KILLER arpreggios -- how?

[pablo744]

this question is for all the superb programmers out there. specifically, how do you achieve the arpeggio patterns in your demos -- are they all custom programmed via step sequencing? do you input the individual notes, then speed up the bpm to 130-140?

the best examples i can think of would be schleis' demos for his soundsets on the vengeance website. they are excellent arps, with filter sweeps, etc.

does it depend on playing technique with virus preset arps, or is it all purely customized programming. the melody notes can be clearly heard, with accent notes underneath of them. outstanding.

i welcome your advice and expertise. THANK YOU!

cheers.
p744

[Tomer=Trance]

well manuel knows his keyboard playing... i dont think he uses pre programed arp's... but there is a vst called "energy xt" which allows you to program your own arp's! yeah thats right havent used it alot tho
gone chack it out today sending midi out to the virus wonder how it will sound great i hope :P

[MADSTATION]

I always program my melodies note by note, it's actually not that hard!

Here is a sample of my latest track...
http://www.madstation.net/TheScientist(sample).mp3
Melody ain't that complex tho, but still!

[Rokka]

I like your track, have you ever signed it somewhere?

[Tomer=Trance]

realy nice production madstation

[Juho L]

Originally Posted by MADSTATION

Here is a sample of my latest track...
http://www.madstation.net/TheScientist(sample).mp3
Melody ain't that complex tho, but still! :)

I expected a ragtime classic with some test tube bubbling in the background (well, at least that's what I would have done if I'd been asked to make a song named The Scientist), but this ended up to be a hard trance or something. Production is good but the song itself didn't offer anything new or innnovative. Actually it was heard-before from the beginning till end. This is of course my opinion, but I think that people would enjoy your music more if you'd add some innovative ideas instead of following the basic formula like a slave.

There are thousands of producers that create top quality tracks but the songs are all almost like made by one person. This causes the effect that no matter how good your tracks sound you'll never get a record contract, because there's already lots of signed artist making almost identical music as you do. Add ideas! Don't be afraid to add some piano, bagpipes or something else non-trancy! That way you don't get drowned in the gray mass and your chances to get a record contract are better.

I've spoken.

[Tomer=Trance]

joho has offered some good ideas here, take some of his advices

[saba]

Trance is dead, killed my commericialism. And they continue to rape its dead body .

Its very frustrating. I got into it shortly before Dj Tiesto et al got into it. Before that Airwave track, it was rather fun, new, and fresh! It was fun. But now, I seriously can't it, every track is the same!

Somewhat similar to glitch/cuts, Autechre style. They were pioneers, but now everyone just copies them and tries to sound just like them, so all you get is a CD full of noise.

Boards of Canada, for example, hasn't been copied yet (to my knowledge). Give it a year.

I'm rambling.
________
Body Science

[MADSTATION]

Hey guys ! I wasn't expecting feedback but it really is appreciated!

Rokka : Track will be out @ the beginning of year 2004 on Fevah Trance.
Thanks!

Juho L : I'm with you on this one! I totally agree. However, experiment with stuff with my 2nd release might be a bit suicidal since I'd rather have my name well established in the industry(if that ever happens) then release my experimental stuff! Also keep in mind I'm still very new to producing, I've been doing this for a year now(about 1 hour a day).

I've done some different things as well you know!
www.madstation.net/ELECTRO.mp3 <--- Drums really need better eq tho!
http://www.madstation.net/water.mp3 <--- Synth sounds like crap + drums are poo, but you'll get the point But many thanks for your honest feedback, quite appreciated. I've heard some of your stuff and really, it is quite interresting! Different and quite unique, keep it up.

[Juho L]

Originally Posted by MADSTATION

I've done some different things as well you know!
www.madstation.net/ELECTRO.mp3 <--- Drums really need better eq tho!

Good! Maybe after few bars a bass drum and a rough saw bass. Then those drums that come at the end of the clip and then a constant phaser sound on hte background (hollow and rough screaming sound).

http://www.madstation.net/water.mp3 <--- Synth sounds like crap + drums are poo, but you'll get the point

Reason loops. Hoho. Not bad either.