Recreating A ROOTS RADICS Song - Pt 1 - Tracking BIG SHIP Drums, Piano, Bass, Percussions, & Guitar

[@DMKahn]

Note: in the intro I mention Radics tracking in "Studio One" when I should have said" Channel One".

[@MrConsciouspeople]

I was wondering what you were talking about, but would have been a good Idea

[@outtayardstudio]

Pt 2 kahn....I know you said it takes you long to build a riddim but gees......👌😜😜💯💥💥

[@DMKahn]

@@outtayardstudio I just finished the mix of the riddim last night. You can hear a teaser on my Facebook or instagram. Hoping to get a vocalists maybe before I shoot the video. Bless

[@josi7755]

yes - shame on you!!!! lol just kidding, its all good doh

[@josi7755]

@@DMKahn get Mr Williamz on it he will destroy it, good feature would be Freddie ls Williamz

[@AriseRoots]

Boom!

[@DMKahn]

Big up Karim and Arise Roots! Thanks for stopping by 🙌🙌🙌

[@alexlaux3995]

@@DMKahn The people need a collab!

[@DMKahn]

Soon come haha

[@willhorton2675]

This is so great, I have been a huge Roots Radics fan for many many years and I love how you highlight so many of the little subtle flourishes and techniques that each of the players bring to the table. You don't credit yourself as a good player, but your recordings clearly sound intentionally like the Radics, great job! Don't shortchange yourself. I also love that you have echoed many of the little things that I love about the Radics as my number one Jamaican session band. Its those things that alot of people maybe don't even notice. That is part of what makes the Radics so good, on first listen it seems so basic and simple, maybe even boring, but when you listen closer, its all the little subtle things that when all put together has that big impact and genius, that is where they are actually pretty complex in their simplicity. You mention that you aren't sure who actually played the rhythm guitar on Big Ship, but when you talk about what the technique is, and the chop as you call it, that could only really have been Bingy Bunny. I have heard his sound referred to as the "Skeng" sound (I think by Dwight), however you want to describe it, that sound is synonymous with Bingy Bunny, that bright skeng sound with the little perfect accents in the song gaps. I have seen alot of footage of him playing various guitars, but I would guess he would have used a telecaster for this, not sure exactly but that is the guitar I have seen him play the most in the 80's. I guess Its also possible that Bingy did not play rhythm guits on this, I think there were a few sessions where he was not available from my vague recollection (I obsess over the credits that many times are not fully accurate or have omissions), and someone filled in for him, but that would have been very unusual. I think 99% of all "Radics" credited sessions would have had at least Bingy Bunny and Flabba Holt on the recording. Other players tended to come and go in order to fulfill the producers booked session time at Channel One usually. But going by ear, the players that are the MOST distintive are Flabba, Bingy Bunny and Style or even Santa before Style joined the Radics. You can also clearly tell when its Dwight Pinckney or Chinna in the early days (usually with paired with Santa on drums) or Sowell before Dwight joined. The other players tend to be harder for me to pick out by ear. Anyway, great job overall here. I will be watching your other videos. The other reggae studio bands that are worthy of a treatment like this would be The Soul Syndicate and even the High Times Players. But I will always rate the Roots Radics as number one. They are all awesome, but for some reason the Radics speak to me more. Cheers.

[@ej8030]

not only are you revealing the secrets of producing authentic reggae through fundamental ideas, but you are also revealing how a full track can be recorded, drums and all, in a 5x5 foot space (like mine) - no excuses now!!!!

[@SEVAD]

Loving the vibes brother!!!!

[@guttyrankz]

You’re truly becoming a master. Big ups for the knowledge

[@justagamebeatz5921]

Sounds really good 👏 big up from France 🇫🇷

[@seemo1547]

Respect Man. Please more of this brilliant stuff. Peace

[@matthiasheintzsch1136]

Thanks for another great video! 🔥👏🏻🇪🇹 What I like the most about it is your enthusiasm for those little bits and pieces such as unplayed notes etc., which make the music so cool and unique. I have a drummer friend with whom I drool over the same things (I play bass)! Flabba and Style are the rulerz! 😎🇯🇲

[@DMKahn]

Thank you brother, it’s all about the nuances!! They are the true masters

[@organiks]

Big up !!

