Berlin School Beginner Essentials

[@rayderrich]

I want to deeply thank you for creating this almost hour of golden information. I draw knowledge but also inspiration from your videos and this is one of the best so far for me personally. Berlin School ment little to me until its style caught me ears' attention and the more I dig into it, the more I feel emotions from decades ago. This is beautiful to try and recreate. Thanks Luke!

[@synthseeker]

Thank Rich, it’s that kind of feedback that keeps me making videos. :)

[@dzaxys4643]

Been making music like this for a while and thought Berlin school was a actual school in Berlin thanks for the education ✌️

[@synthseeker]

lol no problem!

[@STOKER_DayZ]

this is AMAZING -I know Berlin School is a little niche - but it's my main jam and coming from playing bass and guitar now trying to learn synthesis - i need someone who can explain the fundamentals to me in an articulate way - you're that guy - thank you again

[@synthseeker]

Hey thanks Thane! I’ll be sure to check out your channel!

[@synthseeker]

Ok, just got done listening to Strange Harmony...you three are great! Love the trio of synth, bass/guitar (Is that a guitar using an octave pedal / tuned low?) and the vocoded/clean-mixed vocals. You guys are definitely on my list of favorites! Subbbed and watching. ;)

[@TheVoltar100]

I love this initiation!

[@rhinoskin7550]

One of the most comprehensive videos on getting started with electronic music that I have watched in the past 8 months. Thank you for your clear and concise explanations

[@synthseeker]

Glad it was helpful! There are other iterations of that topic. Feel free to explore. :)

[@rhinoskin7550]

Yes! Gotta go through a lot of stuff to find this type of gold. Many bots pumping other channels. Thank you for making education the focal point. @@synthseeker

[@SteveMc870]

“Hello, class, today we’re going to be learning Berlin School 101.”

[@synthseeker]

“Take out your synths and turn to mod matrix page 2.” ;)

[@TheSoulSynthesis]

Nice best-of berlin school techniques. This will be helpful for a lot of people somewhat new to the genre and producing in general. Well done! :)

[@synthseeker]

Next stop - extended technique video and a video on ratcheting.

[@TheSoulSynthesis]

@@synthseeker Nice!

[@watching3644]

These tutorials are Gold! You're a wonderful teacher. Many thanks from a newbie in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 😊

[@synthseeker]

Welcome aboard! I hope you enjoy yourself and share what you make! :)

[@watching3644]

Oh, I will, sir.😊 What presets for serum do you recommend?

[@synthseeker]

@@watching3644 - I'm partial to anything with "pluck" in it's name or tag. :) But I also have a few videos on how to make your own presets in general (not specific to Serum.) Good luck!

[@mystiknow]

😍 Super useful tutorial for a novice like me! I can't thank you enough for your support and step-by-step guidance. I sincerely appreciate it. 🙏🙏🙏

[@synthseeker]

Make some great music Ali! :)

[@craigmakarowski6060]

Thank you for the wonderful insite into my favorite music.

[@synthseeker]

I’m happy you enjoyed it!

[@BydSteve]

I think you might what I've been looking for. Subscribed. Thanks...

[@synthseeker]

Welcome aboard!

[@BennosProject]

Iam happy to found your Channel. Great Explaining!!! Thanx! (Greetings from Berlin 😀)

[@synthseeker]

Greetings from Boston and welcome to the channel!

[@timpigram6062]

I've been watching you other videos this week and this is a great summary.

[@synthseeker]

Mission accomplished!

[@IvanBrain]

Thank you very much dear friend. This video solidified my thoughts and added new ideas. The Berlin School is my foundation on the path to creativity. You've done a great job. Thank you!

[@synthseeker]

Share what you make!

[@IvanBrain]

@@synthseeker kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4vKZ3mgbJ6kfbs

[@synthseeker]

Love it! Subbed!

[@BardicPerspiration]

Thanks for gathering all this into one video, great refresher.

[@synthseeker]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@m0osebeard]

Thank you for this one stop start video. You rock Synthseeker

[@synthseeker]

Thank you! I'll keep moving forward...we'll see what I can find that's useful.

[@portioncontrol]

Super tutoriel, merci !

[@synthseeker]

Any time, enjoy!

[@synkrotron]

checking in for a refresher 🙂 👍

[@synthseeker]

Have fun!

[@synkrotron]

@@synthseeker oh, I am always having fun 😁 Good to compare notes too 👍🙂

[@megamankicksyourass]

great demo of all these techniques! there is a lack of berlin school info on youtube

[@synthseeker]

We’ll I hope this helps fill some gaps!

