FIRST TIME REACTION to Pentatonix - Daft Punk!  

Don’t worry about posting PTX constantly, that’s not expected of you and if that’s what someone IS expecting they’re asking too much. It’s your channel and you decide what to post and when so I hope you don’t feel too pressured. We’re here for whenever you want to react to PTX!

Ben Bram has been in charge of their production, including arranging and directing from the beginning. He is often referred to as the sixth member. Scott and Kevin are major players in the arrangements, but every member contributes. Also, all members are songwriters for both Pentatonix and their own solo work. Fun fact: Scott, Mitch, and Kirstin are now thirty years old and have been singing together since they were around fifteen. They sang together in high school as The Trio. Recommend their 90s Dance Medley. It has the current bass, Matt, who took over from Avi in 2017. This is their only member change.

As a hard core Pentaholic, let me say that I fully understand and support your style of doing a diverse mix of artists and genres in your reactions. I've been introduced to some amazing artists like Dimash, Morissette, Disturbed, and others that I wouldn't have been exposed to if not for seeing them on a reaction channel that I was drawn to because of Pentatonix. You do you and we can enjoy the ride.

This is the best a cappella arrangement ever made in my opinion. They won their first Grammy for it. It cost them just a few hundred dollars to make and it was filmed in one of their kitchens because their venue let them down at the last minute. They don't record anything that they can't sing live, so they do this one with all the pretend scratches etc live. Watch their recent version of this at the Hollywood Bowl concert.

Yes, it's all a capella. There's a live performance of this filmed in a hospital room with a cell phone. No distracting crowd noise, no makeup or special effects, no instruments, and the audio is virtually identical. The audio was recorded in a closet (for the acoustics). The video was filmed at a kitchen table. The budget was $400, which included the contact lenses, makeup, and a single ring light, plus some software (I think). And it brought them their first Grammy. NARAL had to change a category in order to award that Grammy: "Best Arrangement Instrumental" became "Best Arrangement Instrumental or A Capella."

This was their first Grammy. The Grammy category for best instrumental arrangement was expanded to instrumental or a capella to nominate it. They won again the next year. Pentatonix has always been collaborative in their process of arranging music, since each has unique and expanding skills to contribute, but the man behind the curtain from the beginning is Ben Bram. He encouraged the formation of the group and often polished and formalized the arrangements.

PTX is my antidepressant. So not boring! I listen - and watch - their songs over and over and they engage me every new day. Magic music.

Great reaction! "How did they do this?" and "Let me hear that again" are the correct responses. Kevin and Avi wrote this one. They were in the same apartment at the time and Kevin is a huge Daft Punk fan. The group was running out of money and this was their "hail Mary" shot. They usually jam together to test out the arrangement. I assume Ben Bram tuned up the arrangement. Then they had problems with the studio engagement, so they ended up recording in Kevin and Avi's closet and filming in the kitchen using sheets and an iPad. An adventurous studio did the post processing cheap with the hope of future business. It may have paid off. It's hard to imagine the effort involved in synching up all those multi-box frame cuts and video effects. The cool little jitters and stutters are all in the score, not electronic. They do the same thing live. Yes, Avi is really that low and Mitch is really that high. They'll do video effects all over the place, but the sound has to be authentic with minor tune ups. They used autotune aggressively in one part of their 90's Dance Medley because it was Cher's iconic autotune song. I don't think you can stop recording engineers from tuning up the odd note a few pennies in the current music business.

They’ve mastered this performance live. Check out their newest live performance from their Hollywood Bowl 2022 concert.

The Making of Evergreen video shows some of the creative process behind their music arrangement and recording.

My favorite PTX sing is CAN'T HOLD US because it's fun and shows their individual personalities. And it's so different from all their other stuff

One of my favorites by PTX is "Sing". It's such as feel good song!

