Analysis of S6E01: Hybris – "Iceworm" (Metalheadz) Walk-Through

First analysis for Season 6 of Sample Genie.

01:20 – Hybris states he does a lot of resampling over the course of writing a track, says can “reset your brain” in regards to your work

02:20 – Tracks are split in to three main folders, atmos & FX, bass, and drums

03:00 – Looking at the intro
– Hybris mentions Araucann, a 32-bit soft synth VST (€30), Windows only, and more info can be found here: https://iraisynn.attinom.net/?download=araucann&lang=en

03:50 – Looking at PSP N2O multi-effect VST, inserted on the pad track (araucann 01 (R))
– N2O is semi-modular, Hybris tends to use LFOs as the modulator, and the LFOs can be offset between the left & right channels of the sound
– One LFO controlling frequency cutoff of a bandpass filter, another LFO controlling cutoff of a notch

06:40 – Signal routings in N2O

07:00 – N2O as a single source for filter movement of a sound

07:30 – Reverb is the next effect inserted on the track chain

08:40 – Virtual mix rack with a compressor (FET style)
– Slate Digital, says he usually uses some iteration of this mix rack on every track
– Thinks it has a nice, warm sound to it

09:25 – EQ

10:00 – Looking at the fog horn sample
– Similar chain as the pad, but different modulations
– N2O panner making sound go from stereo to mono

11:30 – Usually has reverbs on sends, except when he wants a sound 100% wet

12:30 – Which types of EQs to use when you need precise EQ versus broader EQ

13:40 – Looking at Araucann synth a bit more
– Fog horn sample made via design session, just randomizing parameters

18:00 – Reverse sound FX
– D16 Repeater delay, some reverb

19:20 – Describes his sound design sessions

19:55 – Serum FX and using a MIDI track to trigger the LFO movement on the filter module

21:50 – Advice on letting go of work on ideas
– “Don’t get too personally attached.”

22:50 – Zoom 003 file, a drone-ish foley sound with EQ automation

24:50 – Describes how the most interesting sounds for his work come from unexpected foley sources

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25:15 – Looking at the bass folder

25:20 – HYB_C1_SynthBass7 audio file is the bass hook of the tune
– Originally made in Serum
– One instance of it as start of the tune, in the intro

26:20 – Uses FabFilter Pro-MB to act as a sidechain

26:45 – Wubwub bass happens when the hook does not, and Pro-MB is triggered on the hook by Wubwub, effectively ducking the lowend of the hook’s decay

27:30 – LFOTool on Wubwub triggered by a MIDI track, creates a rhythmic effect on the Wubwub bass

29:10 – Wubwub also has Pro-MB, triggered by the kick

31:45 – Looking at the mix rack on Wubwub, using boosts & cuts

33:15 – Feels that in general, sub basses need some overtones and highs

34:00 – Bass drop audio pitched up to make bass fills for the end of 16-bar sections

34:50 – 2nd drop’s Wubwub is different, the LFOTool’s MIDI trigger notes are slightly different timing, to create a different groove & feel
– Shifted over 1/8th a note

36:30 – Used Serum FX on bass drop, the same as LFOTool would be used

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37:15 – Looking at the drums folder

38:00 – Drumatick VST drum synth
– Tends to use this or Serum to make drums
– Applies the same principle as the bass folder, using LFOTool on drums

40:00 – Filtering on the hats, using LFOTool to make the hats move

41:00 – Breaks layered with synthesized drums

42:00 – Break layer 1 is actually more of a noise effect layered on top of the kick & snare, to make those drums “breathe”. This gives more life & interest to the drums.

44:50 – Talking about using EMU sampler for resampling, processing classic breaks to create newer versions

46:20 – Break layer 4 (Paris break) with LFOTool retriggering, a Slate Digital virtual rack, and Pro-MB ducking the kicks around 400 Hz

49:00 – Break layer 2
– Hybris says he does not use sample packs, so this came from his own collection of sounds
– Used for a lot of drum fills

52:15 – Break layer 3 (Amen break)
– Processed and made mono in the EMU
– A lot of one-off hits, some reversed, and then fills done intermittintly

55:00 – Advice on not worrying about specific frequencies, and not being afraid to try push & pull of boosts & cuts
– “Don’t get bogged down with decisions.”

59:40 – Snare boosted hi’s, but then some low pass applied

1:02:00 – Kick from a break he made, no processing

01:04:00 – Looking at little percussion hits

01:05:30 – The intro beat reuses the main drums, but with N2O applied to them

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THOUGHTS & QUESTIONS
– Originally watched this a week ago, so typing up the notes today made me realize I need to re-watch a few sections