My first propper (finished) trance track.

[Bobby Summa]

Hi Trance fans!

im an amateur producer of many styles of electronica.

I responded to an advert on an Anjuna Facebook group .

Mission was write a trance track so a lady can give it as an anniversary present for her husband.

It tells the story of their relationship. (or tries too).

I’d Love to know what people think.

Thanks

Bobby

https://soundcloud.com/robert-george-969154201%2Fanniversary-alex-and-bryce-wav%2Fs-nlHn9YFgJPj

 

[HTY]

This isn't half bad. It sounds clean and produced well. I like the smaller effects you've used but sometimes a little overdone as it went on. The vocals are bareable, which is a huge feat today. I prefer dubs anyway but if you are trying to make a romantic track I suppose it makes sense. It fits well with Anjunabeats style.

Id say the track is too short and lacking proper arrangement which allows it to build, crescendo and properly outro, therefore feels unfinished.

 

[Bobby Summa]

This isn't half bad. It sounds clean and produced well. I like the smaller effects you've used but sometimes a little overdone as it went on. The vocals are bareable, which is a huge feat today. I prefer dubs anyway but if you are trying to make a romantic track I suppose it makes sense. It fits well with Anjunabeats style.

Id say the track is too short and lacking proper arrangement which allows it to build, crescendo and properly outro, therefore feels unfinished.

Hi HTY
Thank you so much for your response.

Im glad you think its not half bad, and that there are good elements.

Thank you for you’re honesty about the elements that need improvement.

Funnily enough I was worried about precisely the same things.

Recently I have done my first ever small live gigs ( involving ambient acid and techno styles mostly ) and that has taken a lot of my music time and focus. ( plus on preparation for the first gig at one point I almost decided to give up music again).

So basically I haven’t been able to give quite enough time to the tune but 100% agree with what you’re saying.

The tune took me around 20 hours work I think. ( perhaps more) But i have learned a lot.
Unfortunately i needed to finish it yesterday so this is the version i sent the lady. In my response to her advert I mentioned im an amateur and would do it for free. ( in the advert she offered payment)

it is a shame i ran out of time to make a better arrangement but I kept having better ideas for the sounds and intro that the changes took up too much time to apply.
Im going on holiday tomorrow and ( definitely now) will improve certain elements when I return.

It will be too late for the lady its for but she has already sent me a response to this version that i sent her.

This was her response.

————- ——————————————-
Robert I am speechless!
I got actual goosebumps and cried!
You did such an amazing job putting everything I wanted together in a song while making it beautiful and catchy and fun to listen to.
——————————————————-

Im very happy with that response but knew i could have done better ( in the areas you highlighted) if id had the time.

For that reason im going to work on it when I return from holiday and see what happens. Itl become a personal project but a good one to work on and learn from now im getting more confidence in writing trance.

With this version on here Its the first time ive ever done a project for someone else so I think by her response I have satisfied her criteria.
Like i say though, shame I ran out of time to perfect it for the deadline.

Cheers HTY much appreciated

 

[Hensmon]

Congrats it sounded like she really loved it. The production style is pretty nice too, it does feel Anjunaish. Although the track is short it could be considered a 'radio' style mix, or tbh a standard mix for today. I actually think its a good length for what you wanted to achieve (a catchy love track). If you wanted it to be a proper Trancer I think it would benefit from 7/8 minutes and try to create a journey.

Good job though, would love to see more from you in this style, less chessey as possible . Where did you get those vocals from?

 

[Bobby Summa]

Congrats it sounded like she really loved it. The production style is pretty nice too, it does feel Anjunaish. Although the track is short it could be considered a 'radio' style mix, or tbh a standard mix for today. I actually think its a good length for what you wanted to achieve (a catchy love track). If you wanted it to be a proper Trancer I think it would benefit from 7/8 minutes and try to create a journey.

Good job though, would love to see more from you in this style, less chessey as possible . Where did you get those vocals from?

