Drum processing with Depeche Mode

Kerry Hopwood is the Live Programmer/Musical Director for Depeche Mode. When it comes to staging a live DM show, theres no cutting corners. Kerry puts it simply: We need to use tools that work. In concert, Kerry and Depeche Mode rely on Ableton Live as an integral component of shaping the bands drum sound. In this movie, shot at a concert in Berlins Olympiastadion, Kerry discusses the advantages that Live offers for on-stage sound processing.

[@jimdukeproject]

Their live drums give it an energy that brings their music alive. I love their live sound.

[@mattevans7884]

They originally planned to tour with much of Martins collection of rare analogue synths but were talked out of it due the inherent instability of them. Like Kerry Hopwood said, they need something that will work and be as reliable on tour as software has become. Besides, I think once a vst is pumped through the massive PA's they use, no audiophile in the world will be able to tell the difference!

[@Xhumedcorpse]

Used to go to ITeC collage (London road, Gravesend) with Kerry, who was always pleasant 6 humourous. Great to see he has a great job!!!

[@SPKaa]

Guy was rocking those awesome sounding drums, too! This made me like DM a lot more.

[@Simonewhitesim-1music]

Seen this many times and it's Brilliant!!! i use it in studio and live!!!!!

[@davidbrun]

Great video... I'm a long time Live user, on and off stage has always been a very reliable software for me.

[@ProBloggerWorld]

DM now after all the years is about the good feeling, memories. The fans know where they are coming from, what they did before the perfect computer area. My first concert was October 1990, World Violation Tour.

[@Breakbeats92.5]

Can't imagine how nerve racking this mans job is. People would be floored if they knew the amount of effort MD's put into making sure the show goes off without a hitch.

[@indiefilmcomposer]

this is fascinating , DM taking studio drum processing recording techniques on the road as a real time performance effects, much better than recording loops

[@mwintersteinsmith]

As drummer who plays live AND owns a copy of Ableton Live 7.0.16 I have to say I am some what impressed with this video! I really did not think to combine 'live' drums with Ableton to create real time EFX and Gates etc through software... i will have to give it go...!!??

[@CATwithHATsDrummerBlog]

Very interesting. Thanks for the insight.

[@dep1001]

Great stuff! Thanx!!!

[@tlkshowhst]

I'm disappointed they haven't tapped into a hybrid drum setup, with acoustic mics and triggers with original samples from the recording

[@dwaynecarroll6098]

Love that white pearl kit!

[@zgovideos]

hello, how latency is managed ? what is the sound card ? any idea ?

[@autotunepop]

IMHO their live sound has suffered much from Alan's departure. Christian is a good drummer, but I'd prefer those huge, powerful electronic drum sounds in certain songs like Never Let Me Down Again!

[@superblip9372]

Those drums on NLMD weren’t exactly electronic either. From none other than John Bonham in fact, from “When the levee breaks”. David bascombe relates that the band was aiming for a big arena rock sound, so he sampled Bonham and processed them electronically. And to great effect yes?

[@jonnylpenman]

@@superblip9372 Yeah. It definitely worked to great effect. Their more recent set-ups have been great, but Alan's sound design was very unique and powerful-no matter which producer he worked with. Using different sounds doesn't have the same feel as the original sounds that Alan worked so hard on.

[@Kickingit06]

Watch Alan's drumming on I Feel You. It's perfect.

[@DICACIO1]

great behind the scenes, mate!

[@andym7333]

how the latency runing live inrument in and out ableton is their more gear to achieve this to kill latency

[@tronious]

excellent. I'm a long time Live user and will be for as long as I can record music

[@sensimilla2005]

Now I know why the drums sounds so much better on this tour :) Been there in Berlin, Frankfurt and Bratislava ! :) See you in Łodź!!!!!

[@djfitzz]

Great vid. Love ableton!!!

[@YARDMANMX]

what audio interface are you using is it pci express card or firewire conected and what computer are you using and what is the speed of the computer?

[@krismoonpie]

great video!

[@ronaldomode]

A great album!

[@indepthphoto4351]

Been following Depeche Mode since 82 Never liked the live drums It’s been said a million times but when Alan left so did the music...

