How To Think Like Skrillex When Using Sine Waves (Quest For Fire)

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In this video we'll cover why Skrillex focused on using Sine-Wave and percussion based sounds for his album Quest For Fire. We'll be using Ableton Live & Xfer Serum to Sound Design interesting sounds.
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[@kyju7093]

I personally think the whole album was a love letter to UK bass music as a whole as his inspiration for this sound

[@3toinsanity]

or an apology.

[@user-tw5si4tr3q]

early interviews when he was first making a name for skrillex he said his dubstep production was basically UK dnb inspiring

[@sprite0nation]

@@3toinsanity I'd say more of an acknowledgment, don't personally think there's anything to apologize for. More like just showed some deserved respect.

[@ES-qm5hr]

@@3toinsanity He can never say sorry enough for what he did to dance music.

[@robertbarnes190]

@@ES-qm5hr Do you hold the same opinion for Coki? Because Skrillex was just a logical next step. I don't think innovating new sounds is something to apologize for.

[@ranagxo]

I wish you a very speedy growth in the music industry in 2023

[@HORNGEN4]

Fuck the industry

[@don_huzan]

Thank you me amigo me gusta bailar

[@bluebird1954]

@@don_huzan 😳

[@don_huzan]

@@bluebird1954 me gusta bailar en me casa cene me pantalones

[@noahsabadish3812]

a slow growth is arguably better

[@frogofwar26]

I think the other reason he reduced the highs in his album is that it just works better with house-ish vibes containing quite raw vocal chops. It can feel less processed and more natural to the average listener.

[@nullnull2128]

Suuuuure, sure!

[@kevinlynott7963]

It doesn't sound as "overproduced" and polished as your average pop and EDM track. Which makes it really stand out, especially since he's such a high profile artist.

[@DanLaDue]

Thank you for always explaining the ‘why’ it’s what so many other channels leave out

[@rapidspectre7076]

True

[@melissafalin8078]

you're so thoughtful and big props to you for supporting your fellow artists!

[@GodisaPacoTaco]

Quality as always!! Great vid! Would love to hear more on the emotional approach too

[@cadewilke5175]

Really amazing video dude. You’re so good to the community! Much love!

[@ericcalmes6071]

This is incredible man. What bang for your buck as far as content goes. Love your vids keepem comin

[@billymerlin4194]

This is one of the best bass videos I’ve watched, good stuff bro

[@Galactivators]

thank u for that serum pack, we are blown away. these are the sounds we've been looking for!

[@whatchrisdoinmusic]

Brooo this video is firrrre! Thanks for showing all the cool stuff on serum. I’m learning a lot

[@whyyoumakethissohard]

Just picked up the pack! Well done! Thank you.

[@ferencs6788]

Genuinely one of the most informative videos i’ve ever watched

[@Robert-rb4gu]

beautifully made video, my friend. so much better than a patch recreation. buying your sine pack rn

[@littlered55555]

Your thought process has helped me discover a love from music and FM frequency design. Thank you.

[@dominicdenke1636]

I learn something new in every video! I can’t tell you how helpful your videos have been in my own sonic journey, and I get more inspired everyday because of it. Keep up the great work man! 👽👍

[@devindecker1355]

Had one Ahee song in my library when I seen him open for Big Gigantic, was absolutely blown away. Then I find these tutorials? Quickly becoming a huge fan.

[@fellowtraveler]

Very refreshing to find such a no-nonsense sound design explanation :)

[@braddyson43]

Bro your channel is pure gold. Many thanks mate

[@jaredf3381]

Been watching your KZbin a lot recently. You have been absolutely crushing - these videos are so insightful!! Cheers!! 🍻

[@basho5493]

This was a great tutorial! Learned so much. Thank you dude.

[@justamoodycat]

Love this video, so comprehensive yet detailed, exactly what I've been looking for!

[@DavidSmith-re1yl]

This is the best video on this kind of sound design that I've come across, thank you!!

[@ns-Arde]

you and fiko are my absolute favs because both of you talk about the psychology behind production

[@GooseTronics]

awesome video Chris! thanks for posting these yo!

[@BENINIMUSIC]

Your videos are so clear and your knowledge of synthesis is really insane. Thanks for this

[@carptackula7536]

Your passion is infectious! Yes - make the Emotion video you described, please!!! 😍

[@thumpercadence9735]

I love you homie, I saw you in vermont and gave you a big hug after telling g you how much I appreciate your approach to teaching people music. ❤

[@peterskoczenski8176]

excellent as always. And...give us the emotions!!!

[@jakehettinger1087]

awesome explanation! Having the key tracking turned on for the percussive style sounds through the noise oscillator is important to mention

[@glowghost6498]

You’re really good a teaching and explaining!! Keep it up!

[@davidcaubergh6349]

Great explanation and I learned some new tricks here. Thanks!

