djmaxfactor1995
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Posts posted by djmaxfactor1995
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I remember the conversations like yesterday ('95-'96ish) I had with my friends as we tripped on phrygian caps discussing the music we listened to, and the problem we had describing it to people we were introducing it to as. Describing it as drug/high music didn't seem to work well.
We thought the term goa-trance a misnomer, as none had been the psytrance, and in fact nearly everyone we know hadn't been there either, and neither we any of likely to go anytime soon as we weren't part of the public school trustafarians crew.
We liked the term trance, as it described the activity which we engaged, with body and/or mind. However rather than goa, as we also thought the idea of going elsewhere and partying a bit ungroovey, rather than making were one was groovey, the term psychedelic seemed a much better fit. As at the time and location in the far north of england, it was a scene catergorised by psychedelic usage, driven around the local magic mushrooms, and creative industry that had lingered underground in the region since the 60's. Such as the FullMoon Magic Mushroom Parties in the 70-80's.
So rather than goa-trance, we started to call it psychedelic trance, it described what we did quite nicely, and shortly it became abbreviated down to psytrance. It came to us as no surprise, a matter of the synchronicity of the times, that the term psytrance became wide spread and popular in the wider community.
Anyway that is just my story and perspective on things, and why I(we) used to call it psy(chedelic) trance back-in-the-day™.
It seems as though you had the exact experience as I did half-way around the world. I never heard of Goa, I had no idea why it was associated until I researched. But, it was still ambiguous. The only thing I could think is that there was a short-time, maybe 6 months, where people just like you and I, we couldn't quite explain the music. Goa did not help.
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Respected Members of Psociety:
We need to evolve. I am a retired professional Psy-DJ (1995-1998). I love psytrance. Psytrance perfectly defines this type of electronic music. However, Goa Trance has also been describing it, as well. It has been a little over 17 years since the term psytrance has been widely accepted as the proper name for the genre. Yet, people still carry-on this confusing, redundant and nonsensical dual-genre called Goa/Psytrance or some obscure combination of Goa, Psy, and Trance. There is no need to use two names for this music. With my knowledge and experience, I vote that we end the association of Goa. And from here forward, use Psytrance to officially denote this genre. Even if I look at the sub-genres, I can logically determine that psytrance is the the genre they belong. Goa is said to be the birth place of the first Psytrance track. If you believe that, I have some ocean front property in Nevada that you would love.
Please let us decide this once and for all. I believe this will unbind this music from a false past and create an revolution of new psytrance music that will be better than ever.
Thank you for your consideration.
Psyncerely,
Max Factor (Psytrance DJ, 1995-1998)
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Sorry folks, the distributors of the movie in the Philippines flagged the clip, I had. They are not the copyright holders and only have rights in the Philippines. But You Lube has cowered again. So, that video is bye bye. It's up to you to keep this forum going. But there has not been much response anyway, so I guess I shall euthanize it.
Thank you.
Max Factor
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Can we have an "other electronica sets" section please? Some of us like the people here, and want to hear their 70s ambient, techno or whatever sets as well. If you're worried about junk like "come see deadmau5 live" being posted there maybe make it minimum 50 posts to post there? Or just 20.
What DJ mixes have you done? I can't seem to access anything. I read the journal stuff but all the links are dead. I would like to hear one of your mixes. Do you have a psytrance mix? I could understand if you had a bunch of psytrance demos posted here, and you wanted to incorporated other genres, but the MOD"S wouldn't let you. But, not having a psytrance mix and asking for a place to promote other music doesn't make sense. Why wouldn't you just use SoundCloud or something that is more generalized? Maybe I am misunderstanding.
Max Factor
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I do not agree that you cannot make amazing music on a computer. It is not the equipment but the talent that matters
I think the most amazing music is made on a computer. The earliest sequencers and synths were necessary because of the unreliable and impotent performances of pc's. But, PRO-TOOLS certainly was used. I never even knew of a stand-alone sequencer. We at least used cubase or logic to sequence. When computing, software and D/A converters got better we could add multitrack recording. But, I got out of that world leaving a Nord Lead 2, some nice powered V-10's and a beautiful TC Electronics Fireworx Rack Mount EFX. Of course I would trade that for a Midi Keyboard Controller for the computer and a multitrack output PC with TC software Efx and Nord software synth and millions of other technological miracles. I am sure I would have a MAC and I would still suck at making music. But, that is why I don't. But the whole external synth vs. internal is bullshit. I mean if you want to go analog vs. digital go for it. I will stay in my lossless digital tower. Think about it. Mozart would take a computer in a nanosecond. Any talented composer would.
