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Originally posted by deegee I'd like to suggest a couple of challenges for you that may help you unlock what's hindering you. Limitations (and I find this in my professional life all the time, which is in a creative field) enhance creativity, while unlimited options can actually reduce it.

This is precisely why I advised him to get off the computer and get to work with only his TR-8 and one other synth (Novation or System 1). Start experimenting and exploring, as I've already suggested, instead of throwing in every possible sample, fx, and synth lines into your WIPs.

Brian Eno wrote an entire article about this: http://archive.wired.com/wired/archive/7.01/eno.html

An excerpt:

"The trouble begins with a design philosophy that equates "more options" with "greater freedom." Designers struggle endlessly with a problem that is almost nonexistent for users: "How do we pack the maximum number of options into the minimum space and price?" In my experience, the instruments and tools that endure (because they are loved by their users) have limited options.

Software options proliferate extremely easily, too easily in fact, because too many options create tools that can't ever be used intuitively. Intuitive actions confine the detail work to a dedicated part of the brain, leaving the rest of one's mind free to respond with attention and sensitivity to the changing texture of the moment. With tools, we crave intimacy. This appetite for emotional resonance explains why users - when given a choice - prefer deep rapport over endless options. You can't have a relationship with a device whose limits are unknown to you, because without limits it keeps becoming something else."


Another thing, Juan. Stop trying to get it "right" and "perfect" all the time. This is the biggest obstacle to creativity, imo. Computers and software get it "right," which is so often antithetical to art. Don't be afraid to make mistakes and experiment, as all good music and works of art are imperfect, and in that they have a more "human" element to them, making them rather more "right" than they should be, as it were.

Here's an example of a well-known classic, where only a few machines are used and "happy accidents" (aka experimentation) and limits produce the desired result:



"The following comment comes from Lee In Sync himself, on the music released on "Storm":

"There are only 4 instruments in the track - all Roland, 2 SH-101s, 1 TR-808 and 1 TR-909. There was no hardware sequencer either. Everything was synched using the drum machine triggers. The notes were recorded on the SH-101 onboard sequencers, so the tune was very limited. Also, one of the SH-101s was not working properly. I could not record the same note twice in the sequencer for some reason. You can't really set up a more basic studio than I used for that track. The track was a production nightmare in reality. I am surprised it ever made it to vinyl. There is tape noise on the recording where the cassette deck level was way to low. But....it does sound like rain. It all went wrong but ended up right it seems".

Last edited by AlphaStarred on Dec-26-2014 at 20:05

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Originally posted by AlphaStarred Another thing, Juan. Stop trying to get it "right" and "perfect" all the time. This is the biggest obstacle to creativity, imo. Computers and software get it "right," which is so often antithetical to art. Don't be afraid to make mistakes and experiment, as all good music and works of art are imperfect, and in that they have a more "human" element to them, making them rather more "right" than they should be, as it were.

This, I feel, is the most important thing of all. I deliberately leave errors in the mix to make the tracks sound more human. Having everything too perfect is just boring.

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Originally posted by OldLurker Was long searching active forum for producers after trance.nu got closed. I still recognize some nicknames from there in here, which is nice. I was registered here since 2004 but forgot account email (was more of a reader than poster), so made a new one, hoping for good time, meeting some people again, and learning a thing or two. As for me, I'm 'bedroom' producer (hobbyist more like), but I like what I do, even though I don't have much time to get my head around technical side of the matter right now, I'll eventually get there on my slow pace. That's just quick intro, since I can't find introduction section. Anyway back on topic: (just having fun and trying to recreate some sounds from this nice track) No comments needed, just posting to get the feel what people doing up here, what they like and to say hello Cheers, and Merry Christmas.

I don't understand some of your post, but anyway, great sound you've got here, really spot on reverb and delays, nice gnawing sounds, a really good example of trance.

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Originally posted by OldLurker Was long searching active forum for producers after trance.nu got closed. I still recognize some nicknames from there in here, which is nice. I was registered here since 2004 but forgot account email (was more of a reader than poster), so made a new one, hoping for good time, meeting some people again, and learning a thing or two. As for me, I'm 'bedroom' producer (hobbyist more like), but I like what I do, even though I don't have much time to get my head around technical side of the matter right now, I'll eventually get there on my slow pace. That's just quick intro, since I can't find introduction section. Anyway back on topic: (just having fun and trying to recreate some sounds from this nice track) No comments needed, just posting to get the feel what people doing up here, what they like and to say hello Cheers, and Merry Christmas.

hey there, i quite like this!

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Originally posted by Mr.Mystery This, I feel, is the most important thing of all. I deliberately leave errors in the mix to make the tracks sound more human. Having everything too perfect is just boring.

Yeah totally agree, for me all the interesting stuff tends to occur at the opposite end of the spectrum to the super polished and perfected sounds. I love to abuse sounds and tools to make unique and unusual noises, comb filtering, aliasing and bit-rate reduction, unstable pitches and voicings, all kinds of atonal noises... I could go on. But then again it's not really about the sounds, but how they are used that matters.

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Originally posted by OldLurker (just having fun and trying to recreate some sounds from this nice track) No comments needed, just posting to get the feel what people doing up here, what they like and to say hello Cheers, and Merry Christmas.

Commenting anyway: I like how the melody develops and would very much like to hear how you build out of it back into the beat.

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Originally posted by Robotrance ...these tracks are shite in my opinion and the sound quality is terrible.

That's perfectly fine, as many others don't share your opinion. The 1992 "Storm" track is considered a Techno classic. The sound quality is fine, it's just raw and analog, something which I'm guessing you're either not familiar with or just not particularly keen on.

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secondly they dont show much creativity or experimentation really.

Ok.

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id love to hear why and how these could help juan though.

Either you haven't read my post(s), or you've completely missed my point.

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he needs piano theory and structure theory thats all.

That may help, but so would practicing, exploring and experimenting, as I've already mentioned. You can study theory all you want, but if you're not putting it into practice, you won't get anywhere.

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Originally posted by Robotrance BUT the little arp near the end doesnt fit what so ever, its not in key

Oh wow, what was that?

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Originally posted by Innocence Lost

Regarding the arp on the end: I'd suggest to take lessons on some instrument. It is the only way I see you developing a sense of harmony. If at all. .

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If less is more think about how much more more would be. -Frasier

I think you all are jealous of Juan!

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Originally posted by OldLurker Was long searching active forum for producers after trance.nu got closed. I still recognize some nicknames from there in here, which is nice. I was registered here since 2004 but forgot account email (was more of a reader than poster), so made a new one, hoping for good time, meeting some people again, and learning a thing or two. As for me, I'm 'bedroom' producer (hobbyist more like), but I like what I do, even though I don't have much time to get my head around technical side of the matter right now, I'll eventually get there on my slow pace. That's just quick intro, since I can't find introduction section. Anyway back on topic: No comments needed, just posting to get the feel what people doing up here, what they like and to say hello Cheers, and Merry Christmas.

This is really excellent! I like the chords a lot!

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Originally posted by Innocence Lost Thanks, will focus more on those necessary frequencies to cut and boost. Here's the longer version as promised. Sorry If didn't give my all with hardware but TR-8 and System1 isn't compatible via bootcamp. Next wip will be only hardware for sure.

I don't really know what else to echo that hasn't already been said. It's just really boring to listen to. I don't mind your robotic perc FX things though. Have you ever tried to make something that isn't trance? Why don't you try to make something more rhythmic, like a tech house tune or something?




After getting my computer fixed, I think I'm finally done this.

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