To me the genius of this song is in recognizing the potential of taking an old genre like 80's synth funk and attempting to bring it back full force with modern tools, top notch production techniques, and arrangement sensibilities. Thanks for the in depth analysis.
Every musician eventually reaches the stage where they're humbled by the quality of most pop songs (or at least they should for the sake of growing as an artist). The EQ work and transient control in this track is just phenomenal.
I think it's a matter of opinion. I think it sounds great; it's it's own sound. It's how the producers wanted to sculpt the song - nothing wrong with that. Heck, it won a grammy!
But we're talking about music designed to make people dance. No programmed beat can make people move better than a living breathing human drummer. I guess that's my opinion. But all the great live music is played with a band for a reason. The fact it won a grammy or was a hit carries no weight with me as far as that goes. I guess I could rephrase my comment to say "I can't believe people have such poor taste to choose programmed drums over a human when they have their choice of some of the best drummers in the world within 20 miles".
What a brilliant song arrangement. Most of the arrangements of his songs took into account a live show feel. A lot of dynamics in the song. Every second of the song teases the listeners emotion. You don't find an artist like Bruno often. Amazing lyricist, song producer, a vocal like no other, an amazing dancer, charismatic and powerful showmanship.
Well you can hate on pop music all you want, but man the production quality is always outstanding, even in the Disney kids songs, I always find them so clean... thanks Rick, you should post more vids like this for us "bedroom producers".
I think the problem people have with modern pop is that it's the producer you never see who is the one with all the amazing talent, and not the person you see singing and dancing on stage. What I want to know is how can you play this live? Are his concerts not what we would call "live"?
He's one of the rare cats that do. Which is why he's good and one of the few pop stars I can listen to, although I will admit I liked it better when it was called Morris Day and the Time lol...
@@misterknightowlandco The singer is what brings songs to life. I LOVE tf out of pop music instrumentals (Into You by Ariana Grande is probs top pick) but the songs wouldn't translate well without a sung melody unless you were into instrumental music (that isn't classical, jazz, or of the "chill" genre)
Was gonna say I thought he played drums on it, maybe replaced or reinforced with samples, or just heavily produced. The kick definitely has a sample attached. Either way I really love Bruno Mars' music. He writes GREAT pop songs, with a lot of musicality, great arrangements... and he has a great live band. I almost feel a bit like he's a bit of a modern day Prince or Michael Jackson.
This is a great example of how simple pop music is but the production that goes into these songs are what make then as big as they are. It's not about making "good" music now it's about keeping the listener entertained with things they don't notice unless they look for them. Pop producers are the best producers out there.
Twitch really helps with learning pop/rab production. Kenny beats, DECAP, monte booker, Mike Dean, and Timbo are all very generous with the education aspect. Love your channel i can’t wait to learn from the Beato book as well !
Videos like this and the "What Makes This Song Great" series are quickly making you one of my favorite people to watch on youtube. Thank you, and please never stop
Bruno's real secret is that he hasn't forgotten the value of soul. He's not trying to be hip hop, or saccharine pop , rather, he reaches back to soul and funk in the flavor of Midnight Star, The Time, Zapp, Ohio Players, etc. Today's artists are afraid of that.
My favourite album of late 2016-2017. So well produced, all of the songs sounds so fresh, new, modern with that old school flavor to them. And the vocals of Bruno... nothing to add...
RoyaltyProductionsDA Yes true, there's some errors. It's definitely a talk box and scratch effect as you say. I have both a talk box and melodyne, so you're definitely right about that. Think the main point is still true. There's very little in the mix. Which is probably why each sound can have a full range of frequencies and not be filtered or blended with layers, because they don't need to be. A few instruments that are powerful making a bigger sound than more instruments would. A lot of the sound is in the arrangement of course, and that's also simple. A huge part of a mix is the arrangement.
A bit harsh. I and I suspect others have learned loads from Rick's youtube channel. Remember this was a quick 10 minute vid and he gave props to the producers. He definitely knows what he's talking about.
