Right on! Fortunately, Geddy's synth parts are not as hard as his bass parts, so it shouldn't be so difficult with a little practice. I love those 80s synth sounds, too! :-)
Nice! Love that X7, that's exactly what Geddy used in the later years to play this song live. The patch being used sounds exactly like the patch Geddy uses live. A Mini Moog was used for the solo part but I don't have a Moog either so I also just layer/split and play it on the top of the keyboard.
Thanks! I'm not quite sure if he used the X7 as a controller, or if he actually used its sounds (I'll have to check concert footage...lol). Either way, it was kind of cool seeing him use it. Like you, I usually split my keyboard for different sounds. :-)
Nice camera angle - you can see all the notes played. Nice playing to do this all in one take, too! I remember learning these solos by ear on my SH-101 back in the 80s when all I had was a cassette deck. Rewind a few seconds and hit play again... it was hit or miss if you would find the beginning of the solo. There were certainly no videos like this to help learn those quick note sequences.
I once learned to play this song, missing to learn some parts. Then I forgot everything. But you helped me to start to learn it again. Now I wanna finish learning and never ever forget. Definitely one of the best Rush tracks!
Thanks for your kind comments! While can take credit for the keyboard part, I actually downloaded the MIDI drum track from somewhere off the Internet. Whoever created it definitely got it right! :D
Today I decided I want to play keyboards along with my guitars. I love the way the instrument is used by Floyd, Rush, Deep Purple etc. is there any free downloads of Keyboard trainers, TH-cam doesn't show a lot of lessons note by note. Plz let me know I want to learn. God Bless!!!
Glad to hear you want to play keyboard! If you want to make your own sounds (and eventually sound "professional"), you will want to get an actual "synthesizer" (as opposed to a home keyboard). The most important thing that is needed to play keyboard (or any instrument) is DESIRE. I am mostly self-taught on keyboard, so I can't really recommend any specific teaching materials. But, I would say, go get yourself a keyboarding basics book for beginners. Learn how to properly use the correct fingering for scales and chords. That will give you a good foundation. Learn to play your favorite melodies on the keyboard by figuring them out on your own, using your ears. And, practice as much as you can. Don't make it a chore...make it something you enjoy!
It took me almost two hours to get that sound absolutely perfect on my synth, I just kept listening to the album for the first three Bass Double F# notes and a heck of a lot of twiddling with so many possible digital variations and analog as well. Well done.. that was the very first song I ever learned some 40 years ago. We didn't however have a bass player so I kinda played both parts with a split voice bass sound at the bottom when Geddy switched.
Thanks very much! Actually, I'm not a "real" keyboard player, either (rhythm guitar is my first instrument), but with some practice, anyone can play this. :-)
Very cool - thanks for posting this it is the clearest and best sounding instructional I've seen on this song. Solo was fine not sure but think Geddy uses a modulation wheel for the solo parts rather than a trill but I could be wrong!
I'd like to take credit for the drum MIDI track, but I cannot. I actually downloaded it from somewhere on the web (I stripped out the other parts). I agree, though...whoever programmed it did an outstanding job.
Great idea using a midi track to get the drums. They sound pretty decent. I'd like to program it on my Prophet '08. The buzzy bass sound and lead sounds are easy. I read that you used sawtooth waves for the right hand chords. How did you get them so animated and fat. Just detuned, or something more?
Thank you for this great vid and the lesson your a good musician. I was excited to find the exact voice Geddy used on this song. My Fantom X is not disappointing me, absolutely love it. I see your also using the JV-90 up top. I use the Roland Juno DS. Roland is the best!!!!
I can get about an 80% approximation of the intro keyboard sound with my Casio WK1350, which over the years, has proven to be a rather handy piece of kit! I layer 048 Strings over the 090 Polysynth sound.
arnebarnard Upon further review though, 081 Sawtooth sounds MUCH better with the aforementioned 048 strings, layered. Something to dwell upon here: Sawtooth and Strings sounds basically like what Eddie Van Halen used for "Jump" just two years later! Van Halen may have made sport of Rush, but maybe they were paying close attention, at the SAME TIME!??? Hmmm!
And for those who think that VAN HALEN "sold out" with keyboard sounds on 1984, I would remind ALL of you of the PIANO on the intro to RUNNING WITH THE DEVIL. THAT was back in 1978! Eddie knew what to do!
Nice. The Fantom replaced the XP series that I have. Mine are lighter than the Fantom. An electronics engineer called Roland stuff 3 pounds of sh*t in a 2 pound bag, basically...:) I suppose the quality is not the insanely expensive Bang and Olufsen type, hand-made copper connections they like...:)
+Michelle M Thanks! I love my Fantom. It is kind of heavy, I suppose, but I can't imagine using any other keyboard. If I had a Fantom X8 (88 weighted keys), I'm sure it would be a LOT heavier. I like the light synth action of my Fantom X7, though (since I'm not actually a piano player). :-)
goatghost :) I can't imagine 88 keys would even fit in my car, and I like the biggest damn cars made (Mercury Sable/Taurus--same car and a Challenger). I never did measure, though...so far, I don't use 88 keys on my real piano, and I don't play well, either... 76 keys works, but guys who are great, I've seen use 60, and get real fast with the octave switch to bring it up or down...
goatghost I also tend to have 15,000 worth of other crap, too...drumsets, full PA setup and on and on...:) all of which needs to fit, including cabling. Wish they'd give us fiber optics, already...none of it has wireless capacity or even remote controls that I ever saw or heard of :)
@@goatghost Yes, the 12 Step is a super useful thing. By the way, how do you connect it to your synths? I have a Roland Juno Gi and I came back to this video because I wonder If you can help me figure out the issue. I noticed that the 12 Step sends Program Change messages but the Juno doesn't receive it. I built a custom DIY program change message sender box plugged to the 12 Step and the Midi Out of this last device is hooked to the Roland Juno Midi in. The note on/off messages are fine but I can't change programs in the Juno, even with the Rx option "Receive program change" activated. Could you help me figure out what is happening here? Thanks in advanced.