Hi Henson, really appreciate your feedback.
The vocals are from a paid for vocal pack. Its one with around 8 singers but i can’t remember right now which. Il let you know. I added a lot of fx. Mainly valhalla supermassive ( its free and better than any paid one ive got)

il update with vocal info soon.

i do plan on extending it. I’ve learned a lot making it so feel confident enough to finish some other WIP Trance now.
I have one buts its 90s psche trance style ( oh plus a 90s progressive style one i always forget. Binary finary heard it once and quite liked it….. i need to add a heavier kick tho)

i got a few from when I didn’t know the gear well also but the one i posted is my first propper modern completed trance id say

cheers

 

[Bobby Summa]

Congrats it sounded like she really loved it. The production style is pretty nice too, it does feel Anjunaish. Although the track is short it could be considered a 'radio' style mix, or tbh a standard mix for today. I actually think its a good length for what you wanted to achieve (a catchy love track). If you wanted it to be a proper Trancer I think it would benefit from 7/8 minutes and try to create a journey.

Good job though, would love to see more from you in this style, less chessey as possible . Where did you get those vocals from?

Update: The vocals are from a sample pack by Black Octopus SoundsI bought them a while ago. Is Black Octopus Sounds a decent company with all the legal stuff sorted. ( the samples are divided into sections with headings with the contributing singers name) They say it is all royalty free and not copyrighted. Although thats only relevant on tracks that gain an income isnt it?
Although id be over the moon to properly release a trance track, Im guessing this track is not in that league?

Talking of which, what would someone need to do to improve this track in general to make it potentially releasable? I wont be offended in the slightest as I realise some of you guys are pro producers and DJ’s. I very much appreciate advice as its a dream of mine to release a Trance track one day. As a famous old prime minister once said

“You have to dream before your dreams can come true”​

 

[Hensmon]

what would someone need to do to improve this track in general to make it potentially releasable?

Lets put it this way, what gets signed and what is good is not always the same thing. What kinds of labels and sounds do you like and that will influence how you approach a track. My opinion would be softer kicks, more focus on tension and build, no need to be overly dramatic/use more subtleties (not that yours is dramatic). Keep the white noise and masisve multilayering low. Dont be afraid of groovey percussion and baseline combos.

 

[Bobby Summa]

Lets put it this way, what gets signed and what is good is not always the same thing. What kinds of labels and sounds do you like and that will influence how you approach a track. My opinion would be softer kicks, more focus on tension and build, no need to be overly dramatic/use more subtleties (not that yours is dramatic). Keep the white noise and masisve multilayering low. Dont be afraid of groovey percussion and baseline combos.

Thanks Hensmon. Sounds like great advice. Would you be able to clarify what you mean by white noise and multi layering? I take it you don’t mean white noise as in the oscilator feature on a synthesizer. I ask because for some reason when this track was mastered certain artifacts in the sounds revealed a kind of white noise like sound that wasn’t intended, but i tried to eliminate it.
Thanks once again for your words.
Great forum

 

[Jetflag]

From someone who occasionally releases stuff; you sir, are well on your way. I concur with most of the aforementioned points, but i think the song is well on point in terms of feel/sounddesign/ ideas/ production. Well done

 

[Bobby Summa]

From someone who occasionally releases stuff; you sir, are well on your way. I concur with most of the aforementioned points, but i think the song is well on point in terms of feel/sounddesign/ ideas/ production. Well done

Thank you jetflag. Your words and support are going to become a big moment of inspiration i feel.

As I am going on holiday and work my day job during the day. I had to basically finishe the tune to a standard i was satisfied would please the person its for.

When I return I am going to work on the bits I had to rush.
Like folk here have mentioned, the arrangement is weak because i basically originaly had a less full 3 minute version that really didn’t have the melody that comes half way for more than 16 ( or 32) bars . It was getting late in the morning and my bed was calling ( as i was working at 8am lol) So i just copy and pasted a few sections and put that effect i made that comes in right before a change. I just didn’t have time to think much about it so added a few twinkly bits later at the end too. Played it back once and pressed save.

( mastered it an hour before i had to left for work - i use cloudbounce as in my studio i dont have room for speakers so with headphones a general quick mastering app is perfect)

No joke, my studio is 65 cm wide.
Fondly Nicknamed…’The cupboard of creativity’ because my fiancé gave me her cleaning cupboard for the studio when i had to move in at the first covid lockdown).