[@turbolento9145]

Omg this is such an amazing and extremely informative content. It opened my eyes on many ways ti create sounds that I didn't think were even possible. Thank you very much, sir, this mind blowing. Liked and subbed. 🙏🙏🙏

[@soulexpander]

This was a mind-opener indeed, I've overcomplicated things a lot in my mind apparently. I've been really getting into harmonic basses for the past year (more in a clean, 5th tone prog house type way), but the moment at 12:00 blew my top lid open to how the bass sounds I've come to love so much are / can be made. Big up!

[@averyvernon8911]

ahee you are the freaking bomb thnx for constantly helping out the producer community

[@greensleeves32]

This is such an insightful analysis of a masterpiece of an album. Thank you Ahee!

[@hey_maurice]

Awesome video. Would LOVE to see that second video.

[@shliggyb]

Man the Serum presets sound fantastic!

[@jukpulfer]

thanks for this video man! great input

[@bumwog]

Fantastic video. This is the kinda stuff i love

[@nathan_cheeseman]

Awesome work learnt loads from this 👍

[@smoothlettuce]

didn't even realize this was AHEE until a few seconds in! Love your stuff dude, Brain Tickler STAYS in my playlist. Keep being you!

[@Tumanic1996]

Honestly thank for this video, great insight into effective ways of using serum and how Skrillex uses it too :))) ❤

[@YigitDiri]

Really happy to find you bro.

[@josephwalton9076]

Super insightful dude, great video

[@VivlaSka1704]

Love the content ❤ thanks man

[@elosbeatz5899]

LOVEEEEEEEE THE VIDDDD !!! Thanks for this!

[@alfiecattell8623]

Maybe one of the best KZbin sound design videos I've ever seen.

[@DJABEATS]

Excellent video as always

[@vellanz]

After a couple years of trying to start producing on a more connecting level, only now am I starting to get really in tune with my sound design and how I feel with my music. This was super informative as always lad, thank you for your content :)

[@0xszander0]

That first sentence hits. To me definitely the biggest challenge. Making your sound design and musicality come together.

[@ninetails2052]

Awesome video! Thank you!

[@swackymusic]

I like this tutorial for how we discussed about Sonny’s emotions and how they affect one’s art…it’s actually important…we’ve also shifted to the technical aspect of production and life as well, so much that we keep forgetting the creative and purposeful side of it

[@freshlybakeddnb5330]

I think most sounds (especially bass amd lower mid) is best made from sine waves, because the starting sound is so smooth, that leaves so much room for wave shaping, filtering, distortion, compression and automation in a more extensive manner... I enjoy the process 😊 great video!!

[@DR4GON8IT3music]

Super sick! tnx a lot ✌

[@StermaPerma]

Excellent video mate.

[@Samviking01]

Great video thanks from the U.K!🇬🇧

[@seanwillz6532]

Thanks Ahee!

[@metanoiamusic7416]

super helpful vid, definitely drop that emotional side video

[@jeremyformerlyknownastoken8218]

love the vids always

[@granthgekko]

Great work💪🏻

[@callousk.6734]

thank you i learnt alot of new things!

[@BrysonPrice]

love this, great job :D

[@joebenjamin7465]

Quest for Fire definitely has massive influence from the UK dubstep and general bass music scene, right from the older more reggae- and house-influenced dubstep sound profiles and rhythms, to the newer, more tight and dry grime/dubstep/garage/trip hop production and sound selection (obviously including skrillex’s iconic sound design and moment-to-moment dynamic processing). The initial observation you made about frequency spectrum information differences between the high-heavy vs lo/lo-mid heavy profiles has always been one of the biggest differences between the original sound of dubstep in the UK, and how it’s evolved here, versus the deeply processed and more electronic subgenres that emerged from the US, made famous by people like skrillex/flux pavilion/excision etc. it’s very interesting to see how much impact simple base level decisions during synthesis can shape the entire audio profile of tracks. I highly encourage anyone who really liked Quest for Fire’s move away from screechier sounds to slightly tighter and more focussed production to go check out the UK dubstep scene, it’s choc full of some incredible music and sound design and is very much thriving at the moment

[@pecerra]

THIS is why I subscribed 🙌

[@jonathandaniel9031]

Liked the video very much Thank you so much !

[@iamevate]

Love your content!

[@delphidesigns]

You rock Chris! Less screech also opens his music to wider audience (aka pop music)

[@kevolution6605]

FIRST! TY FOR ALWATS PROVIDING SUCH INFORMATIVE CONTENT! CANT WAIT TO CATCH YOU NEXT TIME!

[@MegaGliders]

nope

[@cadewilke5175]

Definitely make that next video!

[@reid1773]

Purchased the pack!!

[@gogamusic]

learned a lot thank you!