[@krazywabbit]

Bookmarking if I ever get into this. Well presented and easy to understand!

[@synthseeker]

I enjoy being a reference. : p

[@marillion335]

Thank you Luke. Excellent tutorial. Im going to try all this on my Akai Force and see if I can make it sound like yours. Thanks so much for putting this together. Stu in Oz

[@synthseeker]

Be sure to share back what you make...love to hear it!

[@brendane7095]

thank you so much for this video,bro! youve cleared so much confusion for me! cant wait to see more vids.all the best.

[@synthseeker]

Any time. Welcome! Do you publish music? If so, where?

[@brendane7095]

@@synthseeker I have in the past with a few different bands. Yakks was my first synth band as an angry punk kid. There's some stuff of KZbin. Second release was under the name 'Richard violent' which can be found on bandcamp and the last band I was in was an electro outfit called duua svim or duaa svim. I can never remember. If you can't find them just message me and I'll link you. Currently setting up a modular system after many years of Conrad schnitcher and cluster influence.

[@Towy2012]

Stunning series! So inspirational - thank you!

[@synthseeker]

Thank you! Feel free to share what you make. Links take up to 24 hours to show up though. ;)

[@Towy2012]

@@synthseeker I have a lot of Synth but for the first time I got the feeling I can find a way to proper use it!! You are a very good teacher/instructor!

[@RobertLiveMusic]

Good video, thank you very much for your knowledge.

[@synthseeker]

Of course! Have a good day!

[@montxsuz]

Thank you for that. Very useful guidelines to get me started. And I am ready.

[@synthseeker]

I look forward to hearing your music!

[@montxsuz]

@@synthseeker Thank you. I need to watch two of your other videos first to learn more. About driving bass and patterns. In the mean time I have published a little something ambient-ish But I am a mere beginner compared to you.

[@synthseeker]

@@montxsuz I’ll head over to your channel.

[@montxsuz]

@@synthseeker I will be honoured :)

[@cruepprich]

Wow. Such an awesome video. Thanks so much!

[@synthseeker]

Our pleasure!

[@RCAvhstape]

Excellent primer. Old Tangerine Dream fan here.

[@synthseeker]

Same same! Do you publish your music? Love to hear it!

[@RCAvhstape]

@@synthseeker Yeah, if you check out my channel I have some stuff up there, and some links to my bandcamp page. It's the same user name. After doing this as a side project to my rock band stuff for years this is now my main thing so I hope to step up my game a bit.

[@RCAvhstape]

@@synthseeker kzbin.info/door/ggAaeaeiD6D8gbsgnyaBmw

[@tigerwolf8338]

When you were recording the pads, trying some stuff before you pressed record: there is this button with the square edges, you can press that and it will show anything you played before (on the track you currently are), so you just need to clamp it a bit. Helps with red light paranoia

[@synthseeker]

Yup…the capture button. I’ve been using it lately and talk about it in the music making diary. :)

[@LoFiGinsengBaby]

Learnt a lot ❤

[@synthseeker]

That makes me happy. Have fun!

[@musicismyvegetables2900]

That is a great intrio,.

[@lookwatchadone2684]

Great video. Given me loads of ideas. Thanks

[@synthseeker]

Let me know ifs you release anything! I'll listen!

[@antonioc-s7753]

Video nzuri sana, kama kawaida. Asante sana. 👍👍👏👏

[@synthseeker]

Shukrani zako zinanifurahisha. ;)

[@synthseeker]

I have no idea if that is correct. :P

[@antonioc-s7753]

@@synthseeker Wow. Perfect. Your Kiswahili is very good. Almost as much as this masterclass from the Berlin school. I hope there are many more. A hug Luke.

[@synthseeker]

@@antonioc-s7753 - 🦄;)

[@synthsbythesea4091]

Love you work !!! - Thanks Suzanne

[@synthseeker]

Will we see any new events in 2023 over there? I hope so!

[@voidisplace]

Would love to know more about how to make the vocal-style pads! I'm guessing it's maybe a sample-based preset in Pigments but it sounds amazing

[@synthseeker]

What's the name of the present in Pigments? I'll disassemble;e it and try to understand the sound you mean.

[@synthseeker]

Still trying to track down a few mic crackles and this is a LONG one! Enjoy!

[@Chevrolet-Case]

This happens to me when recording podcasts in ableton- i cant figure out what it is and it's driving me crazy. if you find the solution let me know.

[@synthseeker]

@@Chevrolet-Case - I solved it...I think? I changed my Ableton audio settings from 48Khz to 44.1Khz - now I set it back when I'm making music for release, but when making videos/ doing screen capture/VoiceOver - setting it to 44.1 seems to have solved the problem...or at least I haven't heard any crackles in the last couple recorded videos.

