(100% Accurate) How "Insomnia" by Faithless was Made

[@EDMTips]

Hope you enjoy this as much as I did! Let me know in the comments if you enjoyed this format, and - if so - throw in some classic tracks for me to analyse! (P.S. They have to have been HUGE hits! 😛)

[@dwisdoms]

Thanks for doing this song as promised.😎💯. I want to also recommend Black Box . Ride on Time

[@derekhenson3471]

Pretty similar style song but Get Ready to Bounce by Brooklyn Bounce.

[@dwisdoms]

@@derekhenson3471 Excellent Looking forward 😎💯

[@alexkissmusic]

Hehe, how 'bout Swamp Thing by The Grid? 😁 I guess the Banjo part could be hard to recreate... but what a track!

[@jess_a_es]

Thanks for the content!, Amazing song, it brings good memories no doubts about it. What about working with "Pasilda" from "Afro Medusa"?, a late 90s hit.

[@dizuko_]

I only clicked because this song is such a trip for me... goosebumps are an understatement

[@EDMTips]

Hell yeah! 🔥

[@dwisdoms]

The song is crazy good i tell you

[@boldizzle]

I feel like 90s techno has never been matched and I don't think ever will be. And this song is a prime example of why.

[@undergrads]

Yup. Untouchable.

[@addictedtocraic]

I met my wife of 20 years working at Witness festival in Ireland. The bar closed just before the headline act, Faithless and they ripped the place apart. When this kicked in, I could feel tears welling in my eyes. The power of this tune is so hard to describe to our kids who now think it's "pretty good". Lol These youngsters...😂

[@zenoalteamusic]

One of the most iconic dance tracks ever. Love that you paid tribute to this one Will.

[@EDMTips]

I simply had to! :)

[@lordiari7110]

Well said!

[@pricejoss]

Sister Bliss reached genius-level with this melody. There are some tracks that are in a different dimension and this is one of them. It’s perfection.

[@Stereo_type1982]

It's stolen.

[@pricejoss]

@ Interesting. From another track or a producer?

[@Stereo_type1982]

@@pricejoss from Kariya, let me love you for tonight.

[@pricejoss]

@ No way! Credit to Kariya then! I guess it’s that whole Pablo Picasso thing of good artists copy but great artists steal.

[@Stereo_type1982]

@@pricejoss there's an interview on here about them and she starts telling the story of how she found the riff in an old record store or thrift store but she corrects what she's saying and doesn't finish the story, they didn't edit it out and she changes her story to finding the stab on the synth or something.

[@RonDLite]

Maxwell I miss you, it was an honor working for you and Blissy. We come one.

[@alexkissmusic]

Man, it was such a hit! You couldn't go to a club and not hear this track, and going to several clubs most likely meant hearing it multiple times 😁. Amazing piece of history, amazing band. Truly one of a kind. Miss you, Maxi Jazz & Faithless ❤

[@robizhood]

its nit goose bumo, it gives my tears of joy. what a unmarkable times!!!!

[@dondiegodelavega1695]

I REMEMBER THIS HIT IN VALENCIA SPAIN AT MYTHIC DISO call PUZZLE IN 95!! All people are hypnotized by this amazing HIT. ARRIBA ESPANA! Viva Valencia we are with you all in this times. THANKS FOR THIS PRESENT MY FRIEND!

[@EDMTips]

Amazing story!! Glad you enjoyed it and you’re very welcome!!

[@chrisrossi5176]

Such an iconic track for so many.

[@EDMTips]

Absolutely!

[@A.P.C.GROOVES]

Not even a minute into the video and can tell this is gonna be amazing

[@EDMTips]

😎

[@VadimBesedin]

There is so many memories and feelings linked to that song - hot dance floors, energy of the music and dancing crowd, lights, smoke and there is only that moment, and you're all completely in it! Thank you Faithless, thank you Will.

[@Technoir-on-Pico]

It was 1995 and I was 22 and a student At weekends I worked as a DJ in a large discotheque near Cologne / Germany. (Grüße an die Crew der RheinRockHalle!) One evening: Faithless Live in the big hall. The place was packed to the last square meter and from the DJ booth my colleagues and I had perfect view on the party. Rollo, Sister Bliss and the crew completely tore the place apart. I think “Insomnia” was played four or five times. Encore, encore... on and on! It was terrific.

