Guys… I’m in shock! I can’t believe Scott took over Avi’s bass parts in here! His bass is so smooth and clean too! 😧

It's not looping on Avi's voice - Scott covers the bass line when Avi (or Matt) takes solo in songs. Great reactions!

Pentaholics love to see people discover this group. Your enthusiasm and appreciation for what we love makes you one of us.

They don’t do covers. They do upgrades. Their live version will blow you away.

Watch the live version from "Pentatonix - Hallelujah from a Christmas Special" and you can see Scott as the bass while Avi does his solo.

Avi is an opera trained Basso Profundo. There's only a few like him in the world. His voice is really beautiful. Scott fills in bass whenever Avi or Matt is singing verse. To hear Avi do full songs try Run To You or Light In The Hallway...also Avi has his own channel and has some really wonderful solo work. You just got your first real Mitch slap!! Congrats! As to the fact that you can hear all their voices when they sing the last verse...that is due to their sound guy ( sorry..I can't remember his name offhand) and their arranger Ben Bram ( often referred to as the 6th member). Not to worry...PTX's Hallelujah hits people that way often. It's why it's usually the first time people encounter PTX and they're in awe that a group of only 5 people can make such an impression and do the incredible things they do with just voices, stomping and chest beating. Some suggestions for what's next: Bohemian Rhapsody ( if you are not familiar with Queen's incredible song, I suggest you check out the original before doing PTX's version), Be My Eyes , Love Again, Run To You, Mad World, When They Party's Over, Happy Now, Dreams, Come Along,....the list is near endless!!

Matt is a wonderful addition to PTX, but Avi is in a class by himself. I’ve heard this at least a hundred times, and still get chills, sometimes tears.

I agree with Hal. Watch live. It'll blow your mind! The prayer is next!

If You love Avi’s voice then you need to listen to his solo song “Change on the rise” which is totally awe inspiring.

The chances of this group coming together was so infinitesimally small that only the powers that be in the universe could have made it happen. I’m glad they decided to do that to allow us mere mortals to have something to brighten our days. Three kids meet as children who love to sing and decide to keep singing together in school and local theater. As a side note, can you imagine trying to keep those three reigned in in high school choir? Scott, Mitch and Kirstie say that she did help them learn to blend better. They become life-long friends. Scott befriends Ben Bram who helps Scott get on The Sing Off. Ben introduces Scott to Avi. Scott talks Kevin into giving up med school at Yale and joining four strangers to compete on The Sing Off. They actually win the show. Sony drops them so they decide to start building their Pentaholic following on You Tube. Viral videos, and great music follows, and they get resigned to Sony. Avi decides to leave the group and they find another great bass in Matt. While Matt is not Avi, he is still excellent and I think he blends even better with the other members of PTX. If anything happens differently along that path Pentatonix does not exist, and the world is a lesser place.

In addition to the 5 ridiculously talented people in this video - and it really is almost entirely them, as you will find out if you watch any of their unmixed, even unmic'd, live performances - there are also two more crucial members of the team. Ben Bram, the "sixth member" is their producer and arranger (in collab with the band members themselves), and they have a genius mixer in Ed Boyer, who knows *exactly* how to mix acapella, and has been doing it for them for years. They sing cleanly and fully, and then he grabs all their best qualities and amplifies them with reverb or equalization or other standard tricks of the trade, especially for the official videos. That deep, beautiful, warm bass is all Avi. The fact that you hear him in such a clear and balanced way is Ed. The creation of an arrangement that showcases him is likely mostly Ben. The results of this seven-fold collaboration are, I agree, completely breathtaking. Both Ben and Ed have been interviewed (several times) by youtube reactor Jacob Restituto, if you're interested in the technical side. There's no cheating in any way - they really are the stupendous singers you hear - but part of the whole package of Pentatonix is that they know how to use all the tools available for them to give us all that shuddering pleasure. The fact that they then take these songs on tour and have audiences in huge echo-ey arenas screaming in recognition is a pretty good indicator of how genuine they are. But if you're referred to a "live" TV special or officially-issued livestream like the recent one of their Hollywood Bowl performance, you'll notice by comparison with fan videos that any mixing mistakes made by TV or arena sound mixers (levels too low on the bass, etc.) will be cleaned up post-production for broadcast, as indeed you'd expect from professionals. There are people out there who'll tell you Pentatonix is just auto-tuned to death - and they're dead wrong. I think, though, that the experts behind the scene deserve a shout-out too. Sorry, very rambly. I've heard this video hundreds of times now, and I still love it to pieces. (PS - yep, that's Scott on the bass, and yes, he can really do that. His range is plain nuts.)

