Breakbeat Of The Month #7: analog techstep vibes in Optical's footsteps (+essential DNB recommendations!) [video class]
Chop chop! A less intense chop job but more focus on more spacious minimal vibes.
Working with Jimmy McGriff: The Worm
I often hear ppl sample the break that Optical did, from Optical I mean, but once again I want to have you roll your own. If I now made a tune out of this, I'd def process it even further to make it even more my own, but I think this'd be a pretty good starting point!
DOWNLOAD the break I put thru my Akai and Soundcraft mixer HERE.
DOWNLOAD the project with the break HERE.
🤩 BONUS 🤩
Some relevant DNB recommendations (I should actually do more of these, right? Lemme know if you'd like to hear more) as these two use the same break:
• Optical & Ed Rush: Lifespan (sick, sick, minimal techy tune in a class of its own)
• NOHA: Start (Optical remix) (another tune rocking the Worm break)
One more for good measure: not the same break, but from Optical anyways…absolute badman business, and like someone says on the comments, "9 minute tune, today's youth doesn't have the attention span for this"…now I don't want to disrespect the youth but I will say today's musical climate can be a bit ADHD and some ppl cater too much for playlists and whatever…screw that, and if you want to make a 9-minute tune, then make a 9-minute tune!
Comments (14)
Awesome 🙌
What is the big deal about the Pultec EQ? I’ve seen it referenced and used in many videos, but do not quite understand how it is differentiated from a standard EQ - beyond being ‘analog modelled’ and having the appropriate retro UI to boot. Is it somehow not neutral as per EQ8 or FF Pro-Q? I often hear vague terms like ‘mojo’ and ‘vibe’ thrown around when discussing retro emulations, which I can grasp (and hear!) when we are talking synth and tape emulations, but how does this actually apply to something that theoretically is as neutral as an EQ?
I’m not really sure; I’ve tried to do similar stuff with ProQ but it doesn’t hit the same way. I absolutely love the 60 boost with it. FWIW I never cut with it. Boosting the very highs is nice sometimes too but mostly for kick beef, it’s a godsend.
Big YES to including relevant DnB (and other genre!) reference tunes to accompany your videos Fanu. I think that would really add to the content. Great way to be introduced to new (and old) tunes, and also hear the context of how certain breaks and sounds may have been used at various points in the progression of DnB. Shit, another idea that I think would be really excellent is to simply have a ‘Recommended Listening/Influences’ post - which could simply be lists of favourite tunes from different genres. It could be broken down by genre, or even themes, like sound design, great mixdowns, killer drum edits, atmospheres… etc etc
Good idea, Thank you !
I always come back to playing Lifespan. It never ages for me. The drums are spot on and the length of the track is just a proper mood setter allowing you to properly get in the groove. I miss the long tunes to be honest.
Yeah it’s a long one! Sometimes you gotta take your time. Let’s make long tunes the new trend!
Great one! I especially liked the technique of adding hihats and grace snares later.
Awesome content as always dude.
crank that cow bell. thats the heart
song
Photek back on the emu is crazy. Can't wait to hear what he cooks up
Sooooo excited for this….hopefully he comes through with some vintage shit! 🔥😎🙌
Thanks for your input here! Yes, your recommendations are much appreciated! Btw: Optical is for me absolutely the greatest.