@@dodecafono Hey there...I connect my 12 Step to my synths using the Keith McMillen MIDI Expander box. It has 5-pin MIDI in and out jacks. I use my synth to send program changes to my 12-Step, and not the other way around. If you are not using the MIDI Expander, it may be difficult to figure out your problem. Are your 12-Step and Roland Juno-Di set to the same MIDI channel? The 12-Step defaults to channel 1, I believe. If you enable "Omni Mode" on the Juno, can you receive program changes from the 12-Step?
Thanks, David! The sound is coming from the Roland SRX Ultimate Keys sound card which is installed in my Roland X7 synthesizer (the silver keyboard on the bottom). Basically, the sound consists of a sawtooth waveform patch which uses two oscillators which have been detuned, relative to one another. It's not really a difficult sound to make, but you do need a synth with a sawtooth wave as a starting point. Specific details on how I achieved this sound using the exact hardware in my setup appears lower in the comments, below. :-)
Hi, this is absolutely great! I just got the same (used) Roland Fantom X7 and I have to play Subdivisions for an upcoming Rush tribute. I'm the bass player and keys are all new to me! (At least I don't have to sing thank goodness!)... anyway would you be willing to share the patch settings to get that sound? I don't need the midi drum stuff (that's the drummer's problem). I need the split settings to get the correct keyboard sound on the right and the Taurus sound on the left... any help, tips, etc.. that you would be willing to provide is greatly appreciated! Thank you!!!
Hey Jim...thanks for the props! Congrats on getting a Fantom X7...even though it's like 10 years old, I think it is still the best keyboard for live synth performance. It's sooo flexible. Getting back to your question...I did some research and, unfortunately, you will need the Roland SRX-07 Expansion Board in order to do either sound as shown in the video. They go for $200-$250, used, on eBay, but that board is INDISPENSIBLE. I consider it a MUST-HAVE for doing classic rock and well worth the price. It's got TONS of waveforms and patches (Oberheim, Moog, Roland, Sequential Circuits, pads, leads, Taurus Pedal sounds, etc.) . The synth patch I used for the main part in the video is called "Old,Warm OBX" (I had modified it, slightly). The other patch used in the left part of they keyboard (and, also from the same SRX-07 Expansion Board) is "PortaSynLead" (I may have added aftertouch, so that I don't have to use the mod stick with my left hand). If you get the board, I can email you both the performance and patch modifications. :-) Alternatively, for the main part, you can "roll your own" sound by creating a patch which uses two "tones", each detuned a few cents from one another and each using a "sawtooth" waveform. Adjust the attack and release to your liking, add some reverb, and you're done.
Hi goatghost! I got that SRX-07 card. Do you mind sending me the modifications for the Old,Warm OBX patch that you made when you get a chance? As you probably know out of the box that patch sounds close but a little too much "horn sounding" I guess I'd call it. You seem to have the nailed the sound perfectly. I only need the modifications for main, keyboard/chord parts not the Mini-Moog lead. Thanks again for your help!
Hey Jim...I have those tweaks, if you still need them. Probably, the main tweak is that I'm using only Tone 1 in the patch (and not tone 2,3, or 4) and I've changed the the Tone 1 wave to Exp B 565 "OB Str2B". In the "Pitch Env" screen, all the parameters are changed to 0. In screen 7/19, "F-Env Time2" and "F-Env Time3 [D]" are both changed to 0. in screen 8/19, "Level V-Sense" is changed to 0. In screen 9/19, the values from top to bottom are 0, 0, 0, 0, 10, 10, 10, 127, 127, 127. I've integrated the patch into a performance and I have reverb set to "40" (out of 127). I'm not sure why the patch sounds so fat, since I'm only using one tone and it doesn't appear that I've added any chorus. If you'd like me to send screenshots of the parameters, post your email address and I'll get those out to you. I don't think there is really anything different, though. :-) Thanks!
Thanks a lot for that! Do you think I can play this song completely on a 49-key MIDI controller? I'm looking into buying one but would rather not get a 61 if I can get by with a 49.... Rush cover project :)
Glad you find it helpful! :-) I suppose you could play it on a 49-key MIDI controller, but you would lose out on the fatness of the doubled octaves in the left hand. I would highly recommend using at least a 61-key MIDI controller. Good luck!
@@goatghost I now have an Arturia Keylab Essential 61! Woohoo :) Now, just need to fing a good sounding VST for Subdivisions... Any help getting something out of Analog Lab 4 would be appreciated (anyone?)
Thanks and well done goatghost. Moving Pictures was my first ever album and I had all the Rush albums growing up. I just started playing the keyboard. Where can I get the percussion layer (or did you do that yourself)?
Thanks, Jerry! :-) The drum track is a "Subdivisions"' MIDI sequence which I found online. I stripped out all the parts except drums. Moving Pictures is my favorite Rush album, as well (even though this is off Signals).
While not knowing which specific Yamaha keyboard you have, a slightly detuned, sawtooth-waveform voice would be the most appropriate. If you have a consumer-based keyboard, one of the built-in "synth" sounds might work. If you have a synthesizer (one which allows you to program your own sounds), you should be able to select a sawtooth waveform as the basis of your voice.
Excellent! I'm trying to find the right settings on my synth to get that sound. Getting close, but not quite there yet. Yours sounds amazing! Nice work.
Thanks! I've never played a Yamaha W7, but it looks like a pretty decent keyboard. It has a bunch of sounds, as well as a sequencer. The keyboard can be split into 2 zones (maybe more, but I am not certain). It doesn't have sampling (so you can record your own sounds), but if you can find one for a decent price, it might be worth it (looks like they sell for $599 used). I think BETTER option would be to buy a used Fantom XR (rack mount Fantom - $400-$500...make sure it has the Version 2.02 sample expansion firmware update) and buy any MIDI-capable keyboard ($120) to use as a controller. Then, it's like having a full-fledged Fantom.
finally I bought a Yamaha PSR 730 and surprisingly an amazing keyboard. I paid 150$ CAN for keyboard, stand, travel soft case, cover-up. And Sounds I was looking for are pretty close to reality !