I’m sure someone has already pointed this out already, but when the bass is singing Scott takes the bass line. You have to remember they have to be able to do this in a live performance.

Their cover of "Imagine" has a part where they come together and start singing but doing their own parts its crazy beautiful. Cant wait to see you react to that song.

They leave their egos at the door and decide who is best for each part of a song. It works phenomenally well! Theyy are all good friends and like a family!

Your timing is impeccable. You mention how no one has come out strong yet just before Kirstie turns up her power dial to 12. You'll find that she has an amazingly powerful voice and can easily ramp up the intensity of a song when it's needed.

To me there are two things that blow my mind every time I hear this. The first is the pure musicality of Mitch's verse. The very carefully placed "break" followed by his masterful placing of each note perfectly and at the perfect, syncopated time, both off the beat and off the note in precisely the right, honest, and correct way to make the resultant notes sing. The second is the incredible arrangements in this song. Each verse is a distinct arrangement to allow for whoever is singing lead in that verse. Each of the six times the chorus is sung is a different arrangement as well.

Their Harmonies were developed through the Trio's growing up together. Scott and Mitch met doing the play, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and Mitch met Kirstin around age 8. They were Community Arts Theater kids and began singing in High School. Avi was a friend of Ben's and they found Kevin through KZfaq. Mitch's Dad heard music coming from Mitch's bedroom when he was 2 1/2 yrs old. Kevin is the Beatboxing guy you keep forgetting his name. He has graduated from Yale University pre-med before Scott snatched him up. Kevin listens to Classical music with his Cello and he has a podcast with his brother. Kevin also speaks Chinese Mandarin fluently.

the really mind-blowing thing about them is that they can do all of these songs LIVE, and they do it impeccably. I should say one of the MANY mind-blowing things about them, like the fact they all 5 met for the 1st time THE DAY BEFORE their Sing Off audition...yes, you read that right, Scott, Kirsti and Mitch had known and performed together for many years. Ben Bram said to Scott if you're going to audition you need a bass and a beatboxer. He knew Avi from college and they found Kevin on KZfaq doing his cello-boxing...they performed and arranged their songs phenomenally week-to-week on the Sing Off and won but...well that's a whole other chapter ;D

Remember, when you saw their Sound of Silence you heard scott’s low voice front and center. He sings backing bass when the bass gets lead.

Hi! I just wanted to say that I love your enthusiasm for the music. You keep apologizing for pausing and for long videos but these are my favorite kind of reactions, where you pause to process and talk through everything you're noticing and also can't help being giddy over how cool it is. Great reaction!

You will begin to understand their vocal abilities the more you listen to them

They aren’t looping. When Avi sings lead, Scott does the bass part.

"How's his bass so full?" That, my dear, is the result of really awesome opera training. He majored in opera in college. And boy did it pay off.

Mitch slap!!! All of them have amazing voices!! They have stayed true to themselves. I admire their talents and also respect them.

There is NO LOOPING.. Scott always takes over bass while the bass does a solo... (he is a baratone). You could also see this plainly in their LIVE performance: HALLELUJAH - PENTATONIX (FROM A PENTATONIX CHRISTMAS SPECIAL)

That thing about five voices blending and yet continuing to be distinct: that's each singer singing LOUD (so the distinct features of their voice stand out) but at exactly the SAME level of loud (so they blend), which is really hard to achieve while staying exactly on pitch and exactly on rhythm. It's way easier in post-production but they do it live, with a guy adjusting amplification levels in realtime so the audience doesn't get hurt.

Check out their making of Evergreen. It was their 2021 Christmas concert. First back on the road since Covid. They show their studio work, parts of Q&A and concert from each location and so much in between. Backstage, tour bus, etc. it really shows just how talented and close they are as a group. To be able to do what you love and do it sooooo well. Best part IMO is that they stay humble. They are willing to show their weaknesses personal lives and so much more.