[@EDMTips]

Awesome memory!!! Thanks for sharing!

[@Technoir-on-Pico]

@@EDMTips Indeed it is! Fast forward to 2020: Me, sitting on the terrace during Covid-Lockdown thinking “Damn, with this Sh*t I really need a new hobby”. Suddenly Spotify is playing “Insomnia” and I remember how much fun I had as a teenager on the C64 and later Amiga with the tracker programs. The next day I ordered Ableton, a midi keyboard and speakers and your channel really helped me. BIG THANKS for that!

[@LitosDiaz]

For me was because of this music that I become my journey as a dj and producer, and all the love I got for dancing music, I become a fan from the band and I bought every singles and albums in that time. ❤ I was maybe 13 years old. What a impact in my childhood

[@Ninjjadog]

Iconic. Nothing like it ever. RIP Maxi Jazz, legend. Cheers Will ❤

[@TheGazzadj]

Up there in your top three videos and re-creations Will. A sad day when the world lost Maxi but the music lives on. All the best, Gary

[@EDMTips]

Thanks Gary!! I agree 😔

[@markoschirmer7764]

Its an amazing song, but at least for me live even better. I've seen them like 6 times live and the combination with "real" instruments has such power. RIP Maxi

[@HEARDIFFERENT]

Pure perfection.

[@EDMTips]

Appreciate it! 🙌🙏

[@deejaysoulution]

I love this series of revealing how certain tracks are made! Thank you 😎

[@EDMTips]

Thanks for the feedback and watching. I really appreciate the support!

[@EDMTips]

Any other classics you’d me to unpick?

[@deejaysoulution]

@@EDMTips Hi. I truly would love to see a showing-video for: *Scuba - NE1BUTU *Rollergirl - Dear Jessie *deadmau5 - Not Exactly *Lovebirds - Want You in my Soul *Gigi D’Agostino - L’Amour toujours (from the „L’Amour toujours“ Album / 1999)

[@ChristianSchmid]

I heard faithless during the hurricane festival here in North Germany. The concert was at sunset. Wonderful atmosphere, light and the crowd was so happy. The most iconic moment was to the the hand of sister b. playing the riff and all the people jumping in the same beat. Crazy moment in my life

[@EDMTips]

Love it!!!!

[@derekhenson3471]

1998 in Edinburgh, Scotland, at the Tron Calais. Never heard rave music back in Canada other than KLF. This song brought me in and I was scrambling to find someone that could tell me what this song was called. This was my first real introduction to true rave music!

[@EDMTips]

Amazing!! Thanks for sharing :)

[@shonunezekiel]

This is such an international anthem - thank you for breaking it down so well! For fans of Insomnia: there is a really nice semi-live version if you search youtube for 'The Radio 1 Ibiza Prom' and go to about 49min 59sec - the Heritage Orchestra sit on the main riff for aaages, and the live horns and strings really add to the intensity - enjoy!

[@inpeler]

Thank You Will. Golden 2000s for Trance music.. Airwave- People just don't care.. Amazing track. I really hope... how was made .

[@richiehall4832]

Oh Will, Oh Will, Oh Will, you made an old man very happy an anthem to my happiest days on earth

[@EDMTips]

😎🫡

[@hauntological]

Great work. Well done. I remember the very first time I saw Faithless. It was on their first mini-tour of the UK playing the Reverence album. They came to Bradford and our little posse were all geared and Doved-up to go see them. We didn't know who the support band were beforehand but as they came on stage we realised it was Olive. They were superb. There weren't a lot of people there but all of us that were there were utterly spangled. Faithless came on and tore the place apart. It was the ONLY time we saw them live where both Rolo and Dido played on stage with them too. A truly magical, memorable night. We saw them many times afterwards but that night was without question the best. Happy days 🙃

[@EDMTips]

Great story , and thank you for sharing!

[@eames6402]

Amen brother!! Superb tutorial once again.