Mark C he could talk a lot in 10min. Some moments in the video he didn't know what to talk about or how to explain why something sound good. It was a weak video the one with link park music was better.
this beat is fantastic, like its got a great groove with lots of little details, but it leaves plenty of room for the star of the show to have the spotlight. i dont know of many other pop performers in this decade that could fill Mars' role in this tune
So happy to see you doing pop record analysis. In my opinion, and as you pointed out, the records are often put together using top notch production techniques. And also, the performers who are as talented as Bruno really prove pop artists can be astounding in what they’re laying down on those tracks.
It's not a backwards drums it's a scratched kick drum that Dj's have been doing since early hip hop ...Lot's of Keyboards and DAWs have samples of that sound.... What Bruno has done is marry a little bit of old school Funk, R&B mixed with contemporary hip hop and swag.. It's a form of genius to take so few elements and create a hit !
I've watched hundreds of music production videos on youtube, but this is by far the clearest and most concise video that i have seen! Thank you so much!
Just loving it! Amazing how to understand better and greatly appreciate the production of a great hit. I admire this guy! Thank you very much for the educational experience!
Im more into electronic music but i love watching this kind of videos, i actually admire pop producers and i allways try to follow their tips, i specially love how they arrange.
That “auto tune” melodyne/vocoder sound is actually a talkbox. Popularized by Roger Troutmans biggest songs like “Computer Love” and “More Bounce to the Ounce”. On Bruno Mars’ song, That’s Mr. Talkbox singing through a straw. The synth is coming through a speaker on the floor in the box and every note is played on the keyboard. Vocoder has a similar effect but is not designed the same. Vocoder is poly based and talkboxes sound better mono.
Iam 7evin Yes! A talkbox has a speaker that plays the synth through the tube and into your mouth. This allows you to move your mouth and control the formants of the sound just like you use your mouth to make different vowel sounds. The sound comes from your mouth and is picked up by a microphone just like you are singing.
Great video and interesting to hear the isolated tracks! Although the intro is actually played on a talk box (performed by Mr Talk Box). Would you mind sharing where you got the tracks? Have been a big fan of yours and the channel!
I've had some lessons at sound engineering school with a producer/production magazine owner etc. and he had lots of DAW sessions for famous songs. He told us it's just stuff producers share with each other, impossible to get if you're not "in the business".
Really like the speed at which you explain it all and keep the interest onwards. Respect! I am watching you from now on. Hats off to Bruno Mars too... Thanks mate. Keep it all coming.
You are killing it with your latest vids, I love how you explain stuff and the fact you have the original stems of tracks to talk about them, thanks man what an awesome job you are doing here!
Great video! Great production! When everything has been though through there is enough space for every element. No tracks fighting in the same frequency ranges.
So glad I ran across you, I'm always trying to decipher what's going on in good sounding R&B production, especially bass and kick and you hear and understand it all. Awesome dude, Thanks
Rick,Thanks for doing the analysis of Bruno Mars. I got turned on to him by my daughter. I was working out when I got a Txt from her. It said, Download this guy, this is your music. I downloaded “Uptown. Funk”. It sounded like they locked up tower of power and Morris day in the time in the studio and let them go crazy 24 K Magic had a strong Roger Troutman and Zapp, big synth groove. It’s a reminder that a big part Music is having FUN. And this music is big fun.
Just for our education... Why you can't say that type of information on a video? Or you just mean that you didn't notice that when you were recording it? Great video, by the way!
I think he couldn't say it because that is giving credit to Mr. Talkbox and i believe Bruno bought all royalities and owns Mr. Talkbox's intro. Something shady like that, idk
WOW FUNK DAY.... I don't know about everyone else you checks out your TH-cam channel, but I would really like to see you cover more music like this. This song in particular during last summer was blaring from every car at the intersection, hahaha .It's undeniable.
His music made an impression on me a while back as in I noticed him and listened to him when he was being interviewed or songs on the radio. I like the raw uncomplicated but very ingenious and well produced sound he has even though I am not really a fan. If I were given tickets to his gig, I'd definitely go.
His previous hit in 2014, "Uptown Funk", sounds reminiscent of a post-disco tune produced in 1980/1981. Moreover, "24K Magic" sounds produced in 1983 minus being saturated in reverb and AMS digital delay.
