Was 2007-2010 Trance too stripped back?

adamellis

New Member
Oct 23, 2024
9 Posts
11 Thanked
Hey everyone, it's been *years* since I was active on here. These days, I tend to keep to myself and focus on what really matters to me. Lately, though, I’ve been trying to find some inspiration to start writing music again outside of lessons or YouTube sessions. It’s been 5 or 6 years since I sat down to make a track just for myself, without teaching someone or recording it for a video.

I’ve been feeling pretty uninspired by the current scene. I spent some time scrolling through about 30 tunes on J'aime Trance last night, and maybe 3 of them were tracks I’d even think about playing out.

So, I’m going back to my roots. The era between 2007 and 2010 is where I truly fell in love with Trance, and I’ve been doing a lot of listening and reflecting on what I *want* to create, not what I feel obligated to deliver. No more 6-minute formulaic tracks, no more cheesy remixes, and no more of the same regurgitated sounds. I am not trying to create a new genre or be anything special; I just want to create music that resonates with people.

As such, we come to this track. A long-time fav of mine!

Affrimation

What a tune. It is insane how simple this record is and how utterly incredible it is!

Kick & Standard Hats
- Acidy Atmos Reverse
- Atmos Reverse
- Crash - Reverse
- Snare- 2 Counter Melodies
- 1 Lead & Pad Section

I’d guess no more than 30 or 40 channels max. I’ve had some incredible moments both listening to and playing these tracks at gigs. But nowadays, it feels like tracks are packed with 50% more content—if not more. I used to think my creative strength was in the details, like transitions, intricate vocal edits, and all the layers, which naturally take up a lot of time and channels. But when I listen back to my favourite tunes from that era, they're all incredibly simple, and that simplicity is what makes them so powerful.


Would this track fly in 2024? Is it TOO stripped back?
 
Last edited:

Magdelayna

Elite Member
Jul 13, 2020
1,839 Posts
1,596 Thanked
West Yorkshire,England
Website
soundcloud.com
I dont think theres such a thing as ' too stripped back' ....i think you can make great tracks with around 30-40 channels....the late 90s trance classics wouldnt have had many?

I dont get it when producers say theyve used over 100 channels,do you really need all that?

Adam,i remember your early stuff like Bullet in the Gun and Napalm Poet,that was quite 'detailed' trance with a lot of fx etc...but that was your trademark,and i guessed you used a lot of channels for your stuff.

But in general,id say it shouldnt be a massive factor in making a decent track.
 

Pokkryshkin

Senior Member
May 7, 2022
428 Posts
260 Thanked
I still listen to this kind of music and I never get tired of it. I find something new from the period of 2000-2012 and create small playlists of 9 tracks, listening and getting excited like a kid when I find something new. I caught myself thinking this year that I’m not attracted to modern tracks at all, I even have a hard time putting together my top 10 for this year. I guess I’ve become even more picky and selective. Although I still enjoy my top 10 from last year, I don’t understand what’s going on… It’s unlikely that the genre has undergone any radical changes in a year, but my heart just isn’t into it. I’d love to listen to the kind of music you suggested as an example, but I don’t think it’s relevant anymore, and it wouldn’t resonate with a wider audience, except maybe on this forum. I think modern trance suffers from an excessive focus on sound quality at the expense of content. We are faced with a stream of formulaic, monotonous music devoid of emotional depth. Music producers are forced to adapt to the demands of labels that are solely interested in specific styles, which is understandable, as it’s their source of income.Perhaps one day, the trend for old-school trance will return, where simple yet memorable and original tracks were valued. Back then, every producer strived to create their own unique style, to stand out from the crowd, and this was often encouraged by the support of leading DJs, regardless of their origin or label.Today, trance has become a business where a limited circle of musicians revolves around a few major labels. Instead of developing the genre, they fight for their place in the sun, chasing the latest trends.
 

Aquarium

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2021
377 Posts
238 Thanked
Toronto
As such, we come to this track. A long-time fav of mine!

Affrimation

This sounds great, and not something I had heard before. 2007-2010 Trance was fantastic, the uplifting scene was so much fun. Sure it's when things were going more modern and pounding but it still sounds really nice. Anjunabeats label had the nicest sounding high bpm trance ever made at times. Affirmation sounds nicer than the modern stuff of the same style. If anything I would say we are crying out for the return of simplicity and nice sounding uplifting. I wish you luck in finding motivation and the sound you want again.
 
  • Thanks
Reactions: dmgtz96

Progrez

Elite Member
Jun 17, 2022
2,494 Posts
1,238 Thanked
Hey Adam - Long time no speak hope you're well. I remember you were telling me about it on Facebook and on Anjunabeats forum as well.

Less is more is all I have to say. Some of the tracks back then were quite cheesy though. Sean Tyas had some amazing productions so did DJ Shah and Above & Beyond too. Anjunabeats releases were nice.

I wouldn't mind this kind of trance.


 
Last edited:
  • Thanks
Reactions: BladeRunner_

Jetflag

Legendary Member
Jul 17, 2020
3,537 Posts
2,848 Thanked
I think, with the advent of “nu-trance” labels like borderline, and what is colloquially more and more know as “the enigma state effect”. Trance is returning to its more stripped down roots if you will.

so my advice would be to stick around, and focus on release threads that generate a lot of positive feedback :)
 

Hensmon

Admin
TranceFix Crew
Jun 27, 2020
3,553 Posts
3,174 Thanked
UK
Just make it sound good. The sterile and homogenized sound design is the elephant in the room when comparing now vs. then. Trance in around 2007--2010 still sounded really nice. At this point in Trance history the modern/digital approach was increased and it actually worked - it does not sound like this today, something changed.

