Ep22: The Synth Sounds of Frank Ocean | Reverb

Frank Ocean is a genre-blending master, with a sound that draws on a wide range of influences from electronica, psychedelic rock, hip-hop, and beyond. In the video above, William Kurk breaks down some of the ways in which Ocean crafts his sea of sounds.
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[@FasFas160]

This guy just gives off such friendly vibes.

[@isaacdynys6518]

420gamerxnoscope69 Frank Ocean, or the Reverb guy?

[@47dark]

@@isaacdynys6518 duh ofc the reverb guy

[@freddysamjacob363]

Yeah XD

[@josemiguelmaciasvocar2690]

Synth Sounds of IGOR please!

[@Jay-uv5xg]

yes

[@caydilemma3309]

There’s a good article by Reverb Machine about Igor’s synth sounds if you look it up

[@Nalinalinali]

YEEEES PLEASE YES

[@roryd__]

Jose Miguel Macias Vocar that would be so sick

[@pellejaspers4854]

Reasons stock synths

[@max_mittler]

Many college students have gone to college

[@kabelomaloka1400]

As a guitar player, watching this has made me appreciate the endless possibilities of sounds for keyboards and synths. Music is so infinite.

[@menjysmith1]

I'm a guitarist too, but honestly, if I were to do it all over again, I'd pick up keys and not guitar.

[@patrickfitzgerald2861]

@@menjysmith1 Interesting comment. FYI, if you have at least some knowledge of music theory you can make an awful lot of good music with most modern synths without being a keyboard wizard.

[@menjysmith1]

@@patrickfitzgerald2861 yeah, i got a couple syntha that i thoroughly enjoy, and indeed, with some theory making music isn't that hard. It's just the fluidness that I miss. I can play a g#m9 on a keyboard, but it'll take a while before I'd find the notes. With guitar I can just immediately play it.

[@patrickfitzgerald2861]

@@menjysmith1 Yep. Even though I'm a permanent intermediate-level guitar player, I do know where everything is on the fretboard. With my synths I rely on programming and the UI to overcome my lack of keyboard finesse. So I'll never be a wizard, but these crazy machines are just so damn much fun to mess around with!

[@gclip9883]

Haha ENDLESS possibilities

[@reflexivmusic]

That White Ferrari analogy is spot on, that synth in the beginning is so comforting and warm

[@johnnyjudis9163]

troubled token I imagine a sky of thick white clouds on a desert highway then slowly ascending into the clouds and just floating through them

[@manipulatingsound]

I seriously had to close my eyes and enjoy. Spot on and magical.

[@yoshi4799]

Franks synth melodies and bass lines are so perfectly composed. Timeless music.

[@deftfkaubgup4669]

“We do have the arturia v collection tho” -William Kirk

[@open_sourc3]

LMAO

[@bangersareforever480]

Nobody: Absolutely Nobody: William Kirke: "The Arturia V collection..."

[@jaredcoleman1788]

The background for “be yourself” is actually sampled from a song called “Running Around” by Buddy Ross

[@deadlimerence]

True. And Buddy Ross is Frank's producer, keyboardist, music director, etc.

[@umalihorne8513]

Apparently Buddy Ross had actually played that for Frank before Blonde, used it in his own music, then Frank put it in the Blonde interlude sections. They didn't know what music would end up on Blonde when they had that session together.

[@FelipeMorris]

I see Frank, I click

[@daytonasaint-godfrey5074]

Felipe Morris simple man

[@fixins]

I don't know a vintage analog synth from a reissued keytar. I can't even play piano but I love William Kurk's videos. Probably my favorite on the channel.

[@davidtravis8933]

William, I love your in-depth look at classic sounds and how to get mimic them in a software-based form as well. Keep up the great work!

[@hansonchun]

What a great resource for aspiring producers. I've always tried to emulate sounds from my favorite artists and this helped me tremendously. Thanks for sharing.

[@anthonyk5496]

The "Synth Sound" descriptions are PERFECT - but I would love to see more time on the top-down keyboard view. The chords played are just as important as the sound!

