How the Predator Music was made

[@111qwerty111]

So Alex The log drum effect is from the synclavier 5. Christal marimba patch with arpeggio and transposed timbre all the way down

[@AlexBallMusic]

Is that what it is!! I'm going to have to track that down and recreate that then. Have you tried it?

[@JoshLucan]

Trying it on the Arturia Synclavier VST it’s definitely the sound although I can’t quite nail it. Maybe there’s a bandpass filter and/or some tweaking of the partials? I have the timbre transposed all the way down and it sounds close but still too synthy and not woody enough. It does sound best arpeggiating on the diminished scale though, funnily enough!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Amazing. There's also a possibility it's a similar sound from a bank that originated with the Fairlight CMI IIx. Can you send me the sample from the Synclavier?

[@Grandmastermoses]

Have you tried looking in some of the original Synclavier timbres available for download- you can load them into the Arturia VST- found a few familiar things from Silvestri's scores in there...

[@clairecripps2140]

@@AlexBallMusic qq

[@Altropos]

This just shows that, even in what many consider a "dumb action movie", there are people putting real consideration in their contributions to the film (for the record, I don't consider Predator a dumb, action movie).

[@MDMARaver]

Everyone who says that Predator is just a "dumb action movie" is clearly out of his goddam mind! Because Predator is one of THE best movies ever made! The cast, the score, the cinematography, the dialogues, the action, the suspense - OMG fckin' EVERYTHING about this movie is top notch brilliant and stands the test of time with flying colors. This movie destroys ANYTHING that's produced nowadays with ease!

[@shlongusinterruptus]

i don't think its dumb, im a 19 year old girl and i've loved this movie ever since i was like 14.

[@neutralevil1917]

@@shlongusinterruptus You have some pretty good taste I gotta say

[@fakshen1973]

This is a university level presentation. I wish Alan Silvestri would communicate and comment on it. The score for Predator really pulled that movie together. Silivestri's work is a must-study for any modern film scoring.

[@AshleyPomeroy]

I remember that the music made the film feel more expensive - it looked pretty cheap at times but the music made it feel like an epic adventure. The same thing happened with Robocop, which looks like a television movie at times but feels expensive because of the Basil Poledouris music.

[@balerion3333]

As a musician hearing both Alan Silvestri and watching predator for the very first time upon its first release i was completely carried away by the action supported by the most superb film score from someone who really knows his onions and my ears never tire of the wonderful orchestration and the depth of high quality sound scapes that inspires me still.

[@stevenclaeys3602]

The voice acting is so on point. We've all heard a million immitation Ahnulds and the effect tends to wear off but these were actually really funny. I rate this entire video A+++ by the way. Good stuff, and nice editing.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks very much. Yes, David's impression is pretty perfect.

[@jcp1984again]

Well... I still think there's a little itsy-bitsy tad too much of "throat gruff" in his voice. :-D It doesn't quite stay as clean as real Arnold does, especially in 1987. And the singing... that doesn't really work and is veeeery cringeworthy. I can't be the only one who feels that way.

[@Procrasti...]

@@jcp1984againThat's a real nasty habit you got there

[@AlexBallMusic]

@@jcp1984again Judging by the comments, like bar and the fact that it's just a bit of light hearted fun, I think you are the only one who feels that way. 👍🏼

[@jcp1984again]

@@AlexBallMusic , the problem for me is that while the impression stuff is fun by itself, in the context of your video is a bit bipolar. In a way it feels like the impression is making fun of the video itself.

[@jackburtonstwin]

Just watched this and your T2 breakdown. While I know exactly dick about musical instruments and orchestration, I found these videos fascinating and exceptionally well produced and edited. This is top notch work and fully desrves a wider audience.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Glad you enjoyed them. Good to know they translate.

[@insanelook]

same here, I disovered the T2's video at first and thank god he added the Predator's link, otherwise I would never have noticed it. Great job man.

[@IanK369]

This comprehensive look at this score is so cool! Aside from John McTiernan and an all-star cast (led by none other than the Austrian Oak himself) creating such a visceral and visually stunning film, my love for this picture is almost nothing without the atmosphere created by the score of Alan Silvestri. Thank you for such a deep dive on this hypnotic score!

[@ArnieRodriguez]

best video of my life. i've been obsessed with this score forever, and you just delivered a miracle!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers!