Perhaps you can point me in the direction of your released music jetflag.
I really am inspired when people who ‘ know’ rate my music. Thank you

 

[Jetflag]

No joke, my studio is 65 cm wide.

Heh. Mine’s 40 cm, fondly nicknamed: “the laptop”

just YouTube Spotify or I tunes “Aerium” and you should come across stuff

looking forward to more trance tunes from you.

 

[Bobby Summa]

Heh. Mine’s 40 cm, fondly nicknamed: “the laptop”

just YouTube Spotify or I tunes “Aerium” and you should come across stuff

looking forward to more trance tunes from you.

Wow man, thank you. Lovin the support on here. I shall google Aerium ! Damn - 40cm I thought id broke the record for the smallest studio.

Apologies if its not the thing to do ( im a newbie) but i can post a picture of my studio if it’s allowed


update:

Wow man, just googled you. you’re on Solarstone’s Pure trance Compilations!

I thought the name Aerium sounded somewhat familiar.
I listen to such a wide variety of music of all genres that its hard to keep up with even 10% of each genre. Plus I don’t buy cd’s anymore which was my reference for who’s on the scene.
I also listen too a lot of old stuff too and am Crap at remembering names.

Hey. If you’ve been doing this a while i might have some old ASOT or ISOS cd’s with you on.


Is everyone on this forum a professional.? ( oh appart from me )

I think id better hide away

 

[Bobby Summa]

Heh. Mine’s 40 cm, fondly nicknamed: “the laptop”

just YouTube Spotify or I tunes “Aerium” and you should come across stuff

looking forward to more trance tunes from you.

Christ. This is mighty beautiful.
im getting ready to go to Rhodes. This i am listening to on the beach!

I so love arpegiators and pads.
Did you buy any chance use some korg hardware? Theres a sound fx sound near the start I recognize?

beatiful music man 🫶

 

[Hensmon]

Is everyone on this forum a professional.?

Not at all. Ive never produced in my life, apart from the game found on a PS2, about 20 years ago. That's true for most here. There are some talented producers in the forum though (check our first label release). If they read your post I am sure they will chip in.

You asked me what I meant by white noise. Essentially what I'm referring to is the proclivity of modern tracks with higher BPM to add in white noise effects, or adding so many FX layers that create walls of sound, in order to create more intensity. They also hammer the kick as part of that. They want and explosiveness and intensity in every aspect.

Classic tracks had softer kicks (sometimes very soft), the were sometimes simpler (let more elements breathe), they were not robotic and homogenized (more warmth, imperfections, analog feeling sounds). Not a golden rule though, many good tracks that do bang and are modern, its just much rarer.

 

[Jetflag]

Is everyone on this forum a professional.? ( oh appart from me )

I think id better hide away

lol. I’m no proffesional m8, just a hobbyist like you and most people here. I’ve just been at it a bit longer

Thanks for the kind words glad you like em

ps I’m a bit jealous. Rhodos is such a beautiful island

 

[Bobby Summa]

Not at all. Ive never produced in my life, apart from the game found on a PS2, about 20 years ago. That's true for most here. There are some talented producers in the forum though (check our first label release). If they read your post I am sure they will chip in.

You asked me what I meant by white noise. Essentially what I'm referring to is the proclivity of modern tracks with higher BPM to add in white noise effects, or adding so many FX layers that create walls of sound, in order to create more intensity. They also hammer the kick as part of that. They want and explosiveness and intensity in every aspect.

Classic tracks had softer kicks (sometimes very soft), the were sometimes simpler (let more elements breathe), they were not robotic and homogenized (more warmth, imperfections, analog feeling sounds). Not a golden rule though, many good tracks that do bang and are modern, its just much rarer.

Ah cool. I get what you mean now about whnoise. Yeah. Tracks like The Age of Love ( jam and spoons ‘watch out for stella mix) - the track that i heard around age 14 ( 30 ish years ago) that defined a sound for me that i had searched for and believed must exist. Trance.
I remember the exact moment i heard it first and the effect/affect it had on me. Then never heard it again for years not knowing who had made it. But it stayed in my head.