[@DMKahn]

Thanks my big keysie!!!!

[@watsonunlimitedmusic]

Humbleness is next to godliness :) Good job !

[@danielo174]

Had such a buzz watching you do this. Thanks bro.

[@DMKahn]

Cheers man!! Thanks for watching

[@Zhahlivy]

Massive video as usual!

[@urbanflorjancic661]

Good one, Big Up DMK

[@DMKahn]

Thanks for checking it!!

[@demetriussour5771]

Amazing details

[@masonfiregun]

Pram Pram Pram! Respect to the man DM Kahn! And Respect to the Roots Radios!

[@daveatkinson3109]

Nice recreation!!!!!!!!! And to think the room isn't filled with any ganja smoke!!!! Lol. Drums sounded GOOD!!!!!!! Nice timing and feel

[@isaacchambersmusic]

Great work as always, you are really mastering that vibe. Inspiring.

[@Heuredelasoup]

What a great masterclass again, a great respect dear Master Khan 🙏🏻thanks for sharing this information and experience.

[@TrevorTheTechnicianMckenzie]

Interesting looking project... Trev

[@JackCarverMusic]

hahaha the end!

[@DMKahn]

Fail mode 😂

[@trevorblair5552]

Awesome channel, one of favourite Flabba basslines! 🙏🏿👍🏾💯

[@lekeitown]

Percussions😍😍

[@ReneMalmstrom]

Great stuff, awesome job, man. Forward!

[@outtayardstudio]

Yo Kahn.I also noticed the bass goof flabba did I laugh hard every time I hear it..LOL..and hey btw I'm well stoked with the drum kit pack..there's some sweet synare hits in there boss! Forward ever backward never iyah!!!

[@DMKahn]

When I posted a teaser of the bass portion someone messaged me “my favorite wrong note ever” haha. Flabba is the man! Living legend, I hope to meet him in JA one day. Glad you’re enjoying the pack! Bless you

[@InvisibleElements]

Hi DMK, Great content as always. You have been making good music for a long time, I remember you from the "Versionist" days😀

[@DMKahn]

Thanks man, that’s so cool you were on Versionist, what a great forum that was. Did you ever get onto reggae dub wise forum?

[@InvisibleElements]

@@DMKahn , Yeah I remember RDW & Dub Ark, good times indeed. So many talented artists & producers from back then. Occasionally I still come across names from way back, Guy's like Brizion is still making good material.

[@DMKahn]

Yeah man! BriZion got me into Versionist. We played in a band together in San Diego for a few years, he taught me a ton, especially about dub! Fond memories

[@benburnside2567]

Amazing, wicked work mate. Thanks for the insight !

[@DMKahn]

Thank you Ben, big drummie!!

[@benburnside2567]

Right back at ya bro! Really hoping you get a DM Kahn Freddie special of the back of this! 😉❤️

[@lujanreggae6671]

Big up bredda your truly doing a great thing 🤜🏽🤛🏽❤💛💚 much respect everytime 🤜🏽🤛🏽

[@DMKahn]

Thank you Lujan, my friend and fantastic multi instrumentalist reggae producer!!!

[@lujanreggae6671]

@@DMKahn 🤜🏽🤛🏽❤💛💚

[@zipertatou]

Really interesting ! Thank you !

[@AlphaSteppa]

Nice one bro sounds good 👊👊👊👊

[@DMKahn]

Thanks bredge!!

[@diegos.beristain1881]

Really great video!!!! Keep going!!! Thx a lot!!!

[@dubroomdread]

Yes I, the Half Drop... What an interesting video this (and part 2 as well)!