Pentatonix They won The Sing Off in 2011. They made a guest starring appearance on America's Got Talent as non-competitors a couple of years after that. The members are Scott Hoying (tall blond guy, natural baritone but has an impressive five-to-six octave range, can go all the way up to high tenor and down to bass, sings the bass lines when the usual bass singer takes the lead); Avriel "Avi" Kaplan (dark beard and long hair, true basso profundo, trained as an opera singer, also can go up into the tenor range as heard during his solo); Kirstin "Kirstie" Maldonado (the only female member, natural mezzo soprano, but can go down to low alto and as high as upper soprano, also can sing in whistle notes that are off the scale); Mitch Grassi (a true contra-tenor, can hit high notes in his chest voice with ease and go WAY higher in his falsetto, also with ease); and Kevin "KO" Olusola (beatboxer extraordinaire, also is a world-class cellist who plays cello on some of their songs, has a beautiful high tenor voice and gets occasional lead vocal solos as well, graduated pre-med from Yale and speaks several languages including Mandarin Chinese). Kirstie, Scott & Mitch grew up together in Arlington, Texas, and began performing together as children in local youth musical theater. They ended up in high school together and performed in the choir. While there, they formed an a cappella group called The Trio which had several performance videos go viral on RU-vid, most notably a cover of Lady Gaga's "Telephone". The three of them are best friends and consider themselves to be almost siblings. Scott & Kirstie (who were a class year ahead of Mitch) both graduated high school in 2010 and went their separate ways to different colleges, Scott at USC and Kirstie at Oklahoma. While at USC, Scott joined a USC-based a cappella group called the SoCal VoCals, where he met alumnus Ben Bram, who was now an arranger and vocal coach for the NBC TV show The Sing Off, an a cappella competition show. Ben convinced Scott to get The Trio to audition for the show. The three reunited (Mitch had to skip high school graduation ceremonies to go) in Los Angeles for the audition. They found out that the rules had changed, so they needed at least five members to audition. Ben put them together with Avi (a native of Visalia, California), who he knew from Avi's performing days at Mount San Antonio College in California. They found Kevin (from Kentucky) through one of his RU-vid videos that had gone viral featuring him playing the cello and beatboxing at the same time, a talent that Kevin coined as "Cello-Boxing". Kevin arrived in Los Angeles literally the day before the audition! Scott came up with the name "Pentatonix" after the pentatonic scale. They performed a re-arrangement of "The Telephone" for the audition and passed, despite having been together as a five-piece group for less that 24 hours! They won The Sing Off that season (all of the performances are available on RU-vid), in which they received a substantial cash prize AND a record contract with Epic Records. They pooled their prize winnings together and all moved to Los Angeles, and all got apartments right next door to each other in the same building. But just a week later, Epic dropped them because the marketing people didn't think an a cappella group could sell records. Instead of giving up, they were determined and began recording their own songs on RU-vid, hiring Ben Bram as their producer and arranger. These usually consisted of the five of them sitting on a couch and performing cover songs live. Several of the videos went viral, and Sony (the parent company of Epic) decided to give them another chance by placing them on one of their smaller labels, Madison Gate. They released two secular EPs and one Christmas EP on Madison Gate, all of which were strong sellers. But when their cover of a medley of songs by Daft Punk not only went super-viral, but also won them their first Grammy, they were promoted all the way up to RCA Records, Sony's top label. They began writing and producing their own songs in addition to their covers, began putting out a Christmas album just about annually (which has become their best-selling genre), and have had multi-platinum album sales, sold-out world tours, and have won two additional Grammys. Avi began getting burned out with all of the touring and heavy recording schedule, was suffering from anxiety and personal problems, and learned that his mother had been diagnosed with cancer in 2017. He announced he was departing from the group and taking some time away from the music industry. Matt Sallee (from Baltimore) was brought in as the new bass singer in early 2018. After a year away from music, Avi has now returned as a phenomenal solo artist in the Folk/Americana/Roots genre.

The Grammy they got for this arrangement went to the 5 of them and Ben Bram, who plays a huge role in how they sound. They posted a video about the making of their Evergreen album where you can see how the sausage is made...highly recommended.