[@rhinojaxx4197]

We need more of this guy on Reverb

[@PIOCLITO]

That was such a cool episode. Thank you Reverb!

[@talonhackbarth7652]

One of the best Arturia ad's I've seen in a while.

[@agustinanselmi594]

I loved Frank's synth sounds but i loved this guy even more!

[@bensvault9149]

Brilliant episode Will!

[@electrowizard141]

Ok this is so done well. William you rock! There is information well presented, good audio sample examples, solid explanations. And you always get me laughing or smiling with unexpected humor. I keep looking for more KZbins by you, I fear I have become a Kirkaholic.

[@KidHellacious]

Awesome vid. So inspiring. Thanks for putting in the hard work

[@ottmarmiller5282]

Everything on the Arturia Collection is so good. I Mean it's cool to use presets but what's better is that you can create your own sound pacthes to use later, that's pretty much developing your own sound.

[@HelloColette]

This is so so insightful and will hopefully enhance and inspire my production, thank you!

[@beflygelt]

quality content, makes me hear (and appreciate) some of my favorite songs even more. I'd love a sequel actually, there's so much more great Frank songs with awesome synth magic in them! (His post-Blonde singles!)

[@NativeOnes]

I love videos like this. The way you broke down White Ferrari was awesome. Keep these up!

[@therezwizard3032]

I need like 7 more episodes of Frank Ocean

[@indigowaves6706]

Keep these coming plz

[@altrumodi5694]

Underrated video, this is crazy coming out from reverb

[@getupnsk8]

Thank You for this!

[@audiaaudio3154]

BEST One Yet! Great Work reverb!

[@MrRenou]

Long time no see, Im happy to see you back. Love your vids :)

[@issavvibes]

this might be my favorite video of all time

[@BobIrving2]

I love your stuff! Educational AND entertaining!

[@valeriafalconmusic]

this was SO INCREDIBLEEE

[@fictitiousfictitious8964]

That was a nice voyage Captain Curt!!!

[@smoothwadee23]

Love this insight. So good

[@forestpond9970]

Vibes, thank you for sharing

[@lexijeffs8342]

Great content! Thank you

[@user-fl6oi2er6x]

This was dope 🔥🔥🔥

[@victoryzy]

The Ocean puns. Pure class. Hahaha love the presentation by this guy!

[@ppdlive]

Like your series, keep going man!

[@TheNicoDavis]

I've been waiting forever for this. Frank Ocean stan for life

[@paulpouwelsmcmillan]

This is exceptionally good.

[@manolo9493]

Always love these vids

[@dereklansky7764]

As much as I love synth sounds episodes about classic iconic artists, I really appreciate a video on a more modern contemporary artist. Great vid!

[@bleuishblond1429]

frank is a contemporary artist lmao

[@dereklansky7764]

@@bleuishblond1429 Uh yea man thats what my comment said..

[@jayhu6075]

What a fantastic topic about Frank Ocean. Many thanks.

[@bingusmode4650]

This is great!

[@griffgoldsteinreference]

Such a great host!

[@nickhaldin8674]

Good stuff guys 👏🏼👏🏼

[@RRAREBEAR]

As the #1 producer of "Frank Ocean Type Beats" on KZbin... I approve of this message. x

[@mathewrobb3638]

This was great!

[@Teddyrobinson]

This was a nice Arturia commercial

[@johnrodriguez5872]

Teddyrobz this made me laugh cuz now im gonna go buy arturia

[@BLACKDISC]

This guys hilarious and knowledgeable. Incredible combination

[@DonPasquale_]

So what I've learned today is that I can use the Arturia V collection, nice.

[@LukeLine]

God I loved this, keep this series going!

[@kaylans8411]

this made me happy

[@LaynoProd]

BEAUTIFUL

[@rresmer]

You ARE my sequential prophet bro. And I AM afraid of your bracelet. And you’re boss are the bomb bruh!! Keep em comin.

[@akalmi6479]

I love so much these synth sounds :D !

[@nineof8]

Wholesome video, great host!

[@shao4329]

guys if you're looking for more tutorials like this, go to reverb machine, it's a website ran by a guy who does so many synth dissections like Tame, Impala Tyler, LCD Soundsystem and even more Frank!

