Psytrance, a subgenre of trance music, is known for its high-energy, psychedelic sound characterized by fast tempos, complex rhythms, and trippy sound effects. To achieve this unique style, producers often rely on specialized plugins designed specifically for psytrance music production.
Psytrance plugins come in various forms, including synthesizers, effects processors, and sound design tools. These plugins are optimized for creating the signature psytrance elements such as pulsating basslines, hypnotic lead melodies, and mind-bending sound textures. In addition to synthesizers, psytrance producers often utilize gate plugins to create rhythmic chops and stutter effects on pads, leads, and other elements. Dynamic gate plugins are popular choices for taming reverb tails and sharpening the attack of rhythmic parts.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced psytrance producer, having a solid understanding of the available plugins and their capabilities can greatly enhance your sound design skills and help you craft more professional-sounding tracks. Experimenting with different plugin combinations and sound design techniques is key to developing your unique psytrance style.
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Polyverse Manipulator
Get the legendary Psytrance musical duo Infected Mushroom’s trademark vocal processing plugins for psytrance as a starting point. Manipulator is a vocal processor with ten unique effects and a wide range of modulations for changing the timbre and pitch of your vocals and melodic instruments to create a completely different sound. The plugin’s algorithm alters sound qualities with granular modulation and up to four polyphonic voices to produce harmonies with sound quality. To let the creative juices flow, the plugin also enables real-time processing for live performance or studio session use. Manipulator is ideal for achieving the vocal effects heard in Infected Mushroom’s hits like “I Wish.”
In Manipulator, the pitch shifter divides the controls for pitch and formants for your input signal. The “Pitch” knob, as expected, alters the sound’s pitch, whereas the “Formants” knob shifts the signal’s formants in semitones without changing the pitch. In addition, when these two knobs are shifted down, a little slider between them affects how natural the sound is. The maximum value produces a more lifelike tone, and the lowest produces a more robotic sound or alien sounds like a step sequencer.
The harmonic shifter is in the center of the interface, surrounded by three controls. The “Harmonics” knob, for starters, adjusts the harmonics by a ratio determined by the “Ratio” knob without changing the pitch. The oscillator driving the harmonic shifter is then controlled by the “FM” knob. You can morph your voices into new characters and create fascinating characteristics to shock your listeners by modifying the harmonic properties like dark energy.
The grain alternator, which divides individual cycles into overlapping grains and modifies the pitch of each cycle to generate different colorations in your sounds without changing the overall feeling of pitch, is one of the more exciting elements of the plugin. The “Alternator” knob determines the semitones for up and downward shifting, while the “Octave” knob changes the length of the grains in octaves.
Below the primary controls are four modulation slots, each of which can be assigned to one of the five modulation sources. The “Meta Knob” modulator, which allows you to change multiple parameters with just one knob, the “ADSR” modulator, which provides a normal four-stage envelope, and the “MIDI” modulator, which creates modulations using MIDI messages, are the most basic. Then there’s the “Follower” modulator, which generates an envelope follower that turns the source’s amplitude into a modulation signal, and the “Sequencer” modulator, which is a traditional LFO.
In electronic genres, vocals can make a song unique, and what better way to give them a compelling personality than using Manipulator for sound quality as a starting point. The plugin includes all of the features needed to change a dry or dull vocal into an additional synth to compliment the other instruments or a different vocalist that sounds nothing like a human. Because the plugin has timbre shifting settings, it would be nice to have a built-in spectrum analyzer to see how the harmonics manifest in the frequency range, although that can be solved with an external plugin filter types. This is the Best Psytrance Plugin in 2024.
Polyverse Gatekeeper
Gatekeeper’s grandeur is reflected in the iconic loudness envelopes and rhythmic gates found on Infected Mushroom’s productions. Gatekeeper is a volume modulator that may be used to create sequenced volume patterns, sidechain effects, adaptable gain clipping, and a variety of other dynamic processes. It comes with eight envelopes, MIDI controllers, and 30 curve shapes to use in rhythmic sequences, LFOs, and sidechains.
Gatekeeper provides one of the most enjoyable and intuitive ways of shaping the plugin’s eight envelopes. You can use the Edit Tool to add a new node in the envelope by clicking anywhere along the line segments or by double clicking on the backdrop. You may also use the Paint Tool to choose from one of the 30 preset forms that already have an array of nodes like reverb settings.
Modify parameters like time, amplitude, and panning of the envelopes on MIDI messages from your controller or another MIDI device using the MIDI Modulation Control Panel. You can control the modulations as you wish, however we recommend that the amplitude be tied to the velocity of your MIDI notes.
You may use Gatekeeper’s built-in stereo ping pong delay to add depth and perspective to your music via wavetable synthesizer. You can modify the amount of delayed signal with the “Wet” slider, the time between two signal repeats with the “Time” slider, and the number of repetitions with the “FB” slider by clicking the clock logo in the bottom right for sound design.
The plugin has a clipping algorithm that allows you to tame the envelope without losing its natural punch like a Flanger. This process includes two modes: the “Clip” mode, which clips the audio at 0 dB before sending it to the output, and the “Soft Clip” option, which adds a tiny curve to the clipping for a softer, more rounded noise generator sound.
Gatekeeper contains everything you need to create those head-tilting rhythmic effects on your project if you’ve been frustrated by the limits of existing plugins for handling volume modulations. The plugin features eight separate slots for envelope shaping, which you can combine to create intriguing panning effects and stacked parts. This plugin was also produced and authorized by the Psytrance pair, which is a quality stamp for some Polyverse plugins. This is the Best Goa trance Plugin in 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Psytrance?
Psytrance (or psychedelic trance) is a subgenre of trance music characterized by high tempo beats and layered melodies. It typically features rhythms in the range of 135-150 BPM and is known for its hypnotic and intense sound.
What are some common features of Psytrance music?
- High tempo beats around 135-150 BPM
- Repetitive rhythms with a strong kick drum
- Synthesized basslines and melodies
- Psychedelic sound effects
- Vocal samples and chants
- Emphasis on groove and danceability
What are the main subgenres of Psytrance?
- Dark Psytrance: Heavier and darker, starting around 150 BPM
- Fullon: Known for its euphoric sound
- Progressive Psytrance: More melodic and atmospheric
- Hitech: Fast and aggressive with a futuristic sound
- Suomisaundi: A raw, minimalist style from Finland
What is the culture and scene around Psytrance like?
The psytrance scene has a vibrant counterculture and underground atmosphere. Events are known for their psychedelic decor, unique fashion, and a sense of community. Festivals often combine music, art, and spirituality, creating an inclusive and expressive environment.
How does one get into producing Psytrance?
To produce psytrance, focus on:
- Using a 4/4 kick drum pattern with a strong kick
- Creating a repetitive bassline, often with a single note
- Layering psychedelic synth melodies and effects
- Incorporating vocal samples and chants
- Mastering the track for a loud, club-ready sound
Experimentation and developing a unique style are key, along with studying the production techniques of favorite artists for inspiration.