OUT Allende - Midnight Train [Pure Progressive]
- Thread starter Z Dobrej Woli
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allende
New Member
Out Now!
If I may extend my description from page one, Midnight Train is a fairly straightforward minor chord progression wrapped around in atmospheric hypnotism, acid lines and dissonant techno influences. The original mix is the most organic of them and the most progressive in terms of different moods and sections, with some unusual compositional tricks like the use of diminished scale and different time signatures (I guess polymeters in this case, since it keeps the 4/4 dance beat through out those sections).
Back to Basics Mix, as the name suggests is a throw back mix to 90's acid trance style. twin acid lines, hypnotic atmospheric approach, TR-909 drums. It also focuses a lot on the soaring lead synth melody of the original mix and gives it more air time than the original mix. The chromatism is still here from the original to create some darker contrast for the melodic harmonic parts. Also featuring a straight up techno section, but this time in a more minimal fashion.
Stripped Mix, like the name suggests is a stripped version of B2B mix. While the B2B mix still has some modern production techniques that prevent it from being a true 90's oldschool homage, this mix goes all the way. Cutting back on most of the fancy stuff, dropping a lot of the atmospheric elements and fx and gives everything a dry warm lofi feel.
If I may extend my description from page one, Midnight Train is a fairly straightforward minor chord progression wrapped around in atmospheric hypnotism, acid lines and dissonant techno influences. The original mix is the most organic of them and the most progressive in terms of different moods and sections, with some unusual compositional tricks like the use of diminished scale and different time signatures (I guess polymeters in this case, since it keeps the 4/4 dance beat through out those sections).
Back to Basics Mix, as the name suggests is a throw back mix to 90's acid trance style. twin acid lines, hypnotic atmospheric approach, TR-909 drums. It also focuses a lot on the soaring lead synth melody of the original mix and gives it more air time than the original mix. The chromatism is still here from the original to create some darker contrast for the melodic harmonic parts. Also featuring a straight up techno section, but this time in a more minimal fashion.
Stripped Mix, like the name suggests is a stripped version of B2B mix. While the B2B mix still has some modern production techniques that prevent it from being a true 90's oldschool homage, this mix goes all the way. Cutting back on most of the fancy stuff, dropping a lot of the atmospheric elements and fx and gives everything a dry warm lofi feel.
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Daysleeper
Lost in Trancelation
Fancy words for a rather simplistic track in reality. I think you reused a melody completely from one of your previous tracks btw and changed the structure of it. For me it comes out too slow/sluggish, the mainrhytm never evolves/devolves and the " sections" doesn't really feel connected to the backbeat or the whole arrangement.
Atleast it doesn't sound like much else out there but to be brutally honest it doesn't feel very proffesinally composed/arranged and the synth/mainmelody comes out a little tolullaby childish-sounding for me.
Atleast it doesn't sound like much else out there but to be brutally honest it doesn't feel very proffesinally composed/arranged and the synth/mainmelody comes out a little tolullaby childish-sounding for me.
I am no musician or producer for me to assess tracks in a deep technical level but all I can say is that the melodies and overall composition/arrangement hit all the feelings I needed to elevate me. Knowing damn well how 95% of the stuff that comes out in Trance is just below average most of the times, you sir are definitely one of the few unicorn that deserves all the praise and respect for providing these pieces. Salute.
Back to Basics Mix is the one!!!.
I agree with Daysleeper honestly, but mainly about the original. The techno part especially which didn't fit for me, or at least lacked the raw power and brutality that techno can bring. Felt too slow and lifeless in that section and didn't connect well with the other sections as mentioned. It does unfortunately feel a little sluggish too, yeah. When you introduce the acid and different percussion into the Back To Basics mix the tracks has so much more life and momentum, I love it in fact. Really got me going in the chair. The combinations of the melodies and acids is pretty sweet.
Production also sounds really nice, very pleasing on the ears. Melodic bits are very cool. I think it could have gone more twisted though, or given more intensity to those bits that already feel twisted (like the little bits at 3:12 and onwards). Just a little too safe with the elements. Maybe everything could have been more explosive, right through from percs to synths (just my opinion). Its close! Would have liked 1 of the 3 mixes to offer that driving nature as the content is so cool. Offering a lot of critique here but honestly really love the B2B mix
I agree with Daysleeper honestly, but mainly about the original. The techno part especially which didn't fit for me, or at least lacked the raw power and brutality that techno can bring. Felt too slow and lifeless in that section and didn't connect well with the other sections as mentioned. It does unfortunately feel a little sluggish too, yeah. When you introduce the acid and different percussion into the Back To Basics mix the tracks has so much more life and momentum, I love it in fact. Really got me going in the chair. The combinations of the melodies and acids is pretty sweet.