Rick you blew my mind that you can actually get Max stems - and I found them! What a gold mine to understand how intricate the production and arrangement really is. Understand that there may be copyright issues but think there is some really good lessons to be learnt here if you would be so kind as to expand on them. One thing that struck me from the Max stems (and I got all the ariana tracks) was the rhythm section. Specifically how much attention to detail there is on creating rhythm through everything but the instruments. Two things jump out (1) Use of distortion/saturation/lofi (on everything) but more specifically as a way to either accent rhythmic elements with more high frequency content or as a way to extend tails of hits too accentuate the groove (2) related, but the use of reverb tails in a rhythmic way to reinforce the groove. This reverb point is actually true of all instruments. The other thing that struck me as you alluded to way the amount of un-heard sounds that play a key role mainly in reinforcing groove. Anyway would be great to hear more on these points as I see them as the icing that takes your production from a 9 to an 11! Thanks and great vids!
Oh man, I love it, super funky! I never really paid any attention to Bruno Mars until I saw him and Mark Ronson perform Uptown Funk on SNL. Just blew me away! You should do a video on the Janelle Monae song "Make Me Feel." It's a clear homage to Prince, and has some pretty cool production elements that would be fun to explore
Hello Rick, I would like to let you know that the vocals in the beginning of 24k Magic is a talkbox likely used with a moog styled synth. His production pays homage to the stylings of Zapp and Roger who frequently made funk music using the Talkbox as their instrument. That also inspired many songs in the westcoast hip-hop scene and many songs of the G-Funk era. Just thought I should point that out since that sound is very unique to it. Yes you can replicate it with a sawtooth based vocoder but its not the same. As always love your videos and keep up the good work.
I don't hear a sweep but I do hear the pitch variation each iteration. If it is programmed makes it pretty realistic or else it is indeed and live scratch edited.
That was great advice about understanding how the production is focused (in the Max Martin pieces especially) and the sophistication of techniques and methods is something young producers need to search out, which is why I tell everybody about your channel, as if offers to only theory, arranging, from the engineering/producer view (and playing) matrix (I know of at a high pro level). Great as always.
@@kbg12ila lots of pop musician co-produce their songs and their involvement range can be so minimal they just want their name on it. Well Bruno is probably better than most pop musician so his involvement can be up to 30%. But pop singers like Beyonce, claim that they produce, write, compose, their songs while probably she only involved in 1% of those.
@@ggh_-ts6pn Beyonce definitely doesn't write songs. She may add in a word or two but that's about it lol. I didn't know until just recently but Bruno is part of a production group that produced and wrote music years before he even appeared on a song as a singer. Plus you can find pop artists who write their own music. For example Jessie J and Carly Rae Jepsen and with them you know it's mostly their work, because their signature writing style becomes clear.
For real I hope you do more break downs like this. I do this myself, but it's nice seeing someone of your caliber sort it out. Especially when you go through the stems like this. Thanks for your work Rick! Peace
This is wonderful, Rick. I'd kill to get my hands on a session like that just to see what they did in terms of the arrangement and mixing (although I'm guessing a lot of the processing was done during recording/with hardware). It's amazing that you got your hands on them and I'm so grateful you are willing to share them with us :)
Question: I have an Beatles anthology and it has studio outtakes that lead up to the final tracks in various stages of development. In several songs a que track is revealed, sometime just a simple sustained chord root tone and or Goerge Martin counting off bar numbers that lead up a section change. Do you have any videos that deal with studio techniques that shed light on how to lay out a click track or arrangement track . I struggle with putting form to my recordings so they end up being just extended jam. I seem to need a framework that guides my playing because I suck at counting bars while I playing. Can you help?
I never thought of alternating between one kick drum forward, and the second kick in reverse to get an Old school, hip-hop “scratch” sound before. I’m excited to try this!
When I first hear this song I was like holy crap so funky Bruno Mars. I knew it was a simple track but just enough to keep it sounding full and fresh. Thanks for the in depth review of it.
To me the genius of this song is in recognizing the potential of taking an old genre like 80's synth funk and attempting to bring it back full force with modern tools, top notch production techniques, and arrangement sensibilities. Thanks for the in depth analysis.
Unit27 The 80’s are back thanks to 24k Magic. Makes me want to dance instead of being violent.