Anjunabeats mentioned two times now and I will add a third, because they are the perfect example of a label that put out a modern sound that still had warmth, breathability and finesse. Maybe the amount of channels has something to do with this, but I have no idea. I'll assume it makes things more spacious and breathable. I would be surprised if thats the only thing thats going on here though.
 
  • Thanks
Reactions: Jetflag

SaltAcidFatHeatAcid

Senior Member
Jul 19, 2022
443 Posts
618 Thanked
Just make it sound good. The sterile and homogenized sound design is the elephant in the room when comparing now vs. then. Trance in around 2007--2010 still sounded really nice. At this point in Trance history the modern/digital approach was increased and it actually worked - it does not sound like this today, something changed.

For me it's just that most modern tracks follow a very specific template and don't focus enough on good songwriting. Starting simple, leaving whitespace is important to building that track idea. But the track needs a good theme, and unique elements to support it, develop, and play together.

Honestly though maybe I'm just the minority but the referenced track 'Affirmation' for me is pretty meh on the melody part. It's a super well made track, but the melody doesn't really make me feel much. I may just be so burnt out from this style though in general though that I can't feel much from it anymore.
 

erickUO

Elite Member
Jul 13, 2020
1,135 Posts
1,281 Thanked
IIRC I once watched an interview that says Ferry Corsten did everything super simple back in the days. He used to finish a track with only 8 channels (well that may be nothing special for producers from the super old era). But there’s a difference between adding elements to make the track sounds rich vs making the track sounds full. I find many of today’s track are lacking the former, and that's what makes them forgettable.
 

adamellis

New Member
Oct 23, 2024
9 Posts
11 Thanked
Hey Adam - Long time no speak hope you're well. I remember you were telling me about it on Facebook and on Anjunabeats forum as well.

Less is more is all I have to say. Some of the tracks back then were quite cheesy though. Sean Tyas had some amazing productions so did DJ Shah and Above & Beyond too. Anjunabeats releases were nice.

I wouldn't mind this kind of trance.


Nice to see you again, dude. How have you been? I Love Trance is suck a sick tune@
 
  • Thanks
Reactions: Progrez

adamellis

New Member
Oct 23, 2024
9 Posts
11 Thanked
I think, with the advent of “nu-trance” labels like borderline, and what is colloquially more and more know as “the enigma state effect”. Trance is returning to its more stripped down roots if you will.

so my advice would be to stick around, and focus on release threads that generate a lot of positive feedback :)
Oh i watch haha
 
  • Thanks
Reactions: Jetflag

adamellis

New Member
Oct 23, 2024
9 Posts
11 Thanked
For me it's just that most modern tracks follow a very specific template and don't focus enough on good songwriting. Starting simple, leaving whitespace is important to building that track idea. But the track needs a good theme, and unique elements to support it, develop, and play together.

Honestly though maybe I'm just the minority but the referenced track 'Affirmation' for me is pretty meh on the melody part. It's a super well made track, but the melody doesn't really make me feel much. I may just be so burnt out from this style though in general though that I can't feel much from it anymore.
Ahh i love it. Envokes loads of emotion for me personally
 

Trance4Ever

Senior Member
Dec 18, 2021
529 Posts
276 Thanked
Example - Please explain how this track is stripped back in anyway shape or form:

 

SaltAcidFatHeatAcid

Senior Member
Jul 19, 2022
443 Posts
618 Thanked
Example - Please explain how this track is stripped back in anyway shape or form:

Not stripped back - but it also has solid melodic/beat development, unique track elements throughout, executed in a cohesive fashion. That track rips.

I think the point is, you can have solid melodic/beat development, unique track elements throughout, executed in a cohesive fashion, with 8 channels. Most modern producers seem to miss this point or lack the talent to do more with less.
 

TwinSilo

Senior Member
Feb 24, 2021
402 Posts
226 Thanked
USA
For us non-producers, how many channels is normal today, vs what was done in 2007, vs what was done in 1999?
 
  • Thanks
Reactions: Trance4Ever

Progrez

Elite Member
Jun 17, 2022
2,494 Posts
1,238 Thanked
Nice to see you again, dude. How have you been? I Love Trance is suck a sick tune@
I've been well man struggling with mental health these days and confidence. Glad to hear from you. I am amazed and happy for you that you got to do an interview and guest mix on ASOT which I don't think you would have dreamed of back then. No longer working for Airwave these days but looking at the older tunes and focusing more on techno. But I miss trance like this.
I don't care what people say if it's ain't broken don't try to change it. Older track had more addictive qualities in them and they were made to stand out which is missing in most modern day tracks.

 
Last edited:

adamellis

New Member
Oct 23, 2024
9 Posts
11 Thanked
Example - Please explain how this track is stripped back in anyway shape or form:


I mean, it is & massively so. Unsure how you can argue otherwise. This track has, I would say, no more than 40/50 channels.

Respectfully, I assume you do not produce music!