But, I do disagree with you, slightly. What really matters is the artist uses equipment that does not interfere with his/her infinite talent. So, I don't recommend Casio.
Elysium: You Make it: I will Spin it.
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Speaking for myself as a dancer, I don't find repetitive rhythms alone to be all that trance inducing.I remember talking to IM when I was new to this scene, and their saying to me that you could tell a psychedelic track from the kick drum and bassline. How is that different from disco? I'm sure a hard kick and a bassline alone sound great when you're on the right drugs, but I didn't take any drugs for years and when I did it wasn't for the purpose of making music sound better.
One of my favorite mixes is Ray Castle's tribute to 1989: http://soundcloud.co...ove/goa-vibe-89 As far as I can tell the mixing consists solely of well timed drops, but it's psychedelic, it creates a mood, and IMHO it's far more hypnotizing than a constant 140. There is more than one way to DJ.
Walkabout:
I forgot to mention there is another reason for the "140-145" BPM. When a certain pitch is played at a simple 4/4 time and is phase-locked. Meaning the peaks and troughs of the pitch is symmetrical. Especially when a temporal effect, like a rhythmic gate, is introduced, it induces neurons to fire in synchrony. These neurons produce gamma wave activity in the brain. The same frequencies involved in higher-brain activity, such as self-awareness, cognitive thinking, Tibetan Meditation, and psychedelic-like activity; i.e. hallucinations and ego-loss. You know that gating effect that Simon Posford does so well? I don't think it was accidental. This is why it is psytrance. Now I understand, Gamma Goblins!!!
Psyncerely,
Max Factor
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I'm completely stunned that nobody has mentioned Natural Born Killers. One of the most interesting, trippy as fuck movies of all time.
And Scanners is one of the best movies ever to watch on acid.
Natural Born Killers was awesome...and the whole part about mushrooms, of course.
That reminds me of Young Guns. "Did you see the size of that chicken?"
Not sure if these were mentioned: Altered States(scared the shit out of me), Wild at Heart with Nicolas Cage (Very good LSD movie), Akira (mindblowing), Sunday morning Preacher on mute with a rap song as audio always made the Preacher look like he was rapping.
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Also, I've started to get into the kind of proto-trance synth music that was being spun in Goa in the eighties, so there's plenty of 'Goa Trance' left to dig through.
tl;dr: what I hear in old records is an innocence. Artists weren't concerned with fitting into a given style or satisfying a very narrow set of expectations, they were doing what they felt like, and that translated to a vibrant scene. The two cents of a Goa dork. ^^
I am just attempting to simplify the language. We, humans are not very good with language. We use words that don't describe the world. We create paradoxes. We have created a world where incorrect inferances and ineffective communication dominates our behavior. So, if we can all agree on what the term "trance" means. We can make it easier to get our point across. I have been going to psychedelic events since I was an infant. My dad was a dead head and I lived on a commune since until I was five. I understand what psychedelic means. I know what trance means. And, I could easily, and mistakenly call The Grateful Dead Psychedelic Trance. I saw the parents of the same hippies that I saw at psytrance parties dancing the same way to Hallucinogen as their parents danced to the dead. Talk about a nightmare. I love psytrance but I don't love the scene. And, if that scene is because I am at a Goa Trance party, Not a psytrance party, then I am at the wrong party. The constant interchanging of Goa and Psy has defeated me. If you tell me that this is Goa Trance and that it is also Psytrance, you are confusing the fuck out of me. I can easily understand why it is called Psytrance. I have to do some serious research and then explaining to call it Goa Trance.
Psytrance is an evolution of Techno-Trance, Industrial, House, Ambient, and other sub-genres. The music has consistently been created by artists from the UK, Germany, Australia, Israel, and Japan. I don't know of any track from a Goa resident. For example, KoxBox was on Harthouse, a Techno-Trance Label from Germany and KoxBox is from Denmark. WTF is GOA? I would never call the Grateful dead San Francisco Rock.