I think their secret is,that they listen to each other.

No looping! When Avi, and now Matt, sings the lead - Scott takes over on bass!

Pentaholic here. Absolutely love your reactions. Welcome to the pentatonix rabbit hole. Can’t get enough of them. Here for the Avi and Mitch slap

Avi is a once in a lifetime basso profundo. His voice has been known to blow speakers as much as Mitch will. BTW, Kevin is not only a stellar beatboxer but he also plays cello while beatboxing. He sings tenor on several pieces including "Amazing Grace.

Guys.. I know it's not Avi's bass being looped. I've gotten like 50 comments telling me this. I'm aware now 🤣

Songs where Scott doesn't lead include "Imagine", where Avi starts, and "Say Something", where Kirstie is the lead signer. And yes, watch the live performance of Hallelujah where you can clearly see Scott take over the base part during Avi's solo.

They have great overlap! Mitch and Kirstie can cover for one another when they take lead, just like Scott and Avi take over the bass part when either are singing lead. So here, when Avi is singing lead, Scott is doing the bass line. If you go watch the live version, you'll see him doing it, just as you'll see Scott doing the bass line in Sound of Silence. One thing you may want to consider doing is play a produced video then follow it up with a live version just to show how amazing they are. For the record, both Kirstie and Mitch can sing whistle notes. So, yeah, they can go higher. lol

Loving your reactions! Kevin is the beat boxer. If you want a surprise from him and some excellent harmonies, check out their cover of “Imagine”.

Watch it live. Scott is a beast with 4 octaves. He fills in bass when Avi or Matt take the lead.

The Wall of Sound….is indeed a masterpiece of sound

Mitch is a true counter tenor, a very rare bird.

Avi's subharmonics are so amazing (thats what rounds out those full bass notes)

Scott does base when Avi is singing his part - they do this Live as well

You said "masterpiece of sound." I think that perfectly describes what they produced in this song. I also completely agree with you that theirs is the best recorded version of this song. Leonard Cohen, who wrote this song is a stellar poet and song writer, but as a singer ... well , he's an acquired taste. However Pentatonix couldn't have performed this any better. This is musical perfection! Again your enthusiasm as they blew the roof off the place, was a joy to watch. I love how much music affects you. I'm very much the same. And this version guts me and gives us the kind of crystal clear and tight harmonies this song begs for. Great reaction my man!

So, who is going to tell TYLR about Kevin? A Yale graduate (2011), who was taking precalculus in 9th grade. Finished all of his pre-med requirements but opted not to go to medical school (yet?) but to pursue music instead, with the support of his pre-med advisor (who pointed out that medicine will always be there). Polyglot, including Mandarin Chinese (in which he is fluent). Plays the piano, cello and alto saxophone. Perfect pitch (which, according to a couple of my friends who also have it, is not as great as you would suppose, especially if someone near you is off key ...). Has co-written some of Pentatonix's songs. Parent - he and his wife had a daughter in 2021. Have I left anything out that TYLR should know? Oh yeah. Forgot to mention that Kevin can also sing (you can hear him on some of their songs) ....

The beatboxer is Kevin. He also plays the cello and beatbox at the same time called cello-boxing. Kevin is also a tenor so he does sing when they don't need him beatboxing.

they sound the same live, absolutely amazing

Trust me the live version is even more amazing than you can imagine!!!

If you want to see how they work together you should check out the short documentary they released last year, Recording Evergreen. It’s on their channel. They’ve also got a tour documentary as well.

Watch their live version of Hallelujah! All them....live in front of an audience!

They have a plethora of Christmas music. You might want to start sooner than December. Love your reactions.

its actually not avis bass looping, scott takes over doing bass when avi is singing the words

Totally blessed. I saw them last year live on their "Evergreen' Tour- which album was just nominated for their 4th Grammy!!!. I had tears of joy during this song! Pretty positive you would love the "Making of Evergreen" behind the scenes video. Thank you for reacting to this song- one of my favorites of all time! (And you are correct about not hearing Mitch's most incredible ranges- YET). Can't wait to follow your journey.

It's commonly stated, PTX doesn't do covers, they do upgrades.

