Congratulations (Member Calawaypark) Seandroid!

Original thread: Hardstyle Music.

I don't like ranting about specific music genres as I believe everyone has their own tastes but seriously. I'm sick of entering a club and some DJ thinks the faster the better and oh wait push it a bit louder so that all you hear is clipping and major distortion even on the midrange.

Unfortunately due to the 909 snare and the so hard to create kick drum, lol, the whole track sounds like that even when playing in the bounds or with a limiter added to it. The only way to dance to this stuff is shuffling because it's the only dance that makes you look like your drug usage level is in pair with the music you are into.

It originated from gabber which wasn't really meant to be an EDM genre due to the crazy BPM. They slowed it down 'n bit an added some Psytrance marching synths. Always overdriven and compressed with a ratio Prodigy likes to use. Unfortunately for HS there is no technicality to the drum beat that even deservers comparing it with any other artists. It has no proper style and is a disgrace to what underground actually stands for and as a DJ you can jump from any key to any other key cause all the baselines and snares sounds the same anyways.

It's also funny how the people that likes it is trapped in their own little world listening to only that and doesn't care about any other music styles inside and even outside of EDM. They think they're hardcore and want's everybody to know it. Every time I get into a discussion about music with one of these entry level producers they're always like "hey man I know you don't like HS but listen to this... 150 BPM NCEEE NCEEE NCEEE NCEEE NCEEE NCEEE NCEEE NCEEE"

They're not hardcore and probably into furrys or some kind of internet meme. This gets worse with genre's like happy hardcore, Jumpstyle etc...

There are some producers that could be followed from history into this scene that actually has some talent like DJ Pavo, Blutonium Boy etc... They just buried them self into the genre so hard that changing their style would ruin their reputation. IMO

This might also sound strange coming from a person that likes EDM but unfortunately there is also a place and time for everything. I don't want to listen to any of this ever and also what?????????s the deal with playing any EDM in a restaurant, bar or clothing store? Dance music belongs on the dance floor, where the people that don't like it won't go, instead they are forced to listen to it maxed out on the gain when trying to digest a fillet steak while having a peaceful night out with a girlfriend. They usually have to scream at each other during this ordeal.

Music characterizes a person. If you think of a genre, try and imagine a person associated with it. It becomes a religion in that manner and describes so much about that person?????????s attitude. It gets very funny when associating people with Hardstyle.

[Coasterkidmwm]

GavG sucks at editing.

Don't troll and you won't be edited. If you have nothing constructive to say then please refrain from posting.

As an avid fan of Hardstyle, I actually gotta agree with you. The genres nearing dead and the producers (e.g Scantraxx (including alls its hidden sublabels like Digital Age and Italian Hardstyle) and Fusion artists) are unoriginal f**kers. I only listen to maybe 3 nu-hardstyle labels. Nutty Trance, Spoontech and Theracords. I only listen to these because I'm sick of hearing the typical 'raw'-style 909 eq,distort,eq,distort,eq,distort,eq,distort,eq,distort,eq,distort kicks.

Hardstyle since about 2007 is ruined. All the pre2007 stuff is pretty good. Labels like Activa, Dance Pollution and DJs United were sick but its a shame most of the artists that made the old school sound have moved onto the new sound. It's nice to see some artists playing and producing the old school sound. Heck, even Decibel (probably the 2nd biggest hardstyle event) has a 'Remember' area which is generally populated by the die-hards because all the nu-style bangwagon folk are at the mainstage off their tits on MD listening to empty kicks and happy clappy melodies.

Artists like Coca, Geck-O, Thera, Nutty T and such aren't conforming to 'typical' hardstyle. Thera used to be part of a project called 'Brennan & Heart' which consisted of Fabian and Thera. Fabian became greedy and started to get Thera unbooked from the events and such. They split up and Fabian continued with the Brennan & Heart project as 'Brennan Heart'. This happened in like 2002-2004. Thera now runs his own label where artists actually get a fair share of money however they don't get many 'huge' bookings. Geck-o and Thera got their first Q-Dance booking this year, after like 3 years of trying. Theracords now has it's own stage at Ground Zero which is a huge EDM festival in the Netherlands. They also produce what ever they want since they aren't controlled by people like The Prophet who only runs Scantraxx because it gets him an absolute sh*tonne of money.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBEEAVcE3l4

"It originated from gabber which wasn't really meant to be an EDM genre due to the crazy BPM." - Actually has roots from Hard Trance and Hard House but yes, Gabber played a huge part in the 2007 surge of 'Wall of Bass' kicks.

"Dance music belongs on the dance floor" - Agreed.