Nice job with the drum track. Can you tell me about those pedals all lit up down there? I'm assuming some are expression pedals but I've never seen that unit before. Thanks
Thanks! The pedal is a Keith McMillan 12-Step MIDI keyboard controller. It allows me to play single notes or chords (by sending that information to my synthesizer) with my feet. It's an awesome device. You can program a different chord for each note, giving you the ability to play pads or string synth parts (or even bass parts, if you have fast feet...lol). It goes for $250 and the interface box goes for $50. It's well worth the money. :-)
Can I ask for info on the settings. Or if you are using a patch from somewhere? I have analog lab with a conroller and I'm struggling to find the sound.
Hey Stuart...I'm not familiar with Analog Lab (hoping to get the Arturia V Collection for Christmas, actually!!! :-) ), but I would imagine that you should be able to get the sound using that software. I believe that Geddy Lee used an Oberheim OB-X synthesizer on "Subdivisions" (and others) and Analog Lab contains an Oberheim Matrix-12, which was a newer synth in the Oberheim line. Anyway, it appears that, in addition to the Oberheim Matrix-12V virtual synth, Analog Lab also contains the Arp 2600V, Jup-8V, and ProphetV virtual synths, which should probably work pretty well. To start off, you will want to either find a patch on one of these synths that comes close to the sound and disable any delay effects, if possible. If Analog Lab allows you to create a patch from scratch, you'll can start with two oscillators, slightly detuned against one another (I usually tune one of the synths by +2 cents and the other by -2 cents). The detuning produces that fat chorusing sound. The waveform that you'll be using for both oscillators is SAWTOOTH (it looks just like a sawtooth :-) ). Then, you can set the attack of the amplitude filter (some synths have a separate filter for each oscillator) to its maximum percussive setting, so that the sound is instantly produced when you press a key. The decay setting(s) probably shouldn't matter because you'll want to set "sustain" to a high setting, so that the sound will not diminish if you keep the keys held down. And, finally, you'll want to set the release so that there is a bit of a trail off after you release the keys. If you make the release to long, then it will sound muddy. But, if you make it too short, then it will sound like a cheesy keyboard. You can mess around with the filter(s) (LPF, HPF, BPF, notch, etc.) and filter frequency to make the sound bright, but not tinny (or not too muffled, so that you are unable distinguish the pitches). If the virtual synth you are using has a sub-oscillator setting you can try adding a bit of that, to fatten up the sound, even more. Finally, if Analog Lab has reverb (or, if you're using a DAW which has reverb), you'll want to add some of that to make the sound more spacious. You can experiment with adding a bit of delay, but you might not need it. If there is a preset for Van Halen's "Jump", that sound should be a good starting point. You might even be able to use that sound, actually. Come to think of it, there might be someone out there who has used Analog Lab to create the "Subdivisions" sound. Good luck!
Wow, very complete reply, thank you very much for taking the time to give me instructions and advice.. I will be trying just as soon as I get back on to the keyboard.
This is a basic strings patch. If the Microkorg has a built-in strings patch, then it can be done. Usually, strings are reproduced on romplers or samplers (keyboards which use actual samples of sounds, as opposed to synthesized approximations of sounds). If the Microkorg doesn't use sampled waveforms, it may be difficult.
goatghost I play it on my Korg M1 and use the same patch for the entire song. It sounds pretty damn close IMO. It's just a factory preset that I made a few very minor adjustments to. I don't have the patience to mess with too much on it since I'm really a guitar player.
Thanks for the props, Doug! We definitely had some fun times. Not sure if you're still playing in a band, but it would definitely be fun to jam, sometime! :-)
I've been trying to recreate this song for months. I was wondering what kind of sound and effects you used for the keyboard sounds, I plugged my keyboard into my laptop via midi and hve been having trouble getting an accurate sound.
Geddy Lee used an Oberheim OB-X synthesizer on "Subdivisions". If you are using a PC laptop to produce the sound, you can download the free OB-Xd plugin and use that to approximate the sound. Alternately, you can use just about any "analog" synth plugin, whether on a PC or a Mac. To get the sound, you would select a "sawtooth" wave for each of the two oscillators and detune them slightly against one another. The "attack" in the ADSR filter would be set to immediately start the sound, as soon as you press a key...giving an almost "percussive" effect. The "release" would be set to allow the sound to fade, after you have released the keys. Unfortunately, there isn't much more I can say about it. Arturia makes the OB-Xa plugin ($199) for both PC and Mac and you can get good results from that, as well. :-)
The part with the buzzy-sounding chords is zoned to the left side of the keyboard. The monophonic, portamento synth lead is zoned to the right side. And, the "subdivisions" spoken part is zoned to the highest note on the keyboard. :-)
Thanks, Christopher! Actually, I searched the web for a "Subdivisions" MIDI file (sequence) and, after downloading it, stripped out everything but the drums. I was then able to export the resulting sequence from my computer and import it into my keyboard. Whoever programmed the drums certainly did an awesome job. I'm not sure if you are familiar with MIDI, but the sequence actually "plays" the drum sounds on my keyboard (i.e. it's not an audio file backing track). :-)
goatghost oh yeah I am very familiar with MIDI, I actually have a midi keyboard on my mac but I didn't realize you can strip the parts out! That's awesome I'll have to look into that. Keep up the great playing!
Hey there...the drum track is actually from a stripped-down MIDI file, which I downloaded off the Internet (that is, it's not an "audio" file). I removed all of the other instrument tracks from the file (using a computer), transferred it to my keyboard, and the resulting sequence "plays" the built-in drum sounds on my Roland Fantom X7.
@@goatghost see I wouldn't know where to begin figuring out how that works, and probably couldn't do it on my Casio. I really want to learn this and play the guitar and keys to the drum track lol. Thanks for explaining though!
