Techniques for a 'classic'-style trance sound

[TW1306]

I've been trying to make music for about 7-8 years now but I feel like I've gotten nowhere in the last few. My work is definitely missing a distinctive 'sound' that would make it seem like something genuine from the late 90s-early 2000s, which is the style I'm aiming for.

Here are just a few examples (of many) of the kind of 'sound' I'm trying to replicate:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t7flKkynYM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxKHGiB8nFQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7amjGiDmXU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhgZyYMXSWE

Currently I have Reason 10, a bunch of freeware including some emulations of trance hardware (i.e. Synth1 and ABL3) and some sample packs, but I just cannot seem to achieve the sound I want. Other people have suggested looking into second-hand hardware, but as a university student I don't really have the money or space for that. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated as this has been a long-term goal of mine and I feel that I've just stagnated with it.

[Immanencer]

Hi, I'm still learning too, but after 8-9 years of recording "in the box" (versus onto cassette tape before then), I'd say that today's DAWs can record pretty much any sound perfectly, given proper technique. If you've ever watched an expert producer work with stock DAW tools, you'd likely agree with that assessment. Fortunately, nowadays there is a near-infinite well of knowledge to tap into, via the internet, about technique: forums, articles, lessons, and especially YouTube videos of your favorite producers creating with various tools in real time.

Without hearing your tracks, it's difficult for anyone to suggest what's missing. "Stagnation" generally implies lack of inspiration or a drop-off in learning. Have you tried a process of elimination by recreating one of these classic tracks that you linked? Maybe choose a 20 second section that you think epitomizes "the sound" that you're aiming for and rebuild it in your DAW. If you can recreate the synths (which should be easy, since those used in early trance were mostly just filtered saws) and the other elements (percussion, noise fx, etc.) then maybe it's something about the mixing/mastering production techniques? If you can indeed duplicate actual the sound in these tracks perfectly, then it's probably your composition/arrangement that is lacking.

One thing I would point out about your posted examples is that they all sound like they are sampled from vinyl. That (of course) will reduce the frequency range (the top end is especially attenuated) and affect the dynamics as well. There are other versions of these classic tracks out there that are better sound quality and are probably more relevant to listen for production cues with modern tools. But if that vinyl quality is indeed the "missing ingredient" for you, then there are plenty of cheap/free lo-fi effects that can do the job at emulating it. (Use "1990s vinyl" setting.)

In any case, I'd say that there's no need to buy hardware nowadays to achieve this or any sound you're desiring. (There are other reasons to buy hardware.) TBH, the production on these classic trance tracks is fairly simple by today's standards, due to the lack of automation and editing tools available in that era. But at the time, these were awesome to hear in a club through 10,000+ watts, and I should note that there was no attenuated high end -- until after one left the club, and for most of the next day. Good luck!

[TW1306]

Thank you very much for the reply, I did forget to link some of my work sorry here's the last two things I fully finished, and the best drafts I've been able to put together since then:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlOH_undHcM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yrVqSfVsUU
https://soundcloud.com/spatial-sound/drafts-collection/s-XA7CSSCO76i?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

I've tried several times to replicate tracks and synths, but it's still difficult to get them close enough (and honestly things like pads and FX are still beyond me). As for the vinyl effect, I do have a plugin for that (iZotope Vinyl) and have also compared with digital versions available on Beatport and such, and the differences are still there.

[chk071]

Hi, I'm still learning too, but after 8-9 years of recording "in the box" (versus onto cassette tape before then), I'd say that today's DAWs can record pretty much any sound perfectly, given proper technique.

That might as well be the problem here. To be honest, I don't know much about these things, but, could that "oldschool sound" be due to the fact that the recordings ran through analog mixing consoles and mastering effects?

Maybe also try tape plugins.

[Biome_Digital]

This is my era of Trance, anything about 1996 to 2001, love it! You want to get some VA synths. I would stick with software. Look at Novation Supernova, Virus, and JP8000 emulations. That would cover bass, synths, leads, pads, and FX.

For drums, you want Roland 909 samples to start for kicks, claps, snares, and hats, then get other drum sounds to layer. Lots of tracks from this time also layered breakbeats with the beat, so look at downloading the famous funk breaks kicking around the net.

You don't want to over-limited and over EQ either.

[Biome_Digital]

Thank you very much for the reply, I did forget to link some of my work sorry here's the last two things I fully finished, and the best drafts I've been able to put together since then:


https://soundcloud.com/spatial-sound/dr ... al_sharing

I've tried several times to replicate tracks and synths, but it's still difficult to get them close enough (and honestly things like pads and FX are still beyond me). As for the vinyl effect, I do have a plugin for that (iZotope Vinyl) and have also compared with digital versions available on Beatport and such, and the differences are still there.

TBH, the vinyl effect is the last thing you want to worry about. When these producers made these tracks, they didn't hear the vinyl. That's just an effect of the playback media.

