Getting into Psytrance: Gear, Techniques and Practical Advice from Established Artists

We sat down with some exciting upcoming Psytrance artists to talk gear and how they incorporate it into their performances.

This article is part of Musicngear's "Getting into" series: Getting into Neo Soul/FunkGetting into House Music, Getting into DubstepGetting into SynthwaveGetting into Alternative/Indie Electronic and Getting into Synth-Pop with gear, techniques and practical advice from established artists.

By Aron PeakContributing Author

Article photo - Getting into Psytrance: Gear, Techniques and Practical Advice from Established Artists

Sitting at the hardcore end of the diverse trance music spectrum, Psytrance offers an eclectic mix of tempos, moods, styles, and sounds signified by the diverse use of drum machines, sequencers, and samplers. 

I sat down with some exciting upcoming artists to talk gear and how they incorporate it into their performances.


Nanook

Article photo - Getting into Psytrance: Gear, Techniques and Practical Advice from Established Artists

Musicngear: What gear do you use and recommend? 

i7 based PC Laptop and 2 x Akai APC 20, running through Ableton Suite. Technics 1210’s, this is where I cut my teeth, but these days I enjoy using Pioneer DDJ-SB3 controllers and Pioneer DJM 750 mixer with a laptop running Serato DJ Pro. In addition, I also use a number of DAW’s and have tried everything in my 20+ years of production, from Cakewalk, Reason Studios, Steinberg Cubase, Image-Line FL-Studio... until eventually settling on Ableton Suite. Finally, I use 2 x Akai APC20 as well as Audio-Technica AT-LP120 Microphones for sampling.

I recommend people don't fall victim to "gear lust" or kit envy. 

I've seen some amazing producers make unbelievable music from sampling a spoon of rice shaken around in a crisp packet. It's not what you have, its how you use it. Get creative with whatever is in front of you, and if you're short in inspiration, do some reading on the BBC Radiophonic workshop. The joy is in pioneering, not copying.

Branch out from your chosen genre and learn what inspired the people that inspired you

What practical advice do you have for performing a live production?

Be patient. Pay your dues (i.e., start with the basics and nail your foundations) Innovate don't imitate.   As above, don't worry about what kit you can/can't afford or do/do not have access to... get creative.

Have FUN. If you're pulling your hair out, you're doing it wrong.

Any useful tips for new artists, both in terms of generally starting out and also using gear in their sets?

Branch out from your chosen genre and learn what inspired the people that inspired you. This will help give your music depth that a lot of music lacks - read as much as possible - The music that inspires me, came from a generation where music, art, partying, drug use, literature, culture, social-economic context, all went hand in hand. Learn about that. Finally, as I've always written about myself in reference to "starting out”, the EASIEST way to separate yourself from the competition is to be consistent, honest and reliable. Do that, and you're already in the top 10%.

Connect with Nanook
Facebook


aNubatron

Article photo - Getting into Psytrance: Gear, Techniques and Practical Advice from Established Artists

What gear do you use and recommend?

I use Logic X alongside my Clarinet performances, using a Shure SM58 LC microphone and experimenting with effects. I do my own mixing and mastering and for this would recommend Alesis M1 Active 520 Monitor speakers and Audio-Technica ATH-M30 X headphones to get as close to an accurate sound as possible on a budget! I’m also just starting to get to grips with the Izotope Ozone 9 plugin to correct instrument levels and give an overall boost to the sound. I also have an old Korg SP-200 keyboard, which can be set up for midi.

 No time is wasted when you’re creating

What practical advice do you have for performing a live production?

For my performances, I use Serato and a Numark Mixtrack Pro II controller. Over the last months, I was experimenting with hooking up my Numark DJ2GO2 Pocket DJ Controller and iPad using Algoriddim: DJay Pro App to do some mini mixes on the go! I also did some live streams using OBS and experimented a bit on some Pioneer XDJ-RX2's. I am looking to branch out further with Ableton Live in the near future also.

Any useful tips for new artists, both in terms of generally starting out and also using gear in their sets?

My advice would be, if you have the impulse to do it, give it a go and stick at it! It’s all about the process. I can spend hours on end mashing up acapella and drum-breaks and discard the project only to rediscover it months later and turn it into a banger! No time is wasted when you’re creating. I would suggest not over complicating things at the beginning and just enjoy finding your way with the software and creating a unique sound. Using a Novation Nocturn 25 midi keyboard can be a good start and knowledge of scales and keys helps a lot, so learning an instrument is very worthwhile. I've learned to share my work with a variety of audiences near the beginning to get feedback from first-time listeners... then I go back into the projects to bend some rules! I swear by my Numark Mixtrack Pro II as a great start-up to get into the flow and learn some basic skills. Most of all enjoy the process and be authentic!