Actually, I didn't program the drums. I found a MIDI file, online, downloaded it, and had it "play" the drum sounds on my keyboard. It is an impressive bit of programming, whoever created it.
goatghost Yes. I have been trying to play it correctly and have it mostly down but nowhere near what you have already. If you do happen to post a keyboard only track I would love to get it. Thanks again for a great recording.
This sound is very similar to an Oberheim sound...in this case, basically, two sawtooth waves, slightly detuned. The sound is not a sampled Oberheim, though. It is totally produced by the Roland Fantom X7.
The voice saying "Subdivisions" is a digital sample (recording) of my voice, lowered by several steps. The Fantom X7 has built-in feature which allows you to sample sounds.
Jaume Gironella You can also accomplish the same effect via Logic X Pro (and most DAWs I'd assume). Same deal, record a vocal sample saying the word "Subdivisions" and lower it several steps via a pitch shifter plug-in and add distortion as desired
Well done. I miss my X8. Know what you mean about shaky hands. Don't worry; if you check out mevtrying the Firth of Fifth intro on my channel, you'll know what I mean!
Thanks! I went through a bunch of takes, I'm sure. :-) I'm not sure I can ever part with my Fantom...I've just got so many custom patches and performances loaded into it, and I'd have to recreate them all.
If you click the gear-shaped icon in the lower-right part of the window, you can slow it down to 75%, 50%, and 25% of actual speed. If you slow it down to 25%, you can see every note played by each finger. Unfortunately, if I was to break it down, part by part, the video would probably be several hours long.
![ILLSLICK - KILLSHOT REMIX [FULL VERSION]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/RIK8RrqIAzE/mqdefault.jpg)
I play bass but Geddy really wants to make me learn how to play the keys and synths. I'm obsessed with that 80s synth sound
Right on! Fortunately, Geddy's synth parts are not as hard as his bass parts, so it shouldn't be so difficult with a little practice. I love those 80s synth sounds, too! :-)
@@goatghost you ain't lying watch him get after that bass in YYZ!
Yep!! 80s rule!!!
Rest in rhythm, Neil
Amen! Whoever programmed the drums on this track did an awesome job, but there is no way to truly be able to replicate Neil Peart's drumming. :(
Wow!!!!!!! That's what I've been looking for. Sounds just like RUSH!!! Thanks to person that put this on TH-cam
Thanks, man! Much appreciated. :-)
Awesome! Sounds just like the real thing! Rush is my favorite band too!
Thanks, Brianna! Much appreciated. :-)
No problem, I wish I had your skill! Jacob's Ladder might be a neat one to do as well.
Thanks for this , it's really helpful in my quest to learn this. Well done !
Thank you very much! Glad to hear you find it useful! :)
Like how the synth and drums accent each other
Nice! Love that X7, that's exactly what Geddy used in the later years to play this song live. The patch being used sounds exactly like the patch Geddy uses live. A Mini Moog was used for the solo part but I don't have a Moog either so I also just layer/split and play it on the top of the keyboard.
Thanks! I'm not quite sure if he used the X7 as a controller, or if he actually used its sounds (I'll have to check concert footage...lol). Either way, it was kind of cool seeing him use it. Like you, I usually split my keyboard for different sounds. :-)
That was spot on brother! Good stuff! Keep up the good work!
Thanks, man! Same to you! :-)
That keyboard is so invigorating
Glad to see you found it so! :-)
Makes me realize how important the guitars really are in this song when they're missing.
Very true! :-)
Guitar is there.
Amazing Cover! You can certainly feel a lot of emotion in the keyboard. I think I even teared up a lil listening to this. Amazing Job goatghost!
Thank you very much...I really appreciate it! This is one of my favorite Rush songs, for sure. :-)
Nice camera angle - you can see all the notes played. Nice playing to do this all in one take, too! I remember learning these solos by ear on my SH-101 back in the 80s when all I had was a cassette deck. Rewind a few seconds and hit play again... it was hit or miss if you would find the beginning of the solo. There were certainly no videos like this to help learn those quick note sequences.
Thanks, Roger! I had to do a lot of rewinding to figure those parts out...LOL :-)
I once learned to play this song, missing to learn some parts. Then I forgot everything. But you helped me to start to learn it again. Now I wanna finish learning and never ever forget. Definitely one of the best Rush tracks!
Thanks for the great tutorial... and what about the amazing drum programming?? not an easy task to "midify" Neil Peart. Great Job!
Thanks for your kind comments! While can take credit for the keyboard part, I actually downloaded the MIDI drum track from somewhere off the Internet. Whoever created it definitely got it right! :D
Today I decided I want to play keyboards along with my guitars. I love the way the instrument is used by Floyd, Rush, Deep Purple etc. is there any free downloads of Keyboard trainers, TH-cam doesn't show a lot of lessons note by note. Plz let me know I want to learn. God Bless!!!
Glad to hear you want to play keyboard! If you want to make your own sounds (and eventually sound "professional"), you will want to get an actual "synthesizer" (as opposed to a home keyboard). The most important thing that is needed to play keyboard (or any instrument) is DESIRE. I am mostly self-taught on keyboard, so I can't really recommend any specific teaching materials. But, I would say, go get yourself a keyboarding basics book for beginners. Learn how to properly use the correct fingering for scales and chords. That will give you a good foundation. Learn to play your favorite melodies on the keyboard by figuring them out on your own, using your ears. And, practice as much as you can. Don't make it a chore...make it something you enjoy!
thank you this is dope such a beautiful song can't wait to learn it
Glad you liked it! It's my favorite Rush song. :-)
now I must go play this on my keytar I bought
It took me almost two hours to get that sound absolutely perfect on my synth, I just kept listening to the album for the first three Bass Double F# notes and a heck of a lot of twiddling with so many possible digital variations and analog as well.
Well done.. that was the very first song I ever learned some 40 years ago.
We didn't however have a bass player so I kinda played both parts with a split voice bass sound at the bottom when Geddy switched.
