Yeah, I always think about this. The best example of this kind of thing (although the genre is totally different) is "Painkiller" by Judas Priest, their 10th album, released in their 21st year of career. The true epitome of heavy metal, at least for me.
While they haven’t had much great stuff in a long while, like them or hate them, you also have to marvel at U2 releasing Joshua tree as their 5th album and Achtung Baby as their 7th. Both those albums are insane and totally different.
@ Taylor Swift is mainstream but I don’t see that as inherently genius. You think the genius of producing a song is more ingenious than the genius of writing it?
@@GodsRockstarMusic Oh I totally agree. It took both or even all of them to create genius which is why I just don't understand (and frankly grow a little tired of) all this Alan Wilder fanboying that's going on everywhere.
This is splendid. I do all the programming for Depeche Mode Tribute The Devout. This bass line is a massively iconic part of Depeche’s legacy and the right filter behaviour makes it or breaks it. To show this technique applied on other modular / semi modular synths is a very clever idea. A joy to watch.
Alan Wilder was such a huge part of Depeche Mode's distinctive sound - he would spend hours in the studio essentially co-producing their albums while the other three were off elsewhere. They've had a few tracks I like since he left, but he definitely added a lot to the basic demos that Martin Gore would present the band with. That's not to lessen the importance of Martin, as he clearly was the most important in creating the foundations of the songs.
I miss his Recoil music. I was great, hearing his sound and production, but applied in such a different style and technique. He really made almost cinematic music, if that makes any sense.
@@nobel11 I have very frequently imagined Recoil tracks as a soundtrack for a movie. Think of “Drifting” as an establishing shot over the ocean as a plane or helicopter approaches the city at night… just exquisite.
I have so much emotional baggage tied up with Depeche Mode's music that even hearing this baseline makes me anxious. You just cant credit how good it really is. Was a very big part of my life. Cheers Alex
That whole album is a Masterpiece! My daughter who is 16, just got me a t-shirt with that album logo for my birthday, she knows I like this album so much.
I guess it's a love song? I've always found it to be more of a song about returning to what's essential and beyond the endless chatter that we feel compelled to fill the "dead air" that is actually fully alive with potential
i will never forget when my dad first played this record for me. my head just about exploded during the intro of world in my eyes. talk about kicking off an album! still my favorite song and favorite record of all time
00:20 "In 1989 Depeche Mode were still wearing leather and bondage gear." :) My favorite electronic pop music of all time. Saw them live on these classic 80s albums, they were stunning live at the time. Their combination of songwriting and sound design is just unmatched, especially their 80s albums. Thanks for the video!! Really fun!!
WOW! As you said, many, many variables, but: This definitely is essentially it. To be able to recreate this from scratch takes some serious skill even if you have the right synth. Thanks for showing!!! I have been loving this bass line for... well... since it was released 😅
There are a million cover versions out there. But this one just made me smile from start to end. And thanks for the rundown of the bass - it's so simple and yet so spectacularly effective!
I really love how you demonstrated the patch on multiple synthesizers. It really highlights how unique each one is. Would be interested in that as a recurring series of videos. Cheers
Yeah that's a great trick. Mixing different CV sources is one of the best things about modular, and multiple envelopes/LFOs etc can really make sounds come alive. Amazing work here! 👌
Fantastic video sir. As a synth-noob I get a lot of value out of this type of video. As you said, I don't really care about recreating this song, but learning the techniques and theories of how to arrive at this sound is super beneficial to me at this point. Thank you Alex, top shelf fren. BTW, your cover is amazing.
Enjoy The Silence is my all-time favorite song. Recreating the bass was already such a feat but recreating the beat part at 7:40-7:44 is incredible. I am a musician and I could never replicate that like you have. Well done ! :)
The bass / filter sequencing on Violator is absolutely fab. My favourites: the intro sequences to „Halo“ and „World in my eyes“, which I made my ringtone decades ago.
This song (and album) has been a staple for me and I have never even considered how the sound of the iconic bass line was created. I shared it with my old band mates and friends from that great time in DM music. Thanks for all you do!
