Tips and tricks with progressive trance/house.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Divstah
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Divstah

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I'd like to get a thread going where everyone into progressive house/trance and such list their favourite tips and tricks arrangement wise and just about anything else you use that's a bit out of the ordinary to give your tracks that extra ummpf and make it flow nice..

anything else regarding this music in general would also be appreciated. I think we all know how hard it is to make outstanding proggresive house so anything to help would be nice.

I'd start by saying I think the most important thing with this kind of music is patience, I can't spend one day doing tunes like I can when I make say, an IDM track or such, instead i've to work really hard. and lots and for a long time to get anything good togheter. All the timing with samples and perfect synd with sounds and everything is quite a hassle.

I like to sidechain things. crashses, pads, and anything else that sounds good with a sidechain is imho good in the book, Wouldn't overdo it but it's good to give momentum to the tune.

Also, if one is using claps I find using a second reversed reverberated clap going on in the background of a track can work wonders.

Tripplets and 64 step resolution edits on hihats, snares and such can give a track a nice small techy feeling without overdoing it..

Dfx vst plugins are good on oneshot samples and/or otherwise, might also work on vocals if you're into a bit more experimentall house.


fill up!
 
Yeah, Prog house is definitely hard to write. My tips and tricks mainly focus on percussion. For instance, adding a barely audible kick a 1/16th note before each kick can make the rhythm really move. Subtleties are the secret in progressive rhythms. Adding ghost notes play a big part in the overall feel of the percussion. While not all parts are overtly noticible, you do notice them when they're missing. This also goes for melodies as well. Also layering different hi-hat patterns against shakers hits can add accent to the higher percussion.

P.S. Look out for my track "Voci di Mare" out on Toes in the Sand Records around November.
 
One of my most abused tricks is plenty and plenty of filter automation with good resonance. Low cut filters are great for adding some bass, and high cuts are great for adding texture. If you automate the cutoff frequencies, not only to you get a great phaser effect, but it gives your track a much more dynamic feel. BTW great tips above... come on ppl, add some more!
 
dont always just drop new stuff into the mix, sloooow fades (like 16-32 bars) sound wicked on percussion.

Your ear will all of a sudden pick up the new part when it reaches a certain volume and focus on that.

Delay-lay-lay-lay is critical too, and adding filters onto the delay adds to the 'movement'

Just make sure to eq everything so you dont end up fadin in so much .... that it gets all muddled...

nice thread :)

Tim
 
I agree we defintely need a club music,progressive whatever you want to call it forum. it seems like there are a lot of hip hop oriented beats on here but I dont see to much club stuff. It would definitley be cool to have a club track review forum as well. I would definitley like to get in touch with some other club music producers so we can exchange knowledge and tracks. And I want people to hear my tracks and give me their opinions and I also want to hear what you other club producers are making. As far as tips and tricks...I woudlnt know where to begin. I have heard so many and learned so many. One of my favorite challenges about making club tracks is to have a 8 or 9 minute track that keeps your attention. I think people who dont write club beats think ohh..its just loops blah blah.. Loop a 16 count pattern whether it be 5 tracks of 50 tracks and listen to it for 2 minutes...BORING. Thats why good club tracks are good. Eight minutes can go buy and they dont seem like 8 minutes. That is my favorite part. How do I keep the listener listening? And all the while have kickin beat that rocks your speakers. Another trick I use in all my tracks is sounds(crashes,clinks.etc ) in places that you wouldnt expect to hear them....almost in places they shoudlnt be but when you hear them they work. I know that this may sound wierd but if you hear it you would understand.
Well hopefully some fellow club track writers will post here. I definitley could use some mix down tips. Thats one area I dont have much experience in. I burn to cd directly from my mixer and just use the eq on the mixer itself. I am still learning about compression and eq'n each track individually. Maybe you have some pointers for me. I am running Pro Tools Le. I am trying to use to DIGIRACK plugins to mix down but I am not to familiar with the process. Hope to hear from you guys!
 
I've been visiting this forums on and off for a few years and a members for less and I've got to admit racingheart is bang on.

I've often come here for help on progressive tracks, etc so to see a forum for it, more members for it, more conversation on it!

I'm all for it!
 
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