[@karlfeuerstake916]

8:43 I am dying. Is he trying to sing a mode? All the voice acting is great but this is just hilarious.

[@AlexBallMusic]

:)

[@BrassicGamer]

I've just watched this and the T2 analysis after watching your synth videos for ages - wonderful surprise. The Predator soundtrack is easily one of my all-time favourites and it was when the start of 'Jungle Trek' dropped that I realised he Alan also did Back To The Future - he definitely uses the diminished scale there, too, usually at points of crisis.

[@BrassicGamer]

Went and found it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXqsdqSdjryYaqc

[@bruh_oly1370]

It's funny how I can hear twangs or lingerings of instruments as in back to the future - obviously. As a huge fan of the first film mainly for the score which underpinned the tone of the film and to a degree the second , I'm in awe of this video .

[@DaveG207]

Loving how much work you’ve put on this...even down to using a Predator type font for the score titles. The occasional predator call is perfect. All that before we get into the excellent breakdown. Finally, a little on my personal love of synths / keyboards. I’m off out to by a hat, so I can doff my hat to you.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers Dave! It had to be done and it had to be done right! The contributions from the other guys really helped pull it together. Check out Mike's channel, he's got a jaw dropping collection of classic synths we can only dream of.

[@PredatorCollectibles]

As a Predator fan I can really appreciate the effort you put into this video awesome job my friend!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks!

[@xanthitoki]

Fantastic breakdown of this iconic score. This, Predator 2, Back to the Future and The Abyss just had such a sense of control. Big orchestras but knowing when to rein it all in. I miss that kind of scoring.

[@whythatspreposterous]

"One of my all time favourite scores (and films)." Hell yes! You're working your own magic here, though. A+++++++

[@johnkeogh8601]

as a musician and fan of this movie for nearly 4 decades this video was incredibly insightful and no doubt humorous. prob best vid I've watched on KZbin. well done

[@nicennice]

This was excellent. This stuff will make you a musical tyrannosaurus. Gets you straight in the chopper.

[@mosheshecklebergstein4900]

I hadn't even noticed the melody was played during every characters death, wild. Great breakdown.

[@bpe-music]

I'd love to see you analyse a Jerry Goldsmith score, for instance Planet of the Apes, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Total Recall or one of his other masterpieces. ;-) Your Predator analysis is a fantastic presentation and both informative as well as an entertaining video!

[@WilliamBurnett]

Fantastic suggestion. Especially ST.TMP, there's a lot of pretty esoteric electronic stuff happening in addition to the amazing orchestra. It needs the docu treatment big time.

[@oblitafier]

Every video you do is a gem. I’ve only just discovered this series explaining movie soundtracks. Funny and informative

[@bruh_oly1370]

I think I love the score more than the movie as it’s such an intricate , interlocking working of the movie . Without it , who knows.. thank you for making this

[@dreal500]

I recently found out Peter Cullen was the voice of the predator. Mind Blown!

[@k3vbro]

Damn, well done! I stumbled upon your T2 vid and this one. I watched them all start to end. I am a zero percent "movie sound person". Of course I love those movies but never thought about the sounds. Great stuff!

[@s.oliver5357]

Hey i think you´re not a 0 % movie sound person, otherwise u would not be interested in a Video like this.... :-)

[@mylesmcleod2270]

This was awesome thanks Alex! I was just watching an interview with Henry Jackman who started talking about how he was excited to get on board with 'The Predator' and made it clear to the Director that he wanted to recycle themes from the original, as he loved the use of the Octotonic scale. So I looked up Alan Silvestri's score not expecting to find a video on it and low and behold, here one is! Then it clicked with me about half way through watching this, that this was put together by you! I thought to myself that this was pretty unusual stuff to find on KZbin and then I remembered that Scott Hazell, our mutual friend, had told me about your vids so there we are! I'll certainly endeavour to watch more of them, brilliant stuff!

[@Umski]

Mind blown! I know zero about music theory but do love film music and have attempted the guitar and ukelele (unsuccessfully) - for one I didn't know Alan Silvestri did Predator (BTTF and Forrest Gump I did) but to have it dissected in this manner is amazing - I followed the T2 video link which was equally impressive and considering I watched both in my teens those excerpts sound as fresh as they did back then - brilliant work :D

[@CodeMorseMusic]

This video has been pure gold for me mate! Excellent work all round, I really hope you consider doing a supplement of sorts for Predator 2 at some point

[@twoeggcups]

Fantastic Alex, loved every minute!