So cool, this was very interesting. Love seeing these incredible songs broken down and how they were made. Violator really sparked my interest and love for Depeche Mode and also helped me get through some dark times.
I was 6 or 7 years old when the big brother of my neighbour , buy this album on his brand new Phillips CD player and hifi system and jesus , i love every track of this album it was a huge sonic shock when i listen to this almost day one of the release, it became a massive hit !
What a classic song, I just love this song, amazing melody. It's a quite odd song when you break down but a classic. That guitar line is just pure gold, I just can't get enough of it and I've heard it a thousand times.
This is Awesome!!! Please do more Depeche Mode videos, so many iconic sounds that were so innovative at the time, and still sound great! Very nice cover version and vocals!
All your videos show the quality of the work you put into each release. You articulate and present the subject and the technical background well, but I also really like your humour! I really respect and appreciate your channel! Thank you!
I remember when this was released and holy fuck from the first second of listening to the album me and my mate were just absolutely stunned with how brilliant it was - and still is.
Love these deconstruction type uploads. It kinda reminds me of "Jim Pavloff's Making of "The Prodigy - Smack My Bitch Up" in Ableton", showing where Liam got his samples from and how he used them for the final mix. Brilliant stuff!
Beyond amazing. Enjoyed it to the max! Everything from the explanations, the story behind it (and the research behind it) the extremely professional video production going on and the fantastic cover at the end! Really appreciate the work put into all these videos. And the fact that they still are done in such a relaxed and often with a blink in the eye kind of way! Top notch!
Great upload and rendition!. The bass synth in Halo is similar but darker . "You wear guilt, like shackles on your feet, like a Halo in reverse" Intro gives me chills even now 34 years later!!
Sometimes, from listening to a song so many times, you suddenly stop really listening to it. That's what happened to me with Enjoy the Silence. But when, for some reason, you pay attention to it, you realize that it's a great song that has even made me shed a few tears.
Alan Wilder does not get enough praise! He was a cornerstone for the band at the time! Also, a super nice guy! I was lucky enough to chat with him on "music for the masses" tour
Just goes to show what absolute masters of the artform they are and were even in the early days. You don't last 40 years as a band if you aren't doing something very very right 👍
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Yeah, I said Ga-han instead of Gawn. I do apologise. You live and learn.
Anyway, hope you enjoy the video.
Think of the old joke:
What do you call a pop star whose friends keep disappearing?
Dave Gahan
Words are very unnecessary. They can only do harm.
Do never let me down again next
@@Jay.Ramone 😂
Funny that’s what everyone said here 🇸🇪 in the 80s until we understood differently much much later ☺️
imagine recording your 7th album and still having a banger like this up the sleeve
Right? When he said 7th I couldn’t believe it. Be digging through their records over the weekend!
Be quiet. I’ll be playing them on Spotify.
Yeah, I always think about this. The best example of this kind of thing (although the genre is totally different) is "Painkiller" by Judas Priest, their 10th album, released in their 21st year of career. The true epitome of heavy metal, at least for me.
While they haven’t had much great stuff in a long while, like them or hate them, you also have to marvel at U2 releasing Joshua tree as their 5th album and Achtung Baby as their 7th. Both those albums are insane and totally different.
They got better with each album.
The genius of Alan Wilder never disappoints
He was an absolutely awesome producer but let’s not forget that it was Martin Gore that wrote this masterpiece.
@@titovalasques wouldn't be a household name without Alan's insistence to give it a dance beat and bassline.
@ Taylor Swift is mainstream but I don’t see that as inherently genius. You think the genius of producing a song is more ingenious than the genius of writing it?
@@titovalasques It was a perfect marriage no need to argue jeez great writing AND great production.
@@GodsRockstarMusic Oh I totally agree. It took both or even all of them to create genius which is why I just don't understand (and frankly grow a little tired of) all this Alan Wilder fanboying that's going on everywhere.
This is splendid. I do all the programming for Depeche Mode Tribute The Devout. This bass line is a massively iconic part of Depeche’s legacy and the right filter behaviour makes it or breaks it. To show this technique applied on other modular / semi modular synths is a very clever idea. A joy to watch.