I totally agree with your statements about the content of psytrance music. That is why I gave up DJing it in 1998. And if I do, I use the music from 1995-1998. There are some exceptions like KoxBox's FUCKING DOPE LP, The Great Unknown. But, I did download some new "Goa Trance" in an attempt to see if mixing it would blow me away like those in my 1995 mix tape promo. But, I found that they are like house music. Predictable and repetitive with no great surprises, musically. I did a random search of current popular artists. So, I am not sure if they were just average.
Also, the way that IM described how you can identify psytrance, is a perfect example of bad communication. Your response, about Disco was perfect. That is exactly the way Goa Trance does nothing to describe psytrance and it needs to GO Away. Get it? That was awesome. GOAway!!!!! Perfect. You want to know how you identify psytrance. You either do or you don't. It is either obvious or it is not Psytrance. It is after all Psychedelic Trance. And that means that it relates to the effects of psychedelic drugs. So, it is music that blows your mind. It is complex and layered but simple and melodic. It makes you see things differently. That is why it is psychedelic. When you do psychedelic drugs, your perception of the world is changed. Psytrance does not require psychedelic drug use. It causes you to see music differently, it causes that revelation feeling. Just like psychedelic drugs do. And that is why it is called Psytrance. To the pioneers of this music, there is no debate, there is no Goa Trance. However, There still remains this invalid description of EDM. If you need help connecting the dots. Listen to L.S.D. by master Psytrance artist, Hallucinogen. It is all there. I am starting to feel the brain shower of dopamine in my brain already. And I am not on any psychedelic drug.
God Damn, I love Psytrance.
Psyncerely,
Max Factor (Psytrance DJ, S.F./L.A.1995-1998)
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So what you say is that "true trance" is dead and has been for a very long time (early 90ties?). I can follow your point, I don't agree, but I guess we all approach this subject differently. I might have a less sensitive "out of trance" thresh-hold than you?!
What I do agree on is that trance is totally overused and often used out of content, but I guess that goes for a lot of terminologies, words loosing their original sense... 
Trance music can be any music that is symmetrically rhythmic and repetitive to where it is hypnotic. And causes a trance-like state. So really, almost all EDM is a type of trance. However, a DJ that causes the rhythm to be asymmetrical and non-repetitive. Which is exactly what train wrecking does. It causes that galloping, shoe-in- the-dryer sound. Which throws off the original design of the music. And it no longer is trance music. Of course, a DJ will fuck up and train wreck, accidentally and very rarely. But, if he consistently train wrecks, he takes the trance out of trance music. Don't you agree?
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Thank you for participating...I love martial arts. I agree that Tony Jaa is a total bad ass. I only liked him in the first Ong Bak. His martial arts ability is unbelievable and it was edited and choreographed in the first Ong Bak, perfectly. All subsequent films have been very disappointing. I don't care too much for the use of wires and such. I was very much influenced by Martial arts... the first movies that I saw were Enter the Ninja and Revenge of the Ninja. But, I still like "Bloodsport"and Perfect Weapon with Jeff Speakman. Dragon: The Legend of Bruce Lee: Awesome. Of course all of Bruce Lee's work including his philosophy... I loved the fight scene against Chuck Norris.
Lately, I really liked Shinobi: Heart Under Blade. I gotta go to sleep...
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My favourite is actually Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story
http-~~-//www.youtube.com/watch?v=suqr6ax8D28
It had some nice elements to it, especially his inner deamons.
I love that movie. What was his name, Jason Scott Lee? I thought he did an outstanding portrayal of Master Lee.
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I am having difficulty embedding the video. BRB
Here it is...finally --
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I love Martial Arts. Bruce Lee is an example of the last reincarnation and then Nirvana. He became pure energy. He just left, he did not die, he transformed. Anyway, this is a new movie about Bruce Lee's Sifu, Yip Man. Check out this scene that I uploaded:
I am having difficulty embedding the video. BRB
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My thoughts:
1. Pre 2000 most artists used analog synths, now they use computer software and maybe a digital synth. You can't get the juno-106, tb-303 or sh-101 sound correctly emulated with digital software. The end product will be clean, precise and digital, as opposed to dirty, some what random and analog.
