LostLegend - Pistolero [Prog Trance]

LostLegend

Senior Member
Dec 5, 2020
841 Posts
965 Thanked
Liverpool, UK
Website
www.beatport.com
The high energy 138 trance scene has always been my go-to genre, but over lockdown, I've gotten quite friendly with a load of DJ's that play out on a radio station I occasionally do mixes for. Most of these guys favour the deeper/more progressive end of the electronic music spectrum. So I've been widening my musical palate thanks to them and exploring a more progressive sound in some of my productions as well recently.

This track is called 'Pistolero' - which is Spanish for 'Gun Fighter' or 'Gunslinger' No relevance to anything other than it sounded like a cool name for a tune! 😆

The idea was that I wanted to start with a very basic, almost boring melody, but build up a lush soundscape of pads and synths around it that grow throughout the track. This was the result.
Loads of influences from a lot of different places here if you can spot them! 😉

Any feedback positive or negative is greatly appreciated! 😎

https://soundcloud.com/mrlostlegend%2Fpistolero
 
  • Thanks
Reactions: Hensmon

Bluemoon

Senior Member
Jul 8, 2020
276 Posts
183 Thanked
I like it =)

Its very simplistic but still energetic in a way. I like to listen to music like this when doing stuff on my computer so i will hit the like button ^^

For my personal taste the kick is a bit too punchy but it might just be me, but other than that its a nice song.
 
  • Thanks
Reactions: LostLegend

Hensmon

Admin
TranceFix Crew
Jun 27, 2020
3,109 Posts
2,606 Thanked
UK
This is pretty good man! I think the track idea is excellent and I really enjoyed listening to it. I can clearly here strong Orkidea influence in here, and the old classic kind of Orkidea. Hale Bopp too...in fact its like the style of the Orkidea remix of Hale Bopp ha. Very cool mate, its a real good stripped back and immersive track that builds well. Here's my feedback

- Like the percussion and baseline. The baseline works really well with the melody execution. How it phases between the L/R channel is v cool.

- Main synth works for me, but perhaps a tiny touch too robotic/static for too long. From 2:00 to 3:00 I would like slight organic variation/treatment coming in here and there to give it some variation and make it less repetitive. Maybe some tiny bits of details/textures and/or extra tiny percussive elements in this section to make it feel less bare. The metallic sounds that come in at 2:48 I can see is an attempt at that but it feels a bit out of place or just clearly a new 'layer' added in the DAW. That metallic sound is probably the only bit of the track that doesn't work for me.

- 3:00 onwards, lovely build, great idea to add the sweeping undertones and the key change. I personally would love those sweeping elements to be a bit more prominent and rich. You introduced more variation to the main synth here and I love it i.e the distortions and cascading end before the next bar. More of this variation like this overal might improve the track.

- Breakdown is sweet, still wanting more powerful sweeping synth work or lush atmosphere, but only slightly more (not uplifting intensity). For my own taste I would love more mystical details here, even a small distorted spoken sample or something to elevate it. Melody is niceeee.

- Overal its a great crisp, simple and spacious track that works very well. I want a little less bare feeling and some details/variation to make it less static feeling. The sweeping elements more rich and prominent...

P.s I am also hearing a little bit of State Azure type sounds on the synth (not sure if thats an influence)
 
  • Thanks
Reactions: LostLegend

LostLegend

Senior Member
Dec 5, 2020
841 Posts
965 Thanked
Liverpool, UK
Website
www.beatport.com
This is pretty good man! I think the track idea is excellent and I really enjoyed listening to it. I can clearly here strong Orkidea influence in here, and the old classic kind of Orkidea. Hale Bopp too...in fact its like the style of the Orkidea remix of Hale Bopp ha. Very cool mate, its a real good stripped back and immersive track that builds well. Here's my feedback

- Like the percussion and baseline. The baseline works really well with the melody execution. How it phases between the L/R channel is v cool.

- Main synth works for me, but perhaps a tiny touch too robotic/static for too long. From 2:00 to 3:00 I would like slight organic variation/treatment coming in here and there to give it some variation and make it less repetitive. Maybe some tiny bits of details/textures and/or extra tiny percussive elements in this section to make it feel less bare. The metallic sounds that come in at 2:48 I can see is an attempt at that but it feels a bit out of place or just clearly a new 'layer' added in the DAW. That metallic sound is probably the only bit of the track that doesn't work for me.

