Creative drum sampling with Finneas

Full video available exclusively on mwtm.org/f-therefore-i-am-drums
A sneak peek from Finneas' 'Inside The Track' series in which he breaks down the rhythmic section from the the hit song 'Therefore I Am' by Billie Eilish
We're thrilled to release our first video series with the multiple Grammy-winning artist, songwriter, and producer Finneas O'Connell! This instalment focuses on the creation of 'Therefore I Am', the 2020 single by his superstar sister Billie Eilish. Finneas takes you through how he co-wrote the song, recorded Billie's vocals, produced the record, and prepared the stems for mixing by Rob Kinelski. With the multi-track production session open, he revisits the process of making drum beats, layering percussion, forming bass lines, and creatively mangling samples. He explains his workflow that involves mixing as he produces, trying impulsive vocal harmonies, and creating a rough master for reference. Furthermore, O'Connell shares the details of tracking with Billie, reveals his signal chains, and elaborates on the duo's songwriting approach!

[@mixwiththemasters]

Full video available exclusively on mwtm.org/f-therefore-i-am-drums

[@easeupkid8270]

It’s cool how simple his beats are while still having a good amount of spice while still giving a ton of room for Billie

[@snapascrew]

It can sometimes be a hard pill for a beat maker to swallow but the simplest stuff is generally the most effective.

[@d3vot3d]

Yeah, also, am I the only one wondering how his computer isn't crashing

[@sassytabasco]

Kenny Beats has talked about that before. He said he learned a lot about "less is more" from working with Rico Nasty.

[@easeupkid8270]

@@sassytabasco can’t deny how fire the smack a bitch beats. I guess it’s more about having that one element be a big X factor and carry the whole song like in the song the guitar is just nasty

[@altior85]

The true magic happens in the plugins and he does not really lay a focus there, he just says which plugins made the sounds sound like that but not how he get there (tweaking which knobs?).

[@Blaze22F]

*I like how his hoodie has the same color palette as his head*

[@scarcat2469]

NOOOOOOOO I CANT UNSEE IT

[@sukanya3411]

Ehehehehheh ahahahaaaa

[@Tazmanian_Ninja]

😂

[@jeffo466]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@studiom2215]

Finneas being an absolute Ginneas

[@susanwojcicki5714]

no...

[@jc-1403]

Genius* spell it right stupid…. Ik it’s a pun before commenting this, so shut up

[@clover6130]

pretty sure that's a beer

[@lowdives7406]

@@clover6130 that's Guinness... Fuinness being a Guinness? Okay lol no maybe I should've never spoken

[@clover6130]

@@lowdives7406 hey man its okay you tried your best I'm proud of you

[@hvhened]

the fact that he's not afraid to put his production techniques out there....

[@adirsab]

What to be afraid of? all information is already out there

[@RayyanKhanRayyanKhan]

@@adirsab Its more so that there's this stupid idea in the internet producer community about "sauce", referring to techniques / ideas that the respective producer is overprotective about. I mean if someone learns ur techniques and beats you at your own game that's your own fault. Dont be a coward lol

[@MakoNext]

@@RayyanKhanRayyanKhan jorge costanza

[@UE_5_beginner]

He is actually getting paid by the guys from that website, this is just a sneakpeek

[@RayyanKhanRayyanKhan]

@@UE_5_beginner Yeah that's true

[@sbroggie]

He's a master of the low end and leaving the rest for Billie to play in. So good.

[@soundbycozzy]

great way of putting it

[@aries]

he is so cool man

[@gunnargrubbs3123]

Goat

[@HipyoTech]

no u

[@nimize2537]

aries you are also so cool man

[@BILLAMENT2]

He’d be cooler if he streamed kids on molly just saying…

[@UNFUNBEATS]

Aries be on Munch with the Masters

[@rishabhbose29]

His sound selection is really good. Also he always finds pockets in his productions for everything to kinda fit in.