I think you would enjoy the Behind the Scenes video of the Recording of Evergreen (their 2021 Holiday album). It shows them recording, rehearsing, discussing, etc. It is longer, but you really get to see their process.

PTX only records songs that they can do live. All of their live performances are amazing. I hope to be able to see them live someday.

Each member of Pentatonix is extremely talented ~~ from beautifully serious to simply fun songs they set the bar for acapella music!!

Kirstins side smile is just the most endearing part of her

They do that themselves!! They won a Grammy with that song.

The song you really need to listen to and enjoy is their Carol of the Bells. It will blow you away!!

Even the more light hearted songs/ videos of PTX can blow your mind. They have over 10 years of music, plus side projects so you have lots you can pick from. Thanks for the reaction.

When you need a palette cleanser again, their 90s dance medley is super fun 🙂

Scott explained in a live performance to a japanese morning show that they start with percussion, then bass rhythm and melody and finish with solo vocals.

Ben Bram is their arranger, He's often referred to as the 6th member of the group. This song won them their first Grammy for the arrangement . Believe it or not, the group did the filming and editing for this in their apartment ( Kevin and Avi's apartment actually) using a bedroom closet and the kitchen counter. The base budget was only around $400, It was sent off for final editing and production, but still...the group was still trying to build themselves up after Sony cancelled their contract a week after winning the Sing Off and they all moved to LA. They then decided to use RU-vid to post their songs ( many of which were simply them sitting on a couch singing). They eventually won some recognition and a contract with a side company of Sony.

All vocals and beat boxing. No other instruments. It’s insane. They’re so talented and were amazing when I saw them live. They have a guy who produces and arranges but they have a huge part of the process.

“Imagine” is going to break you! In my top-3 favorite PTX.

I see another candidate for the PTX rabbit hole. Welcome, sit back and be amazed by pure talent.

Loving your PTX reactions! Someone mentioned Ben Bram earlier, another reactor (Jacob Restituto) has posted a couple of chats with him and he is always fascinating to listen to:) Looking forward to seeing more videos based on whatever schedule works for you - Pentatonix is always worth the wait!

Imagine next!!!! Another emotional one but beautiful message and goooorgouse vocals (Kevin the beatboxer sings!)

I would love to see you react to some of Avi’s solo songs! Very different from Pentatonix but his voice is gorgeous and it’s wonderful to hear him use his full vocal range, not just the bass.

You review what is best for your channel! I love Pentatonix, but I need the exposure to other groups too. Thanks for the review.

This is your channel and should be done your way. True Pentatonix fans understand that and will stay with your channel. I enjoy many types of music and artists, some of whom I found by being subscribed to someone who played their music.

At 6:19 your senses get hit at every angle & i just LOVE the reaction we get from these ppl knowing what greatness is on its way for them lol so awesome

All 4 videos that you named are fairly heavy with a serious side to them. Pentatonix does MANY MANY light hearted feel good videos. With Christmas coming up, I recommend you react to Pentatonix "Oh Come All Ye Faithful". It's not your grandmother's church hymn. Kevin, the Beat Boxer, was featured playing the saxophone at Carnegie Hall when he was 17. He was again featured on a PBS Special at Carnegie Hall playing the cello. He decided to go with music after he graduated from pre-med at Yale. He spent some time in China and speaks Mandarin Chinese like a native.

What I know... They are FABULOUS!!! And I am obsessed with them.

That's right... all vocals... It's been called the "wall of sound"!

Need to do their Christmas songs: Mary did you know, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Little Drummer boy, etc.

The sing off was a music competition that they were on an got their start..check out their performances it shows you how genius they are at arranging their songs

I vote for their cover of either Imagine or Bohemian Rhapsody to be next 😊

New sub and love the reactions so far. And I love the way you're going to be doing the uploads. As a pentaholic from day 1 back in 2011, I understand. But one thing you said made me go digging on your channel. You mentioned Lara Fabian, who I adore. And seeing how Hallelujah broke you, I wanted to see how you reacted to Je Suis Malade, Adagio and Broken Vow especially. And I can see the same thing. So for my fellow pentaholics, if you don't know Lara Fabian, or you want to see some great reactions to another brilliant singer, look up Brandon's reactions to Lara Fabian. And that's what having a diverse channel is about. Thanks for all the reactions and I look forward to exploring more of your reactions.

