How is a trance song usually layed out?

  • Thread starter Thread starter NewSpeed
  • Start date Start date
N

NewSpeed

New member
for instance... i know i mentioned drums in earlier posts but for instance.... do you put the drums first, then pads, then bass etc; or do you start with melody? i know each and everyone has their own style but im really struggling to piece my first song together and need information regarding what parts of the track you work on first etc;
 
While I don't do a lot of "trance" music...I've done similar stuff way back when I was really into the MIDI/sequencing thing back in the early '90s.

IMO...it's no different than any other type of music. As you mentioned, everyone has their work SOP, but I think it's safe to say most people will start with the rhythm AFA getting tracks down...though of course, you probably need to have some idea of the structure/melody in your head.

If you are just trying to piece anything together and then see how it comes out...yeah, that's also a way of doing it, but it will take a bit more work than if you have some of the song already in your head.

Focus on getting the drums/rhythm going, and then add some basic simple tracks that contain the essence of the melody and arrangement....then start layering tracks.
Once you get something going, you can always go back and improve/embellish on the initial melodic direction.

I think with trance...it's about having one or two or three central "themes"...and then off of them, do smaller/shorter themes, but you keep coming back the central themes or have them always threaded throughout.
That's what gives you that trance vibe...both the repetition of the central theme and the evolution of side themes.
Let you imagination go wild... :)

There's a few guys here who do a lot of electronic/trance kind of stuff. Kcearl is one of them I know of, as he's posted some nice electronic compositions in the past.
I'm sure some of them will drop in and give you more detailed suggestions.
 
NewSpeed said:
for instance... i know i mentioned drums in earlier posts but for instance.... do you put the drums first, then pads, then bass etc; or do you start with melody? i know each and everyone has their own style but im really struggling to piece my first song together and need information regarding what parts of the track you work on first etc;
Click to expand...

dude you need to keep your questions all in one thread or it will just get lost and some of the answers are just repeating whats already been said


In a previous post Ive posted a template to a basic trance tune..on the side you will see the parts and the timeline gives you an idea of when things are introduced


the easiest way for is to record, produce, the busiest part of the tune...this will be just before and after the breakdown...from this you can map out how the different sections enter the fray and that they all work together...after the breakdown a lead part, think supersaw, should be introduced

each part runs over 8-16 bars, after that a new instrument/percussion should be introduced to keep interest

put your favourite trance track into your DAW and dissect each section, listen and markdown where changes are made and how build ups and drops are formed

the template I posted will get you something basic but you have to mess around and introduce your own elements
 
miroslav said:
There's a few guys here who do a lot of electronic/trance kind of stuff. Kcearl is one of them I know of, as he's posted some nice electronic compositions in the past.
I'm sure some of them will drop in and give you more detailed suggestions.
Click to expand...

Speak of the devil... ;)
 
kcearl said:
dude you need to keep your questions all in one thread or it will just get lost and some of the answers are just repeating whats already been said
Click to expand...

NewSpeed....he's right, you're all over the place with similar/related questions, and that will only make it more difficult for you to get concise answers from folks, that will then make sense to you and let you tie them all together.

Start one thread...and then keep all your related questions in that one thread...you'll be able to follow the responses easier. :)

Oh...and kcearl really isn't the devil...he just plays one occasionally on the forums. ;) :D
 
Thanks guys for the feedback, the build from the middle idea sounds interesting kcearl so i will give that a try. And yeh i will try and keep things to one thread. Bad habbits... sorry haha
 
Last edited:
NewSpeed said:
Thanks guys for the feedback, the build from the middle idea sounds interesting kcearl so i will give that a try. And yeh i will try and keep things to one thread. Bad habbits... sorry haha
Click to expand...

no worries...if there is anything specific please PM me...Im not an authority but i read like a mofo :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top