Ep18: Synth Sounds of "I Feel Love" by Donna Summer | Reverb Learn to Play

[@robertsillitoe]

"We're dialling up a sound we have made with this modular synth. And for those who may not be familiar with what that is. A modular synthesiser is a synth made of modules." It's for this level of insight and knowledge that I watch the 'Synth Sounds of' series.

[@MrNickRhodes]

Robert Sillitoe cccc

[@djrobbietroncotraxxwalk4me920]

😁

[@kiereluurs1243]

I would have liked to roughly see which modules they used. These monsters are a mystery to me.

[@tony_levy]

This is why shampoo has instructions.

[@11bravo13]

Hilarious

[@gregorygant4242]

Terrific breakdown of a classic ,masterpiece by Giorgio Moroder and Donna Summer.20-30 years ahead of it's time.Still sounds great today,better than any stuff you hear today.They'll be listening to this song ,in 30 -40 years time, they'll be listening to this song forever.A testimony to this masterpiece.Great tribute to these great masters ,Giorgio and Donna ,well done man!

[@yrmthr]

When David Bowie first heard this song, he loudly proclaimed: "This is the future!" Boy was he right!

[@JezzBrookes]

Except Eno said it to Bowie...

[@spurv]

A future he - sadly - did not participate in. Never understood why Bowie did not investigate electronic music more. Yeah ... I know ... he did flirt with it from time to time ... but never took the full plunge. Guess he was a guitar man.

[@RenePeraza]

He added in an interview back in '79 -'80: "...half Krafwerk, half American Soul."

[@RenePeraza]

@@spurv Get the 'Cat People' soundtrack if you want Bowie + Giorgio. The whole album desrves a Reverb episode! There are a couple of tracks with Bowie's voice on them, including the original version of the title song he later recorded differently for 'Let's Dance.'

[@sandrasanders706]

I read that John Lennon said that he just kept playing this record over and over and over..

[@svenbartram2695]

This guy would be ideal as a teacher in a school, bringing synths to life to school kids. Turning it into a story as he does here would work brilliantly in school I would think.

[@SWSimpson]

This song changed the.course of music history. The music is incredible and Donns Summer’s vocals don’t compete with the music, but they are married together perfectly. It’s not a cold computer-generated song because her vocals add a warm etherial vibe that truly makes it express the feeling of being enveloped in pure love. It’s a blessing that Giorgio Moroder and Donna Summer found each other and gifted the universe with their talents. Where Donna Summer is now, she sings, and her voice can bend the universe. She certainly made time stand still in her lifetime, and the angels rejoiced.

[@karasays01]

Donna is the most underrated vocalist. Love Donna and Moroders team work. They have defined Dance music and Pop forever

[@SaltyBob355]

You must not have been around in the 70’s. She absolutely dominated the clubs, radio, late night music tv and movies of the day. She’s had heaps of awards and accolades.

[@zippdogg12]

Donna Summer was amazing!!!

[@fergussaint-john2535]

ummm......definitely NOT underrated

[@huntrrams]

Not underrated! She was literally the queen of disco!

[@persona83]

And the Underrated Artists Police attacks again.

[@LivingstonGina]

As a teenager & aspiring songwriter, I got to meet Donna Summer when her single was being promoted on the US military circuit. I got her autograph on the “ILTLUB” single! I treasure it to this day. Giorgio Moroder a legend in Disco music productions! Like Silver Convention.

[@hotrodindalou]

Two words Donna Summer!!! While the music is extraordinary be clear that Donna Summer's operatic sultry voice delivers the majic to this simplistic lyric with its climactic utterings. Donna Summer is canonized in this composition!!

[@jhowe5571]

Just in case you didn't know, yes he did use a Moog modular. However, he recorded it onto a tape and did something not repeatable, exactly like you hear on the recording. He took a length of that tape, looped it in a huge loop and ran it through a tape playback machine having several people guiding the loop to keep it from slipping out of the machine! That was recorded against other tracks adding delay and was the foundation to the song... Separate the left from the right and you hear two distinct bass synth tracks that aren't exactly synced throughout the loop but jump back into sync at the beginning of the loop... Not to mention the digital drum tracks! :-) BTW... Soooo much cool gear to play with, there... Reverb!!!