Ah yes, the Mitch slap and the wall of sound... some of PTX best skills. Now if you want an insane live performance there is always Aha! Singapore at the Star Vista. Mitch's vocals and stage presence are crazy and Avi gleefully shreds the speakers with his base notes. My recommendation is watching the official video then the fan recording at the Star Vista. Some reactors do both in one video but that's up to you. Oh a few more things about the live show, Kevin (beatboxer) is there on stage the person recording just never pans to him and the sound is a little rough due to Avi damaging the speakers as well as the device being used cannot handle the sound. But maybe it's too soon, that performance is not for the inexperienced 😜

I'm Here for the "Mitch-Slap" 😂❤ And YES, Mitch can go higher 😉 Just wait till you here PTX's iconic "Wall of Sound"! You can get a glimpse of it in their cover of "Imagine" by John Lennon! The emotions!!! Pentaholic from Louisiana

I'd recommend "Bohemian Rhapsody" or "The Prayer" for the next reaction.

They are even better live. Saw them last year and will see them again in a few weeks. So excited!

Avi is what's known as a "basso profundo." Deep bass is their natural range. That's why they are so full down there. When a basso profundo sings forte in their deep range, you can feel vibrations.

Great reaction, I never tire of hearing this song. It’s because of the way the arrangement follows the lyrics, the setting, and the fact that they’re dressed for the cold in a desert. BTW it’s filmed at the salt flats in California. If you want to take a master class, check The Fairy Voice Mother’s reaction to this song. She explains the methods and magic with humor and she just makes you happy

Love your reaction. PTX such incredible. I fell in love with Avi's voice when i discovered this group and i went to check Avi's solo songs ... He became my favorite singer of all time I promise. He writes his music, lyrics and melody, plays guitar and do all the layers in the back of all his songs. His range is almost 5 octaves ... I've never been touch by anyone like him. His lyrics and melody are something else and go from the very low bass to high wonderful notes. Check Change on the rise, Otherside and if you love music as an pure art, go check When i'm a fool, live at Sunset sound... Fantastic... Avi's world is amazing. Hope to see you do some of his stuff. Thank you for this moment, it was great 😍

When you get into the Christmas stuff, you have to listen to Mary, Did You Know? Your mind will explode

I would love to see you react to some of Avi’s solo music! It’s very different from the songs he did with Pentatonix but so amazing and it’s great to hear him use his full range!

I saw this performance in concert twice... Once with Avi, and the next with Matt. I absolutely love Matt, but I have to give it to the OG Avi Kaplan . Thanks for your reactions and true real feels that you give us. Us true Pentaholics see that and appreciate that. The next video should be their Christmas Special Live, and you could and would appreciate them on a whole different level. However, If you would like to see their arrangement process and how they produce their "upgrades": is to watch their Process with the Evergreen album.

They are incredible. You must watch amazing grace and imagine. Kevin has a high Pitch too. He is an unbelievable singer. He is a multi Talent.

They call that “ear candy“ and Pentatonix specializes in it ❤

For crimbo look at their version of Carol of the Bells, just to sit there and mentally yelled at Mitch to breath. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy for a short sharp Mitch moment. It's also fantastic for being an instrumental with no words, being sung by a group with no instruments.

Great reaction! New sub! Jacob Restituto has 2 interviews with their arranger/producer Ben Bram and 2 interviews with their mixer Ed Boyer. All 4 fabulous! The first decade they were straightforward in their songs but they have begun experimenting with rich layers & looping & instruments. It’s all magnificent! I see them live in 10 days!!! Cannot wait!!!!!!

I love your PTX reactions. Great job with the names. Kevin is the only one that you didn't get. After only three videos. This is an amazing video and performance. This was posted 6yrs ago. But, there is something pretty incredible going on with this video in particular right now. On September 9th, it broke the 680 million views mark. Since then, it's been gaining an additional million views every 10 days. The last million was gained in 7 days. It should break 687 million, within 4 or 5 days. Amazing right? I would recommend The Prayer and Love Again for your next reaction. I understand that you want to wait until December to do their Christmas videos. But, be warned I think that they have like 34 of them. Btw, what most people do after watching this is...... Watch it again. Lol. As always, hope and joy to you and your family. Don't forget to pass it on. =^;^=

If you want to have an eargasm and have your mind completely melted by their insane harmonies with full body chills.. check out PTX cover of Imagine! You won't regret it! It's truly an experience!!