[@jonaskarlberg3240]

I prefer live drums instead of drum machines Because i play the drums myself and it is more fun to watch Just like the singer Joe Elliott in the band Def Leppard said in a interview Depeche mode was a synth band that became a rock band I saw Depeche mode live 2006 in Stockholm Sweden and it was great I think that they shall continue play live with Christian because he is a fantastic drummer Reach out and touch faith Personal Jesus Depeche mode

[@EtsiJuuret]

@@jonaskarlberg3240 fake ya

[@jonaskarlberg3240]

@@EtsiJuuret singer Dave Gahan thanked drummer Christian Eigner when Depeche Mode was inducted in the 2020 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Dave said that the drummer Christian Eigner has been a huge part of the band for the last 20 years kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmjXloSIaKdgsJo Keep him in the band Reach out and touch faith Personal Jesus Andrew "Fletch" Fletcher R.I.P. Jonas Karlberg

[@thodeus]

For me hearing the the original samples whether it is drums or in the keys.. is like finding your old best friend.

[@MrMotherfuck123]

All i know is that the Sound Dude for the Spirit Tour should get an Award.

[@user7351]

MrMotherfuck123 I know right. Richest synth sounds since the Devotional tour imo

[@enzozeno]

They will have a stage box splitter, which sends one block of channels to the monitor mixer and the other block to whatever soundcard they're using for the computer...

[@Jtoneloc]

I'm curious to know what interface he's using to split out the signal to the front of house..Does the FOH engineer further process on these signals from ableton?

[@parametrikstudio]

great job!!!! but how is with latency? is possible to use this setup whithout protools hd engine? with some other chiper audio card, soo you can send it youre procesed sound on monoitor to drummer whithout big latency?

[@priyonjoni]

so what happens if that computer crashes mid show? Is there a fall back for the drums?

[@michaelengle9062]

can't remember where I saw it, but...I saw somewhere that they have a complete duplicate of this rig running in tandem with the main rig, that switches over automatically or on command if there's a problem. Plan C, I believe is to just run the drums straight through the PA with no processing.

[@vjrei]

Depeche Mode always had a back up set up. Alan Wilder explained that in an interview. They had the Emax on stage and the same Emax in rack behind them as a back up, they never used the back up he said.

[@rivendahley1771]

I love Depeche Mode ... still, after 30 years

[@danielthommen8243]

Same here, still after *40* years... MEMENTO MORI!

[@Pattodeejay]

I fucking love music and just thinking this guys are making a living of what they love cheers !

[@56BelAirDenver]

Are there special microphones that are used? I suppose you would need very close proximity microphones so the toms wouldn't bleed into the adjacent microphones and false trigger.

[@SammyBP007]

Fascinating for a Live fan;)

[@carlheinz]

What camera was this shot with?The Image is so very nice!

[@Moforize]

nice to see the extent to which Live can be used! I have to say I personally think the inbuilt effects are generally quite poor and wondering why they do not use something like a few waves plug ins going through ableton to enhance the drums?

[@goodnightdrummer]

How are you getting them many drum inputs into your mac ?! Please please answer - or someone else hazard a guess ?!

[@gahan101]

We can even see at 0:25 on the setlist on the computer "The Sun & the Moon" and "Perfect". But as they never played those ones live,i suppose it was maybe just for another purpoe than for playing them live.

[@saberch]

can you tell us about the hardware needed for such use i guess latency makes it impossible on home studio equipement

[@carlheinz]

Stupid question... What was the make of the camera that shot this footage? thanks!

[@droidbotdotcom]

@anokah i mean both in compination,as software based instruments,work perfect and sound perfect, too. (: a friend use cubase 5 which is awesome also.Im not so familiar with vstI's btw..

[@oldsoulsgames_]

The drums live are a thousand times better than in studio. Something about the reverb and the everything makes it better

[@AUDIOMUNKY1]

what sound card you using while running ableton?

[@sp0rtbilly77]

What converters are being used?

[@alejandroreyesleon8818]

Que locura ❤

[@2ElementHH]

@AbletonInc thanks so much!!!

