6+ things I learned by Recreating Two Steps From Hell in Cubase

In order to learn from the granddaddy of Epic Music himself, the great Thomas Bergersen, I recreated the track "Race to Durango" by ear in Cubase. In this video, I'll go over 6+ lessons I learned while doing so.
I tried not to tie any of these lessons to specific sample libraries, in order to make them as universally applicable as possible. When I mention specific sample libraries, they are just used as an example. The ideas are transferrable to any other sample library.
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The remake - • Two Steps From Hell - ...
The original track - • Two Steps From Hell - ...
For a written version of this video - www.tomschippe...
01:42 - Lesson 1 - Layers, layers, layers
06:23 - Lesson 2 - Developing Ostinatos
10:37 - Lesson 3 - Background Filler
13:09 - Lesson 4 - Multiple Voices
14:58 - Lesson 5 - Rock Harmony
16:21 - Lesson 6 - Quick Orchestration Tips
17:54 - Mix Settings
The side-chain limiting video - • Cinematic Music Produc...
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www.tomschippe...
DISCLAIMER - I do not own the copyright to this music. This remake was done to study the music and its production. Full copyright remains with Thomas Bergersen and Two Steps from Hell.
#twostepsfromhell #thomasbergersen #epicmusic

[@tomponist]

Thank you for watching! This was a lot of work, but I hope this video has been of help to you! I'm looking forward to the TSFH concert in Amsterdam next week. Maybe see you there! :)

[@MikhailSamin]

Amazing work! Found your videos before the Amsterdam concerts, will possibly see you there =)

[@tomponist]

@@MikhailSamin Thank you! Enjoy the concert, and who knows! :)

[@PatrickLenkMusic]

Very impressed by the level of detail and sound you re-created by ear and all the great tips you provided. Very well done!

[@tomponist]

Thanks very much, Patrick!

[@SHOCMUSIC]

Wow, this is gold for everyone wanting to produce orchestral music... thanks you so much dude!

[@tomponist]

Thanks!

[@Aegis_Mind]

It’s been a long time since I’ve heard sampled instruments but that sounded much better than I thought it would. Thomas’s work is all over the place in some of his tracks and I love it.

[@tomponist]

Thank you!

[@victorhht3722]

Oh my god, just watching 5 minutes through and could resist the excitement to comment. I have never thought that the intro part would need several different sample libraries each with unique configurations to sound great. Thank you for your great work!

[@tomponist]

Thanks so much!

[@JakobMaier]

literally one of the best orchestration videos I've seen! I can't imagine the work you put into recreating this lol

[@tomponist]

Thanks a lot, Jakob! It was quite a bit of work, but I got a lot in return, so I'm okay with it 😅

[@M4T]

You are a sick man ! No kidding, this mockup is incredible. I hope you booked your seat for TSHF 2 weeks from now !

[@tomponist]

Haha, thank you very much :). I did, so much looking forward to that one!

[@FabianSchock]

Great video and remake! It's incredible how much detail, work, dedication and experience Thomas puts into his music. I've done some remakes as well. Victory was the most work, and you realize just how crazy the original is..

[@tomponist]

Thank you! And I agree; his work is miles ahead of anyone else's in this genre in my opinion. And indeed, by diving into it like this you see the true crazyness of everything going on 😅

[@FabianSchock]

@@tomponist Definitely. What do you think of the victory remake on my channel?

[@tomponist]

It's really good; well done!

[@FabianSchock]

@@tomponist thank you a lot! :D

[@tomponist]

@@FabianSchock You're welcome!

[@crouge]

What a complex one, thanks for the tutorial. Btw would be awesome if you can prepare a video about the Counterparts alone. Something I am looking forward to learn more..

[@tomponist]

You're welcome! Counterpoint is a tricky subject, indeed; I'll consider doing a video on it!

[@Muzisoccer253]

​@@tomponist aha, I'm currently watching each one of your videos in order to find a tutoriel or a demonstration about this topic (making counterpoint and voice leading from a melody + chords piano sketch). So I agree, a video about that would be awesome ;) Thanks again !

[@canaldemais]

Brilliant video

[@tomponist]

Thanks!

[@VickenIshkhanian]

This was really impressive plus the fact you did all of this in couple of weeks as you mentioned, keep it going. I have done many TSFH mock-ups but one thing I have stayed away from layering so far and haven't used side chain compression yet, also all by ear.

[@tomponist]

Thank you! Well, I hope the idea of layers and side-chain compression will be useful for your next mockups! All the best!

[@TimothyShortellMusic]

Very informative, thank you!