[@EDMTips]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@JohnTosom]

Insomnia is "THE TRACK" that always works great on the dance floor, I still play it and people are still dancing to it 20 years after its release. It's still my absolute favorite.

[@EDMTips]

Whoop whoop! Timeless indeed!

[@nigelrichardson2309]

Try 30 years!!!!!

[@rokko_fable]

certainly, one of the tracks of all time! man, how time flies. this track was already 5 years old, before I even started listening to music at all. haha

[@EDMTips]

As I said - timeless 🙂

[@luismboc]

This gave me goosebumps and made me cry out of joy remembering and re-feeling those epic dance floor moments. So good!

[@EDMTips]

Amazing! I'm really glad to have been able to help take you back for a moment :)

[@johnnorthtribe]

I have been a Faithless fan ever since this song was released. I am glad I had the chance to experience them live in early 2000. I even made a remix of this song back in 1999.

[@DJTimJones]

When the song came out and I heard it in the disco, I cried with sadness and was happy to be alive at the same time. The day before, my dear uncle died. Rest in peace.

[@EDMTips]

Sorry to hear about your uncle, but thank you for sharing your story!

[@Gdad-20]

Faithless had it. Also with Become One!!! 👍❤️

[@EDMTips]

My sister’s favourite track :)

[@Gdad-20]

*We come One* Even lol ❤❤

[@Gdad-20]

​@@EDMTips❤

[@Gdad-20]

How about goving the sneaker pimps a bash Will, Spin, Spin sugar? Another classic. ❤

[@andybside]

Love this tune, but God is a DJ is one of my all time favorites. First heard it on Club Mix 99 disc 2 mixed by DJ Heaven. Blew my MIND!!!

[@meyer7963]

FAIRMONT - GAZEBO was also really big in Germany when I started my small dj career. Glad to see you analyzing this track as well. Cheers

[@marcosromero3328]

Amazing track, don't think I ever heard this song without jumping on the dance floor. Thanks so much Will for breaking it down.

[@EDMTips]

You're welcome, Marco, glad you enjoyed it :)

[@frankzelazko]

thank you for deconstructing this electronic music anthem

[@EDMTips]

You’re welcome!

[@davidcross701]

When Dancing to Dance music at raves. I miss my 1990s. I was 23 when I dance first to this epic track!

[@ricardogroenke5411]

That song is a timeless piece of art

[@mrrosenfeldt2412]

It's actually one of the best climax in EDM I have heard! That dirty / and still clean pizzicato sound - What's not to like!

[@EDMTips]

Cheers! Thanks for watching and supporting 🙂🙏🏻🙌🏻

[@SolfeggioBinauralBeats]

Roland JD-800 for the iconic synth line. Yeah. The plugin works, the OG hardware? wow. I'd love to be a fly on the wall when they produced this.

[@EDMTips]

Yep! Me too :)

[@akaSVAT]

Absolutely amazing, thank you once again, ‘cause all of your lessons are valuable. 🙏🔥🎵🎹🎧

[@EDMTips]

My pleasure!

[@fredloro2]

Gracias Will!!!..... Tremenda recreación de UN GRAN CLÁSICO DE TODOS LOS TIEMPOS..... Siempre aportas grandes enseñanzas con este y todos tus videos.... Te felicito!!!.... Recibe un gran saludo y un fuerte abrazo desde Veracruz, México.....

[@EDMTips]

Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

[@StuartwasDrinkell]

Awesome Tune! You broke this down so well, much appreciated!

[@EDMTips]

You're welcome, I am glad it was helpful! :)

[@StuartwasDrinkell]

@@EDMTips I use ableton too so this was easy to follow along. If you take suggestions - I'd love break down of Free from Harm massive Attack. I learn a lot from trying to reproduce tracks.

[@Imbamorial]

I remember learning the riffs of Insomnia and God is A DJ on a cheap crappy Casio keyboard. Later saw Faithless live on several occasions. Absolute blast! Robert Miles - Children, seems like a good follow-up after this banger.