@@mumra100
Plkm see
You can tell this guy is really passionate as a producer and has mad experience.
Every musician eventually reaches the stage where they're humbled by the quality of most pop songs (or at least they should for the sake of growing as an artist). The EQ work and transient control in this track is just phenomenal.
I agree! Apart from being a great song (I'm biased of course) it is well mixed and mastered.
But the drums would sound SO much better if played by a human. Other than that impossible-to-understand decision I agree with you.
I think it's a matter of opinion. I think it sounds great; it's it's own sound. It's how the producers wanted to sculpt the song - nothing wrong with that. Heck, it won a grammy!
But we're talking about music designed to make people dance. No programmed beat can make people move better than a living breathing human drummer. I guess that's my opinion. But all the great live music is played with a band for a reason.
The fact it won a grammy or was a hit carries no weight with me as far as that goes. I guess I could rephrase my comment to say "I can't believe people have such poor taste to choose programmed drums over a human when they have their choice of some of the best drummers in the world within 20 miles".
Matt Markus What exactly are you listening for to tell rather or not the drums were programmed?
The vocal parts are just insane. HOW HE/They arranged it and made all the dope effects. It’s insane how everything goes together so well
What a brilliant song arrangement. Most of the arrangements of his songs took into account a live show feel. A lot of dynamics in the song. Every second of the song teases the listeners emotion. You don't find an artist like Bruno often. Amazing lyricist, song producer, a vocal like no other, an amazing dancer, charismatic and powerful showmanship.
Well you can hate on pop music all you want, but man the production quality is always outstanding, even in the Disney kids songs, I always find them so clean... thanks Rick, you should post more vids like this for us "bedroom producers".
I think the problem people have with modern pop is that it's the producer you never see who is the one with all the amazing talent, and not the person you see singing and dancing on stage. What I want to know is how can you play this live? Are his concerts not what we would call "live"?
Mister Knight Owl Bruno Mars also produces all his songs.
He's one of the rare cats that do. Which is why he's good and one of the few pop stars I can listen to, although I will admit I liked it better when it was called Morris Day and the Time lol...
No joke, i listened to 6 hours of kidz bop solely for the quality of how they reproduce songs. All the production and musicianship is so good
@@misterknightowlandco The singer is what brings songs to life. I LOVE tf out of pop music instrumentals (Into You by Ariana Grande is probs top pick) but the songs wouldn't translate well without a sung melody unless you were into instrumental music (that isn't classical, jazz, or of the "chill" genre)
Bruno Mars is out of this world. His productions are always fun. This was interesting to watch. TY!
“Hi everyone, I’m Sick Beato!”
Hope you get your voice back
Much love
The drums were actually played live in the studio. there's an interview that bruno did with 60 Minutes, where he demonstrated how the song was made.
I was gonna say, those hi hats sound pretty realistic for a drum machine heh
It is a technique called replacement. They play the grooves live then replace the sounds in session.
@@unvox most of the times they reenforce them
Was gonna say I thought he played drums on it, maybe replaced or reinforced with samples, or just heavily produced. The kick definitely has a sample attached. Either way I really love Bruno Mars' music. He writes GREAT pop songs, with a lot of musicality, great arrangements... and he has a great live band. I almost feel a bit like he's a bit of a modern day Prince or Michael Jackson.
This is a great example of how simple pop music is but the production that goes into these songs are what make then as big as they are. It's not about making "good" music now it's about keeping the listener entertained with things they don't notice unless they look for them. Pop producers are the best producers out there.
Twitch really helps with learning pop/rab production. Kenny beats, DECAP, monte booker, Mike Dean, and Timbo are all very generous with the education aspect. Love your channel i can’t wait to learn from the Beato book as well !
This is more useful than any production classes I had at Berklee...
@@brianabraham4965 you can learn a lot of things at Berklee, but production classes are often not very practical, all depends on the professor.
@@sparklesbarbapapa5332 Oh . Thanks for the Info.
Videos like this and the "What Makes This Song Great" series are quickly making you one of my favorite people to watch on youtube. Thank you, and please never stop
Kasey Jaymes Sanchez SAME SAME SAME SAME SAME I
agreed!
