LostLegend - Hardwired [90's style Trance] (21st Century Mix added 06/Dec/21!!)

[LostLegend]

Hello all!

I've noticed that going back to older tunes for inspiration has been popular recently, so I thought "When in Rome..."
Coincidentally 'When in Rome' was the working title for this tune for most of the production process!

I decided to go for that late 90's UK uplifting sound made popular by the likes of Darren Tate, Matt Darey & Rob Searle.

Let me tell you, I had an absolute blast making this track!
It gave me an excuse to dive into my collection of 90's era legacy sample packs for some of the sounds.
The 909 drums are from the 'Goldbaby Tape808 & Tape909' pack, which is a selection of 909 & 808 samples fed through various hardware tape saturators.
There's also some loops from the 'Ueberschall Houseworx' pack and some effects and various samples from some of the 'Zero G Datafile' series.

Most of the synth work was made with Adam Szabo's 'JP6K' VST, which is an emulation of the Roland JP8000/8080 synths popular during that era of
trance production.

I went as far as adding some light DAT Tape hiss in the background to give that authentic era sound.
I was also tempted to add vinyl crackle and lower the bitrate to 128kbps to give that authentic 'downloaded from Napster' feel, but decided that was taking it all bit too far!
It even has one of those old intro/counter melodies ... just for you @Magdelayna

Anyway, this is just a bit of fun from me and I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed producing the track.

I'm tempted to do a more modern version of this as I am really happy with how the melodies turned out, however if any of you want to have a go at remixing it, lemme know!

 

[Archon]

Sounds very authentic, probably much more than what most of the guys who go back to the old sounds come up with. It also sounds like you had fun with it, which is great. Bet @Magdelayna and @Magnevi in particular might enjoy this.

That said, not really my thing anymore, and some of the melodies sound very familiar (though I can't pinpoint the track(s) specifically).

 

[LostLegend]

That said, not really my thing anymore, and some of the melodies sound very familiar (though I can't pinpoint the track(s) specifically).

It occurred to me when mixing this track down, that the lead arpeggio uses a very similar pattern as Alphazone's remix of 'Saltwater - The Legacy'
Completely unintentional, mind and also not in the same key (At least I don't think it is! )

 

[Julian Del Agranda]

At least I don't think it is!

Alphazone is C Minor (5A).

Your track uses the notes from the scales B Minor (10A) and D Major (10B). Those keys use the same notes. Which note is more prominent in the track decides wether your song is minor or major. Most tracks simply have the bass playing that root note a lot. But in your case, the root note is G. Which is a bit unorthodox, as it's neither B or D, but it's possible.

I used a (virtual) piano and pressed the B and D notes all over your track, to hear which note suited the track the most. In my opinion D feels more pleasant. So I'd say your song is in D Major (10B).

No idea why I typed this. Thought it might be interesting lol.

The mixing isn't half bad. Sounds pretty good. The "little clap" you use as percussion element, I would boost them a lot. Might be taste, but I would like it more prominent. When the bass enters, that clap sound is gone in the mud.

I like the plucks you used in the build-up. Perhaps could be slightly louder.

At 2:57 it's a bit too empty. It's just the low pad with the melody. Maybe some kind of FX could make it more atmospheric. Maybe some kind of downlifter, something that slows down. Trrrruuududududu-du-du-du--du----du-----du------du--------..... And then very high notes to very low notes. (Don't know how to describe).

Main melody is alright. I think the synth sound... is just ok. I'm a sucker for this kind of sound myself. And with software, I haven't found any softsynth that REALLY nails it. To get that real "Svenson & Gielen", or the already mentioned Alphazone - The Legacy, big sounding phat synth. Those are just even more bold, harsh and strong. The one in your track is OK, but slightly plastic-y. But it is what it is maybe, with software.

Anyway, I like where it's going. Keep in mind: The more I type, the more enthusiastic I am. I'm not slating it, but liking it

 

[LostLegend]

Alphazone is C Minor (5A).

Your track uses the notes from the scales B Minor (10A) and D Major (10B). Those keys use the same notes. Which note is more prominent in the track decides wether your song is minor or major. Most tracks simply have the bass playing that root note a lot. But in your case, the root note is G. Which is a bit unorthodox, as it's neither B or D, but it's possible.

I used a (virtual) piano and pressed the B and D notes all over your track, to hear which note suited the track the most. In my opinion D feels more pleasant. So I'd say your song is in D Major (10B).