[@skinnyrigid]

Yeah their Juno 106/Tal U No LX sound design/synth remake tutorials are pretty decent

[@awe1036]

this was really cool

[@binface9]

From the portrait in the thumbnail, Admiral Kurk is not taking prisoners on this one.

[@matt0411]

such good energie :) keep it going!

[@pedrocgallardo]

I'm so happy u ended with pyramids, always gives me chills ❤️

[@ICACJ]

long time no see. welcome back.

[@froydian9185]

We need part 2! Them synths on Skyline To deserve it.

[@boomer7393]

I know you did synth sounds of Africa, but I’d really recommend doing a synth sounds of Toto as a whole. They have some amazing synths in their songs (songs like girl goodbye, Rosanna, hydra, etc)

[@shreyt9850]

the buddy ross sample so beautiful

[@brittonwalker7341]

William Kirk is a king!

[@tenebraeROCKS]

Great video! Now I just have to figure out how to write like Frank. Should be easy? Right guys? Right?

[@GeraltinWoW]

So nice

[@felipesigne901]

vey nice concept and execution, very inersting to me

[@a.dsadventure6710]

Damn...This ...was ....awesome! I love Frank's art 🧡

[@name_error8880]

8:53 This guy... he describes sound so detailed. I like it.

[@bhfilmmaking]

Be Yourself is actually a sample of the song "Running Around" by Buddy Ross

[@faboolean7039]

Synth sounds of death grips

[@dereklansky7764]

I’d do anything for that

[@mimi-xb1rr]

I wish man

[@Thefakemattk]

Derek Lansky (in the dark)

[@heavymachete6235]

alot of microkorg lmao

[@godfreyfunklord5340]

Mostly sampling

[@iamantoniofernandez]

William is great! Haha human and knowledge. Great stuff!

[@coldramentpm1013]

so dope

[@brooksb4799]

Music knowledge is great and all but can we just appreciate this mans PUN ABILITY!!?

[@TiMauricien]

Thank you :)

[@davidallen6126]

Always assumed that Frank just used soft-synths, but it's cool to find out he was using mini-moog's and stuff

[@Checo43]

I'd love to see a tutorial/introduction into synthesizers from Reverb!

[@alexandermjh3528]

Some of you have heard??? Greatest artist AND album of the decade.

[@BenPotts]

It's simple, i see William Kirk, i click the video

[@bangersareforever480]

I get Arturia probably paid ya'll for this but U-he Repro-5 is a better Prophet 5 emulation

[@sergiosensation6]

bangersareforever true!

[@foljs5858]

Not in any way anybody would even notice on a finished track, except if they're a synth nerd. So there's that...

[@christopherlangley8441]

facts

[@jamesdoctor8079]

foljs bro you wouldn’t even know what a prophet is if you weren’t a synth nerd 😂

[@foljs5858]

@@jamesdoctor8079 A prophet is a guy that tells the future right?

[@justintyler4814]

I watched this video multiple times it was really informative and well presented. I have since shown multiple people it for some of the jokes lol.

[@joeydepp779]

This guy is so talented have to click every time I see him on here

[@GaryTheSloth97]

Synth sounds of The Cars please!!

[@CROMAR31]

I love this guy

[@nelsonnavarrouk]

Hah love this guy. Dope video

[@fibooysen3597]

I like the synths used in Xenons off Endless

[@kebab_boi]

TAME IMPALA SYNTH SOUNDS NEXT

[@bobbybeats8604]

Jon Brian is the guy that worked on Circles by Mac, if the name rings a bell for some of yall.

[@annagraceodom5352]

this Man and his Ocean Puns kill me

[@Denver_Risley]

Mr. Kurk, always a pleasure.

[@Treyvon07]

This guy is awesome

[@tuckkneegnarfuck]

this guy is awesome

[@seank997]

SYNTH SOUNDS WOO HOOOOOOOOOO

[@manyueru97]

Nice video :) please make a video about the Italians Do It Better Label (Glass Candy, Chromatics, Desire, etc.)