Bruno's real secret is that he hasn't forgotten the value of soul. He's not trying to be hip hop, or saccharine pop , rather, he reaches back to soul and funk in the flavor of Midnight Star, The Time, Zapp, Ohio Players, etc. Today's artists are afraid of that.
Amen
YES!
My favourite album of late 2016-2017. So well produced, all of the songs sounds so fresh, new, modern with that old school flavor to them. And the vocals of Bruno... nothing to add...
What a great vid. Everything has it's place and there's no unnecessary filler. And it sounds bigger for that exact reason.
Thanks Rick!
RoyaltyProductionsDA Yes true, there's some errors. It's definitely a talk box and scratch effect as you say. I have both a talk box and melodyne, so you're definitely right about that.
Think the main point is still true. There's very little in the mix. Which is probably why each sound can have a full range of frequencies and not be filtered or blended with layers, because they don't need to be. A few instruments that are powerful making a bigger sound than more instruments would.
A lot of the sound is in the arrangement of course, and that's also simple. A huge part of a mix is the arrangement.
A bit harsh. I and I suspect others have learned loads from Rick's youtube channel. Remember this was a quick 10 minute vid and he gave props to the producers. He definitely knows what he's talking about.
Mark C he could talk a lot in 10min. Some moments in the video he didn't know what to talk about or how to explain why something sound good. It was a weak video the one with link park music was better.
its
It's not a sidecompression. It's a bend down. Sidechain compression doesn't change the pitch by default.
More pop production! More pop production!
i writte music for 40 musicians... recorded at abbey roads... and this open my eyes to the sonic quality of pop production.... eyes opening...
I love watching people break down songs into the original stems and talk about them, and you my friend have done a fantastic job at that 👍
this beat is fantastic, like its got a great groove with lots of little details, but it leaves plenty of room for the star of the show to have the spotlight. i dont know of many other pop performers in this decade that could fill Mars' role in this tune
So happy to see you doing pop record analysis. In my opinion, and as you pointed out, the records are often put together using top notch production techniques. And also, the performers who are as talented as Bruno really prove pop artists can be astounding in what they’re laying down on those tracks.
It's not a backwards drums it's a scratched kick drum that Dj's have been doing since early hip hop ...Lot's of Keyboards and DAWs have samples of that sound.... What Bruno has done is marry a little bit of old school Funk, R&B mixed with contemporary hip hop and swag.. It's a form of genius to take so few elements and create a hit !
Bruno mars has the talent to write crazy pop songs people love and the chops to do so much more if he decided to. So much respect.
I've watched hundreds of music production videos on youtube, but this is by far the clearest and most concise video that i have seen! Thank you so much!
24K Magic is such a great song! Thanks for doing this Rick!
I always thought that the instrumental 24k sounded so simple and yet so intricate at the same time. I can really hear every part of the track
Thank you Rick for this series, so much value!
Just loving it! Amazing how to understand better and greatly appreciate the production of a great hit. I admire this guy! Thank you very much for the educational experience!
Rick! Agreed that this song sounds great. Production is awesome. Thank you for breaking it down man!
legendary production
Rick you are so freakin awesome for breaking this down! Much appreciated! Your channel deserves all the growth it gets!
Im more into electronic music but i love watching this kind of videos, i actually admire pop producers and i allways try to follow their tips, i specially love how they arrange.
That “auto tune” melodyne/vocoder sound is actually a talkbox. Popularized by Roger Troutmans biggest songs like “Computer Love” and “More Bounce to the Ounce”. On Bruno Mars’ song, That’s Mr. Talkbox singing through a straw. The synth is coming through a speaker on the floor in the box and every note is played on the keyboard. Vocoder has a similar effect but is not designed the same. Vocoder is poly based and talkboxes sound better mono.
Iam 7evin Yes! A talkbox has a speaker that plays the synth through the tube and into your mouth. This allows you to move your mouth and control the formants of the sound just like you use your mouth to make different vowel sounds. The sound comes from your mouth and is picked up by a microphone just like you are singing.
Luke Fair right. I think he knew he just couldn’t say it here. I own several and love them to death
He does know. He answered this in another comment. Just as you said, he couldn’t mention it in the video.