They don't record anything they can't do live. The bass you hear even though Avi is singing lead is actually Scott. He's a baritone with a huge range, his lower register is maybe not quite as full as Avi's, but it's nothing to sneeze at, and he can reach some tenor heights as well. To see Scott really excel as the bass, check out You're a mean one Mr.Grinch, Matt or the new bass, sings lead the whole time, while Scott provides the bass in the background. For more mind-blowing stuff check out Bohemian Rhapsody, Aha! the Singapore live version, The Prayer (Grammy worthy), New Rules x Are You that Somebody, Matt and Kevin go crazy on that one and definitely Run to You and Coffee in Bed, those are originals and something you definitely should listen to

You're not wrong, this song live is really something transcendent

No Bohemian Rhapsody? That and Imagine are killer! They do this live and it sounds so much like the recorded version. Scott covers bass while Avi or Matt sing. Have you ever listened to Aussies Jimmy Barnes and John Farnham singing Something Is Wrong With My Baby? If not, it will put your jaw on the floor with Diesel coming in with lead guitar! If you get a chance, check them out!

I love watching everyone react to PTX for the first time of hearing each song. They all deserve the credit they get!! What breaks my heart, is that no one ever comments on how incredible Kevin is with percussion and beat boxing. He does SO many little sounds that the song wouldn’t work without him! You gave him a bit of credit with the slapping and stomping but I’m waiting for the video that someone is in awe of what Kevin does just like they normally are with Mitch cuz he’s absolutely incredible!! My fav of his is little drummer boy and the collab with Lindsay sterling- radioactive, he plays the cello too ❤❤❤

I AM IN FT. LAUDERDALE IN MY APARTMENT IN FLA. GETTING CHILLS. WHEN THAT BASS (AVI) KICKED IN, I GOT MAJOR CHILLS. THEY ARE SO PROFESSIONAL. BEAUTIFUL. I THINK YOU ARE OUR NEW MEMBER OF THE PENTAHOLICS. BILLY BOY

I love watching new reactors to PTX! I am always "Mitch-slapped" as his voice is just so pure and beautiful, BUT if you want to be "Scott-slapped" you have to check out their cover of "The Prayer". It is one of my favs as Scott and Mitch are just sooo good together.

Agreed...it sounded even better live. I have seen them twice and will likely pay to see them again first chance I get!

scott normally takes over bass when avi sings-- and he's so good!! i'm so happy to see someone else discovering this amazing acapella group

For newer live performances of this song Kevin does all the percussion by beatboxing. Typically when you see him stomp it’s just for visual effect…he’s actually doing the bass kick with his mouth. Sometimes for more complex arrangements he will use a stomp pad for the bass kick, but not very often. I’ve also seen him sing and do the stomp pad at the same time. The 3 songs you’ve done so far haven’t showcased Kevin singing, but he has a beautiful tenor voice. If you can find the live version from their concert at the Hollywood Bowl 2022, I’d recommend checking it out.

This is the first song that I heard them do and now I love all of their songs,i get goosebumps every time i hear this song and a lot of other songs

While it"s always delightful to watch someone experience Pentatonix for the first, second, third... time, what I really appreciate about your reactions are the way you wholeheartedly enter into the experience, and then explain some of the technical expertise that puts their work together. There are so many dynamic aspects to their music it's always a transcendent moment listening to them. Thank you for sharing your experience as well.

No need to apologize. I only started down this Pentatonix rabbit hole 10 months ago. Everything you said is how I have and still feel when I watch them. Since your in Florida the are coming to Jacksonville on Dec 14th for part of their US tour before starting their world tour. Great reaction. 😊🤗❤🔥

I couldn't agree with you more. They have such a unique approach to the way they create music. It's just wondrous to me. I get emotional still.

Welcome to the PTX family. I've said it from the start...Pentatonix dont do covers...they improve the originals. Cant wait to see what you pick next of theirs. Thanks for sharing and stay safe.

There's a live version of this on one of their Christmas specials where you can see avi switch off the bass to Scott, and really shows how amazing they are ☺️

There is a behind the scenes video of the Recording of Evergreen, last years' Christmas album, you might find the rehearsals interesting

Many Pentaholics will say that PTX does not do covers, they to upgrades, and I am one of them!

