Critique my trance submissions

[CarlParadise]

Long time composer, first time forum poster (as far as I remember...)

I recently composed and submitted 2 trance pieces to listing S210803TR, both returned to me. True confession, after almost 2 years here I have no forwards... just started writing to the listing recently though.

The two pieces are on my profile, Whale Trance and Summer Trance. The reviewer checked several boxes, but the one in particular I would like to address is:

Some instrument sounds or samples sound dated or of a lower quality

Can someone recommend specific libraries that would be suitable for current sounding electronic music? I am using Logic Pro X.

If I am missing any cultural norms in my post, apologies in advance, as I said I'm new here!

thanks

[AlanHall]

Hi Carl, Welcome!
What you are missing is a link to your profile... see the "www.Taxi.<stuff>" below.

[CarlParadise]

Thank you Alan, just added to my signature!

https://www.taxi.com/members/carlparadise

[AlanHall]

Hi Carl,
Yes, link is working good.

I am no expert on this style of music, but I can try to address your questions. The drum sounds are not contemporary at all. Very early drum machine sounding samples (like the RX11 I had back in 1986!). I can't recommend a source for a killer drum pack, only suggest that you listen to modern trance to get a feel for the sounds in use. So one check for 'dated drum sounds'.
Most of the synths I though were OK, but the 'whale sounds' were kind of retro. Maybe some clever processing to may them sound as if they were underwater would boost their novelty. Over all, I think these tracks would benefit from some critical listening and a remix while A/B'ing them to the references. IMHO, the mix let the composition down. So another check for 'not contemporary'.
I think with newer pop/EDM/trance drums samples, and a fresh ear on the mix, these tracks could be much more modern. I hope this helps.
Alan

[cosmicdolphin]

" Dated " comes as much from the way you write the music and produce it as what sounds you use.

A skilled producer can take a bunch of vintage synths and make them sound fresh, so owning the same sound sources isn't necessarily going to make it sound not dated any more.

Without hearing the ref tracks what I am getting from yours is they have been put together by someone who doesn't listen to EDM. The drums are especially weak as mentioned.

I can tell you what synths I have used for my EDM placements and Google will probably yield a similar list :

Drums - Kick 2 - Splice - XO - Wave Alchemy Drum Tools

Synths : Massive - Sylenth - Dune2 - Serum

Bass : Output Substance - Trillian

Other : Output Exhale

FX : Xfer OTT - TransX - Kickstart

You don't need all of these but one or two in each category would certainly go a long way but you also need to listen to a lot of current EDM until you understand what it should sound like. Find some good Youtube tutorials and work through them. Hope that helps.

Mark

[CarlParadise]

Thanks Alan and Mark, much appreciated. I will look into those plugins and go back and listen to the original pieces too.

Here is a link to the listing, which does say electronic music but does not EDM, if that matters (probably I'm just missing the point all around here!)

https://www.taxi.com/listings/S210803TR

It's true I don't normally listen much to EDM in particular, though they play some similar stuff on KCRW Morning Becomes Eclectic... maybe that's a slightly different sub genre.

[darkbluerooms]

Hi there,

Summer Trance does not sound like a Trance song at all to me, but Whale Trance does have some elements. If I'm being honest, Summer sounds like it was made by someone who has active contempt for the genre. The "live sounding" drums and bass are instantly going to push your sound away from this genre regardless of the library you use. If I had to describe the sound of both songs, I'd say they sound like less heavy 80's Industrial music.

Cosmicdolphin covered the bases pretty well with his VST suggestions. Serum and Massive are very commonly used in this genre.

Also, take a look at Native Instruments Expansions. They have genre specific ones, that usually lean toward drum sounds. They haven't released many EDM leaning ones recently, but a lot of their older expansions cover EDM/Trance.

With that said, I agree with the earlier comment. The issue is largely compositional. I hope this is helpful.

[CarlParadise]

Thanks much for the helpful comments and info.

I was not intending to come across contemptuous in any way, no irony intended!

[CarlParadise]

Awesome list, thanks very much!

Now to start saving pennies...

[AlanHall]

From the listing:
"Please submit top-notch Trance Songs with hypnotic beats, cutting-edge Electronic instrumentation, and solid arrangements. Your production should be slick and feature high-quality, fresh virtual instruments and samples"

My interpretation of that is that they (the screener, and then the library) need to hear the latest trend in drum and synth sounds for this to fly. If it's more than 15% off from the refs or the genre as a whole, it won't get forwarded.