When they were on the Sing Off...they would do the rewind/scratch thing live...was so amazing!!

My vote for next up is. . . . Any PTX video that you have reacted to. I just love to hear them sing!

One of them brings to the group a song they like and that they think will suit the group. Together they brainstorm how to sing it- their genius is putting the right voices in the right places. Also -- the have worked extensively with Ben Bram, an arranger. Their original music has been written by them and in sometimes the members will work with other song writers. I suggest that you react to their original Coffee in Bed or Happy Now.

Thank you so much for your reaction, and working PTX into your lineup! As to PTX videos, I hope you can get to their cover of Gold at some time to see them in a stripped down setting. Thanks again!

For your research: there are plenty of online interviews and articles with Ben Bram (as others have said, he is heavily involved in arrangement and production on many songs) and Ed Boyer (mixer, engineer who focuses heavily on acapella.) Both are great at conveying how they work. The group's process is very diverse - sometimes the members just sit around and start with a beat, or one has an idea, or Ben has a concept. All are smart enough musically to add ideas and play off each other. From the beginning they have never been afraid to try new things, and that is what separates them (IMO) from other acapella groups.

most of us Pentaholics are patient enough to wait for whatever you post on your channel after all its yours to do with as you will some diehard fans may come across as demanding I don't think they mean to, but whatever you react to of PTX you will have a very large following and we all appreciate everything the reactors do. Great job keep it up.

They were doing this before they really became a group. They have grown and gotten better but the basic concepts were there before there was anyone else. For more on their beginnings check out season 3 of "The Sing Off". You literally watch them become the group they are today over 12 performances. Basically you watch them grow up. Great reaction, if I had the extra I'd become a member just to see your reaction to Bohemian Rapsody, bet you went crazy. Be Blessed.

haha this was fun watching you react to this! they are amazing, right? this is my favorite of theirs!! great reaction!!!

Yayyy you did this one next. 🎉 Thank you for sharing your time with us. ☮️

It's important to know that through three members came up through high school together, the five member group was established only one day before a 2011 a cappella talent show called the 'Sing-Off.' So, from that very first day, in preparation to go on the show, the entire group, who are all accomplished musicians, have simply worked together to work out, decide, and deliver their performances collaboratively. Over the years they have come to work with a primary producer, but the members just work well together. BTW, they WON the show!

Their statement has always been if they can't do it live they don't do it in the studio. They have always kept their word. Please be kind to pentaholics, we want everyone to know and experience everything we already have. It's hard to have patience when you find a group like this as I'm sure you know, at least that's what your reaction shows. Welcome to our rabbit hole!

Their original, Love Again has the same kind of dance vibe. You should really check it out!!! Avi and Kevin kill it!!!

Pentatonix has the ability to make you "feel" EVERY emotion available. They are the elite.

A favorite older song is their mash-up La La Latch. A lot going on in that song too but much simpler (if that makes sense).

Great reaction! And you're right - this song is pure fun! :) I would suggest Bohemian Rhapsody (especially if you know and love this Queen's all-time classic), Imagine (very emotional, so be warned 😉) or Sound of silence (with the new bass, Matt, who joined the group after Avi left in 2017). I won't answer your other questions, because I see my fellow Pentaholics already did it in their comments 😁 Pentaholics are the best, cheers for all of you! ❤

Love it

Of the four PTX videos you mentioned as appearing next, while they are all good choices, my absolute favorite of those is Say Something. Kirstin's emotional lead, and Kevin cello-boxing for the first time with the group make it a standout for me. For something in a lighter vein that is similar in many respects to Daft Punk, try their 90s Dance Medley. While it is a true medley (unlike Daft Punk, which is more of a mashup to me), it will make you chair-dance and wish for it to keep going when it ends!