As for pads, they have to be the easiest part to do. They just fill out "pad out", the sound. Lots of VA synth emulation like JP6K should have good pads.

[TW1306]

For drums, you want Roland 909 samples to start for kicks, claps, snares, and hats, then get other drum sounds to layer.
Lots of tracks from this time also layered breakbeats with the beat, so look at downloading the famous funk breaks kicking around the net.

I do have plenty of sample packs taken from the time, including some Akai samples and Vengeance Clubsounds, but I've definitely been trying find those breakbeat loops too - Airwave's 'Alone In The Dark' makes use of a couple of them in particular - but had no luck so far.

[Biome_Digital]

There was a big pack of classic funk beats that were the source of all the old breaks used in hardcore and drum and bass. The same breaks were used in classic trance too. I'd say, find those old funk loops if you can and edit to taste for trance. There was a pack of about 300 funk loops some years ago. Try searching for that, it's still about.

[AnX]

Look at Novation Supernova, Virus, and JP8000 emulations.

Is there one?

[Biome_Digital]

Look at Novation Supernova, Virus, and JP8000 emulations.

Is there one?

Actually it might be called V-station or something.

[Immanencer]

Thank you very much for the reply, I did forget to link some of my work sorry here's the last two things I fully finished, and the best drafts I've been able to put together since then:


https://soundcloud.com/spatial-sound/dr ... al_sharing

We'll see what the mix veterans say, but IMHO the problem isn't with your composition/arrangement/use of sounds. I think it's all mixing/mastering issues, mostly mixing. Nothing too bad, but I'd like to listen to these tracks mixed really well (especially that Unix remix) so I hope you'll up your game with EQ, compression, volume-shaping, transient shaping, limiting, use of various reverb types, and stereo imaging. I'd stay away from any lofi plugs/techniques until you get those nailed. There needs to be more top end (10kHz+) in your mixes, especially for the leads, I'd say. Remember that bass is heard primarily through its harmonics, as the overall level of lower frequencies builds up in a busy mix and the fundamentals need to be kept under control for overall balance of frequencies across the audio spectrum.

[TW1306]

so I hope you'll up your game with EQ, compression, volume-shaping, transient shaping, limiting, use of various reverb types, and stereo imaging.

I'll be honest, I'm not completely sure how to go about those; that's the kind of thing I was hoping to get advice on in this thread (not that I don't appreciate everything else of course, far from it). I was wondering if there were perhaps any specific things that were done in studios that resulted in the way those tracks sound, or if I could even replicate the process myself, if that makes sense.

[TIMT]

Look at Novation Supernova, Virus, and JP8000 emulations.

Is there one?

Actually it might be called V-station or something.

V-station is an exact VSTI transfer of the K-Station DSP and synth engine. Doesn't have anything to do with the Supernova and i don't think there is any kind of emulation of the Supernova out there, Not even a mockup Reaktor ensemble lol. Really does get no love that synth, but it's not all that great anyways(owned one).Useless for bass and it's only capable of really thin sounding leads. You can hear it a lot on Ferry Corstens early stuff before Gouryella. Sounds like it may have been used for the main lead in Pulp Victim-The World for example

I used to use it for almost sampled sounding plucks and distorted mono lead sounds. Had a nice bandpass filter too

[TW1306]

Useless for bass and it's only capable of really thin sounding leads. You can hear it a lot on Ferry Corstens early stuff before Gouryella. Sounds like it may have been used for the main lead in Pulp Victim-The World for example

Honestly quality aside, I think being able to put a specific track to the Supernova (especially one I very much love) would've been enough for me to justify trying it out if an emulation existed. The bass thing is definitely an issue though, good trance basses are very much a difficulty for me - I can't seem to create genuine-sounding ones and balance them well with beats.

[TIMT]

Useless for bass and it's only capable of really thin sounding leads. You can hear it a lot on Ferry Corstens early stuff before Gouryella. Sounds like it may have been used for the main lead in Pulp Victim-The World for example

Honestly quality aside, I think being able to put a specific track to the Supernova (especially one I very much love) would've been enough for me to justify trying it out if an emulation existed. The bass thing is definitely an issue though, good trance basses are very much a difficulty for me - I can't seem to create genuine-sounding ones and balance them well with beats.

That kind of Trance is similar to how a lot of that more Commercial Trance, UK Hardcore, "Bouncy/Scouse" House is mixed. Short kicks, staccato basslines with a very compressed bottom end. You might get closer to what you are looking for by mixing through a multiband compressor

The only common sequencing difference with Euphoric Trance is the basslines are usually arpeggiated. Truthfully, they aren't really bass, at least not back then

I think mixing through a multiband might serve you well if you are looking to get closer to that period. Ferry, Ron Van Den Beuken, and a couple of others were all big fans of the TC Finaliser. I think you can get it as a plugin now as well