Glad to have a new person reacting to PTX! Don't worry about blurring the videos, we have seen them. We come to hear your reactions :) And so far I love your enthusiasm . Welcome to the rabbit hole that PTX is! :)

Scott started off Sound of Silence and this one, but recall that Mitch started off in Daft Punk. As you get into more PTX songs, you will see that they change up the lead and their performance order. They are among the best at fitting the voices to the songs at the most appropriate times.

We Pentaholics love welcoming others to the group and this is a journey that's going to be a lot of fun for you. I love your excitement and enthusiasm!

PTX is famous for their wall of sound and how they layer. I have seen them live, in 2018. They did hallelujah and bohemian rhapsody. Oh, and the evolution of Rhianna. Best birthday present ever.

also when you were explaining how well they must know each other's voices to be able to sing like this makes me feel like you would LOVE their "recording of evergreen" video, about 16 minutes long mini doc of them recording and arranging their last christmas album!

Never heard this until a few months ago. Im like some of the Pentaholics! I love seeing others react just like I did. This is just amazing.

There is a Making of Evergreen video that shows you how they put together their sounds and songs. Strongly suggested!

I’m glad you’re up for some music terminology and theory. (I had music scholarships in both vocal and instrumental. I am a natural counter-tenor which means a guy who has a natural woman’s voice. I was the first one in my college. I also play Euphonium.) First of all, I keep hearing you speak of Avi’s “real voice” and his “bass voice”. They are both his real voice. He has an extremely broad range from low to high. He really opens up his vocal chords and chest, supported by his air flow in the abdominal cavity that gives him that resonance. As you can see, Scott has an amazing range too. Kevin is actually a tenor when he sings and is a great cellist. You can tell they are brightening up their sound in the higher ranges by pulling the lips back. You will see more teeth. They are doing this because they are going for a pop sound that will sell to a wider range of audience and win Grammy’s. If they went for of a classical sound, their marketability would fall. And it’s pronounced te’-nor, not te-‘nor. 😊 Love your reactions!!

"Mary Did You Know" is a great Christmas one they did.

When you decide to do holiday content, The Prayer, (my favorite) Amazing Grace, and Mary Did You Know are amazing and well worth the reaction. Thank you for sharing your wonderful reaction and commentary. We all love them and are so delighted when others do too.

They are not looping. Scott does the bass when Avi (Matt) sings lead. If you watch their Christmas Special live version of Hallelujah, you can see Scott doing it. Watch his hands when Avi starts to sing the second verse .... he telegraphs what he is singing.

Go Dayton Flyers!!!! Love Pentatonix and watch reactions for their songs.

PTX is who brought me into the genre of a cappella back when they performed on the Sing Off. They were super young and it would be some cool reactions to those.They will always be my number 1. The addition of beat boxers/ vocal sound machines into the genre has added a new depth to all who use it. Kevin does an amazing solo version of Down you can find him doing in his home studio. I would be remiss if I did not also mention Home Free and Voiceplay as arguably the other 2 of the top 3 best a cappella groups at this time. If you are truly interested in the genre, check these other groups out also. You cannot go wrong with anything that any of them have put out and their styles are different enough that each group will leave you speechless and in tears at times. Enjoy the ride brother.

If you want to hear Mitch get higher, listen to “90s Dance Medley”. He will Mitch Slap you, then slap you again, and slap you another time… each time going higher than the previous one.

Love your reactions. Kevin is beat boxer. As a Pentaholic I love seeing others discover their insane talent. Ok two suggestions One. PTX s Bohemian Rhapsody is completely amazing They love Queen and Freddy and did him proud Second their cover of Kiera’s Gold is stunning. It’s a masterclass of timing and it’s recorded live. Mitch is incredible in Gold If you don’t know Kiera’s video of Gold might be nice to listen to it and then see what PTX did to it 🤯🤯

Mitch (counter tenor , a type of classical male singing voice whose vocal range is equivalent to that of the female contralto or mezzo-soprano voice types ), Scott (baritone), Kirstie which rhymes with thirsty (mezzo soprano). Avi is the bass , Kevin is the beat boxer. When Kevin sings he sings tenor - high baritone