antic604

I know, I conducted that interview Also I'm aware of possibilities given by modern VST modular systems (I'm myself pondering buying https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/synths/reaktor-6/),but I *feel* there's still a difference between the sound of 'real' modular vs. the digital replica. You can fake - program, like you say - a lot of it by adding noise, imperfect tuning, random / LFO-ed changes to the oscillators, filters or step-sequencers, etc. but it requires additional, intentional work and effort to achieve that aesthetics, whereas for 'real' modular it's just there by default. And I can hear that difference in sound of artists I mentioned above or Filteria/K.O.B. or Mindsphere, when compared to the artists doing it in-the-box. What I also tried to point out was that Drezz makes his sounds as if they were modular (everything's changing constantly), but they still sound very clean and precise, very digital. Nevertheless, coming back to the OP's question - I think this is the "next level" thing happening now, regardless of the means used to achieve that.

I think the latest "next level" thing happening in psytrance - one that I appreciate, because I couldn't care less for e.g. triplets or cowbells - is growing inclusion of modular gear, to make the sound more organic, alive and 'random' instead of the pristine, surgical clarity that is/was preferred usually. Artists like Eat Static, Martian Arts or Nervasystem do that incredibly well: https://youtu.be/OjrorKbJrws?t=8m10s (I believe he doesn't use modular gear, but makes he's music sound like he would)

Ok, this has got to be the most ridiculous post ever (yeah, I'm overreacting). Have a listen to those - just a few of the top of my head: ...and tell me again they lack 'psychedelic side' Must be our definitions of what is 'psychedelic' are completely different...

Have a listen to recent Hypnoxock's album on Goa Madness Rec. It's one of very few neo-goa releases that surprised me positively over the recent years. It's incredibly cleanly produced, with very selective layering and the right sounds and melodies entering and leaving at just the right moments. It's not very complex, but is sufficiently elaborate to not sound dry. It's constantly changing and is beautifully melodic, in a way the classic Shakta or The Infinite Projects releases were: mystical, alien, otherworldly but still grounded firmly in 12-note scale so not very 'atonal'. Sure, there will be some more piercing acidy sounds, but that's goa trademark. Purchase at official Goa Madness Rec. Bandcamp -> https://goamadnessrecordsofficial.bandcamp.com/album/eurythmia Or better yet at artists' own account -> https://hypnoxock.bandcamp.com/album/eurythmia-album-2017 Highy recommended!

Sounds great, but why is digital release 1EUR more expensive than the CD?

Not much difference, really. But if you use the same setup to produce and master, then it's no surprise. Try different headphones, try your home stereo, try car speakers, etc. The mix needs to sound good on all of them. And probably buy a new pair of headphones

No Level 42?!

Well, well. The one-hit-wonder Power Source is apparently coming back with new album, featuring some collaborations and remixes and - surprisingly! - there's no remix to Goaway to be seen. Sounds good, as well. https://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/dac/dac1cd041.html

I know, but who ever reads that To elaborate - Bandcamp makes it really easy to set up a pre-order, with a very clear indication that it is pre-order and files are not yet available: there will be track names, etc. but no 'play' button. Example - upcoming TIP Records. album. At some point I - and probably others - got used to that. Therefore it's strange to see: - option to buy now, but you're really only buying a pre-order, - files to download, which are just 2min samples. It's business 101 - if there are tools to make your customer understand what they're buying, then use them properly. Otherwise it's misleading, even if there's fine-print warning.

What? He's very active, doing a lot of 'artsy' stuff recently. Obviously there's also their alter-ego Minilogue project which spawned several awesome releases and even Son Kite's "Prisma" from 2014 wasn't half bad either. BTW, check those videos they made for Ableton: Studio tour: https://youtu.be/baMs9P50J-w Jam session: https://youtu.be/qgiL7lsIATA Their 'ideology': https://youtu.be/58BHEAleNHs

WORD OF WARNING I contacted Boshke Beats and they say that: - album will be available on CD and digital via Juno and Beatport on August 1st, - buying at Bandcamp now, you'll be able to download only the 2min samples, while at release you'll get 'codes' to download the whole thing. Really weird of them to do it like that...

Agree. I remember some years ago (maybe 10?) they wanted to put together a site for Flying Rhino with all old releases available to download but even that is dead (a snapshot in Webarchive: http://web.archive.org/web/20110203035518/http://www.flyingrhino.co.uk/). God damn hippies!

Well, I can always order it and throw it away

It's weird. There's no option to buy just the files and it's sold at Boshke Beats page, whereas it's being released by Flying Rhino?

Well, the sounds are good, the ideas are solid, the dedication is there (25min?! WTF ) but the way it's recorded make it sound as if it was playing from behind a wall or from outside of a club (with some windows open). The sound is hollow, missing the mids completely. It's difficult to focus on it this way... What are you producing this on? Is it some kind of hi-fi with inverted disco smile EQ preset? BTW, your album on Bandcamp sounds awesome and - other than being quiet - is pretty well balanced, so maybe there's something wrong with your current monitoring setup? Either way, wonderful job, improve that mix balance and keep us posted!

Lots of great sounds, pretty good production, but it fails to go anywhere - after the intro it stays kind of flat: waves of stuff come and go, but they don't build any tension or progression. Maybe try to build it slower? Or stack the layers together? It's all in there, but could be arranged better

You're on a roll! Congrats BTW, you can now take your revenge for all my "helpful tips" and comment on my tune: https://www.psynews.org/forums/topic/73501-wormhole-wip/

Yeah, I totally agree. At the start it was supposed to be something different, even slower and I wanted the bass to not be very sharp so I applied generous amounts of attack for the amp and even more for filter. Also, the bass is split in 3 layers including sub, with the top layers feeding the hi-pass filter and delay, which makes it even more floaty / loose and - indeed - functionally working as a synth. I actually miss the days when you could remember and hum along the bass line of psytrance tracks, so that's due to my preference. The synths are mostly simple because I'm not proficient at mixing (never had to do it on Amiga! ), so it's much easier to mix cleaner sounds, especially if - like me - you like to add lots of modulation to each layer which adds another degree of complexity. Gotta say you have a great ear for detail. Thanks! Thanks, in the end this is what's most important, especially since I don't aspire to ever officially release my music or have it played at a party

I will, thanks! It does sound a bit dry here and there BTW, when is Ufomatka's album coming out?

Or go straight up bonkers with either of those:

Novation Peak shapes up to be a great synth for trancey music:

Still not finished, but already in quite presentable shape - what you think? Please keep in mind that I'm only lerning this new paradigm of modern DAWs, so most of the time I spent trying out things, playing with synths and effects, getting to grips with synthesis, etc. Done in Ableton Live 9.7, 100% MIDI (except for Contact sample, obviously) using native instruments & effects and some free MaxForLive devices. *** scroll down for the "finished" tune ***

Sounds great, although I waited and waited until it starts and it didn't. Put some melody in, or maybe chord changes?

Says 12th July on the Soundcloud, so 2 weeks

Here's a list of best psytrance producers on Soundcloud: click Worst? The rest of them.