Mod the filter with a Random S/H wave as an alternative. 😆
Long Live The Devout. Cheers
Saw them in Winchester in December, they were bloody brilliant ! Great work sir !
@@delmac060 yeah tried that in the early days but the random filter never opened at the right point. Did it with velocity -> filter in the end.
"The Devout" would be a better name for a Devo tribute band, don't you think? "D-Mode" would work better for Depeche Mode.
Ive got to say, this cover is exquisitely done. Fantastic vocals. Absolutely well done all of you.
🤝
Alan Wilder was such a huge part of Depeche Mode's distinctive sound - he would spend hours in the studio essentially co-producing their albums while the other three were off elsewhere. They've had a few tracks I like since he left, but he definitely added a lot to the basic demos that Martin Gore would present the band with. That's not to lessen the importance of Martin, as he clearly was the most important in creating the foundations of the songs.
Alan Wilder fan boy alert. Like me, too. 😊 But then again... who isn't?
To be fair, Mark Bell also did a fantastic job, just in a rather different style. RIP.
I miss his Recoil music. I was great, hearing his sound and production, but applied in such a different style and technique. He really made almost cinematic music, if that makes any sense.
I agree, I'd love to see him working on something with Atticus Ross & Trent Reznor. Alan & Atticus have much in common imo
@@nobel11 I have very frequently imagined Recoil tracks as a soundtrack for a movie. Think of “Drifting” as an establishing shot over the ocean as a plane or helicopter approaches the city at night… just exquisite.
I have so much emotional baggage tied up with Depeche Mode's music that even hearing this baseline makes me anxious. You just cant credit how good it really is. Was a very big part of my life. Cheers Alex
Many thanks from way over here in smoky California. Dark times over here, but an Alex Ball video is always a bright spot. Never stop!
So sorry to hear about what's going on there, I really hope it's brought under control very soon and you can come together and rebuild.
That whole album is a Masterpiece!
My daughter who is 16, just got me a t-shirt with that album logo for my birthday, she knows I like this album so much.
Wish my tour T-shirt from that tour with the flower in blue hadn't got holes in it from me wearing it as often as possible as a teenager. :))
cool, my daughter (26) has a tattoo of the album cover on "album" leg.
"Enjoy the silence" is probably my favourite love song ever. Thank you and Clemens for that awesome cover! You've made my day.
I agree with you..
I have the 12 inches vinyl with the long version..✌🏻😅
I guess it's a love song? I've always found it to be more of a song about returning to what's essential and beyond the endless chatter that we feel compelled to fill the "dead air" that is actually fully alive with potential
holy cow this is literally my favorite synth bassline of all time thank you so much
i will never forget when my dad first played this record for me. my head just about exploded during the intro of world in my eyes. talk about kicking off an album! still my favorite song and favorite record of all time
That comment makes me feel so old!
Love to know what did the drums on that track 🤔
Started watching for the information, stayed for the cover. Thanks Alex!
Awesome job recreating the bass man! Thanks for taking the time. Superb cover as well guys!
Thank you sir.
Woooh! ! I was only expecting instruments and I'm rewarded with vocals too! Amazing!
Big fan of Clemens. More collaborations please. ❤❤ 🤘🤘 This is one of my favorite covers now. Excellent work guys.
A masterpiece as ever. Great to see Clemens in there, I miss his videos!
"Enjoy the System" was almost worth it for the name alone.
00:20 "In 1989 Depeche Mode were still wearing leather and bondage gear." :) My favorite electronic pop music of all time. Saw them live on these classic 80s albums, they were stunning live at the time. Their combination of songwriting and sound design is just unmatched, especially their 80s albums. Thanks for the video!! Really fun!!
WOW! As you said, many, many variables, but: This definitely is essentially it. To be able to recreate this from scratch takes some serious skill even if you have the right synth. Thanks for showing!!! I have been loving this bass line for... well... since it was released 😅
There are a million cover versions out there. But this one just made me smile from start to end. And thanks for the rundown of the bass - it's so simple and yet so spectacularly effective!
Ah thank you!
Yes, all the parts just work exactly as though they've always been together.