[@detour99]

The specifics of notation and structure are beyond my limited musical comprehension, but I love the score deeply and really appreciate the range of techniques Silvestri had at his disposal. Not only a great score in its own right but arguably a large part of what makes Predator such a classic movie, it’s so deeply embedded into the heart of the movie; it’s absolute essence.

[@catoblepag]

I just knew it was David Andrew Brent... in my opinion, his Arnie is the only one that sounds 100% authentic. And great job Alex, really, these videos would deserve much more views (now that I've discovered them, I'll be sure to share them with some friends).

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yeah, he's _the_ Arnie impersonator for sure!

[@airfixx_8952]

This was superb.... Thank you.

[@Ockeroid]

Fantastic video Alex! You're doing god's work!

[@fc3970]

🤣🤣 good comment. Nothing to add

[@lincthomas7178]

your bleeding man, aint got time to bleed!!

[@JoshLucan]

Wow, next level! Come for the insight, stay for the laughs. Your channel just gets better and better.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Josh! If you're doing Predator, you have to do it properly!

[@wingflanagan]

Ditto!

[@edpalmeida]

Man, you deserve a million subscribers!!! This is crazy awesome! Well done! Thank you!

[@amircohen5925]

OMG Alex - this is Amazingly informative & Funny as hell !! (what a great cooperation with Arnold :) Thank you so much for sharing..

[@AlexBallMusic]

Amir Cohen Thank you! Glad you liked it.

[@slimyelow]

The things that Arnold says are just priceless beyond words.

[@theoriginalheartstrummer]

This was incredible!! I did a presentation on this music back in 1997 in my film music subject during my Composition degree and you have taken it to another level!! Amazing video: funny, and super well analysed! Loved it!!

[@AlexBallMusic]

That's interesting. Did you analyse the same harmonic devices in your presentation?

[@TWDub]

That Arnie voice was actually pretty damn good! I thoroughly enjoyed it! Also, the music analysis was incredible and very, very helpful. Thanks for the vid!

[@LouisSerieusement]

Somehow I already watched and liked this video, but didn't remember ; I'm really surprised this as only 28k views, you did a massive amount of researsh and analysis on this, thank you so much for sharing ! I've added the half diminished scale to my (acid) music, this works so great :) Not sure I would have been able to use this scale 2 years ago tho so maybe that's why, now I have the skills to understand and use it ; Do not hesitate to do more deep analysis and music theory stuff, I'm pretty sure the internet is ready for it in 2021 ! Have a great end of the year :p Cheers and love from France Louis

[@brucemacdonald876]

Thanks Alex. I have wanted to orchestrate this for a wind band for a long time - that cue "Goodbye" is one of the greatest in cinema. Reminds me of the solo trumpet in Vaughan Williams' 6th Symphony.

[@andreisolo]

Just started watching this movie for the first time. Even before it ends, I rushed to KZbin in search of music breakdown and stumbled upon this video. Very precise analysis with a great presentation; all the best to your channel, it deserves much more views. Special thanks for the link to Silvestri's interview, I was looking for it. Also I've been working in the Bolshoi for several years, and here is a fun useless fact: in Russian music schools they usually name this diminished mode as "Rimsky Korsakov's scale" (yeah having played it in "Sadko" for 4 hours in a row, I can see why) - the guy had often used this whole-half pattern even earlier, about half a century before Hindemith.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Hope you enjoyed the film! Usually watch it once a year as it's such a classic. Didn't know it was nicknamed the "Rimsky Korsakov scale", thanks for the info!

[@bradholbrooks]

Guess I’m 5 years late to the party, but love these videos! I’m using them as instructional tips because I can never seem to understand people who “teach” music. Thanks!

[@gambar]

15 years of playing violin but looking at that note part, I'd be as lost as a newborn kitten hahaha

[@RobertOrgRobert]

Undoubtedly one of the best scores ever . Great video too.

[@philsackett7341]

Hilariously educational. I really enjoyed your musical breakdown, and Arnold kicks ass!

[@tbip2001]

I forgot just how exceptional this score was....and this video.

[@st3619]

This was amazing. More of this!

[@InterAstefanMechanic]

and that Synclavier! HIT ME IN THE GROUND!

