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really.. just grab one of your favorite Trance tracks.. import it into Ableton. From there. Warp, and then follow the progression of the percussive elements. Start with the kick to get the arrangement. Then add, claps, ride, hi-hats, and snare. On the break, add some fx, to emphasize it. Then, some more fx to emphasize the the drop. At this point you haven't added any bass or synth elements. But that's coming. But not first before you add your clock. You have to have a clock. This could be as simple as a tick tock tick tock.. Once you get just a basic time going, throw some delay on it. Then. Figure out where you're going to drop the bass. Its best to start with the off beat.. From there, you have your time, and you have some bass. Depending on the key, I'd throw in a pad using a corresponding chord progression. Then I might add a second layer for the bass using an alternating pattern which compliments the original bass. Like a High Bass and then a low bass. From there, allow you creativity to expand the track. Its kind of generic considering you're using the arrangement of someone else track. But You can always find a second track, make a splice, and then create a new arrangement using two songs. Its cool.. but will help get you going..
something like this:

p.s.
I like the two track idea because then if you make a good cut.. you can glue it back together and have a nice track to dj with.. plus the one you just created.. Good stuff...
P.s.s.
oh and if you include a piece or two out of the tracks you use that would be cool.. kinda to acknowledge what the producer did before you.. or you could set out to create a perfect sibling as so that they go together perfectly..
Still think 3 cuts is best.. with 2 songs.. and if all the parts hit on the marker.. you can move different pieces around.. create a crazy arrangement..
expand out.. and then build-up =))
and if you need a groove to get you going.. grab your mic and say something in a particular cadence.. then mirror it with your synth and add fx.. Good way to get going.. and you might have a piece of vocal to use later..
and always keep a piece of the percussive element going throughout the main parts.. so you can move time.. and emphasize those parts with lasers.. zap that shit..
speaking of lasers.. your fx kit is pretty important. I'd try to imagine telling a story with it. You could be in the gym boxing, jumping rope, hitting the punching bag, slugging someone in the gut. That's like what DVBBS and Martin Garrix did.. Even tho in Helicopter imo, he crashed it.. You could be a wizard with a magic wand and swirl your rises and falls. Or you could fly like a jet, or ufo.. If your flying an a ufo I'd use lasers.. Perhaps a jet, missiles and machine gun samples.. You could also be a cowboy and rope up the particular sound, or use the zipper and zip it up.. But there has to be some continuity in your fx package in order for the track to be good.. And don't crash your aircraft fx. If your jet or ufo is taking off.. fucking don't run it into the ground.. and if your dropping bombs.. there should be an explosion.. fx is pretty important..
Shooting Lasers (with pitch bend up to 24)
I'd also figure out if my tracks as a producer are going to be rise of the machines, or aliens, or if your going to fight ghosts. Ghosts are probably the easiest, where as machines and aliens are a tad bit harder. Imagine the fx reel off of those movies.. I'd gather all the sounds for whichever appeals to you the most and then use those.. But don't jump around. If your fighting machines fight machines. Aliens, fight aliens.. And don't try it with a bi-plane.. or a ufo.. aliens and machines don't mix. Use your imagination.
then you'll end with something like this.. (percussive track)

and then.. if you just use your music prowess to engineer a proper sound then you'll get something like this..
http://djryan.com/audiosample.mp3 .. which is what I've done since writing you this tutorial.. (with an automation added to the bass line)
perhaps slap a "Simple Delay" on both your claps/snare or ride.. so you can also flip it from one side to another..
THEN YOU BUILD IT SOME MOARRRRRR!!
http://djryan.com/audiosample2.mp3
I guess after that you can turn on an arpeggio.. grab a few chords and let it roll over the top of everything..
Last edited by DJRYAN™ on Oct-18-2014 at 05:55
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