Scoring 'COBRA KAI' with Zach Robinson & Leo Birenberg

What do you get when you bring together a 60-piece orchestra, 80's metal guitar, and EDM transition FX? We sat down with #CobraKai composers Zach Robinson and Leo Birenberg to discuss just that! Watch the duo break down one of their favourite cues from the Netflix hit!

#SpitfireAudioAcademy #SpitfireAudio #ScoreBreakdown

00:00 Shred!
00:10 Meet Zach & Leo
00:50 Full Playback
04:22 The Tone of Cobra Kai
06:00 Section 1
13:58 Section 2
17:44 Guitars & Drums
20:15 The Ewi & Metal Guitars
24:30 Pick Your Punches
27:07 Strings
30:10 Synths & Ableton FX
35:41 Headbanging
38:29 Tips Scoring To Picture
40:06 The Finalé
41:59 The Orchestra
42:59 Emphasis
45:22 Thank You

#Netflix #KarateKid #EDM #ScoringToPicture

[soundtreks]

You guys are doing a great job with the series . You’ve embraced the style of the classic franchise but kept it relevant for today

[morganf]

By far my favorite song of the show. So happy to be able to see it broken down

[muziksculpr]

Cool Video, and music. I noticed the left-handed Guitar playing too.

Thanks for sharing.

[JakeCadmus]

Fantastic! I now can’t unsee the DragonBall Z influence when Sam does her “power up” haha.

Also, would love to see a breakdown of the final fight cue from season 3 someday.

[chris]

Nice to see Cubase Pro in action 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[David-yjgg]

This was awesome to watch! Very inspiring 🎉

[tarmaccio]

32:46 Even on Netflix Original Soundtracks KSHMR Impacts are used, i can't even :D

Edit: They're even giving shoutout to him later on. Love it

[J-MLindeMusic]

And of course the guitar is an Ibanez with a color that screams the 80s. Love it!

[twiddlemethumbs]

I’m such a fan of the show and the score. I play it on Spotify all the time lol. One thing I like about it is that characters/dojos are each recognized by different instruments.

- Johnny/Cobra Kai (Season 1 & 2)/Eagle Fang moments usually feature electric guitar. The electric guitar really reflects Johnny’s love for 80s music, and it plays for his dojo as a whole. It’s a stark contrast to the more relaxed sound Danny is given.

- Danny/Miyagi-do focused scenes often feature the Japanese Koto and various flutes—overall, a lot of oriental/Japanese sound textures. It’s really cool. So, even if there’s not always a specific melodic motif, you know that when it switches to a Japanese-inspired sound—something Danny/Mr. Miyagi/Miyagi-do related is being shown or referenced. It helps with a lot of the more subtle nods that only die hard fans of the original trilogy would catch.

- A lot of scenes where Miguel is the main focus feature brass layers. Brass is used in other parts of the score for sure, but they’re given a bigger role and emphasis when Miguel is in the center of the scene.

- I think Robby might be represented by strings. In season 1 (and some of season 2), strings (especially violins) were often featured along with the Danny/Miyagi-do sounds.

- Additionally, in “No Mercy” from the Season 1 soundtrack, when Miguel and Robby are facing each other in the tournament, the brass and violins are almost fighting for dominance throughout the piece—it’s really cool.

There are definitely specific melodic motifs for important elements in the show—but I thought it was cool that it went further than that, and different characters/dojos had their own sounds too.

[howiseetheworlds]

Thats insane breakdown.
The drum groove reminded of Batman:Dark knight returns soundtrack

[gurumajuindonesia]

a project file or midi would be awesome too! .. amazing 5/4 score

[chandeleerjet]

What libraries were they using with the horns and stuff? They didn't show just showed the midi.

[andybullemor-music]

I love Cobra Kai. Please tell me that will be this years competition

[achillesamusic]

30:26 Okay if someone would like to save my time...what's the shortcut to automaticly have the tracks solo by selecting their midi parts like they do ?

[buzzfunk]

Its basically Vince Dicola's Rocky 4 score.

[wojtekkrol]

Film "F" category like the "music" :(

[theboofin]

Good work on the score but Jesus, that show looks awful. Is it a children's series?