 2400 in myself and am Mr L3. Funny got this conversation because you showed a 3sec clip of the game.😂

[@ITST-CHO]

BRIGHT AND EARLY !

[@leon3589]

Just when I thought I couldn’t like you more you had to go ahead and mention Tool.

[@San7hos]

It's Benday!

[@San7hos]

Thanks for saying this out loud. I might have never fully realised the entire story.

[@mcjdubpower]

Gud vid 💯💥

[@Ephemeral-Bean]

Sounds kinda tragic that you cant listen to a song without being able to turn off the analytical side of the brain. I love nature and studied biology, id hate to not be able to go into the woods without feeling the need to make an inventory of the species and abiotic levels of the soil and... do you get what I mean? Love the vid tho lol sorry if it sounded like a rant but hardcore rationalism/materialist thinking shakes me sometimes

[@Bthelick]

It certainly is a tragic side. Could be worse, I could have perfect pitch!! I still enjoy plenty of music, I just have to be aware it's not how most people hear it and I have to have it in mind when advising people about communication and "success".

[@mhreinhardt]

I feel like, at first, from a personal experience, it ruins the type of joy you used to have about music because you're overanalytical and overcritical about everything. But, eventually, you get through that woods, and then when you find a track that's hitting on 99 you have an appreciation for it to depths you didn't even know existed before, and your emotional and analytical mind merge. You can find that joy again, it just doesn't always come along as often. Not to say it's definitively better either, so much is subjective and perspective, and whatever your new tastes are your old self might not have even bothered with.

[@threeMetreJim]

I've learnt how to 'stem separate' so that I can learn how things are put together by others. It can be a bit of a bind when listening casually, but i have found it possible to stop analysing so much by putting the music in the background more (the music is still there, even when thoughts go elsewhere). So that I can finish 'creations' without analysing so much, what I do is listen to them while reading, that usually makes only the most jarring flaws stand out, so at least I can say "that will do"; most 'ordinary' people won't even hear tiny imperfections.

[@unduloid]

Why I here??

[@peratikosofficial]