Tech Trance
This fusion of Techno & Trance is my absolute favourite genre. Combining powerful percussion of Techno with the musicality of Trance is what makes it so special.
"Like rats scrambling from a sinking ship, Progressive Trance and Anthem Trance producers escaped the banality of the builds, breakdowns and chorus melodies when it was declared by the genre's elite {sic} as being thoroughly uncool to keep playing the stuff. So they latched onto the other genres as a way to stay ahead of the pack. Break Trance (Breakbeat), Tech Trance (Techno) and Deep Trance (House) are such genres created in the wake of the Great Anthem crash."
(Ishkur, 2017)
History:
Growing tired of the formulaic structure of trance in the late 90's pioneering producers Marco V, Tiesto and Marcel Woods broke from tradition and began experimenting with this fusion of styles. Tech Trance's complexity is its defining feature but more on that later. Early Trance productions featured many "real" instruments such as piano and guitar while Tech Trance is almost exclusively synthesizers.
This break from tradition saw a meteoric rise for the genre and allowed producers more freedom to experiment with other production techniques. This is highlighted by the Above and beyond tune Buzz which introduced a resonant analogue bass line that moved away from the traditional off beat and added more melody to the genre. (M, 2013)
(anjunsta, 2009)
Producers:
Marco V
(Marco V, 2017)
This Dutch DJ, Producer and label boss is one of the pioneers of the Tech-Trance genre. Starting out as a resident Dj at De Danssalon (biggest club in Eindhoven, Netherlands) in 1996 he quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. Teaming up with his fellow De Danssalon resident Bejamin Bates the pair began producing and the rest as they say is history. Marco V is most well known for his album 200V, singles Simulated, Godd and is one of the best renowned remixers on the scene. ("Marco V", 2017) [Quoted from my post What Brought Me Here]
(Trance Classics, 2013)
Mark Sherry
(Sherry, 2015)
This Scottish DJ, Producer, Label Boss (Outburst Records) and Mastering Engineer is one of the founding members of Public Domain who launched into the electronics scene with their massive hit Operation Blade. Leaving the band to focus on his individual career he has releases on almost every major dance music label on the planet and is one of my favourite DJ's and producers. He combines elements of techno into all his production and is a regular at any quality Trance music festival. His mastering service is also helping to develop the scene and move it forward into the 21st century. Check out his Outburst podcast for latest releases and a weekly dose of the best in underground trance music. (Sherry, 2015)
(Beneš, 2014)
John Askew
(Askew, 2017)
UK born DJ, Producer and Label Boss (VII) is the hottest Tech Trance product in the world right now. Playing festivals in every corner of the globe and releasing some of the biggest records of 2017 (Raven see below). He is known for his forward thinking production which always tend to lie just a little ahead of the collective consciousness keeping him not only relevant but also highly sought after for any club or promoter. Coming to Brisbane in early 2018 for Paradigm he is truly a global force for the Tech Trance genre. (RA, 2017)
(Solis, 2017)
Elements:
Tech-trance defines itself with it's complexity, this sound is created by the following techniques and attributes
One of the first genres to use prominent side chaining
Utilise pitch changes usually by a semitone, traditionally achieved using tape by slowing down playback. However nowadays replicated in DAW's without having to slow the whole piece down
Extensive reverb automation i.e. massive reverb on a snare that disappears and returns throughout the song
Heavily quantised drums
Dirty distorted hi hats and claps with very short attack and release to emphasise percussive nature of the genre
Overdriven simple melodies with lots of resonance
Filter automation on both EQ and synthesizers (see below for more)
Lots of stereo width, usually achieved by ping pong delay (again heavily automated)
The use of a limiter to reduce dynamic range of intense synth lines
Here is an awesome tutorial which will give you a greater understanding of how the synth lines are produced. (If you have the time I highly recommend this tutorial series, I've watched them all)
(Trance Production Tutorials, 2014)
Set of the year (for me)
If you look closely you'll even see me in the crowd look for the blue mullet near the cooking monster.
(Idoudi, 2017)
Jump to another genre:
References
Aksew, J. (2017). Beunos Ares. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/djjohnaskew/photos/a.10155774217656977.1073741889.100199626976/10155774224026977/?type=3&theater
Anjunsta. (2009, July 22). Above & Beyond Pres. Tranquility Base "Buzz" [Buzztalk Mix] - 40th Anniversary Of Apollo 11 [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nl0otbq1SX0
Beneš, V. (2014, June 3). Mark Sherry vs. Dr. Willis - Here Come The Drums (Original Mix)[Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Br9Yxi4NL24
Idoudi, H. (2017, July 18). John Askew live Luminosity Beach 2017 [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuOZ5rsYYo8
Ishkur. (2017). Ishkur's Guide to Electronic Music | New Home on Techno.org. Retrieved from http://techno.org/electronic-music-guide/
Marco V. (2017). Marco V [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.discogs.com/artist/12236-Marco-V
Marco V. (2017). Marco V. Retrieved from http://www.marcov.nl/micro/
M, J. (2013, September 1). A history of trance music. Retrieved from http://www.toucanmusic.co.uk/articles/trance.php
RA. (2017). RA: John Askew. Retrieved from https://www.residentadvisor.net/dj/johnaskew/biography
Sherry, M. (2015). BIOGRAPHY - Mark Sherry | Outburst Records | Techburst Records. Retrieved from http://marksherry.net/2015/biography/
Solis, J. (2017, February 27). John Askew - Raven (Original Mix) [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKxLknuJS0I
Trance Classics. (2013, March 7). Marco V - Godd (Original Mix) (2002) [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liZsPwbLYSQ
Trance Production Tutorials. (2014, February 27). How to make a tech trance lead in Logic Pro X - Trance Production Tutorials #16 [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9bi974bNaI&list=WL