[@reyfortea6090]

I love how deliberate and methodical he seems to be

[@tracktionwaveformtips]

I love Finneas’ production. When I first heard Bury a Friend in the car on a dark drive home I was amazed by it. So different to absolutely everything in the charts. Every frequency in beautiful balance with such a beautiful low end to pad it all. I listened to it on repeat for days!

[@Bandstand]

sampling is cool

[@DonnyJ]

The fact that we can access this info for free. Crazy!

[@leeroyfree6029]

The way he just has fun with the production process is so intriguing

[@thestrangemanreturns]

All producers have fun lmao

[@LeifCoffield]

these videos bring it home just how simple a human i am - i see finneas production tutorial, i click.

[@_fig.8]

killer vibes. logic rules. we owe this man a better poster frame.

[@ojvic7297]

Shut up

[@lucasjcooper]

@@ojvic7297 nobody asked you

[@charliestubbs6151]

@Joe Biden’s Brain its like one of the biggest songs of the year my guy. public favor isn't the only thing that makes something "good," but it certainly is a factor. don't allow yourself to be so openly jealous... hide it like the rest of us

[@carrotnoises6981]

1:34 god that sounds genuinely so fucking cool

[@josefeoficial]

simple, accurate and good taste. love his productions

[@UndercoverRat]

Accurate in what sense

[@josefeoficial]

@@UndercoverRat how he places a sound and what sound he places

[@UndercoverRat]

@@josefeoficial thanks

[@eveningcharlatans9743]

Finneas is brilliant! Been saying this for 3 years now. He hears what others take for granted.

[@Geblawi]

This! _Exactly this!_ 🙌🏻

[@tylurmackinnon6217]

Without his beats Billie would just be some KZbin musician talk singing the same melody over and over. Finneas IS Billie.

[@foxxomusicofficial]

@@tylurmackinnon6217 I’m guessing you’ve only heard like two of her songs if you think she only talk-sings 💀 She uses her whole vocal range in her music

[@thestrangemanreturns]

@@foxxomusicofficial she doesn't have much vocal range. Any singer or musician will tell you this. She can't even belt strongly, she is a whispery ambient pop singer for hipster white girls like you.

[@lxvi2441]

@@thestrangemanreturns most good vocalists and musicians respect billie eilish's vocals, what she does is difficult. it's always respected musicians and vocalists praising billie eilish's and random youtube accounts putting what she does down. interesting how that's the pattern

[@MattMerritt]

It's fairly simplistic, but that's its genius... keeping it open and uncluttered leaving room for Billie's unique vocals. Love it!

[@peppersrestaurant1462]

His intelligence really comes through on this video. Super knowledge when producing and of course original.

[@larryh1843]

Brilliant man Love his poise and recollection of all he's done.

[@leonanazzo4089]

808 studio 2 is a monster of plugin for any bass and kicks

[@icarus8471]

I really like that he and Billie talk about production and demystify the process. Just watching him playing on stage you could tell that this guy is extremely musically talented.

[@HipyoTech]

Relatable amount of bed head

[@MantisTCO]

Wtf ur here? 😂

[@djvoid1]

The bassline is like 'Sweet Dreams' and 'Come Together' had a baby

[@UltiMutt]

Pretty accurate!

[@6FtBeats]

Basslines are made of this, grooving up slowly

[@jeffhirata]

Thank you FINNEAS for doing this! And thanks to Mix with the Masters for posting this sample!

[@HendryHZ]

the approach which Finneas deal with the low-end in pretty smart and musical and genius way make every headphone/earpod can feel the whole energy of the music. god! gez! it's totally about what you can creat but what you using.

[@Daggyyy]

What is his way to deal with low-end?

[@6FtBeats]

@@Daggyyy Nothing special really : he just lays out a very simple and basic pattern, then he adds element on top of it, to add some sense of movement.

[@kbdiesel]

Wouldn’t call it genius at all but yeah it’s pop music so. It’s cool I guess

[@jaiminpatel6396]

Please make his whole episode free. I need it!!

[@chrisknowles64]

Kudos to Finneas! He actually talks about what he's using and how he got there. He respects that all of us are just looking to get there too. What a talent!

