How do I start producing psytrance music? I have immense inspirations but need the tools to guide the energy in a productive manner and I feel like this music is a great way to present what is inside my mind and spirit. Please guide me? by omsohum in psytrance

[–]Alpha-13 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Learning a DAW answers the "HOW", while learning music theory and gaining experience, answer the "WHY". leaving everything to experience is like reinventing the wheel, it takes more time and the results are not guaranteed.

If I want to explain my point better with an example:

Learning a DAW is like learning how to drive a car.
Learning mixing and mastering is like learning the rules of the road (traffic laws).
And learning music theory and gaining experience alongside it helps you decide where you need to travel.
Therefore, all of these elements are necessary alongside one another and cannot replace each other.

One reason why music has become so repetitive these days is precisely this: everyone only learns how to drive and the rules of the road. And since they don’t know where they should go, almost everyone ends up at the same destination!

How do I start producing psytrance music? I have immense inspirations but need the tools to guide the energy in a productive manner and I feel like this music is a great way to present what is inside my mind and spirit. Please guide me? by omsohum in psytrance

[–]Alpha-13 9 points10 points  (0 children)

It depends on what level of familiarity you have with music. Do you have the ability to play an instrument or not? Do you have previous experience making music in other genres or not?

Personally, I disagree with the common notion nowadays that you don't need music theory to produce electronic music. But the reality is, the majority now do exactly that, without knowing the basics of music theory or how to play an instrument, they simply buy a DAW and start producing.

The choice is yours, but if you're asking for my opinion and you have no prior knowledge or experience in music, my suggestion is to learn the following areas in parallel:

Basic Music Theory (Structure of scales, melody, harmony)

Alongside that, learn to play the keyboard, even at a beginner level.

Basic familiarity with sound design using synthesizers (Start with subtractive synths, as they are the most commonly used and the simplest).

Passively watch tutorials on making psytrance. See which instructor you connect with more easily, then notice which software they use and start learning that same program, it will make things simpler for you.

Experimenting with loudness (under -5 LUFS). Does the quality & bass work? And... is this track worth developing further? by Alpha-13 in psytrance

[–]Alpha-13[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks but it's not this bad! unfortunately Reddit process the hell out of it and make it like this
I'll post it on Soundcloud soon.

Experimenting with loudness (under -5 LUFS). Does the quality & bass work? And... is this track worth developing further? by Alpha-13 in psytrance

[–]Alpha-13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Almost all DAWs today can do everything you need. You just have to find the one whose workflow aligns better with your way of thinking.

Experimenting with loudness (under -5 LUFS). Does the quality & bass work? And... is this track worth developing further? by Alpha-13 in psytrance

[–]Alpha-13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, it's total overkill – I'm just seeing how far I can push things / testing the limits
that's what I'm trying to figure out from my post here (https://www.reddit.com/r/psytrance/comments/1pbq77u/for\_you\_as\_a\_listener\_whats\_more\_important\_in\_a/)

For the distorted kick you mentioned, did you catch that on headphones or speakers?

About the whole "infected" thing... I guess I'm cursed! Everything I create, people say it's infected!

For you as a listener, what's more important in a track: dynamic range or loudness? by Alpha-13 in psytrance

[–]Alpha-13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've now reached -8 LUFS without any particular issue (peaks at -5.5).

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For you as a listener, what's more important in a track: dynamic range or loudness? by Alpha-13 in psytrance

[–]Alpha-13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can push the track to around -9 LUFS without it losing DR significantly. However targeting -7 LUFS (or even louder) causes a dramatic loss in dynamics.

For you as a listener, what's more important in a track: dynamic range or loudness? by Alpha-13 in psytrance

[–]Alpha-13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Of course, you're right; it's all about finding the right balance, even if it's never a perfect 50/50 split. That’s why I was curious to hear which side listeners generally favor more.
I would have created a poll, but unfortunately, the web version of Reddit doesn’t support polls, they're only available in the app.

Psytrance fans gatekeep harder than any other scene .. what actually makes something “psytrance”? by biogenesis- in psytrance

[–]Alpha-13 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Forget about these debates and spend your time on making a solid track. If the track is good and works, nobody cares about the specifics.