[@DMKahn]

Thank you Messian Dread, long time I’ve recognized your name, from the Versionist days. Hope you are doing well!

[@dubroomdread]

@@DMKahn Yes I, doing good, respect for the works! Very interesting!

[@daherb4me]

Can't wait to see the mix.

[@jubilationsound7274]

Great video Chris!!

[@DMKahn]

🙌🙌🙌

[@robgreenlandMusic]

So so good!

[@slimjoneslocker]

this is so unbelievably thorough man - what a goldmine thanks for sharing this

[@thefoxfamily341]

And ya interpretation is very very good, flow perfectly ❤️👌

[@juhanisk854]

Great video, I'm really waiting for that 2nd part. Thank you!

[@JackCarverMusic]

Great video man!

[@DMKahn]

Thank you Jack, big up to the big guitzy!!

[@bazzamuir]

Awesum brother

[@reggaebass1857]

Great video DM, nice work 👍

[@DMKahn]

Thank you brother

[@netuno_music]

Man, this channel is amazing. I would never think of using the cuba library piano for a reggae track.

[@silajeep1]

You really nailed the sound bro. Thank you for all your videos, and love to see someone with same passion for this channel one sound as I do and reggae in general

[@DMKahn]

Thank you brother, I appreciate you taking time to watch and spend time with me. The channel one sound is undeniable!

[@venemushunter25]

Nice recreation..... can’t wait to hear the horns part you lay down.... I used to love playing this one a lot (keyboards)

[@matthiasheintzsch1136]

There’s no horns on the original version. 😉

[@venemushunter25]

I know... but you know the version I’m talking about though

[@allen394]

Big up DMK, killing it as usual 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🇬🇧🇬🇳

[@DMKahn]

Thank you Allen!! 🙌🙌😎

[@musamusashi]

Love the drum sound you got, although very different from the one you were going for, and respect for the love and effort you put into this project and your versatility with several instruments and engineering. In the classic Studio One days (Ska and Rocksteady) they were 1 or two mics on the whole drum kit, later they became 3 or 4 through out the 70's. And this applys to basically every Jamaican studios, but even in the States or everywhere else it wasn't that different. The close miking of every piece of the kit took over in the 80's and, in my humble opinion, killed the vibes of the drums.

[@Pablosoad4747]

This is awesome content! thanks very much for taking the time to record all this. I can't believe we're still getting this beautiful knowledge for free. Keep the videos coming, man!

[@davidzakrajsek5983]

I love your attention to detail! Great Job... please do the part 2!!!

[@DMKahn]

Just finished filming it!!

[@davidzakrajsek5983]

Can’t wait for Part 2! Big Ship is one of my favorite Reggae classics

[@davidzakrajsek5983]

@@DMKahn just out of curiosity... who is going to do the vocals?

[@DMKahn]

@@davidzakrajsek5983 a wonderful artist named Lyndon John X. If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram you can hear it!

[@mercerfamilyadventures4613]

This is so well done man!!!

[@DMKahn]

Big thanks!!!

[@linarson1]

wonderful man.... great job

[@MellodoseMusic]

Man this was awesome! Thanks for sharing the process. Curious - what instrument you started on?

[@DMKahn]

Thanks! Bass guitar was my first, and is still the only thing I can play an entire set on with ease.

[@ruderoots92154]

Mashen bro.. Lloyd street vibes!!

[@DMKahn]

Oh man!! Those were the days. Big up to the big roots selektah!!

[@ruderoots92154]

@@DMKahn I'm your newest subscriber bro so I'll be checking out your videos

[@dannywassifersoundstornero3682]

@@ruderoots92154 Ya Big!

[@dannywassifersoundstornero3682]

@@DMKahn Big Up the Lloyd Street Rockers! You guys use to Smash at that Tropicoso spot in PB back in the day!

[@The_Jaike]

Can't wait for Part 2!