[@fijnevent3565]

More of this please

[@intheblink]

This is so refreshing! There a lot of “let me explain this music to you” videos out there, but few are done by people with as great a mastery over harmony as you. So well done! Please do more like this.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you! Glad it came across that way.

[@markscarborough1018]

I cancelled my Virgin Media subscription this week as it was up for renewal. When you can watch such great content like this, telly of old can do one! Thank you Alex Ball..... subscribed!

[@filmscorefreak]

Watched this video when it was first put up. Good to see it again, fantastic presentation.

[@lookylookhere71]

Great video! I bought the promotional cd in 97 at a comic book convention, it was like finding the holy grail 😀

[@djcata7474]

Thank you, that was FANTASTIC. Love the end "tribute"

[@mickfixesjunk]

at 3:31, "its starting to sound like there's something out there and it ain't no man". I died.

[@antunkatona5674]

OMG man, this video is so brilliant! I already watched it several times and it always makes me laugh. It's also very informative and well scripted. Thanks a lot!

[@MartinDolan]

Just watched your T2 soundtrack vid and now this. I'm subscribed!! This is amazing, well put together and some of the best production qualities I've seen on youtube. MIND. BLOWN. 🤯

[@richardspillers6282]

I watched that vid too, I went to watch it again and it's been taken down. I wonder why.

[@tatsujincorp]

Still one of the very best Videos ever up on youtube to this very date. ♡

[@neonblack211]

This whole thing really is a beautiful homage to the diminished scale

[@SPLEclipse]

Fantastic! One of the best soundtracks ever...along with Lynch's Dune from 1984 (by Toto). I think I might have a problem with diminished/tritone/flat 2nd music.

[@jakeikonen]

Wow! What a nice and professionally made video, I found this while I was trying to hunt the origin of that sound at 16:13. 😁 I truly thought it would be some kind of ethnic wooden drum instrument from South America or something. Alan Silvestri is such a legend. Subscribed for more!

[@cbalan777]

14:49 I didn't need to hear more than a second to HEE HEE. Brilliant video. I'd love to see a comparison of Predator with BTTF since they sound so similar in many ways

[@zakerymizell8838]

Great video! The diminished scale really accents the tritone sub and chromatic mediant sound. Love the freeze frame on Dutch lol just that extra touch

[@AlexBallMusic]

Zak M Absolutely! No wonder film composers love it!

[@Laurikoivisto]

More of these please!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yes, enjoyed this and have others I want to cover in the same manor.

[@viktorbrage7459]

This is fantastic on so many levels!

[@predatorminutepodcast1570]

The temp track for "Goodbye" was "Fanfare for the Common Man," and the "Goodbye" track matches some parts of it so closely that McTiernan calls it "Fanfare for the Common Mercenary."

[@WilliamBurnett]

16:54 I hadn't noticed that in the Predator score mix before, but Silvestri must have liked the effect, I'm pretty certain he uses it again, naked and clear as day, during the darkest moments of The Abyss.

[@modernman4269]

great video alex amazing work thank you very much, Barry, Ireland.

[@SonnetopticsVideo]

You love of not only the music but the films make this the best breakdown I've heard. Keep at it.

[@sfspmusic]

Your channel is one of the best things happened to KZbin:) Thank you so much for your work and dedication!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you very much!

[@godofrainbows]

The Arnold impression is AMAZING. i died.

[@the-method81]

This was outstanding. Thank you.

[@leszekhalama1173]

The greatest soundtrack ever. The most important thing is the melodic line. The instruments and the technique of making music, there will always be.

[@stevenjames8260]

My favourite film and you did it proud. I won't do any more quotes. Your channel deserves many more subs.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Glad to have done it justice (I hope). Quote away - it's the most quotable film of all time.

[@ihultquist]

Fantastic ! Thank you so much for making these. Each one has been like a mini masterclass in film music Orchestration, it's amazing!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Glad it was of use!

[@loot6]

Really interesting although I can't believe you didn't mention the tracks 'The Chopper' and 'Payback Time'. These are in my opinion the greatest tracks in the movie. It's just so perfect the way it matches them sneaking through the jungle. I see you did a mockup of 'Payback Time' which is great but I thought you would go into detail on those tracks more here.

[@edgenovese]

Thanks Alex ! once again too much fun and so helpful and informative. we are so lucky to have you out here sharing your knowledge God bless !