[@craigpacker2693]

Interesting story. But what causes the lag of sync between left and right tracks and why does it jump back in at the start of the loop? The method you describe doesn't answer this

[@craigpacker2693]

I have had a listen to the long version of the song, which I can hear the "jump back in" moment, but I think this is more to do with the extended remix, and where the master tape was cut back together, after the looped delay effect had been dedicated to tape. There is certainly some chasing and dragging going on with the delayed track, which supports the tape loop story, for sure - there's no other way you can have that track fall out of sync as it does. I also noticed there is another synth bass sound-effect in the extended version, which is used to mask over the slurring of timing by the delayed bass line. Certainly the technology which was being used is incredibly primitive, and the creative genius to produce such a piece is a bit mind bending. Do you know if the original bass line (left track) was played or sequenced? I am assuming it was sequenced on a 16 or 32 note analog sequencer and the Oscillator was transposed as required. I would be interested to know.

[@jhowe5571]

@@craigpacker2693 Yes, well I've seen two different stories mostly from similar sources and they do differ. In one Moroder describes the tape loop version and the other he attributes someone to showing him how to sync the Moog to a taped beat. So, it may be both methods were used, with more than two tracks...

[@craigpacker2693]

Interesting... I am kind of intrigued now because there are a couple of ways this could have been done, back in the day - and a vague understanding of the work-flow you might have needed. . I think it sounds like a tape delay machine (something like a Roland Space Echo) where you could control the tape speed, would attribute for the drift in timing: you became aware of the drift, you could adjust the tape echo speed. This uses a tape loop but doesn't involve syncing a separate tape back to the original. It seems much more likely this was what he is referring to. Because they didn't need to go to the effort that is inferred - I conclude that they didn't. I have read the "jumping back in" story, and it is to do with the Moog VCO's drifting off tune, and needing to be retuned every 8-10 bars. This explains the re-starting and dropping in. now regarding the delay drift - the same thing would occur. When you try to sync a delay time with a manual control, you are constantly chasing the correct setting, which causes the delay to waver; ahead and then behind, the preferred timing. When it gets too far out - you stop the tape, rewind, reset every thing and then perform a 'drop-in' We can also hear extra percussive synth passes used to mask the drop-ins, which sound very musical because of their placement in the turn arounds of the song. it would seem that the bass line was recorded as one track, using record drop-ins the correct the tuning issues of the Moog, and then, the delay was recorded to a second track, using record drop-ins to correct the issues of timing as those issues progressed. If you listen closely you can hear both problems... but the delay issue is more prominent than the tuning. As for synching the Moog, that would have been a trigger synch. That explains why the original bass line sounds tight and repetitive, but still a bit baggy on the timing. It also explains how he would have made the transitions in pitch, manually, using triggers to get the timing. One thing is for sure... there is at least 3 people standing over the desk, running 'automation' movies during mix down. :) What a cool piece of history to be able to disect!!!

[@stephenstrang590]

@@craigpacker2693 just in case you aren't aware, someone is reading this well thought through and advanced interpretation. Cheers.

[@GloveBunniesVideos]

"The kick drum is the crouton." - classic

[@craigpacker2693]

"The aliens are waving!" -- lol...

[@issiewizzie]

Cool stuff RIP Donna

[@FuchsiaShocked]

I could listen to this guy talking about synths all day tbh. I don't even make music yet, though I'm trying to learn.

[@johnmichaelson9173]

I remember hearing this when I was 14 in England in 1977 & my jaw hit the floor. I'd never heard anything like it. It's just a fantastic song & sound.

[@simonwild428]

I was 13 , it changed my whole world

[@peekpen]

Respect to our storyteller. I was a kid when I heard this invasion float in on a summer breeze in 1977.

[@josehuizar9272]

I love this. Thank you! Giorgio once said he actually forgot to turn off the delay and began to record and we'll the rest is history.

[@TheWarrrenator]

OMG I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS EPISODE FOR SO LONG! THANK YOU! I got to see GM perform last year and he basically DJed an entire set of his career including a 20 minute tribute to Donna Summer with a Macbook Pro. I didn't expect for him to have a huge set or a backing band or singer and it made sense considering that these now-classic tracks were composed with the then-latest technology. Moroder is the Bob Dylan of Electronic music and this song will never die!

[@frederickheard7266]

👍😅 pick up I’m blind I must tell you you are an inspiration every time I get a notification that you got something else I’m happy to hear love synthesizer sound I appreciate you

[@auggysimcity]

you really illustrate what the songs are all about. The stories of walking into the club, etc.. awesome job as always!!

[@vgarc7]

Bjork-Army of me or Human Behavior I love this series.

[@axnyslie]

Do "Don't You Want Me" by Human League next.