[@goodnightdrummer]

But how did he get all the (i assume) xlr inputs from the drums mics into this interface ?!

[@spellerlittlewing]

What type of computer you using

[@nicksaya]

what i/o boxes do you use

[@anokah]

@theHackerOfMayhem What the hell does Cubase 4 have to do with audio quality? The UFX is sweet though :P

[@gerardogrady681]

0:47: why play the stadium footage backwards?

[@archieh70]

I wonder how they overcome the latency and phase issues when running the drums in and out of Ableton. Especially since Ableton Live 8 doesn't have the best plugin delay compensation. However, it's good to see DM giving the old songs a new edge with such an amazing drummer.

[@scrwwea_nhl_hut5288]

“Amazing drummer”??? For DMs tracks maybe, but lets be honest , their drumming has never been technical. He is an average drummer who plays well to a click track at best. Too bad they dont use triggers to replicate the original sounds the way Duran does. Far better outcome.

[@matthew4694]

I’ve been a Depeche Mode fan for nearly 40 years. I think their precise electronic drum sounds are a key part of the music. I saw them live last month in Cleveland, and was unsure of how I would react to the use of a live drummer (unless it was Alan Wilder). Overall, I would have to say it was one of the best rock-n-roll performances I’ve ever witnessed; largely due to the live drums and the use of additional effects seen in this video. Is Christian an “amazing” drummer? Perhaps not. Is his performance and his contribution to the live band experience amazing? Absolutely!

[@diavimusic4523]

Not sure why "no samples"? You can easily trigger samples with live drums and have the best of both worlds. I would think that would be a great modus operandi for a band such as Depeche Mode.

[@HiteckbeatsOfficial]

great electronic band

[@anatoliasenov2063]

It's not the daw, it is the computer power and the audio interface that make the process flawless.

[@UsoundsGermany]

no the composer (aka the human)

[@alexkid1]

Ableton and Reason. Best DAW's in my opinion.

[@MrRyancangri]

What about latency?

[@cheetahtje4]

good quality :O

[@pancia75]

The title of that song is " A Question of Time" not " A Matter of Time"! lol

[@Theantichryst]

❤

[@rodlfgo]

DM/ableton/logic - great!

[@claudefrancoissimard]

KCLMNOP was here watching this vidéo home boy, the drummer was a serious drummer

[@schinaro]

Alan Wilder. That’s all I need to say.

[@markusdaxamouli5196]

Yes...they really cut their nose to spite their face there.

[@markusdaxamouli5196]

Daves drinking , drugs and strokes they tollerate..but the composer, engineer and workhorse wants equal credit 9 n tracks and he gets the boot. And they keep that Giant Knobb Fletcher...the clapper. I swear he hitr ome key on a $20k keyboard 7 times in a concert....but Allen they had to kick to road... Sory...its a sore spot for me too mate.

[@foodog777]

Yeah, DM need handsome beginner drummer who looks good in fingerless gloves and never ages for “fans” who think DM ended with ‘Devotional’. 🤣

[@angelea2184]

Look, all DM lovers and others: What DM and Martin won't tell you is that they derive a lot of their music/sound from classical electronic music. I have been an acolyte of true electronic music since I was 15, and that was long ago. Extremely cool and inovative electronic music has been around for decades. From the 1940s, at least. There may be arguments about their production, but I want to testify, as trained musician, that DM is on a very high level of development, as far as composition is concerned. And COMPOSITION is the final say in any aspect of their music, including technical manifestations. Does anyone know who the pioneers of electronic music are? I guarantee that Martin Gore does. Absolutely promise. How can I make that claim? Simple. We come from the same compositional pool. We are two fish who swim in the same water. So, please, critics, understand that you most likely are not familiar with the true origin of DM compositions. Also, I would lastly want to state that, as someone who has always been on the inside of the music business, it is quite a relief to simply be a fan and enjoy the offerings of musicians without the "paralysis of analysis", as one of my friends used to say. Just offering another, but valid, perpective.

[@chrisbe77]

Boring

[@Breakbeats92.5]

To a midi nerd or studio geek it's fascinating.