Cracked is one of my favorites and it is an original - the Pop Spring 2016 is a great live version ( it also has 2 more originals and an evolution song), another fun song is their original Sing

No worries, your channel, your rules. I’m just happy to be along for the ride. I love to watch new folks discover what I consider to be five of the most talented and engaging musicians around today. You may want to check out Recording Evergreen, a mini-doc of the process of making last year’s Christmas album. It’s a lot of behind-the-scenes arranging, developing and perfecting activities that you may find interesting. Love your reactions, well done! Peace from Ohio …

Sometimes I feel like reactors only react because they know they are supposed to and it seems forced or acted out. Your reaction to the middle of this was great. Seemed legit blown away. Love it.

The group came together to compete on the sing off. The 3 main singers have been singing together since they were children. They needed to have 5 people for their acapella group to perform on the sing off so they added the bass and the beat boxer. You can watch them evolve on how they started doing what they are doing by watching the sing off.

Wonderful video/reaction man. Looking forward to your reactions from all else in this rabbit hole

This one was the group, and a lot mitch who is a long time daft punk fan

They made this video in Avi and Kevin's apartment and it cost them $400.00. They won a grammy for it.

There's the "Beginners Guide To Pentatonix" which will fill a lot of the blanks. Ben Bram is their arranger.

I’m here for PTX, but I believe in diversity of music, as you do. I love lots of different styles from old country to new country, pop, classics, Christian, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s… younger the drift! I hope you will so some PTX Christmas music. I think you would love “o Come All Ye Faithful!”

Just watched your Imagine and Bohemian Rhapsody videos - they were great! I listened to you explain how they impact you and that some artists affect you more deeply. I would suggest the cover of Rise (Katy Perry), by Superfruit (Scott and Mitch of PTX) and 3 other incredible singers - it's a powerful song, sung for an incredibly sad reason. I would highly recommend you react to it.

some of the best are the prayer (best harmonies and vocals ever) Can you see the love tonight, imagine, bohemian rhapsody, Prayers for this world and many more plus they have 6 christmas albums out where they have originals and covers and the covers are crazy good.

Post as much or as little as you want, we Pentaholics will be here. Incidentally, while your "in perpetuity" comment may have been meant as off the cuff, it might not be an exaggeration. At the rate of one video per week, if you include their 'Sing-Off' performances, side projects, solo work, and other collabs you have an approximate 4-5 year backlog not including any new releases in that time. Their story, career, and growth is fascinating which is why it is highly encouraged to look back at their beginning forming just a few days before the audition for the 'Sing Off' show and the amount of revolutionary artistry they displayed even then.

They performed this recently live at the 2022 Hollywood Bowl and it sounds just as good.

This cost $400 and filmed in Avi and Kevin’s closet. There first of 3 Grammy’s. The award committee had to create a new category. They just got a Hollywood walk of fame star. I Love PTX.

I would recommend their version of "Bohemian Rhapsody". Epic. You want another song that will make you cry? "Mary Did You Know" will do it.

They do this song live, I believe recorded on a cell phone, in a break room

Their 90’s dance medley is really fun!

Scott, Kirsten, and Mitch grew to up together....they are from Arlington Tx. .great reaction...tyty

They do it together!

they won a grammy for this

Please react to Avi Kaplan (the bass) solo stuff so good! Would recommend Change on the rise or Full moon they are very different but both are great. I like that you have diversity. I dont really care for the ones that pander to one artist over the others. I am here for it.

I hope bohemian rhapsody is next 😘

Everyone else already told you that the group arranges collaboratively along with Ben Bram. Ed Boyer does a lot of their mixing. He specializes in a Capella mixing. Of the ones you listed, I would love to see "Say Something" first. I'm really enjoying your reactions. I am surprised at the subscribing and unsubscribing. Most Pentaholics have a very strong desire to see reactors react to Pentatonix, of course, but I didn't realize that some were so demanding as to expect you to do it at the expense of the other things that built your channel. Hopefully, you don't continue to see that characteristic from those of us drawn to your channel by Pentatonix.