Thanks, Paul! And, very impressive about playing the bass part on keyboard. :-)
@@goatghost you are welcome.
You are spot on guy. Thanks for help.
Thanks! Glad you found it useful! :-)
Im by no means a real keyboard player and Im learning a LOT. Your tutorial is on point, congratulations!
Thanks very much! Actually, I'm not a "real" keyboard player, either (rhythm guitar is my first instrument), but with some practice, anyone can play this. :-)
The very last chord try adding the 5th (D) to the bass G octaves.
well dune nice work
Thank you very much! :-)
The Fantom X6 was one of my fav synth to play. Should've never sold it
I love my Fantom X! The sounds are really incredible and versatile. It's much underrated. :-)
Perfect! Can I use it for a split screen cover?
Cheers!!!
Sure thing, Fernando. Go for it! :-) Thanks for your kind comment.
Do you have the isolated keyboard to send me by e-mail by any chance?
I did some inversions in my cover of this song to make it a more original cover. Nice cover and pretty accurate sounds you got there dude.
Thank you very much! :-)
I'm learning how to play this too...thanks for the video, I can use it to study!
Thanks for your comment. I'm glad you've found it useful! :-)
Nice setup, goatmeister. I would just add though, that when you weren't playing, you could have been clapping along. That was a missed opportunity. 😂
Thanks!!! And, I agree about the clapping! LOL
Very cool - thanks for posting this it is the clearest and best sounding instructional I've seen on this song. Solo was fine not sure but think Geddy uses a modulation wheel for the solo parts rather than a trill but I could be wrong!
Thanks! Much appreciated! :-) Yeah, I would imagine he used the modulation wheel, as well.
Very nice. Makes my heart race!
Thanks, Erin! Rush is my absolute favorite band and "Subdivisions" is my absolute favorite Rush song. :-)
I am hoping to jam with a group of Rush fanatics next fall, so I'm sharpening up my keyboard skills! This really helped, so thanks!
Glad to hear it helped! I wish my bandmates were into Rush. That’s cool that you’ll be able to jam with some real Rush fans. :-) Best of luck to you!
I love this song, thank you for the tutorial
super ! good job
Thank you very much! :-)
Excellent video! Do you reckon you could do a tutorial for Countdown? Always wanted to learn it
I'd have to learn Countdown. It's a great song. Maybe, someday. :-)
Thanks, fantastic cover!
gudatine Thank you very much!!! :-)
Great job on the drum tracks!
I'd like to take credit for the drum MIDI track, but I cannot. I actually downloaded it from somewhere on the web (I stripped out the other parts). I agree, though...whoever programmed it did an outstanding job.
Great idea using a midi track to get the drums. They sound pretty decent. I'd like to program it on my Prophet '08. The buzzy bass sound and lead sounds are easy. I read that you used sawtooth waves for the right hand chords. How did you get them so animated and fat. Just detuned, or something more?
Does anyone know how this process works, i have a yamaha YPT-220 with MIDI output and input???
Thank you for this great vid and the lesson your a good musician. I was excited to find the exact voice Geddy used on this song. My Fantom X is not disappointing me, absolutely love it. I see your also using the JV-90 up top. I use the Roland Juno DS. Roland is the best!!!!
Subscribed. Amazing Job Man!!!
Thank you very much! :-)
I can get about an 80% approximation of the intro keyboard sound with my Casio WK1350, which over the years, has proven to be a rather handy piece of kit!
I layer 048 Strings over the 090 Polysynth sound.
arnebarnard Upon further review though, 081 Sawtooth sounds MUCH better with the aforementioned 048 strings, layered.
Something to dwell upon here: Sawtooth and Strings sounds basically like what Eddie Van Halen used for "Jump" just two years later!
Van Halen may have made sport of Rush, but maybe they were paying close attention, at the SAME TIME!???
Hmmm!
And for those who think that VAN HALEN "sold out" with keyboard sounds on 1984, I would remind ALL of you of the PIANO on the intro to RUNNING WITH THE DEVIL.
THAT was back in 1978!
Eddie knew what to do!
men this cover is so fu`++ng awesome, can you make closer to the heart ???
Thanks, Donaldo! I'll have to think about doing "Closer to the Heart", since there aren't really a lot of keyboard parts to that song. :-)
Fell out of my chair laughing at that request! :)
Why not request The Necromancer? - on synthesizer!
Love it !!!
Thanks! :-)
Nice. The Fantom replaced the XP series that I have. Mine are lighter than the Fantom.
An electronics engineer called Roland stuff 3 pounds of sh*t in a 2 pound bag, basically...:) I suppose the quality is not the insanely expensive Bang and Olufsen type, hand-made copper connections they like...:)
+Michelle M Thanks! I love my Fantom. It is kind of heavy, I suppose, but I can't imagine using any other keyboard. If I had a Fantom X8 (88 weighted keys), I'm sure it would be a LOT heavier. I like the light synth action of my Fantom X7, though (since I'm not actually a piano player). :-)
goatghost :) I can't imagine 88 keys would even fit in my car, and I like the biggest damn cars made (Mercury Sable/Taurus--same car and a Challenger). I never did measure, though...so far, I don't use 88 keys on my real piano, and I don't play well, either...
76 keys works, but guys who are great, I've seen use 60, and get real fast with the octave switch to bring it up or down...
goatghost I also tend to have 15,000 worth of other crap, too...drumsets, full PA setup and on and on...:) all of which needs to fit, including cabling.
Wish they'd give us fiber optics, already...none of it has wireless capacity or even remote controls that I ever saw or heard of :)
Lovin it!
Thanks! :-)
Nicely done
Thank you very much! :-)
That was awesome!
Thanks, Ivan! :-)
Just great friend
fantastic! Thank you so much
Glad you liked it! Thanks! :-)
Awesome, thanks for posting!
Thanks! :-)
Thanks for the kind comment! :-)
The best ever...