Production also sounds really nice, very pleasing on the ears. Melodic bits are very cool. I think it could have gone more twisted though, or given more intensity to those bits that already feel twisted (like the little bits at 3:12 and onwards). Just a little too safe with the elements. Maybe everything could have been more explosive, right through from percs to synths (just my opinion). Its close! Would have liked 1 of the 3 mixes to offer that driving nature as the content is so cool. Offering a lot of critique here but honestly really love the B2B mix
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allende
New Member
Thanks for all the positives and also for all the criticism! I agree the "main theme" is super simple, just three diatonic minor chords and a simple lead. When composing I don't really think what kinda track would be well received and what wouldn't. The level of complexity in melodies and details varies track by track basis and it's not something I try to think too much, just go with the idea and see how it turns out. Sometimes the melodies are very simple and sometimes very complex. Sometimes the track is more generic and sometimes more unique. While I normally do gravitate towards more complex arrangements and harmonies, anything can be great if it's adapted to it's purpose. Something like "Nalin & Kane - Beachball" is incredibly simple both arrangement and melody wise, but works great cause it serves the track and idea.
What matters to me is that I at least try to think what I do and second guess every sound and note in the track. So if it sucks then at least it sucks because my vision/idea sucks and not because lack of effort and thought. I hope to have some self-criticism to keep the worst in the drawer, and expect the label to have some standards as well.
Writing great melodies and chord progressions is really hard. You have to find a place between generic major scale progressions (like I-V-vi-IV or some combination of it) and something having too much modal mixture/borrowed chords and unusual scales. So it's not too generic and not too extreme to alienate most people. Experimenting and trying to be unique is also very hard. People criticize the smallest things, like if the kick doesn't stay on every 1/4th and the snare/clap isn't on every 2nd and 4th. The labels and DJs also want it very safe, Labels want something that people are familiar with and can easily dance to and DJs want something they can mix into other tracks. So 7/8 time signature tracks and big melodic intros are kinda out of the table in this genre. So even the people who are trying to push the limits a bit are probably not pushing enough. Feels like this whole danceability and mixability is creating a huge creative obstacle for this genre, that some of the other genres don't have.
Anyway thanks again for everyone for the listens and thoughts, the next release will probably be something very different again.
What matters to me is that I at least try to think what I do and second guess every sound and note in the track. So if it sucks then at least it sucks because my vision/idea sucks and not because lack of effort and thought. I hope to have some self-criticism to keep the worst in the drawer, and expect the label to have some standards as well.
Writing great melodies and chord progressions is really hard. You have to find a place between generic major scale progressions (like I-V-vi-IV or some combination of it) and something having too much modal mixture/borrowed chords and unusual scales. So it's not too generic and not too extreme to alienate most people. Experimenting and trying to be unique is also very hard. People criticize the smallest things, like if the kick doesn't stay on every 1/4th and the snare/clap isn't on every 2nd and 4th. The labels and DJs also want it very safe, Labels want something that people are familiar with and can easily dance to and DJs want something they can mix into other tracks. So 7/8 time signature tracks and big melodic intros are kinda out of the table in this genre. So even the people who are trying to push the limits a bit are probably not pushing enough. Feels like this whole danceability and mixability is creating a huge creative obstacle for this genre, that some of the other genres don't have.
Anyway thanks again for everyone for the listens and thoughts, the next release will probably be something very different again.
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The original mix took me a while to get into because of the stop/start bassline. And something just seems a bit off about the kick. Maybe it's a tad too overpowering and robotic. But the melodies are crafted well, quite pleasant and summery. And there is originality in the structure of the track so overall I dig.
The other mixes are a great effort at producing something different. b2b mix is my favourite but just wish you used a different type of synths which were less harsh sounding. Overall an enjoyable package which I have supported.
The other mixes are a great effort at producing something different. b2b mix is my favourite but just wish you used a different type of synths which were less harsh sounding. Overall an enjoyable package which I have supported.
allende
New Member
Seems to be back on Spotify, at least for me, I don't know if it's a location / country restriction or something:
Midnight Train @ Spotify
I'll try to find out what happened with beatport.
Manofearth
Senior Member
- Sep 24, 2020
- 471 Posts
- 255 Thanked
I overlooked this thread. Nice idea for a track, I also like the B2B mix the most as it has more energy and movement. A faster tempo may have benefited all of them as they can feel slow.
I can tell straight away that it is an Allende track! Reminds me of some Orkidea track too at points.
I can tell straight away that it is an Allende track! Reminds me of some Orkidea track too at points.
- Jun 27, 2020
- 4,091 Posts
- 2,960 Thanked
Yup this feels like an Allende track. Love that fact alone. You stick to being you, which is always worthy of respect.
That said, even though these feel really nice, they only slightly tingle your emoballs. Nice layering of pads, some sweeps and so on for greater emotional impact would've taken these to another level. Lots to like about all three mixes, but somehow the emotion and energy seem to be missing for me - not completely, but still...
That said, even though these feel really nice, they only slightly tingle your emoballs. Nice layering of pads, some sweeps and so on for greater emotional impact would've taken these to another level. Lots to like about all three mixes, but somehow the emotion and energy seem to be missing for me - not completely, but still...