They won a Grammy for this.

Just loved how your reacted to this performance. It's exactly how we all reacted the first time we heard the song. Looking forward to the next one and the next Dimash one.

Where have you been during my Pentatonix journey? I love your reactions. This one is pure joy!!

Thank you for reacting to this fun Pentatonix video. There are several videos on RU-vid showing them arranging songs. The way they do it depends on the song and its use. Most of the time the 5 band members choose a song then they circle jam and decide who sings what parts and work out a rough copy and make a demo of how they want it to sound. They then send it to Ben Bram, their co-arranger, who fine tunes it and puts it on sheet music. They further work on the song until they have it exactly as they want to perform the song, making changes as needed. Watch the Behind The Scenes video for "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" since part of it shows them working out the arrangement in a backstage dressing room while on tour. For an older one watch "The PTXperience Episode 5 Time To Arrange". The arranging starts at 3 minutes 25 seconds. For special events Ben and the band work together on the arrangements from the start. For this one, Scott and Mitch were Daft Punk fans in their early years.

They won a Grammy for this

You’re doing a great job. There’s some full on fans out there. I’m here for Aurora and Kalandra, but checking out other stuff because you’re obviously very authentic and real. Which I dig. Keep it up. ❤

Now that’s how to win a Grammy my friend….I just 💕 just love your your reaction……Judy D

I agree. Check out their live version of this at the Hollywood bowl 2022. Also, they will use some instruments if the song calls for it. But they don't hide them. You will see them. Usually Kevin's cello (Beyonce). They have also done a couple of collabs with Lindsey Stirling.

Loooove your reaction,enjoy.

To get more insight into PTX check out the Recording of Evergreen, their 2021 Christmas album.

You NEED to react to their original song "Love Again" - it will blow your mind!

Ben Bram collaborates with PTX since their inception as a group.

The compose it - for this one they filmed it in the closet then edited it in the kitchen spent abt $400 and it won them their first Emmy ! They are incredible !!

All of them do the arrangements!!

Most reaction channels are exactly the same, even those that might be predominantly PTX-focused. Anyone who demands otherwise is just being ridiculous. Thank you for adding PTX to your mix but totally understand why it has to remain a mix.

The trolls will come, 🧌 just ignore them, they will go away. BE YOU!!! You’re one of my new favorites. You can listen to those who want to help, especially in not getting blocked or copyrighted. But people who say stupid things like “don’t pause” or “you talk too much” Its a REACTION channel! 🥴. I say pause and talk as much as you want. I personally like that you go back and watch parts again. Shows your paying attention. 😂 In regards to the variety on your channel, I once again suggest that you ignore them, as with any bully if you react they think they have won. Dumb 🍑s 🤭 I know everyone is going to fill you in on everything else, so I like to warn people because I HATE BULLIES! I will tell you that some of my favorites are, GOLD, ALL THE EVOLUTION VIDEOS, CHEERLEADER & for some originals, THE POPSPRING PERFORMANCE 2016. It’s a 14 min video but all but one are originals. One more thing, GREETINGS FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA!

Your reactions are really good and genuine. I was talking with one of my friendz I met through ptx the other day and we were saying how we both realized how many times in arrangement everything drops out when Mitch starts singing. I think it happens once in almost every song.

I’m sure others have already said but this is their first Grammy. They recorded this in Avi and Kevin’s closet and kitchen for a budget of $400 after having been dropped by Sony after having won The Sing Off season 3. They cover all styles of music and won it

More fun: 90s Dance Medley; My Favourite Things (you'll appreciate the theatrics :)); Bohemian Rhapsody (yup - still a capella...). More heartbreak (in a good way!): The Prayer; My Heart With You; Imagine; Amazing Grace. Thanks for your reaction, love your enthusiasm!

There's a reason they won a Grammy for this song.