[@OMIMmusic]

thank you for bringing us these pieces of gold

[@MIHAO]

This channel is pure gold, man, I swear..

[@ScantlessBeatz]

Im a artist and producer and this is amazing Finneas breaking down his process I learned a few new things.

[@nicksnotes2292]

Using plug-ins perfectly my gosh. Thanks for sharing this!

[@yaseene.4590]

I’m obsessed with this music genius oh my god - lately he has inspired me to start having fun (trying) to produce my own music. Thanks so much- it is so inspiring and educational to see how Finneas put together this masterpiece!

[@phantommagnolia]

genius LMAOO

[@user-ux1vj9vx7s]

Lol Please don’t

[@yaseene.4590]

@@user-ux1vj9vx7s awwww but could I still try as long as I don’t let anyone listen to it? Like I’ll make music but keep it to myself- or do you want me to stop completely. If so why? Is it bad? Ok thank youuu xxxx

[@solaviento]

He makes it look so easy.

[@ninorize]

@@yaseene.4590 just go for it, don’t listen to bitter people on the internet! you can only get better at it by trying and trying, finneas didn’t enter this world as a great producer, he had to learn too

[@mesa620]

Finneas looking like he just woke up from a nap on that couch and hit record

[@ThatTattooGuyOfficial]

That’s really awesome how simple that entire beat is. So catchy tho

[@tinawingmusic4763]

Very cool that he will share his creative ideas with others.

[@WizardOfArc]

Such a great producer

[@katie_marie_music]

Such a talented and awesome human. Thanks for sharing this!

[@imlskr]

Finneas is literally my favorite producer

[@Salantsoundstudios]

Amazing vid guys! All great stuff, thank you!

[@ca-qy3mk]

I could watch this videos all day, why is this so entertaining? I need mooore! finneas please do more thank u

[@chill502]

Watching finneas always inspires me

[@AlOne-xg6dv]

Sooo interesting. Talent without unnecessary pride or show off. It inspires me. Simplicity is the key as for many other domains like science etc ...

[@benpebbles4111]

I want to see him run. That hair would go WILD 🤣

[@brycem.4062]

Haha same!!

[@VarshithaPrabu]

watching Finneas work and explain his perspective is sooooo inspiring!!!!

[@joshuazuckermann]

Billie is talented… but this man is godly with producing

[@6FtBeats]

This is nice but far from godly

[@thestrangemanreturns]

not godly but with out him Billie is super average

[@6FtBeats]

@@thestrangemanreturns Aye but she is though

[@sdeitym]

@@thestrangemanreturns they need each other without her He also averages producer

[@mmbmashup7048]

@@sdeitym no he has some very good tracks without her but she don't

[@tonsshameless8741]

Im heavy into hip hop production. I been a fan and student of all the greats. This Man rite here is a genius of his craft. CRazy. What he is doin.

[@clarence.anderson]

A genius masters simplicity, ✨.

[@Yungchris760]

Hes dope as hell 🤦🏾‍♂️🔥🔥

[@ashertheaudiophile1917]

Finneas Is so cool and amazing

[@marshallross]

The Zipper sound! Wow!

[@fabienwaltmann4971]

Love this guy!!! He sounds a little like Greg Wells...

[@aldendomino3523]

I hope he moons the audience like he talked about doing in his interview.

[@01bgunnell10]

All I can say is just....wow.

[@alexisreda7978]

I love this this is so bomb. ........explains so well.

[@thevigoproject]

Love the “Gay Flute” he’s got on the library at the start of the video.

[@themattshort]

lol, and the Florida plucky fuck!

[@TheSideProject]

0:25 I like the beat vibe Sounds like the drums on "Rock My World" by MJ The Snare along the claps

[@Squidaniel]

I love how he clips his mix bus. Gives me hope 😂

[@DaleBerry]

Shot every time he says 'like'

[@bossman-jk9tl]

Dude who cares he didn't even say it that much

[@d3vot3d]

So sick!!