[@tomponist]

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching :)

[@csillavamossy5051]

This was so intereting and actually mind blowing. I was always wondering how these musics are created, and it seems crazy complex. Thank you for showing, it was really amazing to see all this. 😮❤

[@tomponist]

Thanks :)

[@addd21323]

This is fantastic, thanks for doing this. I subbed and will be rewatching this video several times to really lock down all the useful knowledge you've presented here.

[@tomponist]

Thanks a lot - glad it was helpful! :)

[@paulthiebaut]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge Tom, very valuable stuff in this video !

[@tomponist]

Thank you, Paul! I'm glad you got something out of it :)

[@youtoviewmusic6917]

It helped me a lot with my studies. Thank you. There are a lot of elements that I can hear after watching the video.✨✨

[@tomponist]

Very happy to hear that! Thanks!

Very nice! tnk you for share

[@tomponist]

Thank you!

[@CJCalvertMusic]

This is fantastic. You definitely deserve more subscribers, your content is great. . Keep it up!!

[@tomponist]

Thanks for the encouraging words! :) Working on it!

[@mr_don_key]

please do realize that using layered brass samples (ensembles, like 4 horns), will add up quickly, to the real amount of players. E.g. 4 horns patch from library one + 4 horn patch from library two results in 8 horn players, which is quite a large section all together (in most cases it's 4 to 6 horns in real life performances, because of the loudness they bring to the orchestra). So it you want a more realistic sounding rendering, do not layer 4 +4, but do e.g. 2+2+2, or a 2 horns patch + 4 horn patch, both result in 6 horns. Then play with velocities and expressions to better mimic a real life orchestra horn section (in relation to the others instruments).

[@tomponist]

I am aware of this. However, this is very context-dependent. When the goal is to write a very realistic orchestral mockup, I will for sure consider this. In this instance, however, the goal was to try and recreate what I heard on the track. I achieved this by applying these layering techniques. I don't hear 20 (or however there may be in the end) horns; I hear a massive wall of horns that pierce through in just the way I want them (by having the different sound characteristics of the various horn libraries), just as they do in the original. If I had used a 4 horns patch (or 6 horns or 9, or multiple instances of 2), the impact would not have been the same. The same goes for the strings - there are 3 different libraries in the opening, amounting to about 50-60 first violins. However, when I'm listening, I do not hear 50 violins; I hear the string sound that I want (and hear in the track), which I could only achieve by layering these libraries. This is what is so great about virtual orchestration. Sometimes you can take some liberties (in my opinion) to bend the rules a little to create the sound you want. When the listener perceives it as real (or close to the original, in this case), it doesn't matter how you got to that result. It is perceived as real, so it is real. A bit of a lengthy response, but I hope that addresses your concern :).

[@StormtrippyMusic]

@@tomponisti totally agree and use this technique as well🔥

[@Ahmad-Mounir44]

Dude! forget about realism as it's a very hyped concept among the composers community. The listener doesn't care about realism in layering if it sounds too good. Most of us produce music that goes to sync licensing, not to be played by live orchestra. Unless you write for live orchestra, feel free to use your sound palette as you wish and as long as it sounds good. Finally, most epic trailers aren't realistic AT ALL. Of course, you still have to use modulations, velocities and all that for the dynamics realism. But I am talking about the 'layering' realism isn't that crucial.

[@MaxxMcGeeImpactStudios]

That was great! Some very interesting bits there. Amazing work on the song and the video! Must have taken some time, what an effort!

[@tomponist]

Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it :)

[@N-JKoordt]

Great work - and thank you for the tips!

[@tomponist]

Thanks, and you’re welcome!

[@leomeneghelli1795]

Hey, man, thanx a lot for saving a time and give us gold tips like these. Ive always played the piano and now Im starting this new adventure in music and trying to write something. Im using Logic now but I think it works as well. Thank you.

[@tomponist]

Hi Leo, thanks for your comment! I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Good with your adventure in writing music; it truly is a lot of fun and I hope you'll enjoy it! And Logic works very similar to Cubase, so you should be completely fine :)

[@eds5709]

Great job Tom. I sure learned some new techniques I might use. Enjoy the Concert in Amsterdam! If you hear a person screaming like a hysterical teenager....that's probably me on row 6. I'm looking forward to the concert ;-)

[@tomponist]

I'm very glad to hear that, Ed! And I will be looking(/listening) out for you :)

[@Ahmad-Mounir44]

When you recreate a Bergersen tune, you know very well that you're gonna spend the next six months to finish it. Long soundtracks are pain to recreate but paying off when done :) Working on 'Impossible' track. Wish me luck

[@tomponist]

That is very true 😅. Good luck - that's a beast!