- 3:00 onwards, lovely build, great idea to add the sweeping undertones and the key change. I personally would love those sweeping elements to be a bit more prominent and rich. You introduced more variation to the main synth here and I love it i.e the distortions and cascading end before the next bar. More of this variation like this overal might improve the track.

- Breakdown is sweet, still wanting more powerful sweeping synth work or lush atmosphere, but only slightly more (not uplifting intensity). For my own taste I would love more mystical details here, even a small distorted spoken sample or something to elevate it. Melody is niceeee.

- Overal its a great crisp, simple and spacious track that works very well. I want a little less bare feeling and some details/variation to make it less static feeling. The sweeping elements more rich and prominent...

P.s I am also hearing a little bit of State Azure type sounds on the synth (not sure if thats an influence)
Thanks for the feedback.

I was torn about adding more variation to add extra intrest to the track. But I was happy with how tight everything sounded to be honest.

I looked at adding some more subtle changes and little bits of ear candy throughout, but it ended up sounding cluttered so I removed them.
That's on me, though. I only got back into producing after a looong hiatus in January, so that's something I need to work on.

Thanks again for the feedback! 🙂
 
  • Thanks
Reactions: Hensmon

Archon

Gagi
TranceFix Crew
Jun 27, 2020
3,913 Posts
2,809 Thanked
Hey man. The beats are on point I think, nice to hear this sort of middleground trance, between slow prog and fast uplifting. We need more of this. I mean, even James Holden had his 140 prog works back in the day. It's energetic enough but has the potential to go anywhere. Still, I think this is more of an aggressive track, would be nice to hear some more contrast with lush sounds. Reminds me of Oliver Lieb in that regard.

That said, that riff goes on for too long and goes nowhere. I only like its sound after you open its filters - which you only do occasionally. Also, I don't feel like the whole track goes anywhere, really. If I were you, I'd work on the arrangement a bit more, as well as the composition and sound design. You need something more IMO, this doesn't sound finished to my ears. I also have to say that Hens gave you good points there.

Hope you work on it, because it really has a lot of potential. I'll definitely follow your works here.
 

Recharge

Elite Member
Sep 26, 2020
1,004 Posts
544 Thanked
Age
38
I like it. Bass is kind of punchy, but I just noticed on my last track wasn't punchy enough. I think we are going on the same or at least similar paths. My last one was progressive/uplifting mix too. But you are definitely ahead.
 
  • Thanks
Reactions: LostLegend

Hensmon

Admin
TranceFix Crew
Jun 27, 2020
3,109 Posts
2,606 Thanked
UK
21st century remix of this @LostLegend?

Massive punch on this could be sweeeeet. Also some of that variation in development and execution on the tight synth that plays for most of the track.
 
  • Thanks
Reactions: LostLegend

Jetflag

Elite Member
Jul 17, 2020
2,699 Posts
2,167 Thanked
Solid intro.
Beautifull strings/synths
sweet proggie percussion.

also love the transition @ 2.00 3.22 pitch change is brilliant.

mixing is on point.

I've got nothing bad really. Suggestion: Send this out for demo.
 
  • Thanks
Reactions: LostLegend

LostLegend

Senior Member
Dec 5, 2020
841 Posts
965 Thanked
Liverpool, UK
Website
www.beatport.com
21st century remix of this @LostLegend?

Massive punch on this could be sweeeeet. Also some of that variation in development and execution on the tight synth that plays for most of the track.

Holy necro thread! :LOL:

Never thought to do anything more harder edged to this tbh. Possibly something I might look into in the future!

Solid intro.
Beautifull strings/synths
sweet proggie percussion.

also love the transition @ 2.00 3.22 pitch change is brilliant.

mixing is on point.

I've got nothing bad really. Suggestion: Send this out for demo.

Cheers. This is an old track though, it's been sitting around on the internet for over a year now hehe
 
  • Thanks
Reactions: Jetflag

Julian Del Agranda

Elite Member
Jul 3, 2020
1,582 Posts
1,823 Thanked
Liking the onorthodox rides. The whole thing sounds very neat on loud volume.

But also: Wrong section.

This is meant for amateur productions. Not for professional stuff. This should be moved to Upcoming Releases. Which label is it on you say?