[@DannySullivanMusic]

agreed dude. _100%_ correct dude

[@bad_ancemusic8492]

Great work 🔥🔥🔥🔥🎧🎧🐐🎵

[@Sawer]

Honestly I dont like the drum samples he uses, but somehow he makes it work. Magic

[@tp700]

Yh I agree. He's still amazing tho

[@Sawer]

@@tp700 Ye, if anything this makes it better!

[@Aksaarben]

Man I would love to just sit and nerd out with him

[@beatweezl]

Dude is a sound design genius the way he took those blase bass fake 808 things and turned them into dirty brahms then took that simple zipper thing and turned it into a panning hihat. But that main bass line is UNDENIABLE!!!

[@1998Cebola]

"sound design genius" for literally panning a zipper sound lmao

[@theplaylister]

@@1998Cebola Hmm I get that might be a bit extra, that being said achieving simplicity is so much harder said than done.

[@1998Cebola]

@@theplaylister he didn't "achieve" anything, he just didn't do anything. People like Mika Vainio, Alva Noto, Ryoji Ikeda or Sophie achieve simplicity, Finneas just doesn't do much.

[@UndercoverRat]

@@1998Cebola this is your great Alva Noto ?? kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKDVq4iCqpx6r5o

[@SeaCryptWeave]

@@1998Cebola not about how much you do. its about what little you do right

[@willgio6788]

I love the names of his User Patches lol

[@facundocarbonelli5006]

He is INSANE

[@maurocornelio1241]

My Guy Finneas droppin 💍💎

[@paoloparini9959]

Super cool but damn, next level would be showing us the settings of the plugins. 808 processing was ununbelievable but display us what happens in those plugins hahahaha

[@magicspiral3323]

You can tell a lot about a producer by the names they give their custom samples and patches.

[@LawrinMaxwellsmpc500]

I'm an MPC akai type of guy, but I really appreciate Logic Pro..

[@RogerioValgode]

So cool!! 👏👏👏

[@DannySullivanMusic]

I'm incredibly gleeful there are people who recognize what's true

[@evygil]

awesome

[@yellowchild33]

THANK YOUUUU I LOVE YOUU I LOVE MUSIC THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

[@bartesX]

fucking love the woop man

[@abandonedartmusic]

Same, it's such a goofy sound Search for "cuíca", the instrument that produces this sound, very used in Brazilian Samba

[@chychywoohoo]

So dope

[@NowellValeri]

So badass!

[@benmaynard3059]

Cool as video.

[@davidcottrell1308]

Brilliant.

[@theraiden1018]

He knew what he was gonna do that day

[@itsjouska]

amazing

[@bensyow]

YO TOO GENIUS AND COOL

[@sukanya3411]

That is one really nice hoodie

[@jotreviuzcobb3257]

Genius

[@Cuboxotime]

FINNEAS IS MY INSPIRATION AND ALWAYS WILL BE!!

[@davidkrepps3747]

So cool

[@ohhgodspeed]

Love how he ferments spaghetti on his synths. Really down to earth dude.

[@owlis2328]

Lol

[@danielmac_ze]

Gran aporte!

[@dodrums7779]

That crappy tom is definitely a timpani. Made me chuckle

[@mrfleamino9350]

thank you

[@drewskywalkerpa]

i was so inspired by that thing he did w the 808, cant find that future lurker preset tho /: guess he made it or is there updates of presets im missing

[@BeniRoseMusic]

Anyone else on Logic Pro know where the setting to dim everything when muted is? My regions dim but I love how his whole screen dims and the tracks that aren't soloed also dim!

[@yewestoinwhere3533]

can any producer tell me how did he figure out the string's note or progression cause it really has that string feel to it. please tell how can one figure what note strings are gonna be?

[@TinmanCards]

This dude is insane

[@funknode]

"Why does this snare sound like you dropped a hairbrush down the vent?"

[@graymind]

so simple but absolute creative genius

[@BigDaddyMacc]

when you dress it up you get so much character. I like that

[@abysssss]

Finneas' *true* power lies in how his hair channels his crown chakra _straight. to. heaven._

[@cesmcmyth]

awesome youngstard, cool

[@MIHAO]

Panman is taken straight out of Knightrider