Sup dudes, first post.

I've recently been getting into Trance music. Been producing Dubstep for a few years now. A lot of the Dubstep I listen to is very Trance influenced and I seem to have swayed over to Trance from that.

I just wanted some opinions and advice on creating synths. I'm currently using an Access Virus, Korg Radias and NI's Komplete package but being new to the whole Trance production scene I don't really know where to start in terms of creating those very atmospheric synths.

Does anyone use the Virus and have some tips or maybe some videos on getting started? In Dubstep it's mainly Massive that get's abused and is usually a foundation most get started with. What's the common synths used in Trance?

Thanks for any advice.

Edit: Just spotted the tutorial thread. Will go through that.

Last edited by GV1 on Dec-13-2011 at 13:55

I wouldn't say theres a synth just for trance, you can use any synth really.
Massive is good for trance, just depends how good you are at synthesis then all plugins and hardware could be used.

I tend to use Rapture, Gforce minimonster and the TI2 mostly.
But its all personal preference.

quote:

Originally posted by GV1 What's the common synths used in Trance?

You're really asking yourself the wrong question. It's better if you learn synthesis and music theory first, then song structure and mixing.

This video series will be very helpful for you:

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Thanks for the replies.

Those videos look awesome. I'll go through them all.

well the classic trance period was made with jp 8000, VIrus and A nordrack

the uk stuff tended to have a novation supernova. You can definitely point out synths in styles even if they are/were not necessary.

dubstep = massive FM8 ohmicide and date rape. You could other stuff but that doesn't change the fact everyone is using those synths.

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Last edited by Looney4Clooney on Dec-13-2011 at 17:01

There tends to be a bad stigma attached to Massive in the Dubstep scene. NI have done an excellent job with their plugins, but I usually end up telling people to remove the stock patches if their going to use them seriously.

Those videos are above are really good, I'm on the 6th so far. Are there any more like this? There's a lot of stuff he talks about that I never knew such as tuning kicks to the key of the track and even using several layers for one synth. Good to see how others work and construct tracks.

the stigma has to do with everyone using the same sounds. Dubstep has been reduced to a set of 4 patches. And that is why everyone makes fun of it. I honestly can't think of any other genre that has pigeon holed itself as dubstep has. Even uk hardhouse.

___________________
"This is why Superman works alone." GC
old stuff from days gone by (2001-2004)
Mad For Brad's gay little contest

quote:

Originally posted by GV1 I just wanted some opinions and advice on creating synths. I'm currently using an Access Virus, Korg Radias and NI's Komplete package but being new to the whole Trance production scene I don't really know where to start in terms of creating those very atmospheric synths.

There are quite a few Virus and Komplete owners around here (myself included), but I'm not sure how many Radias owners there are. Not that it matters - whatever you learn about making patches in a subtractive synth can be applied to the Radias.

Which Virus model and Komplete version do you have?

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Sonar Platinum | Ableton Live 9 | Logic Pro X | Access Virus TI2 Keyboard | Kurzweil PC3X | Nord Lead 4R | NI Maschine

quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik There are quite a few Virus and Komplete owners around here (myself included), but I'm not sure how many Radias owners there are. Not that it matters - whatever you learn about making patches in a subtractive synth can be applied to the Radias. Which Virus model and Komplete version do you have?

I was running Komplete 7, but they gave me an upgrade recently. I have the Darkstar Virus and the TI Desktop. I'm pretty good at Synthesis as a whole, beyond the basics anyway. Although, I wouldn't be able to design a trance patch from scratch without following a guide or two.

By patch I am talking about the classic synths with depth and atmosphere.

Those vids are great thanks PointPi

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Cubase 6 Elements | Komplete 6 USB Audio Interface | KRK VXT4 Monitors + KRK 10s Sub | M-Audio Oxygen 49 MIDI Keyboard | Access Virus TI Snow Synth | Lots of vocal samples from your MOM

quote:

Originally posted by GV1 I was running Komplete 7, but they gave me an upgrade recently. I have the Darkstar Virus and the TI Desktop.

Yeah, I'd say that you're pretty well set in the synth department.

BTW, I love the Darkstar.

Anyway, I'm assuming that by now you've been to the Access website and downloaded the thousands of free patches for the Virus, right? If not, that's a good place to start. One of the beauties of the Virus is the VC interface, which makes it very easy to reverse-engineer any patch. That's a great way to learn - find some presets that you like and reverse engineer them. Be sure to also pay attention to any real-time controller settings, like the mod wheel, aftertouch, the 3 assignable controller knobs, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by GV1 By patch I am talking about the classic synths with depth and atmosphere.

A lot of that depth and atmosphere comes from effects, especially reverb and delay, but also chorus, flanger, phaser, etc. The most common trance sounds (basses, pads, plucks, etc.) come from detuned sawtooth waves, or a combination of a sawtooth oscillator detuned against a square or triangle oscillator. If you want something a little more agressive, check out some of the wavetables in the Virus, or Massive.

There are a few guys around here who specialize in making trance commercial sounds - Anakratis, Alanzo, etc. - hopefully they'll chime in.

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Sonar Platinum | Ableton Live 9 | Logic Pro X | Access Virus TI2 Keyboard | Kurzweil PC3X | Nord Lead 4R | NI Maschine

quote:

Originally posted by GV1 By patch I am talking about the classic synths with depth and atmosphere.

Check out Spectrasonics Atmosphere (or Omnisphere if you can afford it), it's got some of the best pads and textures I've ever come across. There's not many synthesis capabilities in Atmosphere, though, but it's still worth checking out.

Oh and welcome to the forums, it's refreshing seeing a new member who's actually seeking resources to learn from, instead of asking people to spoon feed them everything.