[@KrokodillenKarsten]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4PHma2dZ7mqn68

[@Viacheslav_Popov]

Со школьных лет люблю эту композицию. Парень - молодец. Спасибо. Ну и Донне - отдельная благодарность.

[@ericjmorgan]

Great vid! I didn't know there was delay on the bassline, I just thought it was sequenced that way. Love the commentary, too. "You can't Über in Space." "Bar is packed. Disco Ball is spinning." 😆 Good stuff.

[@AdamBoroniec]

The way Will describes the different sounds (salad dressing, croutons) so good! I've learned so much!

[@maricelabusio814]

Amazing!!! You should do "Axel F"- from Beverly Hills Cop

[@madjidhamdini1977]

1977 when i was born ^^ i feel love sound's like techno music 10 years befor ! thks mister moroder and rip donna ...

[@zinuhe83]

Awesome how you create an atmosphere around the synth sounds. Love it.

[@dublion7]

Ok, what I want for Christmas, is that modular synth. 🎄!

[@Lonespark]

Always a treat when one of these pops up on my feed. Love your work, thanks a bunch!

[@anthonycox7595]

I watch many many since review and and classic rift videos but this has to be one of my favorites..........

[@duckyvirus]

I love how you broke it down. I've been "playing" this song in nearly every tracker i've used and not ONCE did i think of just using a delay (yes I'm an idiot)

[@marcrenton555]

*YAASSS!!!* Finally some *Hi-NRG* stuff! Waiting for *Patrick Cowley* and *Blue Monday*

[@dcny69]

marcrenton555 Patrick ❤️❤️❤️

[@TheSheepPimp]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hl6pg5qporKnd7M

[@ahol967]

This one is even better with gear of 80s: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bafLkGiIec5km5Y

[@josehuizar9272]

Yes! It all started with Once Upon a Time! High energy disco!

[@chickenlips74]

Die Galaxis ist unser Film! Die Ausserirdischen winken uns zu! 😍

[@paulallen3839]

Great to hear this breakdown. The delay on the bass is similar to Stand Back (stevie nicks) with that driving noise. Timeless!

[@robertgoldbornatyout]

I love your channel and the way you describe the sounds. Great job!

[@peetey249]

Love the description of the sounds and the sounds of course. Well done.

[@rdoetjes]

He’s as poetic with his words as his music :) awesome

[@reynaldomcwhiskey6689]

Finally! I’ve been waiting, or hoping for yall to cover this song! Fantastic! In Space!

[@jokelanddotcom]

Every day you post one of these, it’s like Christmas! Well done, again!

[@ia5662]

Keep em' coming Will Kurk! These are the best things on KZbin man

[@jjswin]

Beautiful video! Love the appreciation for this song. Nothing else sounds quite like it.

[@sheriffb1544]

Great little breakdown of an iconic track!

[@leonardotorres6547]

Great video!!! Thanks for this!

[@PatrickRosenbalm]

Good job! That song is in a league of its own.

[@robertopotamico]

Amazon explanation Maude. Thanks so much for this. You are so chill and I really get your music vibe!

[@NostalKeys]

Man, I love your channel and the way you describe the sounds. Great job!

[@moogdome2562]

Thank you so much. I was never completely sure about how to play this. best wishes.

[@jers1367]

there needs to be more Synth Sounds Of...like one a week.

[@mattsm4292]

I’ve left myself 12 hours to write an essay on how this song was produced for my uni course I think you’ve just saved my life x

[@micky5237]

Great vid, love this man, love the club ref. Thank you!

[@piopob]

I love this series. Good stuff. Like the croutons.

[@jasonm673]

Sweet 'Members Only' Jacket. Love to have one

[@dodgyboy8318]

I love these episodes and I dig the members only jacket too!😃

[@jfrch67]

The aliens are waving! 🤣 I love your commentary! Great job on explaining everything 💯

[@coaridoalto]

Muito bom cara. Vídeo bem feito, aula bem dada. Você explica muito bem

[@procta2343]

I loved that! very smooth!

[@stevecharno512]

Interesting clip. If you're ever in Asheville, North Carolina go and see the Moog museum. Truly fascinating. They have all sorts in there, not just Moogs - including Fairlight, Prophet and so on.. I greatly enjoyed having a go on their Theramin....

[@nathaliealeman3568]

Love this channel. Thanks for posting.

[@ricomajestic]

How about doing Dream Weaver by Gary Wright? One of the first major hit songs with a synthesizer.