Connect with aNubatron
Facebook / Bandcamp


Klayer 

Article photo - Getting into Psytrance: Gear, Techniques and Practical Advice from Established Artists

What gear do you use and recommend?

My setup consists of 2 x Technics 1210s with a Pioneer DJM750 mixer, laptop and Pioneer DDJSB3 Controller, Ableton 9 and an Akai APC Keys 25.  

Recommendations is a tough one, as different products and brands suit different styles of music and situations! For me personally, I’ve always been a big fan of Pioneer Mixers and CDJs. For headphones and Turntables, I go with Technics. I also recommend an Akai APC for production purposes.

The hardest part is getting started!

What practical advice do you have for performing a live production?

Get creative! For example I will use a 3rd deck for adding loops and acapellas, they are a great way to create re-edits of tracks live in the mix. Try throwing different effects over them and see what you come up with!

Any useful tips for new artists, both in terms of generally starting out and also using gear in their sets?

Be creative and most importantly have fun! The hardest part is getting started! It’s important to remember that it’s not going to sound great at first, so don’t let this put you off! There are some amazing videos available on YouTube to help you!

Connect with Klayer 
FacebookSoundcloud  / Instagram


Fenris Mews

Article photo - Getting into Psytrance: Gear, Techniques and Practical Advice from Established Artists

What gear do you use and recommend? 

Pioneer DDJ-RR, Pioneer XDJ-RR, Akai Professional MPK Mini MK3, Boss Loopstation, Image-Line FL Studio, Reason Studios, Serum and Nexus 2. I’d highly recommend all of these as I use them regularly and get great results.

There are a lot of different DAWS “Ableton, Image-Line FL Studio, Reason Studios” and so on, just choose what’s good for you. I’m using FL Studio. Make sure your Computer / Laptop has a High CPU and a good sound card so you can use a lot of plugins, VST’s and external inputs.

No need to overkill it when you are just starting out

What practical advice do you have for performing a live production?

Keep it simple - get some keyboards and loop stations, brand doesn’t matter but I do recommend the above – No need to overkill it when you are just starting out. Keep striving to improve and believe in yourself. Find your own style, just practice, practice, practice.

Any useful tips for new artists, both in terms of generally starting out and also using gear in their sets?

You don’t need to spend a huge amount of money on the best gear. Standard monitors, keyboard and general equipment will do just fine, save your resources! For example, you just need to learn how your monitors sound and you can then translate this into any situation. If you are going to spend some serious money, however, there are some great shouts for high quality sound and samples. Serum and Nexus 2 as I mentioned before are great, but you should also look at a good EQ and a loudness meter, especially if you would like to master your tracks post performance/recording.

Connect with Fenris Mews
Soundcloud


Hiege

Article photo - Getting into Psytrance: Gear, Techniques and Practical Advice from Established Artists

What gear do you use and recommend?

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen, KRK Rokit RP8 G4, Steinberg Cubase 10, VSTs, my guitars Ibanez AE275-LGS and Epiphone Les Paul 50’s HCS), and an Akai LPK 25 MIDI-Keyboard with a SE Electronics X1A microphone. Serum is my workhorse when it comes to Synths, Pads, and Basses. I even tend to design little drum-adds, tonal risers, and stuff like that with it.  I used to work with Sylenth, but I feel like Serum has this great variety of almost organic feeling sounds and I really like how it gives visual feedback on all details like the harmonic structure of your waveforms. I really like that analogue feeling (who doesn't?) that you can't really create with VSTs. I definitely recommend a proper set of monitors to listen to your music on. This will change the way you perceive your music and will improve the way you are producing it. Buying those KRKs was a game-changer for me, but after all, I think you should use the gear that works the best with your creative flow.

Keep. It. Simple.  While adding a lot of different effects, pedals etc, you don't just overload the stage, you overload your brain, too

What practical advice do you have for performing a live production?

Keep. It. Simple.  While adding a lot of different effects, pedals, etc, you don't just overload the stage, you overload your brain, too. Remove every little piece of hardware that you can while still liking your sound. Your brain won't start stressing about that little knob that is not "perfectly" in position. The truth is: If your performance is good - nobody will even recognize that this little knob even exists.

Any useful tips for new artists, both in terms of generally starting out and also using gear in their sets?

Get used to your DAW and equipment - really learn it. Take time to go into your VSTs and play with them. Don't force things if it doesn't feel right. Take your breaks. Making music should always be fun and comfortable. Don't overthink stuff for live performances, it's a good sign to be nervous.  It's a good sign to think about the possibility of failing when playing live because it actually shows you how much you love music. Never lose your passion.

Connect with Hiege
Soundcloud


PINI

Article photo - Getting into Psytrance: Gear, Techniques and Practical Advice from Established Artists

What gear do you use and recommend? 