[@DMKahn]

Coming soon! Check me out on Facebook or Instagram I just posted the finished song :)

[@BONGOGO100]

Hey Mr Kahn fantastic video 👍It’s great to see that you take the time to listen to the way they playing and how it bn played and you also take time to find what instruments they played to get that true reggae sound .. I have play this chunne live with the band I’m and it always goes down a storm 👍👍👍

[@DMKahn]

I appreciate the comment Paul. I thought out of the whole catalog of the Radics this one was such a great example of the simple vibes put together create such an outstanding feeling

[@anthonyellis5517]

Those drums sound awesome 😎

[@SayajinKanak]

Man you are so cool to share your knowledge! Keep doing you and always good vibes!

[@DMKahn]

Respect

[@sepeonthis]

😡😡😡Wondering what those dislike are for, our big bro Kahn is doing a great job, creating content like this😍😍.

[@DMKahn]

I appreciate it bro, but haters always gonna hate! Haha bless up

[@tonye.8023]

Probably the dislikes are from people who had always wanted to do this but couldn't. Sometime seeing someone doing what we've always wanted to do but couldn't incites envy and jealousy.

[@taybeats997mw]

Give me the address😅😅😅

[@robinsellier813]

So much informations it's crazy. Thanks mate, it's really good content !

[@DMKahn]

Appreciate you taking the time to hang out here!

[@robinsellier813]

I'm gonna watch these three videos carefully. I hope there will be others !👀

[@aidafernandez5590]

Thanks for that Video. Really helpfull

[@DonFe]

Absolutely brilliant video!!!!!!! Hats off!!

[@DMKahn]

Thank you to the big reggae Don!!! Appreciate your support man, we need to link up soon! Bless

[@out1726]

Always nice to see/hear another roots reggae fan.

[@renzopinto3836]

Great content, keep inspiring others!!!!

[@DMKahn]

Thanks brother!!

[@xpressmuzik1379]

Yeah big up your self bro very good attempt 💯you should try a dancehall riddim too. 👏

[@rootsinmotion2865]

Absolutely love your work, Subbed!

[@DMKahn]

Big thank you!!!

[@gokolink]

Loving the details, very informative. If you could replicate the gritty studio one drum sound that would be amazing.

[@DMKahn]

Thanks! Pretty sure I’d need some tape machines and an old mixer for that!

[@destruktiv3378]

Yes

[@aljoumeyli]

Nice to see you king! Are you guys from different countries?

[@DMKahn]

I’m in Canada and the other Roots Makers are in France

[@philbuckthorpe2561]

Learning soooo much from you man. Thanks so very much for taking the time to share your knowledge.

[@DMKahn]

My pleasure, thanks for taking the time to comment!

[@herenazano2132]

Big up bro👉🤜🤛✌

[@Skiroy]

This video changed my life

[@DMKahn]

Respect

[@Jolynenizuma22]

Your piano sounds so good

[@DMKahn]

Thanks bro!

[@lennoxmckenzie]

I absolutely loved this, bro! And I've seen it mentioned a number of times - your musicianship deserves a lot of credit. You did an awesome job on this recreation. Take it from another musician an' a Yawdman. Di ting nice! 😀🔥

[@DMKahn]

Respect man, thank you for the kind words and support!!

[@pr0t0typ50]

18:48 How are the mixer settings ?

[@DMKahn]

I decided that the overview of the drums was already super long so I didn’t go through all the EQ settings on each channel, but it’s basically very small cuts and boosts to accentuate the parts of the drum I liked. Sorry it’s kind of vague but It’s more about the mic placement than the EQ, on the tracking side anyways. Just get a good clean signal.

[@JahServant]

Great works again. Plenty work just to remake the track, let alone a video tutorial of it as well. Big up Kahn.

[@DMKahn]

Thank you brother 🙏

[@DEREKBROWN360]

Ha ha your comment about out of tune is on point. I played the piano at Bullwackies and it definately was ...out of tune and upright..