[@pyronman]

I feeeeeelll loooooovee

[@walthampton6700]

Great video. In one short clip you have turned me on to a genre I had no knowledge of. Up until this afternoon I was strictly blonde telecaster, straight in to my amp. Now, you have me wanting to expand my musical horizons. Thank you kindly. Peace and love.

[@MattVorn]

I LOVE THESE VIDEOS!

[@yungslimez]

great job Will

[@rustammazhidov2050]

You're so nice guy, i love you man, i can watch your tutorials all day long

[@julienparrott]

So inspirational. Thank you so much.

[@TheoriginalMach2000]

Song is actually written by Summer/Moroder and Pete Belotte The delayed bassline was actually done by the Moog engineer to show what the Moog could do.

[@firetruckboy7]

Glad this song is blowing up again

[@dianabravo2106]

The infamous Giorgio Moroder. 🤟🏻

[@abraaobm]

but everybody calls me.... Giorgio

[@lauvasquez8030]

Why infamous? What did he do wrong?

[@joeborunda]

Love this guy and these videos.

[@pedroqueridomusic]

You have one of the best jobs in the world : ) keep up the good work! Love this series

[@opwave79]

Have you done synth sounds of Berlin "The Metro"? If not, please do!

[@ahol967]

Perhaps this may help you understand 80s techniques: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bafLkGiIec5km5Y

[@LeBishbish]

The Salad Dressing!!!! Awesome vid per usual.

[@rodmoyes80s]

How about keeping that delay fired up and doing Duran Duran Save a Prayer? You won't be sorry...

[@asingreat4630]

Loving the lava lamp!

[@fergussaint-john2535]

so good👏👏👏👏👏

[@adam872]

I want to see more of this guy. He's awesome.

[@TPBass1224]

Thanks for the tutorial, Will. Love the Members Only jacket.

[@row1479]

I've always love Donna Summer's was fortunate to see her last show, RIP. Can you do a favor, love to hear you do Grandma's hands with more gospel added.

[@TryptychUK]

The bit everyone misses that I would love to know is the machine-gun phase/flange drainpipe effect that comes in later.

[@rciscon]

Flying through outer space with Captain Kurk!

[@timebautistaofficial3679]

who can dislike this?! amazing!

[@daniellacroix7259]

Great cover version !! And It’s short & sweet. 😉

[@HenryKillian]

Fantastic stuff mate.

[@ndrinks5550]

"In space we always get to the right place" - Donna Summer

[@tonematrix]

The metaphors in this episode were top notch! :)

[@zavulon00]

You got some hot stuff right here!!! Amazing I loved it!!! 🙌🙌🙌🙌 Keep it up the good fight!

[@italomix2611]

Excellent video, my friend !

[@anthonylecesne704]

Yours Sir, is a great reason for a Channel. You should have "a million" Subscribers. Great job! Keep up the great work!

[@designanddirection]

It’s like lifting back the Wizard of Oz’s curtain. You made it look so simple!

[@JasonHobbsGuitarist]

I like how the original songs ending blends perfectly into the songs intro again, if you put the song on loop it would never end, lol nice job dissecting it man! Cheers

[@DeKoepi]

Had to laugh at some points in the video - great explanations and examples. :D I'd love to see you dissecting some of the wave stuff like New Order, Human League or pop songs like Howard Jones' "What is love" - if you're taking suggestions.

[@coldwar1977]

yay for The Human League, yes please!

[@faithinverity8523]

DAMN! You put me back on the dance floor just then. Thank you. So fine.

[@DIY-DaddyO]

Thank you, I shall now try putting this together on my setup, by learning how to put together a classic, I can learn how to make my own sound. You're a legend.

[@coldfito]

This song is amazing when youre drunk & non stop dancing at the club

[@jimsim3]

Popcorn recorded 1969 by Gershon Kingsley but became a hit 1972 for the American band Hot butter,it was one of the first synth pop song, worth a mention, Kingsley was contemporary German-American composers and pioneer of electronic music and is mostly forgotten . as is the 1977 Magic Fly by French band Space these people start electro pop

[@johnklansek8898]

great vlog love the lesson

[@sscustoms4842]

Thats it....were getting into the synth business asap

[@oholm09]

So do i

[@trentfarmer9862]

I love this so much

[@slimeesquivel4983]

i don’t know how i found this but i’m really enjoying it

[@innerstatejt]

I think the highest note of the bassline also goes an octave lower or sometimes goes lower instead of higher. Fantastic video!

[@valueofnothing2487]

I think in the original the delay frequency is off, which gives the dramatic tension of the song.