2. Since artists pre 2000 relied on physical hardware they had to spend a lot of money to be able to make music, so people that got into making music probably already knew they had some talent and were therefor prepared to spend money on equipment. Today you can be an "artist" if you own a decent computer.
3. To release an album back in the days must have been more expensive then it is today, I'm thinking that costs for mastering and manufacturing of cd's and lp's were higher. So labels had to release high quality music to cover their expenses. Today you can be an online label and release digitally created music, with no mastering and no manufacturing costs.
4. Pre 2000 the idea of what the psytrance sound is wasn't as clear as it is today. When artists today try to make psytrance they already have a clear vision: "I want to make music like Astral Projection". Back in the days I think (kind of nostalgic) that the aim was to make trippy music. Fewer rules tend to favor creativity.
I don't think that the new artists understand how to innovate the music. I mean psytrance is really about selectively taking the best of different genres and making new patterns that are familiar but not heard and you either get it right away and it's a revelation or you don't and you stick to whatever your into. The pioneers of Psytrance were architects of this breakthrough music. The DJ's and the artists were still in the indie label mindset of the early 90's. That, if you want to sell records, you need to create your own label. If you were a DJ, you knew you had to produce and distribute your Mix Tape. Any one that really wanted to be behind the tables knew that the only way to become known was by self-promotion and hard work. And, all expenses were from your pocket. We didn't totally care about the money. Except that it symbolized the difference between an amateur and a pro. When I got a bookings in L.A. from my Demo, that made it worth something, no amount of money could buy that sense of "making it." All the money was reinvested in equipment or records...and drugs. I know why professional entertainers do drugs. It's because of the unforseen nightmares that happen. Everyone wants to be a DJ. Nobody told you that DJing is one of the most stressful. disaster filled jobs in the world. Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong. I have had a pipe burst and rain down on the amp stack during my set. I have waited 24 hours Sober --to go on. I didn't know when my slot was and I don't dare perform high. And it was over 100 Faireinheight. My records were really starting to melt. That 15min set earned me $800.00. Then, my business partner and I would use our earnings to buy keyboard and pro-audio equipment. I had to leave the production aspect, mostly because all I could do was mix. No music ability and high tech equipment. No thanks. But my partner is now pretty renowned as Glitchmachines. Plus, I could see that psytrance would not be celebrated properly. It would be another room like DnB or Ambient, at best. That was not where it belonged. I think that is why many artists pulled away from psytrance in the USA. And, even stopped making tracks or went a different direction like the genius, Simon Posford changed from Hallucinogen to Shpongle. Simon said psyonara. You knew that it was over when Hallucinogen retired.
Now, you can make a track with a computer, but how much artistry is involved. You can just put loops together without any musical ability. That still doesn't help the final product. Sure Virtual DJ is way easier to mix with than Technics, That doesn't change the fact that you need to know how to mix. I bet nowadays the mixes are not that good because their is more shit to sift through. I really don't know how the scene is today. But, there is no way that it could be better. Sorry, Kids. Don't give up. Just do what psytrance is -- take the best of all and make something better. If anyone needs the help of an old psy-dj, or someone to relate, I am available. I may be old, but I am not dead.
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No, I think you've misunderstood which bit I'm referring to. The 12/8 section is from about 0:27 to shortly after the 1 minute mark - before that there's not much beat so the time signature isn't really discernible. 12/8 still has 4 beats in a bar, it's just that those beats are split into three shorter beats, rather than 2 or 4; that is bbb/bbb/bbb/bbb rather than bb/bb/bb/bb.
e: For a more pronounced example, listen to this track; it's 4/4 before 1:44 and 12/8 afterward.
Yes, I understand, now. It is still 4/4 but it is compound so you have a 4/4 rhythm at 120bpm and a 3/2 rhythm inside at 240 bpm, so it gives that swing feel. And Hallucinogen definitely uses the 12/8 time a lot. That is another reason why I consider him The most talented EDM composer, ever.
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It does that thing of changing gradually from 12/8 to 4/4.
12/8 can be mixed into 4/4 effectively, can't it (guessing, I've never tried)?