[@DMKahn]

Sometimes it’s the imperfections that add character in a positive way!!

[@DMKahn]

Man that’s awesome you got to go to Bullwackies. Barnes once told me “I know the code”. It was a truly happy day for me!

[@pintamusic5730]

Sos un genio amigo,seguí subiendo tus conocimientos que por cierto son de gran ayuda,estaría bueno que puedas ponerles subtítulos en español....un gran saludo desde Argentina

[@jonasmelinx]

💥💯

[@berkeleybernie]

Thanks for the video! What's your setup on the bass to get that tone? Looks like you have some foam at the bridge. Flatwounds? Stock pick-ups? Neck pickup with the treble rolled-off? Etc. Is this attempting to copy their technique or your own?

[@DMKahn]

Basically just trying to get it to sound round and deep, not trying to copy anything exactly, just ballpark. they’re regular strings, active stock pickups (Marcus Miller V vintage jazz bass) nothing too crazy with the settings.. pretty much in the middle, yes foam at the bridge, that’s what helps with the round character. Honestly the bass just has a very rich deep tonality straight from the guitar, I remember when I picked it up at GC years ago I knew it was perfect for a deep reggae tone. I know this doesn’t help much, but if I were building a bass from scratch I’d definitely get active pickups, seems to do the trick for me. All the best

[@berkeleybernie]

@@DMKahn Excellent demo of that bass here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5DRZ56bg7GhgZY

[@gravedubreggae]

brother how are you? do you know what combination of sounds the keyboard uses in the arrangements? it's like an accordion or something?

[@iregrow9116]

Awesome vid brother! Try the intro run in octaves 👍 Fredddy is my friend we've sat on the piano together and played, super cool guy 💚💛❤️

[@DMKahn]

Thanks man!! Yeah the intro run is a mystery to me.

[@DJTGOAT]

In reggae that beat is called the rockers or the one two. BTW excellent video.

[@DMKahn]

Appreciate the comment and feedback! Have a great weekend

[@josi7755]

I am deep into channel one and dynamic recording styles and I must say the sound in this case is on point! And aside the guy fava Ricky from Trailer Park Boys so its a double plus! :D At the end I was feeling like it was the original big ship riddim. Just the piano sound was cheap, should pick Grad piano in combination with a slightly off tuned electric piano, would give the sound of the channel one wing piano.

[@westernnoir4808]

Do you have a gear list somewhere? I'm interested in your board mostly, but if you have posted or pinned your equipment somewhere I'd be grateful.

[@DMKahn]

It’s a Midas Venice F 24. Maybe I’ll do a studio tour one of these days :)

[@westernnoir4808]

@@DMKahn Thanks. I just looked one up in my local Craigslist. What are you running with a ten year old board? Will it run with something newer, say Pro Tools 12?

[@DMKahn]

@@westernnoir4808 thunderbolt 2 to thunderbolt 1, thunderbolt 1 to FireWire. It’s a 2017 Mac mini and logic

[@demetriussour5771]

DM Kahn, what is your favorite Roots Radics riddim ?

[@DMKahn]

Man that’s such a hard question. There’s too many. If I had to choose one it’d be Night Nurse, but there’s so many great ones. I just love the bass line on Night Nurse the most; what’s “not played”

[@demetriussour5771]

@@DMKahn I think "Ice Cream Love" is one of the best, but agree too many killer riddims to choose

[@DMKahn]

So true, that one is amazing!!!

[@sifseb3498]

Another question, :-) which mics do you use for the overheads ?

[@DMKahn]

I used a pair of u87 “clones” called S387 by mic parts dot com. They’re fairly clean and clear sounding

[@sifseb3498]

@@DMKahn Thanks !

[@julienroussel218]

Very nice video as usual, juste at 0.50 sec you sayed roots radics capture (or recorded) at studio one, but (and I'm pretty sure you know it already) was recorded at channel one (by barnabas or soljie) ! Big up !