[@CRWTHTV]

Nice video bro! ⚡

[@LMNOPMUSIC]

Great tutorial dude

[@mportmusic]

Amazing

[@ephjaymusic]

Brilliant!

[@justinslosberg1909]

dude you're the f*cking man.. this video is truly gold

[@grimfrog11]

your home/studio looks SO cozy

[@FLR4Rec]

GREAT VIDEO!

[@Khanfuzed1]

Good shit my dude

[@amg4455]

Thank you😊

[@vlk9931]

Please make the second video about the emotional approach too!🙏

[@FoundationMCR]

thanks for this fellow alien

[@camrinware6574]

insane knowledge here

[@djrapstar]

nice vid dude

[@pawelamaciwoda9086]

Dope!

[@chrisp7405]

Very interesting video

[@christiantaylor1495]

I'd Love a video about the Don't Get Too Close album too! Would love some music theory analysis of the song of the same name!

[@coreybramwell635]

Skrillex sound and taste has matured with age, which im here for. ive always thought he's an amazing producer, but his older screechy stuff was not my vibe. im loving his newer stuff for sure.

[@Dayfree.]

Amazing

[@Joshh.K]

Kind of glad I've found this video, I've been calling it "sub bass music" and it just does sound really good live, it's like a different palette to the rest of music.. also I've found you can hold a conversation listening to the music live. It's nice and refreshing

[@nullnull2128]

yeeeah but i don't want to be holding a conversation during the show

[@lukebyer2592]

I would love to see a second wave of OG UK dirty dubstep come back into the mainstream

[@jakemayer4991]

bros handing out grandmas secret recipe. i'm loving it

[@slimdeedeep4705]

Dude, u are a genius

[@coopernichols4275]

Interesting observations - the first thing I noticed about QFF was the darker tonality and really full, rich low end. Lets the important percussive elements (that snare roll in Rumble, my GOD) pop a lot more and the mixes just have so much breathing room that other tracks now feel claustrophobic. More than most bass music, it is an incredibly easy album to listen to - I don't feel like it's so obnoxious and screechy that I have to play it super loud or not at all. Definitely feels more mature and refined than most of his other work, and most bass music in general. Sounds weird but it reminds me of like a really nice, old, old whiskey in its subtlety and maturity. I also love your observation that the listener's perceived idea that a sound is complex is often wrong. Watching Noisia's Patreon videos and seeing that their "complex" sounds are almost always just very intelligently designed layers of very simple (yet complementary) sounds was very eye-opening for me. It's not about throwing a billion plugins and layers onto something - it's about doing a lot with very little, but doing so intentionally. I remember in art class being taught that intention is what makes art art. Not just the existence of something, but the idea that someone knowingly and intentionally created something. Feels lost in a lot of bass music (GOD I SOUND OLD) but really, you can make really cool and interesting sounds with very little. But it's easier to throw a billion over-the-top layers and sounds together and call it a drop. I think that's what is so interesting about Quest For Fire. The sounds themselves are generally very, very simple, but they sound fresh because they're used in such an intentional and specific way. Skrillex isn't trying to compete with the Color Bass bros or the loud-as-fuck Riddim crowd. He's stepping back a bit and spending time thinking about what he's doing and doing it perfectly.

[@Artersa]

I think “deep, warm” vs “high, screechy” depends a lot on what genres and sub genres one listens to. I disagree it is warmer, darker, or deeper than “most bass music” because most bass music isn’t screechy dubstep or bass house. So much of it is deep and warm, in any genre.

[@coopernichols4275]

@Ninjilla I mean sure but like most people who listen to Skrillex probably like brostep to some extent.

[@OfficialAHEE]

Great summery!

[@flyoverfredusa]

wicked video and knowledge as usual Ahee ! I'm interested to know what type of LUFS Skillex hits on his new album compared to his previous stuff

[@dawsonhicks5929]

A little bit lower than his older stuff like the Show Tracks EP. Ranging from -7 to -5 from what I’ve looked at. Though the previously released singles were remastered for the album. Supersonic originally sat around -8 but it’s around -5 during the drops if I recall correctly.

[@flyoverfredusa]

@@dawsonhicks5929 interesting, thanks !

[@LukeIcardMusic]

Subbed!

[@benkalbfeld7086]

Amazing tutorial! Just out of curiosity, when you're not using the sub's direct out in serum, is it beneficial to create an instrument group/ effect rack where you have the sound split between the sub and the mid-high range? For me, that's been helpful to have a cleaner sub and more control with the rest of the freq's, but is it always necessary? Thanks again, can't wait to play around with wave-editing and crossfading :)

[@lukehanson6077]

great vid! i bought the Sines for Life sample pack but some of the presets don’t work due to missing noises, is there any way you could provide the styrofoam drilling noise?

[@shaverred1030]

Its the same concept as the Mick Gordon Doom Machine funny enough. It really opens creativity

[@amg4455]

nice