I use Ableton Live alongside and a number of instruments and plugins, such as Serum, Operator, Wavetable, Kick2, Analog.  For my metallic acid sound, I go to Lennar Digital Sylenth 1 as well as plugins from Infected Mushroom to emulate sounds similar to that of the Roland 303 and produce that “old school feel”.

Always be open to any kind of music; you can find spontaneous inspiration from so many sources

What practical advice do you have for performing a live production?

Make sure you fully understand each instrument/plugin/synthesizer beforehand. There are countless tutorials on YouTube for whatever you are looking for. If you are feeling stuck with a particular track or live performance piece, just start again. This sounds quite harsh but you can get stuck on a track forever but sometimes after a short block it can all come together. The most important thing is to keep moving forward.

Any useful tips for new artists, both in terms of generally starting out and also using gear in their sets?

Always be open to any kind of music; you can find spontaneous inspiration from so many sources. For example, I really like Led Zeppelin and they aren’t even electronic music but they have a huge influence on my sound and give me so many ideas.

Connect with Pini
Soundcloud


SHABO

Article photo - Getting into Psytrance: Gear, Techniques and Practical Advice from Established Artists

What gear do you use and recommend?

Steinberg Cubase, Ibanez GRG270B-BKN Guitar, a Classic Washburn Guitar, M-Audio Oxygen 49 Mk4 Keyboard. I recommend Roland TB-03 in terms of synthesizers, but most importantly I’d recommend a live musical instrument. I think once you play an instrument (guitar, piano, or anything else), you will be better able to express yourself.

Connect to your emotion. Come from a real place

What practical advice do you have for performing a live production?

Try as many synths and plugins as possible and understand what you like to use the most and design your own set-up and sound around that. Also as I mentioned in the previous question, always look to include a musical instrument where possible, something more tacit like a guitar or piano as well as something more electronic. That combination can lead to a huge array of creativity.

Any useful tips for new artists, both in terms of generally starting out and also using gear in their performances.

Connect to your emotion. Come from a real place. You can help yourself by seeing artists you appreciate and checking how they perform, how they create and how they approach their work. This will give you a great starting point.

Connect with SHABO
Soundcloud / Instagram / Facebook


WEN

Article photo - Getting into Psytrance: Gear, Techniques and Practical Advice from Established Artists

What gear do you use and recommend?

I use a Pioneer DDJ-RB Controller alongside Image-Line FL Studio 10, Class Acoustic Guitar, Winner Electric Guitar and Ukelele. I highly recommend some AKG reference headphones as well as a decent audio monitoring set up. Bear in mind however that the audio monitor is only as good as the treatment of the room it is in, so without that, it’s most important you spend your energy on playing and practicing your craft.

Pass on a good vibe to the people who are listening to you, no matter if there are 10 people or 1000

What practical advice do you have for performing a live production?

Try to give you songs a unique vibe that separates you from the rest and makes the performance unforgettable.

Any useful tips for new artists, both in terms of generally starting out and also using gear in their sets?

Be excited to pass on a good vibe to the people who are listening to you, no matter if there are 10 people or 1000, you are playing your music and you have to get your message out there for people to feel, and create a positive experience for everyone.

Connect with WEN
Facebook / Soundcloud / Spotify / YouTube


This article is part of the "Getting into" series: Getting into Neo Soul/FunkGetting into House Music, Getting into DubstepGetting into SynthwaveGetting into Alternative/Indie Electronic and Getting into Synth-Pop with gear, techniques and practical advice from Phoebe Katis, ZASKA, Melina Malone, Tolü Makay,Barq, REES, Donny Rotten, Karim Atari, Mehta, Parallel, ShamanskEE, Inwool, EGOLESS, Jon1st & Shield, Von D, BREAKFAKE, Mexican Stepper, IMAJIKA, Vincenzo Salvia, Dana Jean Phoenix, Morgan Willis, ArvoParty, SYLK, Anna Mullarkey, Bantum, Xylo Aria, Double Screen, CYNEMA, True Tides, Flecks, Lunnah, Host and Peachface.
About Aron Peak

A passionate writer with diverse interests, an eclectic range of styles and over 5 years of experience writing for the likes of global music festivals, market leading technology companies and national arts and lifestyle outlets. Aron is also a professional music producer and runs his own record label Bare Bones. Over the past 7 years he has had multiple releases that have been supported both in the UK and Internationally (e.g. BBC Radio 1, EDC Las Vegas etc), and has toured across the world as a DJ.

Contact Aron Peak at aron.peak@musicngear.com

About Music Production

In this section of the blog you will find recording advice, tips and tricks from fellow artists and music producers.

Interested in writing a story for this section as a guest or joining the Musicngear team as a Contributing Author? Contact us at info+newauthor@musicngear.com