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Ed. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@SyncdAlien]

Thank you for this, I really enjoy your discussion of these movie scores. This movie in particular since, being an alien, the hero of the story is most likely one of my distant relatives. 😂😂😂

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks for visiting planet earth to watch my videos ;)

[@Herfinnur]

How the hell has this not shown up in my feed!? I've watched a ton of your videos and several videos on Predator! I only found this by looking through your playlists

[@misi1979]

I return frequently to watch this presentation...great, high class material presented with a pinch of humor. Great Alex...I hope, You will come back with another great movie score analysis!:)

[@tatsujincorp]

How can this only have 2.5K likes?!

[@JurajHatina]

I love this score! It matches the move so well. Always coming back to this movie just to hear those tones. Thanks man!

[@s.oliver5357]

I think this is one of the Greatest "Making of the Score" Videos i´ve ever seen! Thank You very much

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@fjfrancois]

Wow Pure Gold info, thank you Alex

[@stevenvanrensburg2938]

Excellent video, thank you so much.

[@smiljanicn]

Man, what a legend you are!

[@alexjevincent]

Great stuff Alex, thanks! This has given me all kinds of ideas. David was hilarious.

[@AlexBallMusic]

He's hilarious. First time I worked with him was on a radio ad where he was singing and rapping as Arnie and I was laughing like a child for almost the entire session.

[@user-zj3ig7uh5m]

fantastic video. ingenious work! the percussion sounded always as a kind of amplified african pumkin - water drums but you've solved it . i still wonder what is the source though and i am amazed the Silvestri hasn't answered yet. It is avery flatterring video.

[@programclu1]

How has this video got like 5000 views! amazing. Deserves so much more.

[@aaronbarber6238]

These videos are awesome! You'd have a blast with the Hellraiser score, there aren't any synthesizers I don't think. But the orchestration is excellent. Keep at it brother, your breakdown of the diminished scale was inspiring, I'm going to go mess with it now. 👌

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks. I've never actually seen Hellraiser. Someone else has suggested Goldsmith's Total Recall, which would also tie up nicely with another Arnie impression! Think I'll do that when I get to the next one. Will have to check out Hellraiser.

[@aaronbarber6238]

Total Recall would be awesome too! I'm looking forward to the Arnold gasping for air impression, as well as the "get your ass to Mars." I've finally found someone who can catch all the nuances in his voice better than I do, I'll "stick around." Your Arnold impression is actually part of what made me think of Hellraiser, the actor who played Pinhead also had his voice pitch shifted deeper for the role. I'm going back to pushing my pencils now, I'll watch anything you put out there, "goodbye bro." :P

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yep, any excuse for Arnie! Think it has to be done, but might be in the new year. Got other videos I'm working on and they take ages to analyse and script, so can't get them out as fast as I'd like. The impression is done by David Andrew Brent. Here he is doing it in the flesh: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZWqiWiqbbl2jcU

[@waywardv]

Brilliant video. A thorough analysis of a wholly unique score. Predator is one of my favorites and arguably the best action horror film of all time. Cheers!

[@gmetfooney78]

Great job! I really enjoyed your video and how you explained the music theory. As a part-time musician it’s vids like this that make me marvel at how talented people can be!

[@predatorminutepodcast1570]

This is great! We are just finishing our minute-by-minute breakdown of the 1987 Predator, and I wish I had found this video earlier! I'm of the opinion that the Predator's music was that more drawn out cue at 6:10 ("...they did the same thing to Jim Hopper..."), and the main Predator theme played over both credits is actually the jungle team's theme.

[@InterAstefanMechanic]

o the orchestra sounds great.. it so old but what a great playing!

[@underscoreisnotvalid]

This is the best thing ever. Thanks for making this video. The end credits with the pause on Dutch with the music! Mwah 💋

[@dinitha11]

Brilliant video, so much research, and great dissection. Keep up the great work!

[@hazmaticx8714]

This needs way more views I love this so much! Very understandable and underrated

[@McDylbot]

Absolutely brilliant video matey. Top work! Really hoping to see more in this vein.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks. Yes, hoping to do a few more film score breakdowns. They're time consuming to make, but I find them interesting.

[@hunchbackproduction]

this video is actually god tier

[@KnapfordMaster98]

Also worth noting the deep piano sound appears to be the Roland MKS 20. Very distinct sound, and also appears on an outtake from his Mouse Hunt score.

[@rodrigolumi]

Amazing work! Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers!