TEDxRotterdam - Noisia - An inside on electronic music

Noisia was number 1 in the UK Cool Cuts Top 20 and they made a sound track for the Heineken commercial. Robbie Williams and Moby asked Noisia to make a remix of their songs. That is the definition of a big success.
For years already, they are valued for their excellent productions. Characteristic for their music is a breath­taking production, claustrophobic bass frequencies and a constant stream of variations. In addition to drum 'n bass breakbeat and house are often included in their productions. Noisia shows its unrestrained love for different genres.
On TEDxRotterdam Noisia gives an inside in the world of electronic music.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)

[@daffertube]

It's been 7 years and these guys are legends now. Crazy.

[@TyderiaOfficial]

Not to sound condescending, but they were legends back then too. It just took them that long to attract a large audience.

[@ThirdFocusMusic]

They were Legends back then, spesh with their song called "Machine Gun" got themselfs a large following because of it

[@HighVolume12]

Lol didnt know u liked Noisia, love your video’s

[@poxxe]

It’s been 13 years and these guys are retired now. Crazy.

[@rahbeat9785]

the look on their face when they play looks like me when i play for my dad.

[@thomasjrsawkins]

this is so fucking awkward, my friend put it that it's like they're telling their parents what they do

[@dailydose8492]

lol

[@Nebuphon]

it's not that bad! they have to be super basic this is a crowd of ppl that have absolutely no idea what dnb is let alone noisia

[@ThirdFocusMusic]

though this was back in 2010.. i only found out about Noisia late 2010 or early 2011 they are more popular than back then

[@stevester7840]

They should really do another Tedx about the produtcion side of electronic music. I feel it would be a lot more interesting and they have improved a lot since 2010

[@hasssna]

absolutely , i would love to see them explain their way of doing stuff , but for some reason they don't share much things when it comes to production mixing and mastering and sound designing....

[@itchydez]

Agreed! I also think stage fright may have somewhat affected this Ted Talk. I know they can do better than this. If you're interested in the production side of things they've done two videos with Future Music Magazine where they go in depth about layering sounds, phasing and synths/basses! A great watch!

[@hasssna]

Yep,saw them with future magazine, and all they did like you said is wasting so much time talking about layering drums , they don't talk much , i guess they have that mentality of keeping their things for them like old days with the prodigy and such,they didn't talk about major things like bass desing, and if you noticed them they avoid even showing plugins,i was so excited to see them...end up dissapointed..lol

[@itchydez]

I guess they could be a little more open but I guess that's up to them. However, I was a really nice insight into their work and some techniques they use!

[@GabREAL1983]

i dunno guys, they share a lot production wise. mastering and pushing it to the limit is another thing. you can go through frequencies and sidechaining, clipping on purpose etc... but there is no certain formula for this. they also said it in an interview - "we run everything in the reds and look what we can do from there..." btw on vimeo you can find their new future music video... they explain a multiband plugin, you can have an insight on the arrangement of their track "reptiles" and they show a little bit of modular synthesizes btw a lot of their sounds come from fm8 (i think dnb artists tend to this in general)

[@Misterbdnb]

It's great to see Noisia getting involved in TED - a combination of 2 of my favourite things.

[@Misterbdnb]

It was a shame that it was only really a show and tell. They didn't really explain much about electronic music.

[@CzechRiot]

Oh my god! Computers are so amazing! They can do so many fun things! I didn't know that! I might consider getting myself one of those! Yey!

[@arthofermark]

Thank you guys! It's 2021, at this year you finish Noisia project, it was amazing ~20 years. And yeah, nowadays digital created "laptop music" is normal without orchestra, but you are still absolute legends! Im 24, but my future kid will know, you were the Beatles of 21 century.

[@NickOmnia]

I loved the reaction and the presenter,it seems like they're kinda open minded. Awesome!

[@Trainwhrek]

lol its gotta be so weird playing high energy music to a low energy audience... they both look like they're cringing the whole time haha

[@eliel1815shadow]

more than cringing for the contrast of likings but about the talk they did, a very light introduction of electronic music that hasn't been said before and better, it seems they didn't knew what to talk about at all and ended up with that. My best guess is the same as the others here, they were on a tour, got a call from TEDx to give a talk about electronic music, one of the guys was already on his way to the other city

[@MikeGrahamDSM]

Didn't know these guys did a Ted Talk. So much respect for them.

[@73542]

+Mike Graham shuttup

[@bradyrose]

they should have actually broke out the DAW and showed them vst's and explained HOW the inner workings of digital synthesis have changed how music will be made forever.

[@kylestarfaux]

I've been a noisia fan for years and clearly these guys aren't pro public speakers but their music speaks for itself. simply phenomenal

[@Havvse]

probably were invited on short notice and didnt had the time to prepare, otherwise theres no explanation as to why this is so poor

[@emdash8944]

Consider the fact that this is from 2010

[@ericplum]

The video they showed was sick!

[@phaedruslykos3249]

AHAHa imagine if you showed people the Exodus video in the 18th century.

[@sonnybrown4758]

When I saw TED and NOISIA in the same tittle, I was like what? That's so dope =)

[@blackpanther6389]

That piece with the track and video was awesome. I especially liked what was said at the end about electronic music and sampling being a craft in itself, not to say it's better or worse but the effort in creating something totally different.

[@morphbal1234]

I saw them live in a small club last saturday , Freaking awesome

[@FLmanity]

2:26 sounds like one of my mixes

[@greenaidgelal6865]

exodus is quite something and the drum & bass in it really hits the magic spot, but than again it`s not just drum & bass

[@TheJellybeanDrifter]

This didn't explain electronic music what so ever lol

[@djhopesoulinsideyou]

And we are noisia army ~~~

[@MrDeadend1973]

My take on the 3 years to make a song is that it's a project. It might take three years from the first development or rough draft of the song until it is completely finished. Doesn't mean they work on just this. They probably did more things during the making of this, but we don't know that. Who knows (:

[@ulek_604]

+MyTomByoozChannel Oh yeah forsure, producers always have several different musical projects going on at once that they need to manage, from simpler songs to the most complex ones. They still have dead lines with labels to release albums and etc., and aside from labels just for their own affairs so they can release something regularly to keep the fans interested. With the production process, one 3-4 min song can take up to several months to finish, because after composing and writing the actual music process, there's the mix down and mastering process. Which often times takes longer to finish than the actual writing of the song.

[@sixcarboncompound]

I really like these guys, so it pains me to say this, but I think they really missed the boat on their presentation here. This would have been a great platform to share some of their in-studio techniques, or perhaps give some structure to their process. When the host asks, "so you put that in your computer and play with it," I thought, "man, that's the part I'm interested in!" Tell us about waveforms, or sidechain, or what your routine is, you know? You're talking to an audience of designers and engineers. They want to see the guts of what you do, not be dazzled by examples of it. Sorry, that got angsty.... I'm gonna go listen to I Am Legion and calm down.

[@DJL3igh]

+Jake White I absolutely agree with you, when I first saw the title and video tile, I was expecting, a small inside onto their production process, sound design (Though that takes hours), effect sends, chains, programming etc. I was disappointed by the fact it wasn't that but that's just how it is. Lucky for us though Future Music Magazine did a video with all 3 member of Noisia about production so go check that out bruv, will give you a little inside on what they are doing. Time to go listen to Dust Decends, perhaps my fav on that album.

[@Timmsstuff]

+Jake White Why would they talk about production to a bunch of people who don't produce? No this was the place to make a case for electronic music as a legitimate artform, just because the audience is made up of designers engineers doesn't mean that they have an inherent knowledge of DSP and composition

[@Timmsstuff]

+Rahul Kumar what an ignorant comment

[@DJL3igh]

Tim Utting So ignorant it was gone before I got a chance to read it xD bahahahha What did he say?

[@Timmsstuff]

Official Noisedisturbance Just the standard talking about how electronic music has no "soul" and lack of instruments etc

[@wildcat_sa]

heck yeah - EXODUS - Noisia & Mayhem ft. KRS One - damn that track is hot

[@Monkebraine]

why they been so shy there? they fucking genius

[@eliel1815shadow]

Make something to talk about your work with that last phrase as an explanation of the topic in less than a day while on a tour

[@MovieClipMonster]

Oh god that ending, Noisia is great!

[@lukeburns5746]

NOISIA people want to know a little bit about HOW you approach audio, what instruments, DAW's, the smell of the space you were in when making it, what inspired the project and where you see yourselves when making music in 20 years. Really like how you sound but i agree with the sentiment that you could have "upped your game" with this presentation. Hopefully your next one kicks as much ass as your master channel!

[@ieroen]

Yeah okay, you can remove "An inside on" from the title now, thanks.

[@mbbx5aw2]

Snore. This is just a show n tell, with more show and less tell.

[@littlesometin]

what was the point of this video?

[@folk-ed1ke]

show the stuff to the casuals.. you know..

[@folk-ed1ke]

I would call it useless, but it's noisia so I won't be bashing their video ))

[@theycallmejpj]

Tedx talks are often thinly veiled self-promotion

[@blaydesm]

yay!

[@Japesuubean]

These guys seem pretty intelligent and a decent example of what electronic music makers are like and what potential there is in making electronic music. That sort of "Inside" on what potential the career has and its value. Making some good production? Throw some electronic music in there, because it's composing music and they put their hearts into composing whether instrumental players or not. Reasonable. But I don't know if it's like TEDx worthy I feel they got to present this on a dime for promotional reasons.

[@deghui]

yay

[@xmgaming2444]

It sucks that they didn't talk at all about the process they use to make the music, it's really a ton more than just "messing around" and I think that their approach to production is very unique.

[@netsxer]

FAKIN AWESOME MUSIC VID!!!!

[@leif909]

Please, what's the name of the second song?

[@Darksagan]

Oh wow TED talks does talks on music. SICK

[@Cloroqx]

Anybody have any ideea what the song at 4 minutes in is from?

[@brunosolorio32]

Long live Noisia

[@tmhw111]

that.... was... epic...

[@jexsubrejhma6599]

Does the song they play at 04:00 (the orchestral one) have a name and is it on KZbin?

[@energeez]

probably the devil may cry soundtrack

[@jordyvelthuizen5766]

what is track first track on 2:13 and is that from noisia

noisia alpha centauri

[@comxed]

You cant be best at everything from the first time. Waiting for their TED in 2014 'Things you can make live with electronic music'.

[@Zoza15]

Imagine the Collaboration between Noisia and Linkin Park :D Noisia next time try to make time for these sorts of conferences..

LINKIN EMOTIONS AND NOISIA SOUND, THAT'D BE AWESOME

[@graveytrain55]

agreed...aren't there festivals or conferences with instruction for people interested in production techniques from the pros or artists?

[@danielschwartzmusic]

awsome camera sound.....or its like they(not noisia) just lined one top speakers mixed with the room mic sound..

[@HexicNexus]

they had 10 minutes basically, how far into it did you expect them to get?

[@xH0R0R]

what was the pop song called??

[@markusnimmo6173]

"Has alot of magic" you're damn right it does

[@TheOfficialHalloween]

Noisia on TED? Holy shit :O

[@Zoza15]

For sanity sake 5:42 anyone know the name of the song?.

[@rap7123]

YEY!

[@Cloroqx]

Did they ever end up releasing the song at 4:30? Shazam isn't picking shit up.

[@owenhughes1833]

I'm pretty sure that it's from the DMC: Devil May Cry soundtrack. You can find it on YT and I'm pretty sure there's a Soundcloud page for it too. I couldn't tell you the exact song but that's a good place to start

[@drorbazer7531]

How's the last track called?

[@cinkoz]

Noisia & Mayhem feat. KRS One - Exodus

[@KPmovieskrsk77]

@5:40 what's the song? Id anyone?

[@JonTangenRasmussen]

Losing my mind over that song, can’t find it anywhere 😂 did you ever find it?

[@LogicKidroy]

It's from the new Devil May Cry if I'm not mistaken, check their soundcloud page for more info.

[@cgspektor]

4:00 song name?

[@ugamkhetani9739]

Yay

[@traceur77]

Oh lordy lordy Anyone know the name of the song at 3:55 to 5:00

[@clank7132]

These guys are fucken awesome.

[@DOSAGEDUBZ]

lol are you making the human voice on the computer

[@strayacant3909]

'yay'

[@BergansBeats]

Their being fucking awesome is a sign of their success. It has fuck all to do with Robbie Williams asking them for a remix or any lame advertisements.

[@Texhnolyzed888]

U Right...

[@timpreston2419]

Cool

[@nelsunerdison2539]

song name @ 3:55?

[@nelsunerdison2539]

+Nelsun Erdison (eXOdus) nvm that just give me a tracklist plz

4:00??? plx

[@SicParvisMagna6]

What's up with the "yay"...

[@Nebula735]

They felt awkward in front of such a low energy crowd, they are much more at home in front of a high energy crowd.

[@darkitechture]

The minute they played the first sample clip, I knew they were gonna bust out Exodus :)

[@Havvse]

what was this about?

[@earthwokker]

I think what's wrong with electronic music is the unfortunate way a lot of people show it off, and I"m very guilty of this myself and struggle with it---- I have this idea in my head of dancing like crazy when I play my music, but i do the exact same thing as these professionals do for a room of people.

[@dailydose8492]

"Yay."

[@esphyxia]

WHAAAT Noisia was on it?!

[@dj4lter3go]

@7:03 "it also features KRS-1... I'll put it on for you"...

[@chickencurrybros8829]

Don't hate on them, this isn't really what they're not meant to do

[@najtrows]

Well this is more for the public that arent really that aware of this.. "old and stiff" people.. there are alot of different masterclasses though if you want to learn that stuff from other people.

[@AlphaPeak]

I love Noisia, but just be yourself. Create your own sound and take as long as you need to perfect it.

[@lordleo9047]

You can tell Martijn majored in public speaking lololol

[@melterdub6997]

I think it would be enough if Noisia easily played Stigma or Shellshock. The folks would be impressed enough and knows what's up

[@xilefkruip]

1:50 nick: 'hij doet het niet!' hahaha :D

[@Onewerdy]

Holy Schnikes

[@nomad1517]

Crazy they broke up.

[@HarakiriGTR]

NOISIA rulz

[@DJZobe]

Redbull music academy?

[@CoffeeAndPaul]

Yes, Noisia could have gotten into more technical aspects of their work, but they didn't. It's a little disappointing. For instance, why did the track take 3 years of work? They didn't explain that vital fact.

[@Sketcher86]

And then what? The only instrument is a play button..a lot of EDM producers enjoy the ego feeding of you wanting to know how they manage to sound so amazing but they are not sounding amazing its just you are forced to fit into that framework of sound..this is reason why I see a bunch of dudes in the comment section screaming "dope" "banging" "I love my sub woofer" "sick bass" and so on.. Let me tell you..Djs and bands wanted to use a more rough sound and tense melodies, they never stopped on one simple beat and started layering along with sampling. They incorporated different sounds and noises, genres and styles and the final product was always electric and amazing! You couldn’t call this music simply electronica, because it was a mix of so many things, which I think makes electronica a mix of different products. A lot of the bands that are the best examples of 90s electronic music are not alike at all.. The Prodigy, Underworld, The Chemical Brothers, Boards of Canada, Bjork, Muslimgauze, Fatboy Slim, Massive Attack, which is actually trip-hop, but I included them anyways, because what the trip-hop musicians play today is total bullshit, it’s just a cheap, “underground” remake of todays’ EDM. These musicians created radically different sounds from everything everyone had ever heard. The reason these musicians were so successful and so diverse is simple they knew how to play music. At that time, a computer wasn’t enough for all the sounds you needed, so you had to use actual vocals, actual drums and actual guitar. Even if you didn’t have real drums, they used drum machines, and the sound of the drum machine is totally different from the sample drum sounds in the computer. Some might say that electronica has evolved along with technology and that’s the reason people have given up on real instruments and it’s part of growing up. Come on! Just because you have evolved doesn’t mean that you have to forget about the good things the past has.

[@hepatitis123]

Your comment is ridiculous. I can name an assload of bands that play real instruments, past or present, that suck complete ass. I can also name a ton of DJs that play real instruments and don't suck. I wouldn't consider these guys to be one of the good ones though lol.

[@gvibes69]

I make some electronic music in cubase sx but nothing give me more joy than play my vintage fender stratocaster !!!

[@uglybuddy6]

for evolution of EDM you should watch Pump the volume - the history of house its 2 hours long but it explain how house was made and how it evolved into acid house, techno, drumnbass etc

[@djsoundmeizter]

wow... this was.. informative?

[@digitalbeat666]

not much information about electronic music. First example track did not sound very good for this occasion

[@xXAjaxXx]

Yeah.....as a Noisia fan it was kind of painful. Where's the friggin passion? I think they should have discussed vast possibilities of electronic music, maybe with a simple demo of sound design....something. Their talk was so damn pedestrian.

[@Angloth]

hashtag TEDaudioEngineers :/

[@codiserville593]

Machine gun?

[@Arado159]

80% showing off their music 20% generic talk about electronic music that almost any other electronic music producer could have said too. I love Noisia but this was a pretty bad presentation.

[@CarlosOrtiz-zv8fq]

he says also that artist are all about working from them bedrooms what??, maybe him... lol

[@MewMewMakeVideo]

whattttttt?/????? dude, Noisia can easily get all the equipment they need. They're at the forefront of Neurofunk pretty much, what he's saying is that you can develop yourself as an electronic artist and work with tons of instruments from just their bedrooms, and that's fucking awesome. Yes, as artists get better they move to get better equipment, but that's not what they're talking about. But Noisia is honestly one of the most successful groups out there, so maybe you should get somewhat informed. I do kinda agree that although Electronic Music has a really interesting culture and development, it's not the best for a TED presentation.

[@Shambler101]

have you not seen the kick ass studio they built. google it

[@AGDesigns123]

I love Noisia and love TED, but this was a very bad TED....had very little to no information that everyone doesn't know. Would love more information on sampling, the evolution of EDM and how its not as easy as everyone thinks. Disappointing :/

[@CarlosOrtiz-zv8fq]

this is really superficial talk what a disappointment and TED???

[@her7731]

hahahah!

[@s3ntry948]

Real producers use windows.

[@s3ntry948]

***** That makes the guy who tries to use Logic or Garageband

[@Jordiw00t]

+Sabreal Saets you sound amazingly stupid.

[@s3ntry948]

Jordiw00t No worries i don't use any computer to make music. İ have turntables and samplers because i'm a rich dickhead who worships the oldschool and trying to get raped by any pedophile. İ'm also a certified autistic and i love my brain cells.

[@Jordiw00t]

Sabreal Saets As long as you have at least 5 analog controllers your good. 10/10.

[@s3ntry948]

Jordiw00t İ have a guitar pick.

[@harryshill5050]

F