[@EDMTips]

Love it! Thanks for sharing, and great suggestion

[@darbomusic]

This is absolutely incredible Will, thank you so much, what a classic, this is one track that will never, ever die! ❤🙏

[@EDMTips]

You’re so welcome! I agree - a seminal work 😎

[@Spaced_Invader]

I had to see this as this track has lots of happy memories! Thank you for this great vid my good man! Hell yeah & Amen brother!

[@EDMTips]

BOOM! 🙌🙌

[@theoldloveexcuse7860]

Summer of -01, midnight, big stage at the Hultsfred Festival in the south of Sweden. Maxi absoutely owned the crowd. Insane euforia when this banger dropped!

[@EDMTips]

@@theoldloveexcuse7860 LOVE IT! 🙌🙌

[@MrNolz33]

Amazing recreation, and breakdown! Hats off sir!! Such a classic and you've done it justice 🙌

[@EDMTips]

Thanks very much! Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@rivage3900]

Great explanation of why you are doing things! Looking forward to more videos in the future :)

[@EDMTips]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@RockstahRolln]

WOW!! Amen Brotha!!! Excellent remake!! What a classic choon!!

[@EDMTips]

🎉😎🙌🫡

[@FSwiftDJ]

Great record , Bliss used to be in a Record shop called Pure Groove in North London . she once said, she brought the tune into the shop as a test press and for weeks nobody really played it or took it . But later she brought it back again and it went crazy . It's funny how it works sometimes , you might make a tune that nobody thinks is good at the time but suddenly weeks later everyone wants it .

[@EDMTips]

Love this! And that is such an interesting point - funny how that works

[@FSwiftDJ]

@EDMTips Exactly that, You can make a tune and nobody thinks it's actually good at the time you get no hype from that track , but later on you give it to a few djs or bring back to the record shop and suddenly everyone knows it and wants it lol yeh its one of them things . Just shows you that your tune might actually be good but nobody is ready for it yet . Just like Sister Bliss here with this Dance Anthem when she first brought it to the record shop.

[@rjbush7955]

Good rendition. There's two patches in the JV-1080 and 5080 called Real Pizz which are very close to the JD-800 patch. But Sister Bliss said it was from a JD then that's the patch.

[@jorben_b]

Yo will great video man! glad you did a tutorial on what we all danced along to and just felt emotically connected to. Max really was a amazing producer and truly the avicii from the 90s for me! big ups man!

[@DDanV]

I was in highschool, senior years, when this came out, and I was djing in the school radio. First time I played this track people went nuts, asking what it was, asking me to give them a copy. From there on it became a staple on my sets (people would complain if I didn't include it on my set). When I started playing my sets at the school radio people would "complain" because I was only playing dance tracks (acid, trance, techno, etc), but by the time Faithless came out people were already warmed up to dance music (well, the "harder" beats, they simply didn't like the more pop'y house music that much). But after I played Insomnia people were "demanding" me to play sets on every school event and parties. Good old days. Miss djing, might give it a go again, more than 2 decades later :)

[@EDMTips]

Great story - Thanks for sharing !

[@TraxtasyMedia]

I always wanted to have a breakdown of this song, because I always wanted to recreate that final sequence ❤

[@EDMTips]

Now you have it! :)

[@olegfischer1285]

Also "God is a DJ" almost started a new reliigion with Maxi as messiah. Faithless never dissapointed.

[@secretsunofficial]

AMAZING WORK MY MAN!

[@EDMTips]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed this one!

[@siconstable1681]

Great vid as always Will. Your tutorials have added so much to my own productions. Thanks!

[@EDMTips]

Great to hear! Thanks for watching and supporting the channel :)

[@euphoricfusion]

This track, as you said is instant goose bumps! My clubbing days started around this time and peaked with the trance golden years of '98-'99 (Peach/Camden Palace) and Insomnia was a floor filler then as well. You could hear that stab from anywhere and everyone ran to the dancefloor in time for the drop. It's one of those tunes where you can shut your eyes and instantly go back and imagine being there, even though it's 25 years later! Carte Blanche is another one of those iconic tracks and seeing you talk to Ferry Corsten about it on your previous video was mindblowing. I had no idea that was him! I'd love to see you get your magic list and break that track down. Great tutorial as always! Amen Brother!

