Psytrance

[Majestic290]

Hey, I'm looking to start making Psytrance. I already make hip hop beats, so i'm basically trying to expand my horizons.

Now what I basically need to know is, how is a psytrance song "structured". I'm pretty sure i got the kick drums and stuff down. But last time i made a trance song, a critic said it had much potential, but i really didn't know what i was doing, i didn't have enough layers or something.

And most importantly, what is it in psytrance that causes tension, I know modulating the freqency cut off of a main synth over time is one.

I'm new to psytrance, and I want to learn.

[bpgeez]

I'm not very big on trance but what I do know is that the music is VERY dynamic. There is always something happening to keep people moving and guessing. Whether its dropping out certain instruments, fading in or out or modulation of different sounds, the track is always changing. Unlike conventional hip hop, there is usually always a break or bridge (changing of chords and maybe sounds). Hope it helps a little.

[BASSDRIVE]

With Psy Trance, I think you just got to keep stuff moving. Don't let it become too static and repetative. It needs to have a lot of movement such as panning, phasing, flanging, filter sweeps, etc.... So basically a lot of modulation. Just keep your listeners guessing, don't become too predictable.


Try a plugin like "Glitch." It's perfect for PsyTrance as you can create some un-predictable rhythms. Run some percussion through it, synths, whatever you like that might create some cool rhythm.

http://illformed.org/plugins/glitch/

[ZenPunkHippy]

Here are some artists or albums you should check out for a better idea of what makes the music psychedelic. These are not necessarily "psychedelic trance" but all have had a major influence on the sound:

1. Hallucinogen
2. Shpongle
3. Eat Static
4. Ozric Tentacles

For more recent, "proper" psy trance check out:

1. Ajja - Psychogeniica
2. Astrix - Eye to Eye

There are countless other albums but the above two are extremely well produced and represent two different sides of psy trance. Astrix is more commercial, but very well produced. Psychogenica is just a belting album from start to finish, the rhythms and flow of energy is about as good as it gets.

Also listen to some of the more experimental Frank Zappa, and 60's / 70's jam bands like Quicksilver Messenger Service or the 13th Floor Elevators.

The psychedelic or "trippy" aspects of this music comes from the interaction of the layers, which is probably why someone commented you don't have enough. Combining sounds in unexpected ways will keep keep the listener guessing, and the rising / falling filter sweeps can be used to create interesting poly-rhythms and further highlight the interactions between layers.

Learn to control your synths and effects so that you know exactly how to get the sound you want, and above all experiment with different combinations of sounds.

Peace,
Andy.

[dspange]

I mostly produce uplifting trance, but I think psytrance is just trance music with just more effects/faster bpms(138-140)/not really uplifting but more like hard trance energy sounds. (I Would like to be filled in) Like most trance/psy trance tracks you work on a basic 8 bar patterns then build from there layering more and more, and every 8 bars has more and more elements, untill you finally decide to break it down with a nice drum roll, filters and bass drops, then just start over again maybe adding additional elements like lead sounds and other patterns and effects. Hope this helps, just listen to some trance songs and you will get the idea. Ive been wanting to also work on hiphop tracks myself and also expanding my producing skills also, peace !