[@DMKahn]

You are correct, I made a mistake calling it Studio One when I meant to say CHANNEL one! My sincere mistake

[@Accou25]

that's kind of a video that should be send on Voyager Space Probe to introduce humanity to star peopleS

[@dubgroove]

Badass!

[@keonbrowne2436]

kahn u funny bro,,,,, u such a big help u at guru status believe it or not ! u got mixed some where down the line

[@MuayThaiDreadlock]

LBC to CLMT! run di ting

[@hepburndavis]

Big Ship was not recorded at Studio One, it was recorded at Channel One. Let’s get it right.

[@DMKahn]

Yes, if you look at the video description you’ll see I noted that. I was confused in my head at the time of shooting. I meant to say channel one.

[@Skiroy]

do you have a video that you recorded the guitar part with the Tele?

[@DMKahn]

Yes I do, called how to play reggae guitar chords

[@Skiroy]

@@DMKahn Do you have a mixed song you did with the tele?

[@DMKahn]

The entire roots makers album

[@MrVoraxTranstellaris]

Is that the "official" sticking on the intro roll? I'm asking because I intuitively would play it lrlR rather than rllR.

[@DMKahn]

I have no idea, but to me, I would be willing to wager it’s rllR. The roll is not perfectly on time, it’s slurred. I mean it could be lrrL too, but I don’t think it’s back and forth. I could be totally wrong, it’s just how I naturally play it and think it sounds right. To further my argument, it’s easier to land hard on the right hand if it’s rllR as opposed to rlrL or lrlR because you have more time to emphases the 4th hit. Again, just my guess :) bless

[@MrVoraxTranstellaris]

@@DMKahn Your guess is as good as mine then, although your ears may be more trained. I'm used to playing lrlR in such cases. The lrl is a little triplet preceding the accented R landing on the count. You can slur or rush it to taste and the alternating sticking gives me the most control over that. By the way, for only 9 months of drumming you play pretty well! Mash it!

[@DMKahn]

Thanks man! Yes I agree. I think honestly the sound and timing is more important than the hands, if you can rock that sound with alternating hands then I’m sure it’s fine! Cheers and thanks for the great question

[@MrVoraxTranstellaris]

@@DMKahn I'll definitely be trying out other stickings as well.

[@ZIGGIEITAL]

Fun fact is that they actually used a baby grand piano at Channel One and not a upright. But it sound much like one

[@DMKahn]

True! I heard they had a Yamaha grand

[@ZIGGIEITAL]

@@DMKahn Yeah I read that in some article and also saw it in some photos with Horace Andy in Channel One by the piano

[@andybowlin]

“The baddest producer dat a junjo”

[@andresfelipe7377]

Hey Kahn, my reggae band has some new tracks we would love for you to mix

[@onlyjhayam]

Rub a dub styleh

[@DMKahn]

Zeen

[@menelik23dedon]

Yaow you in cali?

[@DMKahn]

Nope, Vancouver BC

[@sifseb3498]

Hello Master, i have a question about midi (virtual instrument : piano, organ, drums...) do you have an advice to record them the more natural as possible. I know that first of all, i have to work technicaly :-) but i always have a gap (before the time) despite i reduced the latency (buffer size). I saw people (like another master Seb Westfinga) don't quantize anything, and for me it does'nt work. thanks !! :-)

[@DMKahn]

The only way to make them as natural as possible is to practice playing until it sounds natural. I am not against some quantization (a certain percentage) if you need it. But if you do 100% quantized it will sound too computer timing

[@sifseb3498]

@@DMKahn Thanks, i will work on it :-)

[@DEREKBROWN360]

To bad you can't actually get roots radics at your studio to actually get their words..about the technique. Fyi ....the guys I played with who were Jamaican. ..too pride in their tuning and tape deadening

[@DMKahn]

Yeah man, id love that! I hope to meet Flabba one day. I’ll bet they took a lot of price in all of their tones for sure!