No idea why I typed this. Thought it might be interesting lol.

The mixing isn't half bad. Sounds pretty good. The "little clap" you use as percussion element, I would boost them a lot. Might be taste, but I would like it more prominent. When the bass enters, that clap sound is gone in the mud.

I like the plucks you used in the build-up. Perhaps could be slightly louder.

At 2:57 it's a bit too empty. It's just the low pad with the melody. Maybe some kind of FX could make it more atmospheric. Maybe some kind of downlifter, something that slows down. Trrrruuududududu-du-du-du--du----du-----du------du--------..... And then very high notes to very low notes. (Don't know how to describe).

Main melody is alright. I think the synth sound... is just ok. I'm a sucker for this kind of sound myself. And with software, I haven't found any softsynth that REALLY nails it. To get that real "Svenson & Gielen", or the already mentioned Alphazone - The Legacy, big sounding phat synth. Those are just even more bold, harsh and strong. The one in your track is OK, but slightly plastic-y. But it is what it is maybe, with software.

Anyway, I like where it's going. Keep in mind: The more I type, the more enthusiastic I am. I'm not slating it, but liking it

Cheers for the feedback.
Trying to get the feel of those Analogue synths from that era is hard. The softsynths come close, but you have to play around to get that 'je ne sais quois' that you get from hardware.
I actually originally planned to use only Ableton stock synths and effects for this and was going to upload the full project file for people to play around with. But I just couldn't get the synths to sound how I wanted, so ended up using the JP6K synth instead.

I used a (virtual) piano and pressed the B and D notes all over your track, to hear which note suited the track the most. In my opinion D feels more pleasant. So I'd say your song is in D Major (10B).

It's in G using the Lydian scale. Same as G Major but you move the IV up a half step. (C# instead of C in this case)

 

[Daysleeper]

I kinda like it, just right of the bat. All I can say for now, or ever.

 

[Magdelayna]

Some lovely late 90's vibes from this one - i can tell you had fun making this! And yes,a special mention for the first sub melody hehe!

 

[Recharge]

It occurred to me when mixing this track down, that the lead arpeggio uses a very similar pattern as Alphazone's remix of 'Saltwater - The Legacy'
Completely unintentional, mind and also not in the same key (At least I don't think it is! )

Now that you mentioned it. I would of just noticed it sounds familiar. I am awful with names, a lot of times I will recognise melodies and songs but be like, well.. it's a song... and it's written by somebody...

Also I love it.

 

[Hensmon]

Enjoying this a lot man. Nice one. Will give a few more listens before I share my thoughts but this is my favourite one from you yet.

 

[LostLegend]

I forgot that I posted this!

Here's what it sounded like with only Ableton stock plugins.
I was using 'Analog' for the lead, but even then it sounded too modern!

 

[IXM]

a perfect piece, I don't know if it's deep prog or uplilift. Come in thanks to such artists, maybe we will come back


I have listened to it more than once ... perfect. marketing stays .

 

[IXM]

while analyzing this brilliant piece, I ponder over the sidechnic lead. When I introduce it in my works it seems that it does nothing. I cannot understand this effect. Are these the requirements of the contemporary audience?

 

[LostLegend]

while analyzing this brilliant piece, I ponder over the sidechnic lead. When I introduce it in my works it seems that it does nothing. I cannot understand this effect. Are these the requirements of the contemporary audience?

Not sure what you mean here. Are you talking about how to use the sidechain function on the compressor?

 

[IXM]

Not sure what you mean here. Are you talking about how to use the sidechain function on the compressor?

Yes, sidechain on leads, when I use this treatment at home, I always have the impression that without this effect my leads sound better


maybe that's why my leads have no power ...

 

[Jetflag]

without going into the nifty details: Nailed it, Lovely old school sounding trance track.

 

[LostLegend]

Modern ‘far too loud and fast’ mix coming soon…

 

[IXM]

this acid fits in nicely with the rest, and this mermaid. promises to be great

 

[Bruno]

Damn, man...
This is just great, really love it!

 

[LostLegend]

So I also made a more modern version that I played out in a recent online set!

Not often I come back to the 138 bpm stuff, but it's a guilty pleasure, so once in a while never hurts anybody!

 

[IXM]

personally, I love this pace, the track feels fresh, definitely more vivid than the original, wonderful for me!