I really love how you demonstrated the patch on multiple synthesizers. It really highlights how unique each one is. Would be interested in that as a recurring series of videos. Cheers
Another fabulous break-down. Thank you.
Clemens is brilliant!
I always love your vocals Alex, but Clemens is amazing on this cover!
He is! My attempt was terrible.
@AlexBallMusic sometimes you gotta know when to fold 'em 😜
Never would have thought to add that flat-envelope filter mod for the click - brilliant!!
Yeah that's a great trick. Mixing different CV sources is one of the best things about modular, and multiple envelopes/LFOs etc can really make sounds come alive. Amazing work here! 👌
Fantastic video sir. As a synth-noob I get a lot of value out of this type of video. As you said, I don't really care about recreating this song, but learning the techniques and theories of how to arrive at this sound is super beneficial to me at this point. Thank you Alex, top shelf fren. BTW, your cover is amazing.
Expertly described as usual, thanks and Happy New year. Brilliant cover at the end Clemens Wenners vocals spot on.
Cheers! And Happy New year to you too.
I was so invested in your fantastic video that I almost forgot I would show up in it! 🤣
Wait, that dude looks familiar?! :)
It's a special day whenever Alex releases a new video. Give this guy an Oscar already!
Love the combination of music history and practical composition/sound design tips, plus the excellent cover version! thank you
this cover is something else man. everything is perfect: from bass to vocals! thank you!
Enjoy The Silence is my all-time favorite song. Recreating the bass was already such a feat but recreating the beat part at 7:40-7:44 is incredible. I am a musician and I could never replicate that like you have. Well done ! :)
The bass / filter sequencing on Violator is absolutely fab. My favourites: the intro sequences to „Halo“ and „World in my eyes“, which I made my ringtone decades ago.
This song (and album) has been a staple for me and I have never even considered how the sound of the iconic bass line was created. I shared it with my old band mates and friends from that great time in DM music. Thanks for all you do!
Welp, here I was for at least a decade or two just certain this was done with a 2600. Excellent information, excellently presented (as always) sir!
So cool, this was very interesting. Love seeing these incredible songs broken down and how they were made. Violator really sparked my interest and love for Depeche Mode and also helped me get through some dark times.
I was 6 or 7 years old when the big brother of my neighbour , buy this album on his brand new Phillips CD player and hifi system and jesus , i love every track of this album it was a huge sonic shock when i listen to this almost day one of the release, it became a massive hit !
Amazing. I love the 80s synth sound and the cover at the end was brilliantly done 🙂
This is amazing, Alex!
Brilliant as always Alex , one of my all time favourite DM tracks
Nicely done sir, you and Clemens nailed it!
Thanks very much!
It's a glorious track. Your cover was great, and love the tutorial. Thank you!
Another excellent cover and another excellent breakdown of the patch design.
My God this is great! ❤ love your version too! 😉 and yes, Violator is a very rare masteriece! I actually had NO idea that was a system 700. 😮
I've adored this track for years and your cover is epic. Brilliant work. Nice vocal too.
What a classic song, I just love this song, amazing melody. It's a quite odd song when you break down but a classic. That guitar line is just pure gold, I just can't get enough of it and I've heard it a thousand times.
Absolutely splendid
I love everything about your content man, please keep making it.
This is Awesome!!! Please do more Depeche Mode videos, so many iconic sounds that were so innovative at the time, and still sound great! Very nice cover version and vocals!
I always love videos showing how classic sounds like this one were made, and you make it very entertaining to watch.
All your videos show the quality of the work you put into each release. You articulate and present the subject and the technical background well, but I also really like your humour! I really respect and appreciate your channel! Thank you!
Cooles Cover you match the sound perfectly ...Chapeau
It has to be one of my top 5 favorite basslines, Killer cover my friend, as always big fan of your content!!
fantastic ! Thank You !
Hello Alex: This bass line is amazing. You have shown what great ears you have. Thank you.
Niiiiiiiiceeee ! ! ! ! I always thought the filtering variation resulted by sample & hold !
An excellent cover of a masterpiece. Nice work.
I remember when this was released and holy fuck from the first second of listening to the album me and my mate were just absolutely stunned with how brilliant it was - and still is.