Nice 12Step
Thanks! I love it and can't imagine not using it. It's sooo useful! :-)
@@goatghost Yes, the 12 Step is a super useful thing. By the way, how do you connect it to your synths? I have a Roland Juno Gi and I came back to this video because I wonder If you can help me figure out the issue. I noticed that the 12 Step sends Program Change messages but the Juno doesn't receive it. I built a custom DIY program change message sender box plugged to the 12 Step and the Midi Out of this last device is hooked to the Roland Juno Midi in. The note on/off messages are fine but I can't change programs in the Juno, even with the Rx option "Receive program change" activated. Could you help me figure out what is happening here? Thanks in advanced.
@@dodecafono Hey there...I connect my 12 Step to my synths using the Keith McMillen MIDI Expander box. It has 5-pin MIDI in and out jacks. I use my synth to send program changes to my 12-Step, and not the other way around. If you are not using the MIDI Expander, it may be difficult to figure out your problem.
Are your 12-Step and Roland Juno-Di set to the same MIDI channel? The 12-Step defaults to channel 1, I believe. If you enable "Omni Mode" on the Juno, can you receive program changes from the 12-Step?
Awesome!! Too much to learn as first song for me! Bummer!
Gus Pastrana Just learn it in small chunks. It's not as difficult as it seems. :-)
+goatghost ok yah that is a good idea
Muy bien hecho!
Muchas gracias! :-)
Very nice job! Can I ask what kind of synth sound you used for this?
Thanks, David! The sound is coming from the Roland SRX Ultimate Keys sound card which is installed in my Roland X7 synthesizer (the silver keyboard on the bottom). Basically, the sound consists of a sawtooth waveform patch which uses two oscillators which have been detuned, relative to one another. It's not really a difficult sound to make, but you do need a synth with a sawtooth wave as a starting point. Specific details on how I achieved this sound using the exact hardware in my setup appears lower in the comments, below. :-)
Well done.
Thanks! :-)
Hi, this is absolutely great! I just got the same (used) Roland Fantom X7 and I have to play Subdivisions for an upcoming Rush tribute. I'm the bass player and keys are all new to me! (At least I don't have to sing thank goodness!)... anyway would you be willing to share the patch settings to get that sound? I don't need the midi drum stuff (that's the drummer's problem). I need the split settings to get the correct keyboard sound on the right and the Taurus sound on the left... any help, tips, etc.. that you would be willing to provide is greatly appreciated! Thank you!!!
Hey Jim...thanks for the props! Congrats on getting a Fantom X7...even though it's like 10 years old, I think it is still the best keyboard for live synth performance. It's sooo flexible. Getting back to your question...I did some research and, unfortunately, you will need the Roland SRX-07 Expansion Board in order to do either sound as shown in the video. They go for $200-$250, used, on eBay, but that board is INDISPENSIBLE. I consider it a MUST-HAVE for doing classic rock and well worth the price. It's got TONS of waveforms and patches (Oberheim, Moog, Roland, Sequential Circuits, pads, leads, Taurus Pedal sounds, etc.) . The synth patch I used for the main part in the video is called "Old,Warm OBX" (I had modified it, slightly). The other patch used in the left part of they keyboard (and, also from the same SRX-07 Expansion Board) is "PortaSynLead" (I may have added aftertouch, so that I don't have to use the mod stick with my left hand). If you get the board, I can email you both the performance and patch modifications. :-) Alternatively, for the main part, you can "roll your own" sound by creating a patch which uses two "tones", each detuned a few cents from one another and each using a "sawtooth" waveform. Adjust the attack and release to your liking, add some reverb, and you're done.
goatghost - Invaluable information! Thank you SO much for sharing.. If I can get my hands on one of those boards I will get back to you!
Hi goatghost! I got that SRX-07 card. Do you mind sending me the modifications for the Old,Warm OBX patch that you made when you get a chance? As you probably know out of the box that patch sounds close but a little too much "horn sounding" I guess I'd call it. You seem to have the nailed the sound perfectly. I only need the modifications for main, keyboard/chord parts not the Mini-Moog lead. Thanks again for your help!
Hey Jim...I just got your message. I'll see if I can get those modifications to you in the next couple of days. :-)
Hey Jim...I have those tweaks, if you still need them. Probably, the main tweak is that I'm using only Tone 1 in the patch (and not tone 2,3, or 4) and I've changed the the Tone 1 wave to Exp B 565 "OB Str2B". In the "Pitch Env" screen, all the parameters are changed to 0. In screen 7/19, "F-Env Time2" and "F-Env Time3 [D]" are both changed to 0. in screen 8/19, "Level V-Sense" is changed to 0. In screen 9/19, the values from top to bottom are 0, 0, 0, 0, 10, 10, 10, 127, 127, 127.
I've integrated the patch into a performance and I have reverb set to "40" (out of 127). I'm not sure why the patch sounds so fat, since I'm only using one tone and it doesn't appear that I've added any chorus.
If you'd like me to send screenshots of the parameters, post your email address and I'll get those out to you. I don't think there is really anything different, though. :-)
Thanks!
Thanks a lot for that! Do you think I can play this song completely on a 49-key MIDI controller? I'm looking into buying one but would rather not get a 61 if I can get by with a 49.... Rush cover project :)
Glad you find it helpful! :-) I suppose you could play it on a 49-key MIDI controller, but you would lose out on the fatness of the doubled octaves in the left hand. I would highly recommend using at least a 61-key MIDI controller. Good luck!
@@goatghost I now have an Arturia Keylab Essential 61! Woohoo :) Now, just need to fing a good sounding VST for Subdivisions... Any help getting something out of Analog Lab 4 would be appreciated (anyone?)
Awesome! :-) I have Analog Lab V, but I haven't really messed with it. I'd like to find a preset I can use, as well.
Thanks and well done goatghost. Moving Pictures was my first ever album and I had all the Rush albums growing up. I just started playing the keyboard. Where can I get the percussion layer (or did you do that yourself)?
