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

[@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.

[@Icythot-m6i]

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

[@ifiwantyoutofeel]

@@don_huzan 😳

[@don_huzan]

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

[@noahsabadish3812]

a slow growth is arguably better

[@DanLaDue]

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

[@rapidspectre7076]

True

[@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.

[@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.

[@taviimihaimsc]

3 minute in this video and you blow my entire brain. and I m not easily brainstormed. Instant subscribe love everything about your content, the way you speak and explain. God bless you

[@dewnomountain]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@delphidesigns]

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

[@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.

[@carptackula7536]

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

[@ferencs6788]

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

[@jakehettinger1087]

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

[@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

[@whatwentwrong4599]

His sound has simply matured, we all know "deep" minimalist dubstep is the cognac of electronic music. While, brostep is the blue WKD.

[@Galactivators]

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

[@BENINIMUSIC]

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

[@grimfrog11]

your home/studio looks SO cozy

[@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!

[@tribbybueno]

low mids keep things warm and organic and i've admired that a bunch about his more recent stuff; making dubstep basses feel like living, breathing basses vs. insane massive patches with loads of distortion on them

[@fellowtraveler]

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

[@EvanSt.pierre-b3b]

I feel like Ahee is the music teacher I wish I had in school.

[@justamoodycat]

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

[@alfiecattell8623]

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

[@Robert-rb4gu]

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

[@DavidSmith-re1yl]

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

[@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!

[@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!!

[@shaverred1030]

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

[@lpqlbdllbdlpql]

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

[@justinslosberg1909]

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

[@littlered55555]

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

[@shliggyb]

Man the Serum presets sound fantastic!

[@r4pidra]

Bro your channel is pure gold. Many thanks mate

[@jakeilovestuffforreal5910]

I feel like some of the shift to lower treble is almost due to a genre switch. He used to produce loud dubstep, and now he's on the experimental, deep dub, UK vibes. I think the rise of deep dub/experimental is taking over as the preferred sound for alot of people.

[@lunaticiousofficial7210]

the last days I was creating some good old monster growls just with FM8 and erosion, pitch. No external plugins other than FM8 within Ableton. The possibilies are HUGE. You can get really thick and aggressive monster growls if you know your FM Synthesis

[@cadewilke5175]

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

[@greensleeves32]

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

[@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. ❤

[@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

[@neonvoid]

skrillex seems to be a big FM fan, that explains the sine waves

[@Samviking01]

Great video thanks from the U.K!🇬🇧

[@YigitDiri]

Really happy to find you bro.

[@bumwog]

Fantastic video. This is the kinda stuff i love

[@billymerlin4194]

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

[@camrinware6574]

insane knowledge here

[@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! 👽👍

[@jaredf3381]

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

[@metanoiamusic7416]

super helpful vid, definitely drop that emotional side video

[@seanwillz6532]

Thanks Ahee!

[@melissafalin8078]

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

[@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. 🙏🙏🙏

[@averyvernon8911]

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

[@vlk9931]

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

[@prestigious5s23]

Excellent tutorial... Subbed!

[@GodisaPacoTaco]

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

[@jakemayer4991]

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

[@FoundationMCR]

thanks for this fellow alien

[@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!

[@christiantaylor1495]

21:16 Skrillex's First of The Year with iver half a billion plays on KZbin and Spotify has the second harmonic in the sub almost equally loud aa the first in the drop. It usually sounds better if you make it organically instead of additive. If you produce it by other means, something about the phase and mix of harmonics makes it more stable and clean.. You can also make the 1st and 3rd have more percieved loudness by changing yhe phase to make it more square wave looking, which also changes how it distorts because the shape is going through the distortion algorithm differently.

[@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!

[@whatchrisdoinmusic]

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

[@reid1773]

Purchased the pack!!

[@hey_maurice]

Awesome video. Would LOVE to see that second video.

[@cadewilke5175]

Definitely make that next video!

[@davidcaubergh6349]

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

[@whyyoumakethissohard]

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

[@schizodillo1952]

Can you please go over a few of your racks for those of us who don't use ableton? I'm particularly curious about the phase control of your growl rack.

[@ericcalmes6071]

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

[@jukpulfer]

thanks for this video man! great input

[@dennismilton5210]

good vid... can you get the same bass results in massive with the same harmonics

[@slimdeedeep4705]

Dude, u are a genius

[@mportmusic]

Amazing

[@retromograph3893]

Good vid! I don't think that more mellowed high end has anything to do with his mother, i think it's just because he realized those hysterical dubstep basses suck! TBH i always thought that Skrillex kinda sucked, although i could hear he was technically a very good producer. But i have to say, his sound from the last couple of years has really blown me away, amazing stuff. And, as a Londoner i feel quite proud to hear what an influence UK music has had on him in the last few years.

[@ephjaymusic]

Brilliant!

[@elosbeatz5899]

LOVEEEEEEEE THE VIDDDD !!! Thanks for this!

[@StermaPerma]

Excellent video mate.

[@callousk.6734]

thank you i learnt alot of new things!

[@nathan_cheeseman]

Awesome work learnt loads from this 👍

[@ninetails2052]

Awesome video! Thank you!

[@pecerra]

THIS is why I subscribed 🙌

[@GooseTronics]

awesome video Chris! thanks for posting these yo!

[@josephwalton9076]

Super insightful dude, great video

[@basho5493]

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

[@peterskoczenski8176]

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

[@DR4GON8IT3music]

Super sick! tnx a lot ✌

[@glowghost6498]

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

[@jonathandaniel9031]

Liked the video very much Thank you so much !

[@Tumanic1996]

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

[@amg4455]

Thank you😊

[@thomashowie1646]

great video thanks! couldn't help but notice that ur saying "alblum". is that on purpose?

[@M3333C]

Great video, although im not sure his mother dying has anything to do with his mixes having less high end lol

[@GizzyDillespee]

Yeah that's a weird proposition, about him making warmer mixes because his mom died. I'd be more inclined to believe he stopped killing us hardly, with all those high frequencies, due to receiving the gift of tinnitus as penance for foisting all that screechy stuff on an unsuspecting population for so many years. Maybe I'm just a Poetic Justic Warrior.

[@MegaEdd99]

that bit cracked me up so much. can't believe i had to scroll this far to find a comment about it.

[@definitelydefinitive]

agreed. Although such substantial events in an artist's life can definitely influence their creative style, I don't think it's fair to speculate that excessively. The correlation seems too far fetched in this case.

[@chrisp7405]

Very interesting video

[@pawelamaciwoda9086]

Dope!

[@granthgekko]

Great work💪🏻

[@christiantaylor1495]

In you KZbin video "Skrillex 2013 fm8" Skrillex says his monstrous growl basses are all made with sine waves. The more things change, the more they stay the same 😅

[@Nedvio]

Do you have a video on how you set up the settings in SPAN?

[@R9YRAMIR9Z]

instant sub

[@crüthtv]

Nice video bro! ⚡