No massive multilayering, no massive fx or white noise ( as I’ve learned its called ) not needed as raw analog or frequency modulation or wavetable is so pure.
It also has a very very soft kick. But is still so energetic

I have played a ps2 for hours back in the day. Best console ever made imo.
i miss playing Jack and Dexter! Crash Bandicoot! Grand Turismo 3!

what game is your music on? Thats cool
Be ace if its a game i used to play.

 

[Bobby Summa]

lol. I’m no proffesional m8, just a hobbyist like you and most people here. I’ve just been at it a bit longer

Thanks for the kind words glad you like em

ps I’m a bit jealous. Rhodos is such a beautiful island

Cool man.


You know. Until this year ive never been to big club events. At the bournmouth ibiza classic anthems at the O2 Accademy i somehow chatted for a minute to Lange at 3am just after his set. I said. As an Amateur electronic musician I want to thank you for your incredible contribution to peoples immense joy of Trance. - he said. Well, really We are all just amateur’s some are just further down the path than others… Wow!

yeah me and my fiancé marry in Rhodes next year. Greece is wonderful.

We were just arranging the wedding about six months ago, i started listening to a live stream by Binary finary,

At the moment i turn on the stream they are spinning Greece 2000!
Guess whats playing at the after party? . ( i wanted to play it down the isle but my lady said no way! )

 

[Hensmon]

bournmouth ibiza classic anthems at the O2 Accademy

Wow, they are still doing big Trance nights in O2 there!? I used to go countless times each year when it was called The Operahouse, with Lee Haslam Slinky nights (studied in Bournemouth). They were the best nights of my life!! Best venue ever for Trance music? Man it makes me so happy to know they are still doing Trance there, and classic shows too. How was the turnout? I live in the US now but will make it my goal to do one final Trance rave at this venue.

p.s when they finished Slinky there was a BBC news article about it. I featured in one of the images they used (greatest photo ever), made me so happy. Im the dude with his eyes closed with the black guy. That was his first ever trance night haha. Must have been about 19 years old.

 

[LostLegend]

Hi Trance fans!

im an amateur producer of many styles of electronica.

I responded to an advert on an Anjuna Facebook group .

Mission was write a trance track so a lady can give it as an anniversary present for her husband.

It tells the story of their relationship. (or tries too).

I’d Love to know what people think.

Thanks

Bobby

https://soundcloud.com/robert-george-969154201%2Fanniversary-alex-and-bryce-wav%2Fs-nlHn9YFgJPj

I like this. It has an older Robert Nickson vibe to the way the synths feel to me!
Melodically it sounds great, love the synth work and the breakdown sounds really cinematic.
I feel it needs a little something else in the percussion after the drop. Something a bit more driving layered under the hats to just give it that extra boost for the finale. Just my taste though!

The vocals, although I think they sound OK, they do crowd the track up a bit, like it feels like you need a bit more of a break from them throughout, but that's likely just due to the length of the track.

Talking of which, what would someone need to do to improve this track in general to make it potentially releasable?

Making it into a club mix is the obvious starting point. Maybe find yourself a decent reference track in there to help with the structure.

I'd perhaps try to be a bit more creative with the vocal processing as well in terms of effects. Something to give them a bit more interest and 'ear candy' if you know what I mean?

I look forward to hearing where you take this!

As for the white noise thing, it's a bit of a pet hate of some on here. Nothing wrong with using a bit of white noise FX, but there's a lot of tracks (particular in the 138 uplifting side of the genre) that are overloaded with it. White noise FX, WN layers on top of their leads to give them that high end hiss.
I think the theory is with some, is that it works as some sort of dithering, I'm skeptical personally. What I do know is it makes some tracks sound unbearable harsh on the ears.

 

[Recharge]

Really solid track. It could use a bit of work on the mixing and mastering stage. Don't worry I have less than a dozen songs that are even close to properly mixed and mastered. That's something I am trying to iron out in the past few months myself.