I don't know time signatures for the life of me. I can usually recognize differences but when they are interchangeable, I always default on 4/4 because it is formula for mixing. But I believe you can match the beats but the emphasis would be on the 2nd up beat, like reggae but this would be more akin to dancehall, right? Oh, I am listening to it now. Only the first twenty seconds are 12/8 then he drum rolls out into a 4/4 and he uses time stretching effects but the beat is still 4 on the floor. And, if you listen closely, it does not sound like a smooth transition. It is much more like he cut mixed them -- but they were at the same tempo. Of course that is why I love to discuss these things so I can learn. What do you hear?
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Thanks, again Steve and Fred... I will post the flyer from that party, when I can. That was late 1996.
Here it is:
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It starts out in 12/8.
I am sure you are right. And, I appreciate you correcting me. But then it stays 4/4, right?
I just remember that I could mix with it. And most likely, start a set with this or just cue it to it's 4/4 to drop in.
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I really love fluoro neuro sponge, it's the best trance song ever. It got
several different timesignatures and it's got really psychedelic melodies that
evolve throughout the track.
Exellent album, a classic!
You mean it has 4/4 time signature...as do most popular and electronic dance music. Simon is wicked at twisting time but he still follows a rigid 4/4 signature.
Time signatures are very confusing...for most club, dance, popular music uses 4/4 because it's symmetry works great for dancing and trancing. Simon does mess with time signatures a lot on Shpongle. Where he says, "there are far less rules."
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MORE LIKE ***SHITE***GEIST LOL AMIRITE
Rotwang? Why did you censor me? So, I used size 7 font with caps. I was using the tools of this website to proclaim my admiration for Simon Posford. Then you make my post invisible? I was refuting the very immature and poor review of Simon Posford's Twisted Album by that annoying Mod -- probably your best buddy.
However, it is okay for you to publish this super weak post. So, in order to become a Mod, one has to submit a certain amount of posts? But, no actual experience or knowledge of the subject matter is required? You claim to be some math wizard. Why don't you conjure up some social skills. Do you know what synergy is? The sum of the whole is worth more than the individual parts. That means together is better than apart. Why do you push me away?
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Classic LP. As a DJ, I would rarely play it. The singles and EP's had wider tracks, that made them sound fatter and louder, so mixing an LP and a single was not ideal. But, some LP's were unquestionable. Such as, Hallucinogen's Twisted Double Fluorescent yellow discs, if the music wasn't good enough the aesthetically pleasing discs did the trick. And, Juno Reactor's Conga Fury Double LP: One of the best all time tribal offerings ever. With the advent of CD-J's and MP3's it makes the sound issue irrelevant. But, I only spun wax, professionally. Not until the last year, I have been dabbling in virtual djing. Which I don't mind at all I just wish their was still good psytrance.
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"Let 'em eat static!" (I think in track Eat Static on Prepare Your Spirit. I'll listen to it tonight to be sure!)
Quote from the bad guy (Khan) in Star Trek 2: Wrath of Khan.
What album name (and track) is coming from the same movie?
MFG--Project Genesis
What band did Simon Posford team up with to make the first Shpongle Album?
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What Happy Hardcore artist also produced a full on psy track called Colored Light?
NEELIX.
What did Juno Reactor discover that enabled them to become serious electronic artists?
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or, if you don't feel like scrolling through the 3 pages of discussion you can read these arguments who basically hit the nail on it's head on the whole Zietgeist thing and won't make you want to bother watching another minute of it:
Do you even know what "Zeitgeist" means? I see from all the red squiggly underlines that you don't know how to spell it. But, I digress. Are you a college freshman? You can't be that naive. What is it that bothers you so much? Is this your denial phase? This movie is not some fortune cookie. This is really happening and, depending on our lifespan, will be our nightmare. This is not conspiracy, fantasy, or exaggeration. And if you watch the movie, the blame is put solely on all of us, not just a few. We are all equally responsible. However, the ones with the most money, can do the most change. That is why we need everyone. Human life is invaluable, money is worthless. I know this is scary shit, and I wish it were a big hoax. But, either it goes or we go.
P.S. American Dream? That is makes me LMAO.
Quantum Leap: We need to decide if the Genre is Psytrance or Goa Trance. Please help end the confusion and redundancy.
in General Psytrance
Posted
Thank you. that's a great idea. please continue.