new Sputnikk track - Gateway (progressive house)

[King of Snake]

Haven't posted a new one in a while but have been spending time switching from Cubase to Ableton Live. This is the second track I've done completely in Live (although it started out from an old cubase project).
Of course i'm still running it all on SonicCore platform
It's kind of an up-tempo trancy progressive house track. I'm really happy with how the mix turned out on this one, I feel like I'm getting very close to the sound I want from my productions now.
You can listen to the track here:

http://www.sputnikk.nl/audio/sputnikk-gateway.mp3

gear used:

Live 7
Nord Rack 2
Albino 2
Imposcar
SonicCore Pro-One
NI Battery
Classik Studio Reverb

[Shroomz~>]

Hi there King of Snake,

just had a listen at a nice & loud volume here.

You're definitely getting a trancy progressive house sound nailed down!! The overall sound you're getting in this mix is excellent imo. This style is a bit on the 'commercial' side for my own taste, but that's probably a good thing, as that commercial sound is likely to be exactly what you're trying to get. All in all, I can understand why you're pleased with your production because this is definitely good enough to get played in clubs by DJ's playing this kind of style.

Sounds like you should be getting your music to the masses...

Keep it up mate!

Mark

[hifiboom]

very good style and great mixing technique. great dj like high pass automation in the middle.

its much more in my favour than many actual commercial trance stuff.

what instrument is the one audible solo at the beginning? nord rack2?

[Shroomz~>]

its much more in my favour than many actual commercial trance stuff.

Yeah, this sort of style is nothing like most commercial trance, but it's not supposed to be. I find progressive house much more palatable than any of the commercial/mainstream trance, but it's a matter of taste. There's people who swallow it all.

Mark

[King of Snake]

thanks guys!
it's true i've been trying to to a sound that would be picked up by labels/dj's in this genre. Somehow my tracks tend to come out just a little bit more trancy than i would like but I think i'm still well on the safe side of commercial "trance" (a la Tiesto etc..)
I always liked the old trance stuff and i guess that what kind of became "progressive" eventually while "trance" is now more associated with the commercial stuff.

The synth in the beginning is the SonicCore Pro One actually, the rest is a mixture of Nord and Albino.

[dawman]

I think your track is spectacular.
I usually grow weary of the endless BOOV-BOOV bass drum stuff, but when synths and filters are used so dynamically and tasteful, it becomes clear that the Bass Drum is necessary.
I was attracted musically as well, as the synth rhythms were tight and your intervals ( choice of notes ) was most interesting.
I couldn't believe I was dancing around w/ my wireless ear monitors.

I actually thank you for this track as I am deciphering it right now.
I love all styles of music but hardly ever find dance music exciting, but do enjoy the sounds of synths wherever they are used.
There is an obvious formula here that caught my attention, I must learn it.

Your musical & dynamic approach using the filters was Top Shelf.

[King of Snake]

many thanks. An honor coming from you brotha man Jimmy

[dawman]

I have been searching for a formula for some time as I am an old Bastard lost in the prior centuries. Chops are no problem, neither is composition & theory.
But this has caught my eyes and ears as all of the elements are being used.
Your chops, dynamics via Filters, and the addition of elements over time were perfect.
It is a musical story applying many variables.
I worked with a DJ for 6 months who used Live and Kyma, but it was extremely abstract.
As Shroomz said this is more commercial, but the structuring is captivating.

This was very inspirational for me.

[King of Snake]

that's great to hear! Sadly my own knowledge of theory and composition is limited, so I learn by listening to other artists in the genre whose productions I like, then try and copy what they do (to a certain extent of course )

[dawman]

I have been checking some links in the " What Are You Listening To " thread.
Should have done this before, some really cool stuff.
What artists, 2 of your favorites would you suggest I give a listen?

Thanks.

[King of Snake]

well, not really in this style but one of my big inspirations:
Underworld
I'd recommend checking out their first two albums (Dubnobasswithmyheadman, Second Toughest in the Infants) and their live cd/dvd Everything Everything.

Lately I've been really enjoying the work of Robert Babicz. He has got a bunch of free promomixes on his site showcasing his latest tracks.

[dawman]

Takk !!

[King of Snake]

also I tend to dig (pun intended) what John Digweed plays most of the time.

[dawman]

Listened to Babicz '08 and I liked it.
I am so burnt out musically from doing the same old crap, and most of it is covers redone.
Thankfully the pay is top notch.
But I have a new love. Don't know how it happened, but all of you yungsta's have succeeded in turning me around.
It started by checking out what people are listening to as I was bored with my life.
Shroomz and others had some really great links on DJ's, and then when I heard your demo, the fidelity was better and further caught my interest.
Then I started messing around w/ these reverse audio buffer/ loopers and I guess that's all she wrote.
I am going to embarrass myself here as I am sure to get bashed for a few tries. But that's what makes us better.
As we say in Vegas, you can't win if you don't go.
Thanks Again.

BTW, because you actually played some catchy licks, I like your stuff more than what I have been listening to, as I do enjoy their mixes and uses of Filters/delays, etc. Most licks were 1 or 2 bars long...Playing more notes across the bars is more exciting to me.

[hesnotthemessiah]

I like it!!! Nice use of filters, EQ and panning to give a sense of depth and clarity to the mix. I really like a lot of trance but get confused when it comes to genres and artistes as I don't tend to keep upto date with what's out there as much as I used to (getting old like Mr Ralf )

Two Cds I really love are:-

Trance Republic Disc03 mixed by John Askew (part of 3 CD set) - Track 5 Arc In The Sky "Kissed" is the most amazing full on, in yer face, hands in the air, smile on your face track ever made. Amazing production. Almost all the tracks on this CD are brilliant if you like trance with big fat synths and fantastic, inventive use of sound.

DJ Magazine World Series "Moshic - Progressive from Israel" . Wow!! Funky and atmospheric. Absolutely brilliant. Free with DJ Magazine a while back.


Favourite recent podcast downloads (free from iTunes):-
Trance Tuesday #052 - checkout the first track - if Numan was doing trance 28 years ago.........
Trance Around The World with Above & Beyond #229 - checkout Paul Van Dyk "Talk In Grey" and the track that follows it (52 minutes into the podcast).


Keep up the good work King of Snake. Look forward to hearing more.