KVR Audio

Astralv · Post by **Astralv** » Sun Nov 09, 2014 3:01 am

Hey, guys

What tempo should I use with the next trance or dance project? Back in 90s we were using 160 bpm. Then the trend went to 140 bpm. Then everybody slowed down and was using 128 bpm. I guess, I missed the memo, because my last song (see my signature link if you like) sounds slow. So I set project at 140 bpm and testing the arpeggiated synth- it sounds kind of ridiculous. I am not a teenager any more- this is tooo fast. What is the golden standard for today's dance music? Thank you.

VitaminD · Post by **VitaminD** » Sun Nov 09, 2014 3:03 am

Maybe checkout Beatport - they show tempo of each song on their website. Check the top 10 in each genre there.. it should give you an idea.

Astralv · Post by **Astralv** » Sun Nov 09, 2014 3:35 am

Yeah, thanks, it is good idea... I listen a lot of Armada's A State Of Trance compilations- they release them weekly. It comes with near 30 songs every week, and they all mixed in one tempo. It sounds fast, at least 138. I like to fit in- dont want DJs to have to change my tempo and make song sound like crap. 140 is somewhat too much, I think... Beatport is time consuming. Thought producers may advise. Thank you.

VitaminD · Post by **VitaminD** » Sun Nov 09, 2014 3:58 am

Probably 130-140 is my guess depending on subgenre. But Beatport would be the way to go if you want a more definitive answer.

Take care!

ghettosynth · Post by **ghettosynth** » Sun Nov 09, 2014 4:56 am

What trance is at 160BPM?

VitaminD · Post by **VitaminD** » Sun Nov 09, 2014 5:08 am

psy trance / goa can be

Astralv · Post by **Astralv** » Sun Nov 09, 2014 5:20 am

Actually in 90s- 1993-1999 most of electronic dance music was starting at 150 to 170. Then producers figured out- it is hard to dance at that speed. lol. Sure there were sub genres... I had my entire album at 160. It requires slightly different technique when producing.

ghettosynth · Post by **ghettosynth** » Sun Nov 09, 2014 6:20 am

Astralv wrote:Actually in 90s- 1993-1999 most of electronic dance music was starting at 150 to 170. Then producers figured out- it is hard to dance at that speed. lol. Sure there were sub genres... I had my entire album at 160. It requires slightly different technique when producing.

Certainly not "Most electronic dance music" or not even most trance. Even though I consider myself mostly a house DJ I used to spin hard trance/acid trance as a guilty pleasure (in the 90s). Tempos for trance went through a speedup phase, yes, but for "most" trance, I would say that it topped out about 150. I'm not saying that there wasn't trance at higher tempos, I didn't follow the goa scene at all, but, in general, I would say that above 150 you are pushing into other genres.

ZenPunkHippy · Post by **ZenPunkHippy** » Sun Nov 09, 2014 6:26 am

A rough guide ...

Progressive trance: 128 - 138
Psy + Goa trance: 136 - 155
Dark psy: 155 - 190

The stuff over 155 is sometimes called psy trance but it's really "dark psy" (there are some other names, but that's the most common).

Peace,
Andy.

ZenPunkHippy · Post by **ZenPunkHippy** » Sun Nov 09, 2014 6:34 am

I should add, most other forms of trance are between 135 and 145. Seems most commercial / club trance is a bit slower these days than it was 10 or 15 years ago, but you could argue it's not really trance.

This recent interview with John '00' Fleming is a good read if you're in to trance:

http://www.inthemix.com.au/features/589 ... ing_trance

Peace,
Andy.

Astralv · Post by **Astralv** » Sun Nov 09, 2014 7:50 am

Thank you for your reply. I guess it depends what country you live in. I moved from Eastern Europe (Kiev, Ukraine) to USA. In USA nobody was listening electronic music then. Not in Virginia. Nobody still listens it here. I fell out of scene because I got myself in to medical school, but I am getting back now and trying to figure out what people want to hear. I personally like groove heavy electronic music with rap or oriental drums. I also listen trance from Europe. Very few of my friends have any idea what I am talking about. I want to sign with Armada. Armada only releases Trance- for some reason. So I have to write couple strong trance songs to get their attention. And then I can do what I want again. lol. I kind of like Dubstep too, but it gets old fast with no melodies and it is hard to dance to...

So I think 38 bpm for the next song? 35? Is this song too slow for Trance? https://soundcloud.com/vlada-astral/welcome-to-ukraine I appreciate feedback. And, yes, I want everybody to hear it. You would be the only people that get to hear it, because nobody listens this stuff where I live.

ZenPunkHippy · Post by **ZenPunkHippy** » Sun Nov 09, 2014 8:09 am

If you are thinking "trance" from the 90s I don't think you will get very far, it's not really happening any more.

Check out this recent track on the Armada label (*). The top comment says it all: "there is no way this is trance".

And it's not. It's (so called) EDM disguised as trance, it's pretty obvious from the start. If you were to read the John Fleming interview, you'd know why. It's labelled trance because that's one of the most popular categories on Beatport. Trance a marketing label more than a style of music these days.

EDM is what's popular in the US now, and it's become more so around the world. DJs like Armin van Buuren have simply morphed their style to follow the latest trends.

What is EDM? A kind of weird half-brother/sister of music made for actually dancing.

It seems most EDM is mostly about "the drop" i.e. the breakdown that follows an epic build up than it is about the actual beat (the bit you dance too). Actual trance music is more about the constant beat with evolving melodies and sound scapes.

Whatever, the kids love EDM, so it's going to be around for a while.

Your track has some cool ideas, but I think there are way too many themes for a single track. you could probably make 5 or 10 different tracks out of the ideas presented.

Tempo seems fine to me.

* this is Ararmda in 2014

Doug1978 · Post by **Doug1978** » Sun Nov 09, 2014 8:15 am

For plenty of good reasons, the best modern dance tempo is 131.557 BPM.

Though all the cool cats are now making these sort of hip tunes instead:

ZenPunkHippy · Post by **ZenPunkHippy** » Sun Nov 09, 2014 8:37 am

BTW, you would do well to check out the Trance Addictsforum:

http://tranceaddict.com/forums/

Anjuna Beats is another good place to check:

http://forum.anjunabeats.com

Both forums are actively used by people more in to trance music than the typical KVR user.

Peace,
Andy.

jasco · Post by **jasco** » Sun Nov 09, 2014 8:44 am

IMHO

Uplifting trance : 138-140bpm
Progressive / Trance 2.0 : 128-132bpm
Dance : anything over 120 bpm

What tempo to use for Trance or Dance music?