I've seen so many people try, it's about time I got to see someone succeed. THanks.
Thank you!
Love these deconstruction type uploads.
It kinda reminds me of "Jim Pavloff's Making of "The Prodigy - Smack My Bitch Up" in Ableton", showing where Liam got his samples from and how he used them for the final mix.
Brilliant stuff!
excellent cover of the song on the second half of this illuminating video..
Beyond amazing. Enjoyed it to the max! Everything from the explanations, the story behind it (and the research behind it) the extremely professional video production going on and the fantastic cover at the end!
Really appreciate the work put into all these videos. And the fact that they still are done in such a relaxed and often with a blink in the eye kind of way!
Top notch!
Great upload and rendition!. The bass synth in Halo is similar but darker .
"You wear guilt, like shackles on your feet, like a Halo in reverse"
Intro gives me chills even now 34 years later!!
This is a really excellent reproduction! And that voice really fits well.
THUMBS UP!!! for that whole cover, marvelous!!! I don't know if I have a 'fav' DM song but this is indeed on my list of 10-20 favs of theirs!
I really enjoyed the Enjoy The Silence. Thanks! Great cover, production and awesome vocals too.
Sometimes, from listening to a song so many times, you suddenly stop really listening to it. That's what happened to me with Enjoy the Silence. But when, for some reason, you pay attention to it, you realize that it's a great song that has even made me shed a few tears.
There is something deeply emotional in it isn't there, towards the end - especially live
A friggin epic album! Amazing sound quality. They did a very good job
Another gem of a video.
This track still hasn’t lost it’s charm and significance to the history of electronic music. Thanks for this video. 🙏🏻
Orgogliosamente prodotta in Italia 💙 !!
Great video & cover thank you !!
It's some achievement to do justice to such a wonderful classic song. Well done to both of you
Thank you very much!
Excellent work by both you and Clemens!
History, education, tutorial and absolutely fantastic cover, as alway you deliver!
at the end of the video you did a very good cover of the song! Well done!
Great work Alex.
Alan Wilder does not get enough praise! He was a cornerstone for the band at the time! Also, a super nice guy! I was lucky enough to chat with him on "music for the masses" tour
That's a beautiful rendition you did at the end, and as always, your ability to teach these things is nothing short of phenomenal.
Now that was ace. Loved the cover. Shared and thanks
Great recreation of Enjoy the Silence! Thanks for the awesome video!
Lovely work here, Alex. Cheers!
Love it! Been excited for this since you first mentioned it. My own… personal… favorite on this basically perfect album is Policy of Truth. Cheers!
Cheers! Glad it delivered.
Brilliant and very educational video and VERY EXCELLENT covver of one of the most iconic DM songs ever! Cheerios!!
Another excellent video, Alex! I always look forward to your uploads. Nice cover from you and Clemens too.
Really cool video, thanks so much for sharing. That was quite impressive how you recreated it by ear so well. Excellent!
great cover, nicely done, its got its own flair, very enjoable
Another great informative deconstruct of a truly epic band and track. Yes we adore Depeche Mode. Kudes cover ❤
Thank you so much Alex! I have been trying to nail this sound for ages on my Behringer System 100. Great video to start the year!
Clemens makes awesome covers and partnered with a synth god well that’s made the first week back to work a lot easier!
Excellent work yet again! Even Geert would be proud!
Great info! And really well done on the cover. Loved it.
That channel is fantastic. Love your videos man. That System 700 sounds so good 🥺. That third oscillator though, great catch hehe 👂
Cheers! Yeah, the devil is in the detail with these things.
One of the greatest records ever. Blue dress, the music, the absolutely brilliant lyrics, it’s a masterpiece
Great version...❤
I've always loved that bassline. just so deliciously synthy!
I'd say you bloody nailed it!
Great version guys!
Thankyou Mr Ball and all who contributed. Love this song and really like your cover. I was trying to harmonize to it.
Fantastic thanks a lot! Amazing sound on that guitar as well ❤
Great job with this, love it! (DM fan since 1985)
Just goes to show what absolute masters of the artform they are and were even in the early days. You don't last 40 years as a band if you aren't doing something very very right 👍