[@EDMTips]

Your story gave me goose bumps (or pimples over here!), too! You might enjoy these two vids I made, too :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqLUlaerhseFbdk kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYq5c5WJrL-brNU

[@shanedemorais7397]

I remember playing both insomnia and god is a dj at a house party for an underground dance collective in SF…nobody had heard of Faithless, but they sure enjoyed those tracks! Their Ally Pally (Alexander palace) 2005 shows were epic. That live version of insomnia was incredible! Their subsequent bluray/dvd is what i would consider one of the best edited concert footage films. And when they hit San Fran Filmore the following year it blew my mind because the venue is small in comparison to Ally Pally.

[@EDMTips]

Thanks for sharing, Shane - good to hear from you!! Been a while - how are you?

[@dylanpowles2208]

Super insightful and inspiring as usual 😊 Great timing too as I'm see faithless with tinlicker on Thursday. So excited!

[@EDMTips]

Nice! I am jealous right now :)

[@sawekky2392]

Great stuff! Thank you!

[@EDMTips]

My pleasure!

[@Dazzy1107]

I’ve got to say, excellent work, I found this super interesting! As a total newbie wanting to get into making music, this was an eye-opener. The breakdown of this legendary track was really informative and showed how it all came together. Would you ever consider breaking down a track by The SOS Band? Their sound is so distinctive! IMO, their music created a blend of funk, R&B, and electronic soul, with deep basslines and catchy hooks, creates a dramatic, danceable energy?

[@EDMTips]

Thanks for the suggestion, I will check them out!

[@DigitalAura]

Will, I'm always riveted to these construction/deconstruction tutorials you do. And only YOU could manage to do such amazing justice to this track. I mean, this could have ended poorly for you, but you absolutely nailed it! Now do FIRE in honour of Ferry Corsten and your recent interview with him!

[@EDMTips]

Thank you for watching and kind words of support, really appreciate it! I will add the track to my list, and let's see how many people will vote for it :)

[@LG-Musique]

So many memories to this track, but one big one was being spiked in Eden after starting the night off feeling really rough and then this came on and basically made my night 😂

[@oliviera5988]

Really cool video ! You just gained a new subscriber. Thanks to your video, I recreated this anthem on my Electribe 2. Now I need to add the TB303 sound!

[@AnalogFlava]

Nice remake! ❤ One of my favorite tracks. Ive analysed it a lot too over the years, and would actually say the synth used for the bass sound is part of what gives the bassline it’s life. It was the Nord Lead 1 and mixed on a SSL board 😊

[@EDMTips]

Great info, thanks for sharing!

[@camecasi8796]

Always goosebumps 😊

[@EDMTips]

Cheers!

[@kuzev]

What this song is doing in the clubs is still unmatched

[@EDMTips]

Couldn't agree more!

[@micky5237]

Ahhhh man , love this vid Will - you’re spoiling us 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@EDMTips]

Hope you enjoy! :)

[@jaysistar2711]

Amen, brother.

[@EDMTips]

🙌🙏

[@niemandschuldet]

Holy Shit! WOW!!! Instant Goosebumps. Well done!

[@EDMTips]

Thank you so much, I am really glad you liked this one!

[@FrederickRincon]

My alltime bomb track

[@vrfxrealtime]

thanks for sharing very lovely !

[@EDMTips]

You're welcome, glad you liked it! 🙌🏻

[@plebism]

Love seeing classic tracks stripped down - more please! maybe something from Leftfield, their Leftism album

[@EDMTips]

Great album!

[@richieharkness5535]

Great video, Will .... made me sad and happy at the same time as anything that says" picture the scene, it's 1995 "does to me ! I think someone has already asked for Binary Finary next which would be awesome but also Narcotic Influence - Empirion ....classic 90s techno with massive sounds....original and criminally overlooked and underrated and still sounds awesome 30 years later .....30 years😮........Jesus I'm old !

[@EDMTips]

I know what you mean - the bitter-sweet tang of nostalgia!

[@stevetaffy8780]

Superb breakdown

[@EDMTips]

Cheers, I am glad you liked it!