Thanks, Jerry! :-) The drum track is a "Subdivisions"' MIDI sequence which I found online. I stripped out all the parts except drums. Moving Pictures is my favorite Rush album, as well (even though this is off Signals).
What voice would be the closest to Geddy's on my Yamaha keyboard?
While not knowing which specific Yamaha keyboard you have, a slightly detuned, sawtooth-waveform voice would be the most appropriate. If you have a consumer-based keyboard, one of the built-in "synth" sounds might work. If you have a synthesizer (one which allows you to program your own sounds), you should be able to select a sawtooth waveform as the basis of your voice.
@@goatghost Portable Grand DGX-230
Excellent! I'm trying to find the right settings on my synth to get that sound. Getting close, but not quite there yet. Yours sounds amazing! Nice work.
Thanks, Geno! I really appreciate it. Good luck with getting that sound. :-)
Love this
Thanks, Paul! Much appreciated. :-)
One of my fav rush songs...is fa tastic
Thank you very much! :-)
in the original for solo Minimoog was used? string/brass pad is OBX or OBXa
Amazing job ! Question : SInce I can't effort a FANTOM X7, would you say Yamaha W7 would be good ?
Thanks! I've never played a Yamaha W7, but it looks like a pretty decent keyboard. It has a bunch of sounds, as well as a sequencer. The keyboard can be split into 2 zones (maybe more, but I am not certain). It doesn't have sampling (so you can record your own sounds), but if you can find one for a decent price, it might be worth it (looks like they sell for $599 used).
I think BETTER option would be to buy a used Fantom XR (rack mount Fantom - $400-$500...make sure it has the Version 2.02 sample expansion firmware update) and buy any MIDI-capable keyboard ($120) to use as a controller. Then, it's like having a full-fledged Fantom.
Thks for such great advices !
finally I bought a Yamaha PSR 730 and surprisingly an amazing keyboard. I paid 150$ CAN for keyboard, stand, travel soft case, cover-up. And Sounds I was looking for are pretty close to reality !
Very cool! It has some solid reviews and, for $150, it sounds like a great deal. :-)
Nice job with the drum track. Can you tell me about those pedals all lit up down there? I'm assuming some are expression pedals but I've never seen that unit before. Thanks
Thanks! The pedal is a Keith McMillan 12-Step MIDI keyboard controller. It allows me to play single notes or chords (by sending that information to my synthesizer) with my feet. It's an awesome device. You can program a different chord for each note, giving you the ability to play pads or string synth parts (or even bass parts, if you have fast feet...lol). It goes for $250 and the interface box goes for $50. It's well worth the money. :-)
And, actually, I didn't program the drum track. I found it, online, and stripped out the other parts. ;-)
Can I ask for info on the settings. Or if you are using a patch from somewhere? I have analog lab with a conroller and I'm struggling to find the sound.
Hey Stuart...I'm not familiar with Analog Lab (hoping to get the Arturia V Collection for Christmas, actually!!! :-) ), but I would imagine that you should be able to get the sound using that software. I believe that Geddy Lee used an Oberheim OB-X synthesizer on "Subdivisions" (and others) and Analog Lab contains an Oberheim Matrix-12, which was a newer synth in the Oberheim line. Anyway, it appears that, in addition to the Oberheim Matrix-12V virtual synth, Analog Lab also contains the Arp 2600V, Jup-8V, and ProphetV virtual synths, which should probably work pretty well.
To start off, you will want to either find a patch on one of these synths that comes close to the sound and disable any delay effects, if possible. If Analog Lab allows you to create a patch from scratch, you'll can start with two oscillators, slightly detuned against one another (I usually tune one of the synths by +2 cents and the other by -2 cents). The detuning produces that fat chorusing sound. The waveform that you'll be using for both oscillators is SAWTOOTH (it looks just like a sawtooth :-) ).
Then, you can set the attack of the amplitude filter (some synths have a separate filter for each oscillator) to its maximum percussive setting, so that the sound is instantly produced when you press a key. The decay setting(s) probably shouldn't matter because you'll want to set "sustain" to a high setting, so that the sound will not diminish if you keep the keys held down. And, finally, you'll want to set the release so that there is a bit of a trail off after you release the keys. If you make the release to long, then it will sound muddy. But, if you make it too short, then it will sound like a cheesy keyboard.
You can mess around with the filter(s) (LPF, HPF, BPF, notch, etc.) and filter frequency to make the sound bright, but not tinny (or not too muffled, so that you are unable distinguish the pitches). If the virtual synth you are using has a sub-oscillator setting you can try adding a bit of that, to fatten up the sound, even more.
Finally, if Analog Lab has reverb (or, if you're using a DAW which has reverb), you'll want to add some of that to make the sound more spacious. You can experiment with adding a bit of delay, but you might not need it.
If there is a preset for Van Halen's "Jump", that sound should be a good starting point. You might even be able to use that sound, actually. Come to think of it, there might be someone out there who has used Analog Lab to create the "Subdivisions" sound. Good luck!
Wow, very complete reply, thank you very much for taking the time to give me instructions and advice.. I will be trying just as soon as I get back on to the keyboard.
how did you get this patch and can it be done on a microkorg?
This is a basic strings patch. If the Microkorg has a built-in strings patch, then it can be done. Usually, strings are reproduced on romplers or samplers (keyboards which use actual samples of sounds, as opposed to synthesized approximations of sounds). If the Microkorg doesn't use sampled waveforms, it may be difficult.
goatghost Okay thank you very much
Great work. But the Solo sounds strange. I think Geddy from rush used an old keyboard from the 1980 to play the Solo, maybe a Korg.
He probably used a Minimoog on the original recording. I tried to approximate it with what I have. :-)
goatghost I play it on my Korg M1 and use the same patch for the entire song. It sounds pretty damn close IMO. It's just a factory preset that I made a few very minor adjustments to. I don't have the patience to mess with too much on it since I'm really a guitar player.
Geddy played the solo on a Minimoog on the original recording. Over the last few years while touring he played it on a Little Phatty.