[@frankschrodinger1424]

Perhaps a video explaining how to best eq everything together?

[@synthseeker]

I will consider it. :)

[@ModuSpaSm]

@12:40 dark room - I'm shocked! A dark room in Berlin? impossible!

[@synthseeker]

It takes all types. :)

[@clivecarter2833]

Here I go with Arturia and Ableton

[@synthseeker]

Have fun!

[@synthseeker]

5:54 - Errata: “pulse wave or SQUARE wave” - brain fart.

[@bruch63]

Thank you very much for this video! I just discovered it and I'm fully flashed by it. 👍 Just the lesson itself and the sound of the lesson is amazing and exactly the sound I always loved. Needless to say that I loved TD and KS and many others. I stopped playing Synthesizers quite a while ago at the border of analog to digital aera, for several reasons. But I want't to start again! Please tell me, what is the name of the sequenzer software you are using and the name of this remarkable chessboard keyboard hardware that you are using? 🙏

[@synthseeker]

The sequencer is Ableton Live, but you could use just about any sequencer package you like. Anything will work with the techniques shown here. The grid controller is the Novation Launchpad Pro Mk3, but again, most grid controllers will work for you. I use it in "note mode". Thank you for the kind words. Happy new year!

[@bruch63]

@@synthseeker Thank you so much for this helpful info. I love this channel 😄

[@synthseeker]

Have a good weekend!

[@lebazz8671]

This might be a dumb question but what DAW is this? Ableton? Loving your channel Luke, thanks so much 🙏🏻

[@synthseeker]

No dumb questions! It is Ableton Live version 11 I think.

[@lebazz8671]

@@synthseeker thanks for clarifying

[@johnmccartney3819]

At first I thought that I was hallucinating the drum track...

[@synthseeker]

You might have been! :)

[@alessandrogolinelli3185]

🙏 Ti ringrazio veramente tanto. Molto esaustivo e professionale. Grazie grazie ancora. Avrei una domanda perché ho deciso di divertirmi a creare suoni e armonie arpeggi di TD miei Amati da sempre ❤️

[@synthseeker]

TD is life. ;)

[@ledzappelin1179]

14:49 hey, that's stolen from Alan Parsons Project 'I Robot', right 😉

[@synthseeker]

I’ll have to go relisten.

[@Xanaduum]

Isn't Berlin school technically hardware only?

[@synthseeker]

Not at all. There’s a spectrum of opinion but generally some “berlin school” doesn’t even use synths…just guitar/bass and fx pedals. On this channel we consider Berlin School a collection of approaches and sonic goals that you can achieve in whatever way you enjoy making it. I have done it purely in hardware as well as pure software…but I like combining the two as it tends to provide more options for creativity. But you do whatever you like! Even the “instructions” I share are just one approach to achieve a sound in the vein. Have fun with it! Do you have music you have released? Share! ;)

[@Xanaduum]

@@synthseeker Hi thanks. I've always loved Tangerine Dream and Vangelis, along with Chris and Cosey and the more industrial electronic bands. But it was only recently that I heard the phrase 'Berlin school' when trying to recreate this kind of music myself. I kinda presumed that because these guys were all hardware based that Berlin school would also be all hardware based. I haven't released much yet, but I'm working on a couple of albums in various styles while working towards my own sound. Mainly Berlin school inspired. Probably be a year before I have a full album produced. However I do prefer using hardware as much as possible because of eye strain and it being more direct while playing. Love your channel by the way, is the best thing I've found on this subject.

[@Xanaduum]

I have this and couple of other things but it's early days. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXaxnn5ondCUl7Mfeature=shared kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6CXZIuEorKFqLMfeature=shared

[@synthseeker]

Thanks! Well, I look forward to hearing your music. Share when you release it. :)

[@Xanaduum]

@@synthseeker will do, you can be sure that your tutorials have influenced it. 👍

[@echtedeutscheziegen1965]

Sorry, but Berlin School is not Computer generatet Music. just analog stuff was used!

[@synthseeker]

Do you make music? I’d love to hear it! :)

[@JeffHopkinsMusic]

What a weird comment. Why are we being pedantic over the origin of Berlin School? I think Luke has done an outstanding job of explaining that he treats Berlin School as more of a paradigm of musical techniques vs locked into medium dependencies. I'm always happy to hear others opinions though, and of course to hear other people's music and content.

[@SteveMc870]

So, tangerine dream stopped being Berlin School when they started using the PPG Wave? Huh, I had no idea.

