Analyzing Björk's HUNTER - It took me MONTHS to get this beat right | Drum Patterns Explained

We picked apart the beat of Björk's Hunter - a true 909 classic programmed by techno pioneer Mark Bell (LFO) that took the iconic drum machine to its limits. Find out what's so special about this rhythm and how to recreate it in our newest episode of "Drum Patterns Explained"!

Featured drum patterns (transcriptions available on Patreon):
Björk - Hunter

Gear used:
Squarp Hapax
D16 Drumazon
Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32
One Goat

#909 #drummachine #analysis #musicanalysis #musicproduction #beatmaking #beatmaker #björk #bjork #drumpattern #electronicmusic

0:00 Introduction
0:39 Pattern 1
5:50 Pattern 2
6:05 Captain Pikant goes a little off the rails (a.k.a. "The 909 Murder Mystery")
9:47 Easy solutions for modern sequencers
13:20 The Other Patterns
13:41 End Jam

Produced by Jean-Claude Dirckx and Sophie Hoppstädter

[Fauxleroid]

It was probably a 909 sequenced using a Notron hardware sequencer (it looked like a toilet seat). They were using that quite a bit while making this album. I know this for a fact as I visited him at his friend Richards studio in Wakefield during the time of the sessions where I heard some rough mixes. He was using a lot of pro tools audio editing at the time too as this was a new technique to old school technoheads. We we all using AtariST machines a lot up until this point. Ideas were recorded live without sequencing then edited into form.
It’s also worth mentioning that Bjork doesn’t get enough credit for the musical ideas. She knew how to use all the gear. Mark was in absolute awe of her.

[twoeggcups]

Mark Bell did so many brilliant tunes. Absolutely love Homogenic. RIP Mark.

[edsohovocals]

This must be one of the most in depth dissections of one of the most complex rhythms ever. And it's so simply and professionally presented. Just wow.

[neniv]

Homogenic was an album so far ahead of it's time. A genuine masterpiece of music.

[alecchase]

This is minimalist sound design 101. By lowering the amount of sounds on display, but ramping up dynamics, it does a lot to draw the listener in as they can hear the evolution of a few basic sounds. Love it.

[odesseus]

Hunter is an amazing song. I have to admit I never realized how amazing the drums were (though I thoroughly appreciated them). Thanks for this!

[philhasacomputer]

i also tried to rebuild that pattern in VCV ... after a few days I gave up. I thought I'am too stupid ... but you showed me, no Im not too stupid ... Mark Bell is just too brilliant!

really really really thanks for that tutorial and transcription. this is mind blowing for me!

[MrSkelleteen]

I love videos analyzing Björk songs. A lot of people don't understand the technical or structural aspect of her stuff and this explains everything very detailed. Thank you for this. ⚡️

[christianwheeler]

I've been chasing this drum beat since I first heard it all those years ago. This is amazing.

[chriskelvin]

I always assumed the “ghost kicks” were simply a function of a delay effect.

[KarmaPaymntPlan]

Your transcription of this absolutely deserved a video.
Top tier

[beetheimmortal]

It's amazing how many sounds he managed to make with just two instruments.

[michaelmann]

Absolutely beautiful. "Hunter" just gives me the chills every time I listen to it.

[Waevform]

Wow this was so informative! I’m totally ignorant to drum machines but this was fascinating as a Bjork fan

[escengn]

I'm a huge bjork fanboy, with some musical background. going into the vid, i was a little worried you were gonna break the magic, but no. it's super deep. and i love it all the more now.

[sub-jec-tiv]

The triplet fill is a hook. Bell was a genius.

[albertpauw]

What an effort figuring this one out. Well done! 😊

[KarlSadler]

Wow, that was peak nerdyness and ticked all kinds of boxes, well done!!!

[kablehead]

Björk and Mark Bell are both geniuses.

[etainafuzz]

That beat has always stumped me on parts of it as to how it was done. Thanks for the excellent explanation (and work to dissect it!)