Iam 7evin you beat me to this. I cringe when this gets mixed up. 💯
Correct bruno said himself that mr talkbox did it. Melodyne can do cool stuff but it’s not a talkbox
Great video and interesting to hear the isolated tracks! Although the intro is actually played on a talk box (performed by Mr Talk Box). Would you mind sharing where you got the tracks? Have been a big fan of yours and the channel!
Exactly my question. How did u get separated tracks ahhhhhh!!!!!!
me too!
ricks num 1 quest...he never reveals this info but a lot of guesses! lol
I've had some lessons at sound engineering school with a producer/production magazine owner etc. and he had lots of DAW sessions for famous songs. He told us it's just stuff producers share with each other, impossible to get if you're not "in the business".
I love your videos too... Holistic Songwriting
THANK YOU for these break-downs! Actually hearing each track separated is amazing, great explanation too.
This is one of the best videos I’ve ever seen on yt! Awesome content!
Thank you!
Those layers makes this song colorful. Thanks Rick!
I swear you make the best videos about music production. I hope for more pop/hip hop/funk stuff in the future!
OMG those vocals.
The effect sends and cuts are so tight, it's amazingly done.
Really like the speed at which you explain it all and keep the interest onwards. Respect! I am watching you from now on. Hats off to Bruno Mars too... Thanks mate. Keep it all coming.
Amazing video, as always!
and you too
You are killing it with your latest vids, I love how you explain stuff and the fact you have the original stems of tracks to talk about them, thanks man what an awesome job you are doing here!
Why you think so?
Great video! Great production! When everything has been though through there is enough space for every element. No tracks fighting in the same frequency ranges.
So glad I ran across you, I'm always trying to decipher what's going on in good sounding R&B production, especially bass and kick and you hear and understand it all. Awesome dude, Thanks
Thank you Rick...this video was awesome!!!
Rick,Thanks for doing the analysis of Bruno Mars. I got turned on to him by my daughter. I was working out when I got a Txt from her. It said, Download this guy, this is your music. I downloaded “Uptown. Funk”. It sounded like they locked up tower of power and Morris day in the time in the studio and let them go crazy 24 K Magic had a strong Roger Troutman and Zapp, big synth groove. It’s a reminder that a big part Music is having FUN. And this music is big fun.
rick this is an absolute Gem thank you for sharing these not easily obtainable tracks
Honestly, I hope you do A LOT more pop track reviews like this. I love them!
The intro isn't melodyne or a vocoder, it's a talkbox, I'm pretty sure.
It is Mr. TalkBox (Byron Chambers) but I couldn’t say it in the video.
Just for our education... Why you can't say that type of information on a video? Or you just mean that you didn't notice that when you were recording it? Great video, by the way!
Redza yes it is
I think he couldn't say it because that is giving credit to Mr. Talkbox and i believe Bruno bought all royalities and owns Mr. Talkbox's intro. Something shady like that, idk
It's not shady if everyone agrees
WOW FUNK DAY.... I don't know about everyone else you checks out your TH-cam channel, but I would really like to see you cover more music like this. This song in particular during last summer was blaring from every car at the intersection, hahaha .It's undeniable.
Love how you try and say how simple everything is when it actually sounds really full and progressive
Magnificent production
His music made an impression on me a while back as in I noticed him and listened to him when he was being interviewed or songs on the radio. I like the raw uncomplicated but very ingenious and well produced sound he has even though I am not really a fan. If I were given tickets to his gig, I'd definitely go.
andyracksthecams YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY GO TO ONE OF HIS SHOWS IT'S WORTH IT I PROMISE
I’m a huge fan of this tune thanks Rick! Wish I could dissect any tune like this!
Sorry man, I didn't get it?
❤️🎉 Love how you unpack and walk us through these tracks!
I so appreciate your open mindedness to all different styles, cheer!
His previous hit in 2014, "Uptown Funk", sounds reminiscent of a post-disco tune produced in 1980/1981. Moreover, "24K Magic" sounds produced in 1983 minus being saturated in reverb and AMS digital delay.
This was SUPER INTERESTING RICK!! The video felt short to be honest. I'd love to see you breaking down these high end production music more!