In the music video, he used an Oberheim OBX, I always thought that's what was used on the record too
Great as always, Tom. Miss playing with you; hit me back if you'd like to get something up and running again.
---Doug---
Thanks for the props, Doug! We definitely had some fun times. Not sure if you're still playing in a band, but it would definitely be fun to jam, sometime! :-)
what kind of synthesizer is used. Like square lead, bass, ect.?
It is a sawtooth synth sound. :-)
goatghost do you create them yourself or buy separate patches?
muy bueno !
Muchas gracias!!! :)
I've been trying to recreate this song for months. I was wondering what kind of sound and effects you used for the keyboard sounds, I plugged my keyboard into my laptop via midi and hve been having trouble getting an accurate sound.
Geddy Lee used an Oberheim OB-X synthesizer on "Subdivisions". If you are using a PC laptop to produce the sound, you can download the free OB-Xd plugin and use that to approximate the sound. Alternately, you can use just about any "analog" synth plugin, whether on a PC or a Mac.
To get the sound, you would select a "sawtooth" wave for each of the two oscillators and detune them slightly against one another. The "attack" in the ADSR filter would be set to immediately start the sound, as soon as you press a key...giving an almost "percussive" effect. The "release" would be set to allow the sound to fade, after you have released the keys.
Unfortunately, there isn't much more I can say about it. Arturia makes the OB-Xa plugin ($199) for both PC and Mac and you can get good results from that, as well. :-)
Thanks so much
Thanks, Julio! :-)
Are those the same sound file or a split keyboard with two sounds?
The part with the buzzy-sounding chords is zoned to the left side of the keyboard. The monophonic, portamento synth lead is zoned to the right side. And, the "subdivisions" spoken part is zoned to the highest note on the keyboard. :-)
This is a great cover! Awesome! How did you get the drum backing backing track?
Thanks, Christopher! Actually, I searched the web for a "Subdivisions" MIDI file (sequence) and, after downloading it, stripped out everything but the drums. I was then able to export the resulting sequence from my computer and import it into my keyboard. Whoever programmed the drums certainly did an awesome job.
I'm not sure if you are familiar with MIDI, but the sequence actually "plays" the drum sounds on my keyboard (i.e. it's not an audio file backing track). :-)
goatghost oh yeah I am very familiar with MIDI, I actually have a midi keyboard on my mac but I didn't realize you can strip the parts out! That's awesome I'll have to look into that. Keep up the great playing!
How'd you get the drum track? I cant be asked to try to program them all with my shitty samples
Hey there...the drum track is actually from a stripped-down MIDI file, which I downloaded off the Internet (that is, it's not an "audio" file). I removed all of the other instrument tracks from the file (using a computer), transferred it to my keyboard, and the resulting sequence "plays" the built-in drum sounds on my Roland Fantom X7.
@@goatghost see I wouldn't know where to begin figuring out how that works, and probably couldn't do it on my Casio. I really want to learn this and play the guitar and keys to the drum track lol. Thanks for explaining though!
Heck yes. :)
great job! can you make a tutorial of tom sawyer?
How the hell did you do those drum fills?!
Actually, I didn't program the drums. I found a MIDI file, online, downloaded it, and had it "play" the drum sounds on my keyboard. It is an impressive bit of programming, whoever created it.
What is the tone you are using??
Hey Greg...check out the thread below from Jim Fitzgerald. It goes into great detail on the patch I'm using. :-)
Do you have this without the drums? Just the keyboards?
Unfortunately, I don't. Were you looking to use it as a backing track to play along to?
goatghost Yes. I have been trying to play it correctly and have it mostly down but nowhere near what you have already. If you do happen to post a keyboard only track I would love to get it. Thanks again for a great recording.
Is that an Oberheim sample?
This sound is very similar to an Oberheim sound...in this case, basically, two sawtooth waves, slightly detuned. The sound is not a sampled Oberheim, though. It is totally produced by the Roland Fantom X7.
@@goatghost ok that's very cool it sounds much like the Oberheim sound to my ear
Sounds like Geddy, great job
Thanks much! Geddy is the man. :-)
Compare and contrast the differences and similarities between Geddy Lee and Ray Manzerik
The choir "Subdivisions" is a mp3, or wav?
The voice saying "Subdivisions" is a digital sample (recording) of my voice, lowered by several steps. The Fantom X7 has built-in feature which allows you to sample sounds.
Jaume Gironella You can also accomplish the same effect via Logic X Pro (and most DAWs I'd assume). Same deal, record a vocal sample saying the word "Subdivisions" and lower it several steps via a pitch shifter plug-in and add distortion as desired
Well done. I miss my X8. Know what you mean about shaky hands. Don't worry; if you check out mevtrying the Firth of Fifth intro on my channel, you'll know what I mean!
Thanks! I went through a bunch of takes, I'm sure. :-) I'm not sure I can ever part with my Fantom...I've just got so many custom patches and performances loaded into it, and I'd have to recreate them all.
Nicely done! but I play chords with left hand and bass with right
Thanks! I've never considered playing it any other way, but if that works for you and it gets the job done, that's what counts. :-)
@@goatghost it was by accident - i had right hand injured when i learned this song. but i habituated to play it like this since then
Wow...that is impressive! Good for you! :-)
nice
Thanks! :-)
what an amazing song. i was in my 20s
when the video came out. i was glued
to the song! just amazing!
anusheadproductions
It's my favorite Rush song. :-)
where's the instructional part?
If you click the gear-shaped icon in the lower-right part of the window, you can slow it down to 75%, 50%, and 25% of actual speed. If you slow it down to 25%, you can see every note played by each finger. Unfortunately, if I was to break it down, part by part, the video would probably be several hours long.
@@goatghost thank you, for both lessons
Geddy only plays a single bass note.
Yes, I believe you are right. :-)
@@goatghost Actually, you are right. He plays both octaves. th-cam.com/video/EYYdQB0mkEU/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=RushVEVO