[@suhareb9252]

Also working on victory wish me the best too Impossible is a beast haha😅😊😊

[@Flowee141]

Thanks!

[@tomponist]

Thank YOU!

[@RunarLundvall]

Great video, man! All this by ear?? Really impressive stuff

[@tomponist]

Thank you! :).

[@Crimzan4]

This is really damn awesome! That must have been so much effort, haha! Will you do something like this again at some point? Thomas Bergersen is a big inspiration of mine and I was always looking for insight like this! Awesome work :)

[@tomponist]

Thank you! I'm currently working on a remake of 'Molto Piratissimo' in a series of live streams. When that is done, I'll make another overview video like this :). You can watch the first live stream here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/foCvlIpuabtgibM

[@Crimzan4]

@@tomponist thank you! I'll check it out and your other content as well, you seem to have quite some noteworthy videos :)

[@tomponist]

Thank you very much, and I hope you enjoy them! :)

[@yasscat5484]

great job

[@tomponist]

Thank you!

[@Ertywek]

Not all thomas music is live musician recordings. He used PLAY Hollywood Orchestral Strings for few of his songs and they sound amazing.

[@tomponist]

That is true! His mockups are insane!

[@GoodSeedsGoodTrees]

Wow, that is so insightful to me. One of my videos got copystriked cause I used a LOT of TSFH as the background music (cause it's SO good!) and I was considering just making my own music through something like Cubase. Your video shows me that's not going to happen!! Have you ever made your own orchestrations?

[@tomponist]

Haha, I get why you use so much of their music. It's GREAT! And making my own orchestrations and compositions is actually my main source of work and income :)

[@domoso8256]

Hi! I loved how realistic everything sounds, great job. What recording system are you using? Currently I’m using protools, but I’m not fond of it and I’m always looking for something better

[@tomponist]

Thank you! I'm using Cubase

[@domoso8256]

Perfect, thanks. I’ll give it a try

[@chrisblacksmith_music]

Amazing! Do you also have a midi file of it?

[@tomponist]

Thank you! I can't share that, unfortunately, since this is covering copyrighted material

[@danavzaradel]

do you mind sharing your computer specs? I don't think my pc can handle that many channels... also, for some reason when I layer different libraries they don't really match in attack time which is quite annoying, they tend to have different crescendos for bow strings or even horns... any tips for how to handle that?

[@tomponist]

Sure - My PC is running the following specs: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X 64 GB RAM Samples running from 2 internal M.2 SSD Drives (Both are 2 TB) GeForce GTX 1660 In terms of attack times, you might have to set up track delays for certain libraries (CSS needs those for example). check out David Kudell's video on the subject!

[@danavzaradel]

@@tomponistgreat setup thanks a lot :)

[@tomponist]

You're welcome!@@danavzaradel

[@Bob_Weave]

08:59

[@tomponist]

Thanks :) (I guess 😅)

[@Bob_Weave]

@@tomponist Thank you i been trying to figure out the layering off ostinatos for ages and this is the best break down i have seen.

[@petervanleun9398]

Hoi Tom. Wat voor setup gebruik je? Ik heb een vrij sterke computer met 16gb ram maar merk op dat dit soort tracks nogal zwaar zijn. Wat voor computer gebruik je?

[@tomponist]

Ha Peter, ik heb een AMD Ryzen 9 5900X Processor en 64 GB aan Ram. Met 16 GB aan Ram zul je verschillende trucjes moeten gebruiken om dit soort projecten te kunnen draaien. Gebruik je de purge-functie van Kontakt, bijvoorbeeld? (Waarmee alleen de noten die je gebruikt in het Ram worden geladen)

[@petervanleun9398]

@@tomponist Ik heb jaren te weinig gedaan maar nu de kinderen wat ouder worden wil ik het toch weer eens oppakken. Ik heb inderdaad (een oudere versie) van Kontakt en daar is nog wel wat in te tweeken. Eerst maar eens een nieuwe computer ;-) P.s. gisteren naar het concert geweest van TSFH en het was geweldig.... maar dat kon ook bijna niet anders

[@homeofcreation]

Fantastich. Wagner zou jaloers zijn op deze instrumentatie.

[@tomponist]

🙏

[@hattietyrone7046]

░p░r░o░m░o░s░m░ 🌈

[@tomponist]

Not sure how to respond, but thanks for commenting :)

[@Бөйөккитте]

There are simply too many notes, that's all. Just cut a few.

[@tomponist]

In the original piece you mean? 😅 I tried to recreate what I heard; could be that I heard too much!

[@Бөйөккитте]

@@tomponist There are only a certain number of notes the human ear can hear in the course of an evening, I think I'm right in saying that?