If I play too much of the song it gets taken down. Sorry!
Rick Beato No, what I meant is the actual video length. Your break down. Just couldn't get enough of it ☺
Oh sorry! Haha!
Rick Beato 😊
Rick you blew my mind that you can actually get Max stems - and I found them! What a gold mine to understand how intricate the production and arrangement really is. Understand that there may be copyright issues but think there is some really good lessons to be learnt here if you would be so kind as to expand on them.
One thing that struck me from the Max stems (and I got all the ariana tracks) was the rhythm section. Specifically how much attention to detail there is on creating rhythm through everything but the instruments.
Two things jump out (1) Use of distortion/saturation/lofi (on everything) but more specifically as a way to either accent rhythmic elements with more high frequency content or as a way to extend tails of hits too accentuate the groove (2) related, but the use of reverb tails in a rhythmic way to reinforce the groove. This reverb point is actually true of all instruments.
The other thing that struck me as you alluded to way the amount of un-heard sounds that play a key role mainly in reinforcing groove.
Anyway would be great to hear more on these points as I see them as the icing that takes your production from a 9 to an 11! Thanks and great vids!
Thank you for all the great lessons! I have learned a lot from you and i'm very appreciative!
Rick, thank you so much for taking the effort to do this.
Oh man, I love it, super funky! I never really paid any attention to Bruno Mars until I saw him and Mark Ronson perform Uptown Funk on SNL. Just blew me away! You should do a video on the Janelle Monae song "Make Me Feel." It's a clear homage to Prince, and has some pretty cool production elements that would be fun to explore
Hello Rick, I would like to let you know that the vocals in the beginning of 24k Magic is a talkbox likely used with a moog styled synth. His production pays homage to the stylings of Zapp and Roger who frequently made funk music using the Talkbox as their instrument. That also inspired many songs in the westcoast hip-hop scene and many songs of the G-Funk era. Just thought I should point that out since that sound is very unique to it. Yes you can replicate it with a sawtooth based vocoder but its not the same. As always love your videos and keep up the good work.
Totally synth with a Talkbox pedal - not a vocoder
It's Byron Chambers. Mr. Talkbox
People don't know much about the talkbox, they always think its vocoder, but it's sounds diffrent
LOVE Zapp and Roger, I don't why I didn't notice the similarity immediately. My little girls go around singing "More Bounce to the Ounce!"
Love Bruno’s music. THANK YOU for videos like this!
Thank you again Rick. This is the best TH-cam channel ever.
The backward kick drum sounds more like a DJ scratch to me
It’s alternating forwards and backwards kick drum’s with a filter sweep which makes it sound like scratching
Ah that's cool.. okay thanks for clarifying .
I don't hear a sweep but I do hear the pitch variation each iteration.
If it is programmed makes it pretty realistic or else it is indeed and live scratch edited.
Yuh, it's (baby) scratching. If it ain't, it's a needlessly complicated and very realistic simulation :).
Most Dj scratch’s are at where a kick hits which is how you get the effect.
Al Pacino's cousin deconstructing 24 Karat Magic!
I love this!
That was great advice about understanding how the production is focused (in the Max Martin pieces especially) and the sophistication of techniques and methods is something young producers need to search out, which is why I tell everybody about your channel, as if offers to only theory, arranging, from the engineering/producer view (and playing) matrix (I know of at a high pro level). Great as always.
These videos are fantastic! The production is looking great Rick =)
This is a real Masterclass production lesson 🌈🙏🏻💥
Thank you so much
Please Make More Vid like this with Pop Music 🙏🏾
i feel so smart after watching this. this channel sure put me into creative mode, thanks a lot! subscribing!!
I liked the video a lot because that was practical and your comments made the real difference. Thanks.
I would love to see more like this one.
Thanks!
I saw an episode of 60 minutes, maybe E.T., and Bruno basically broke 24k down and how it was created. The creative process is amazing.
That’s the thing about Bruno and a lot of pop artists they play to make people move and groove and feel something not just show musical gymnastics
Onix Junes Do you mean Bruno's and other pop artist producers? Its not the artists, its the producers
@@ggh_-ts6pn Well Bruno is a producer.