[@DazInDanger]

Will you're the best tutor and seeing as though we're on the topic of "Faithless" I wanna say Hell Yeah!!

[@EDMTips]

BOOM! 🙌🙌

[@djjameshayes9766]

Unbelievable video 🔥 I feel like his vocals are crucial in this tune, without that the song wouldn’t be so successful in my opinion. One of the greatest tunes ever

[@EDMTips]

Thank you, I am really glad you liked it! :)

[@stuartrogers9031]

Will honestly this is probably the best track yet ❤ amen brother

[@EDMTips]

Thank you!!! 🙏

[@RelaxInAtmosphere]

Everyone talks about the riff, but for me the sinister strings are always what gave this track an extra level.

[@EDMTips]

They certainly do!

[@FLAVMEDIA]

Once I heard this it was magic❤

[@EDMTips]

100% agree!

[@chrisroy6239]

Great breakdown of an absolute classic amen would love too see a break down of Greece 2000

[@EDMTips]

Thanks for the suggestion, I will add this to my to-do list :)

[@OrganicImageArt]

Amazing!! Enjoying watching this so much and about to purchase your course my friend 😎👍🏻

[@EDMTips]

Thank you, and looking forward to meeting you inside!

[@OrganicImageArt]

@ purchased and on Module:2 Did email you re questions about Ableton but tbh, watched this video and thought damn, this is exactly the sort of help I need to build my tracks for my project! 👌🏻🔥🎹👊🏻Great work

[@cristianokeller]

Nice video as always!!! ❤

[@EDMTips]

Thank you!

[@stuartcarter7053]

This is very interesting stuff! I'm creating a live version of this using a polyend tracker, a Roland Aria T-8 and a Roland Aria S-1. It's amazing what you can get out of these three machines!

[@JDVVV378]

For me the Dance track of the century I played this in a lot remixes. I heard it for the first time in Pacha in Salou 🎉

[@EDMTips]

Love it! What a place to hear it first 🙌😎👍

[@peterrainman]

Once again , brilliant !

[@EDMTips]

Thank you, really appreciate the kind words of support! 🙏🏻

[@deepsoul585]

I love this one , so many memories wow. 👏🏻 well done Will . Maybe next Sasha - Xpander

[@EDMTips]

Great choice, such a nice track!

[@djcj]

Awesome tutorial. Awesome video editing. Thanks!

[@EDMTips]

Thank you!!

[@RobbieStyles]

Great breakdown Will. I first saw Sister Bliss play at Ministry of Sound around 1996 in the Box. As you can imagine, it went off! 🙌

[@EDMTips]

Thank you, and thanks for sharing!

[@CiroDeSiena]

Epic video. I did indeed get goosebumps

[@EDMTips]

😎

[@seancassidy4812]

Mighty tune

[@spynasaurus5194]

you don't need story telling like that for every track, but it workes wonderfully here. That string melody starting on D sharp is really sinister. Sounds like a horror or monster movie.

[@kallehassel824]

Fantastic work with this one Will! Really like the format. Have a lot of memories of playing this Dj:ing in the 90s. One period I had this one opening the set, after playing some softer tunes for a few hours.. then boost the volume to max, drowning the hole place in smoke and just a big stroboscope flashing on the beat of the intro. And then all lasers and stuff hit on the drop. Wow I miss those times. Throwing in the first other track that comes to mind and its Darude - Sandstorm. Not as well composed maybe, but a big one as well

[@EDMTips]

Thanks for sharing - I got goosebumps from your story! Funnily enough, I met Darude a couple of weeks back: instagram.com/p/DBRb29CAHva/

[@malcolmhodgson7540]

Great work. Love it!

[@EDMTips]

Cheers, Malcolm!

[@mingomarrero]

More of these videos, please!! 🔥

[@EDMTips]

Cheers, I am currently planning the next one :) Thank you for watching and supporting the channel!

[@marciojunior9266]

Heeeelll yeahhhhhhhh!!! 🔥🔥🔥🙌🏽

[@EDMTips]

BOOM! 🙌🙌

[@condeo92]

Damn!! Always killing it!

[@EDMTips]

😎🙌