[@impfstoff-ausleitungen-de]

@@JeffHopkinsMusic Berlin school refers to a style that is produced with minimalist means... CV gate no memory sync is reduced to gate trigger or freewheeling. There are no tracks there that you could move back and forth in a DAW, minimalism. You didn't understand anything... or am I driving my Ferrari in first gear on the highway? It makes no sense.

[@impfstoff-ausleitungen-de]

Berlin school refers to a style that is produced with minimalist means... CV gate no memory sync is reduced to gate trigger or freewheeling. There are no tracks there that you could move back and forth in a DAW, minimalism. You didn't understand anything... or am I driving my Ferrari in first gear on the highway? It makes no sense.

[@danielfishman6799]

Thank you so much for your videos. I have been listening to ‘Berlin School’ for 40 years and thanks to your explanations, I finally understand what I have been hearing and why I love it so much!!! Very informative, easy to follow and deeply inspirational - keep up your great work!

[@synthseeker]

Aww thanks Daniel! I’ll keep doing my best! Have fun!

[@usaroman]

Hi Luke, at 9:50 there a mention of a video on delays which was supposed to be linked in the description. I searched for it on you tube to no avail. Could you please kindly provide a link to the video/s on delays. Given the large quantity of videos you have on your channel perhaps you should consider setting up a chronological playlist of your teachings. Thanks for all the outstanding contributions you have shared with us past and future. 🎉🎉🎉

[@2112jonr]

Love that you've bought all of these concepts from your previous videos together into one big one - I'm still trying to get my head around my own Berlin School setup, this helps enormously. Thank you Luke ! :-))

[@synthseeker]

Oh good! I was worried that it might be too long, but I’m glad it’s useful for you! Thanks!

[@alessandrogolinelli3185]

Domanda : ho moog sub 37. Vorrei ricreare timbrica arpeggio Logos Red time 16.16...

[@synthseeker]

I don’t remember how I made it but it sounds like a plucked sawtooth waveform.

[@ikarsai]

many thanks for this. Immediately subscribed.

[@synthseeker]

No problem and welcome!

[@adavidalex212]

Excellent insights into the sound design that makes the genre so special! :)

[@synthseeker]

Thanks!

[@markchristopher2signal2]

I like that Berlin school sequencing using step sequencing, analog style sequencing with Korg SQ1 or Arp sequencer.

[@synthseeker]

It’s just clockwork, you can sequencer arpeggiate.

[@mntbighker]

This is SUPER useful. I need to translate from DAW to Eurorack/Elektron, but it's still very useful. My end of chain is VCV Rack with some Valhalla effects. In short I prefer to make my life much harder than it needs to be ;-)

[@synthseeker]

Been there for sure! Lol have fun!

[@kenb7540]

Excellent tutorial ! 👏👏👍🙏. Thank you.

[@synthseeker]

Thanks!

[@kenlusk4528]

Wow, this is an incredibly helpful video. Amazing detail and technical info that is beyond useful. Thank you.

[@synthseeker]

Thanks Ken! Appreciate the feedback. :)

[@frankschrodinger1424]

What midi controller is that?

[@synthseeker]

That is a Launchpad Pro Mk3. :)

[@pawespychaa4786]

Very nice tutorial,thanks you :)

[@synthseeker]

I'm glad if it was helpful or gave you some ideas to try!

[@edalstrobert8628]

Amazing, thank you for this. Do you have any advice on how to improvise leads over Berlin School or just in general?

[@synthseeker]

Stay in key till you understand or get a feel for how to add/resolve tension. A great channel that *I* watch to learn theory is SMS…found here: kzbin.info

[@edalstrobert8628]

That is great, thank you :)

[@TonyStubbings]

This is really fantastic, thanks so much!

[@synthseeker]

Sure thing! Thanks for letting me know!

[@ProfessorHumblesDelusions]

This is an excellent beginner lesson. Thanks. I’m just beginning my electronic music journey.

[@synthseeker]

Thank you and there are lots of lessons and things to explore in the Berlin School playlist. Have fun!

[@PrimitiveBaroque]

Thank you this video is everything I needed to understand this. It was very clear and lucid.

[@synthseeker]

First time I’ve been told anything was lucid! Thanks! ;)

[@GhislainLeveque]

Awesome video! Lot of inspiration to grab!!

[@GhislainLeveque]

I've looked at the playlist, I'll watch all the videos for sure! Have you made a video about the drum parts? I found they harder to create "non boring" than musical parts...

[@synthseeker]

I tend to use loops or hand program drums as the last step in composing. I’m a terrible drummer! ;)