[@gahan101]

6:56 "We can switch it everyday". So why didn't you switched songs more often on the last tour,guys???

[@mistara1]

@depeshak06 I'm sorry, but maybe you are right. Alan Wilder is amazing musician. He is amazing drummer too. The drums in Devotional is in my opinion the best sounding live drums in history. Every snare is so deep. The punch is amazing, every beat is at it's place, nothing unnecessarry.

[@2ElementHH]

Whats the name of first song?? min 1:05

[@thebillgrundyshow]

at last...someone who knows what there on about! :)

[@felipescalador]

name of the song please...

[@crazymorph86]

yes he did

[@nicksaya]

what about latency?

[@marleneramos4001]

I see Fletch is busy as always :/

[@ThatBrothaBill]

I wouldn't be surprised if he can check his bank balance at his rig pffft

[@antonrussia]

William Stoll 🤣😂🤣👍

[@ThatBrothaBill]

@@antonrussia Just sayin' :)

[@dellabox]

This is just an advertisement for Ableton. Very little instruction or explanation.

[@Moralapostolos]

....and Alan still there....♥

[@matteo1995ify]

what is the song at 1:15?

[@DesTestimonials]

"A Question of Time"

[@jeroen1205]

@56BelAirDenver I think they can solve that easily with the noise gates.

[@TVisHELL]

@xxxDavidMaysxxx What are you on about??? Firstly, Ableton allows the stack of virtually ANY plugins. A sampler can't unless you want a huge rig that is not great for touring with. You can pretty much add anything into it. Built in fx are not enough most of the time. Electronic kits are great, yes - but they are not as flexible. if you stick midi triggers on your kit you'll have the best of both electronic and acoustic kits in one. Less to tour with again.

[@markchristopher2signal2]

wow

[@edgarpena7358]

dream job.........

[@R5TR5TR5T]

good

[@hgb01]

yes, im sure of it...

[@takinutakuni5860]

*BERLIN OLYMPIASTADION* 💪

[@SammyBP007]

It's all good man ;)

[@briandarabaca]

All I can say is, the dynamics of DM sound is different when Alan Wilder left. There's something lacking on it, in terms of grit, the edgy sound that this band is known for. It simply is not there anymore. Please invite Alan Wilder once more to collaborate with DM!

[@SammyBP007]

Dude...nu pun intended..and a...uninitiated?....I have sevral years of stage experience and as a beat maker and composer i was say'n it's Fascinating :D have a nice day ;)

[@Anonymous-yw9gf]

im sure someone uses it to make tea

[@andresmiller5269]

LOL!

[@housevibez8828]

thats interesting

[@michaeledgarhorsky1139]

❤️ 76 ❤️

[@Liquidbasss]

interesting!!!

[@KANTonOFF]

Intreresting info I never thought that drummers combine real drums with real-time software effects

[@daub1]

for the reasons mentioned in the film...

[@WiiClassic2usb]

"A Question of Time."

[@netzocker18]

you know^^

[@vjrei]

I got the DM sound library fro the Emax, I started to listen a bit to the concerts. I realize that DM had a track with drums, another with a base line and they use the sampler to punch the rest over and over again. Literally they are just triggering sound effects on top of the base tracks. AND one live "piano playing" in one other song. But they are not playing a thing, just triggering the phrases. And Dave singing.

[@MrMotherfuck123]

The Synth Drums on ´Never let me down again" sound better than the actual real Drums.

[@ctspf]

In fact they are samples of Led Zeppelin's "When the levee breaks".

[@ChristianHuant]

Pierre Jumeau the demo used samples of led Zeppelin but the final version used recreations of that but done by DM in the studio... at least that's what they say in interviews!

[@chemicalBR0]

as far as i can tell from this he drums it all live... ableton is not playing samples of the drum sounds... it is only being used to process the sounds before being sent to the amps if you look at the live set on screen there are no audio clips loaded. in essence its just an effects board

[@ChrisWhite-si1bx]

Song ID @1:54 ?

[@TF2403]

A question of time

[@platinumdynamite]

It's called showmanship