@@kbg12ila lots of pop musician co-produce their songs and their involvement range can be so minimal they just want their name on it. Well Bruno is probably better than most pop musician so his involvement can be up to 30%. But pop singers like Beyonce, claim that they produce, write, compose, their songs while probably she only involved in 1% of those.
@@ggh_-ts6pn Beyonce definitely doesn't write songs. She may add in a word or two but that's about it lol. I didn't know until just recently but Bruno is part of a production group that produced and wrote music years before he even appeared on a song as a singer. Plus you can find pop artists who write their own music. For example Jessie J and Carly Rae Jepsen and with them you know it's mostly their work, because their signature writing style becomes clear.
@@ggh_-ts6pn30%? there ain't no production if the song isn't written bud.
Great video - thank you, Rick! Once every decade or so we get someone as great as Bruno Mars.
For real I hope you do more break downs like this. I do this myself, but it's nice seeing someone of your caliber sort it out. Especially when you go through the stems like this. Thanks for your work Rick! Peace
Can you do some New Jack Swing production in the future? Thank you in advance, I appreciate it.
Bo88y Beretta This is basically New Jack Swing. According to Teddy Riley of course. lol
It’s a talkbox
This is wonderful, Rick. I'd kill to get my hands on a session like that just to see what they did in terms of the arrangement and mixing (although I'm guessing a lot of the processing was done during recording/with hardware). It's amazing that you got your hands on them and I'm so grateful you are willing to share them with us :)
It's a great service to put subtitles in Spanish, even if it's Argentinian Spanish. Muchas gracias Rick!
Question: I have an Beatles anthology and it has studio outtakes that lead up to the final tracks in various stages of development. In several songs a que track is revealed, sometime just a simple sustained chord root tone and or Goerge Martin counting off bar numbers that lead up a section change. Do you have any videos that deal with studio techniques that shed light on how to lay out a click track or arrangement track . I struggle with putting form to my recordings so they end up being just extended jam. I seem to need a framework that guides my playing because I suck at counting bars while I playing. Can you help?
This video shows what a masterpiece this song "24k Magic" track is 🎉🔥🙌🏾 From vocals to beats.
What's the Max Martin track though?
Ikr?
Oh, and the Max Martin track is called "Into You." It's by Ariana Grande.
I was looking for a channel like yours for a big while! Thank you!
genius!
sounds so easy to do
amazing how you have all the tracks
This song is like Zapp & Roger pure 80s funk
Where do you get the individual tracks?
That was so good!!! Lots of knowledge in this short video here!! Thank you!!
Have to say I love listening to recording breakdowns and that these sound engineers are going to the trouble of revealing this to us... thanks Rick.
Talkbox not vocoder. Great vid!
Rick where do you get all the masters from. Love the Vlogs. Are we to think you have some great producer friends in your Little Black Book! lol
there was a remix competition for this one
Yes Rick where and how do you get the tracks?
I never thought of alternating between one kick drum forward, and the second kick in reverse to get an Old school, hip-hop “scratch” sound before. I’m excited to try this!
When I first hear this song I was like holy crap so funky Bruno Mars. I knew it was a simple track but just enough to keep it sounding full and fresh.
Thanks for the in depth review of it.
I believe Bruno recorded pretty much the whole thing himself
OMG! Where did you get the multitracks for this song?
They leaked. You can find the stems on google
Clifford LeDuc Vaillancourt wow
@@clifftonl-vuitton2770 Nothing teaches production technique better than multi-tracks! Know any other great song to check out multi track?
Love this Production Techniques video, Rick! I would love to see more videos like this!
Cheers!
This song is heaven i was so good listening to the isolated stems. Amazing. And Into You wow.
That's Mr. Talkbox on the intro. No vocoder or melodyne
I can’t say that or the title in the description.
haha okay, I understand. A lot of times people has mistaken Mr. Talkbox intro with autotune/melodyne... great analysis btw! I love your channel
I just wanted to see if anyone said it before me. That Talkbox is the truth!
where did you get the individual tracks ?
the same question... where it is from :-O ???
This was absolutely fascinating learning about the techniques! Thank you so much!!!
The use of panning and arrangements creating tension is on next level for the pros