Also:
Early Hardstyle -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUsr8PSmnQI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5qg1Zrv ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKgAqh8V ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg416Kronf4 (hardtrance/hardstyle hybrid)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hicn0JMDuO4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LenKIzys ... re=related

Nu-style - (Take note how they all pretty much have the same punch (HK10 Sample from Blutonium Boy sample pack)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_8h4QQ6Eiw&feature=fvst
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFqGuTIp ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdkqn5FK ... re=related

There's so much more nustyle but I cant be bothered linking it.

'Raw'style -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As7cOMw3YYs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fWzjJSvWsk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gilmy6WZco
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGkjdRs1 ... ure=relmfu
+ most nustyle artists have moved onto Rawstyle... :/

Stuff you should check out:
http://www.youtube.com/user/nuttytrance
http://www.youtube.com/user/djthera
http://www.youtube.com/user/spoontechrecords

Edit: My longest post ever.

[gouldy]

HazBruv's post

I honestly don't think i've ever typed so much in my life.

Then you haven't had to do a 10 page paper yet

^ Wow 10 pages, That must be a world record!

HazBruv

Ugh both pre 2007 and after sounds like my explanation above, but I do hear the difference that you pointed out. I can't fit the music with any environment It's just too uncharacteristic. Hard house could have maybe find a spot in my set back in 2004 though but that genre died out to make place for HS. I find the stylish music way more appealing whether it's tech house, minimal, progressive or Dubstep It's catchy and doesn't hurt my head. I think the craziest music I would listen too is Skrillex.

I'm not a big fan of hardstyle...it's just too "NCEEE NCEEE NCEEE" for me. I'm a bit picky when it comes to EDM though. It has to be fairly original and very groovy, which sometimes isn't the case for a lot of artists. By giving a list of what I really enjoy, you'll see what I typically enjoy:

- Daft Punk (really just Discovery and Tron...Homework and and especially H.A.A. weren't too hot for me unfortunately)
- Madeon (I really like everything he does because it's like disco + electro house, and the syncopation from all of the instruments is just something I totally love)
- Deadmau5 (For Lack Of A Better Name is my fav album from him...the other two albums are good but not as good IMO...there are also a few singles that I really enjoy from him as well)
- Wolfgang Gartner (he's starting to get a bit of "same-old", but I still like the syncopation and craziness)
- Miami Horror (they only have a few songs I truly enjoy, but the disco style is something I dig)
- Holy Ghost! (same as Miami Horror)
- Basement Jaxx (a few good songs that I like because of their groove)
- Duck Sauce (same as Basement Jaxx, nothing elaborate)
- Skrillex (really the only dubstep I like because it's got the syncopated style of electro house and some songs are pretty original IMO)

As you can tell, I'm pretty much just a "mainstream" EDM listener, but really it's because these artists typically do what I like. A biggest thing that I enjoy is syncopation. I don't know if that's really the appropriate term, but when different instruments are playing different roles and fitting into the melody at odd moments it's just really cool... in any style of music.

I also like "cut-and-paste" style as I like to call it, where there are a lot of sharp cut-offs, glitches, and such. Hence why I like Justice's "D.A.N.C.E." track, Wolfgang Gartner, Madeon, some Skrillex, and Daft Punk (in some of their songs like "Face To Face" where it's more subtle). I really like those styles because they sort of tie into the syncopation as well.

I'm also a big fan of disco-style tracks because they really have some nice groove, especially with the thomping basslines and appropriate swing beats. Daft Punk's Discovery is a very awesome album for me, but I also like the singles that modern disco artists release.

Deadmau5 has some good ones, especially the tracks that people typically don't listen to. For instance, "Lack Of A Better Name" has little quicks and glitches at the beginning that are just so cool, and "Soma" has awesome little trills and stuff that are really cool to me. Also, he has some original tracks like "Bot" with that clacking instrument that flams and spreads until it "warps and dies" as I like to call it. His latest album, while getting good reviews, just isn't anything special to me honestly. He has some good hook tracks like Some Chords, Animal Rights, and Sofi Needs A Ladder, but some of the other tracks are just kinda "meh". Still good, but nothing ground-breaking for me.

-

Bottom line, I just love things that make me move. "Do Your Thing" by Basement Jaxx is just awesome, as is a lot of Madeon's tracks, and so are tracks like "High Life" by Daft Punk. If it's not one for total dancing, I either like songs that interest me with cool little musical parts and originality or songs that are just really chill.

But yeah, that explains my EDM-mainstream-ness. I occasionally find songs that aren't by these artists that I like, but those are the main ones that I enjoy consistently through their releases.

I also like other genres, but that's basically what I enjoy from EDM.

You sir have good taste. Although I still believe deadmau5 is overated. He has some good songs but also brings out sh#t. Z3ta+ chords of life is only fun to play with so many times. Just listen too this:

It took me 3 hours to create using ableton live with z3ta+ and sounds a bit like the mau5 himself. Notice the CUT automation starting at 1:31.

http://soundcloud.com/tracks/search?q=hydroscillate

Jaded, Stop Dance, Not exactly ringing any bells?
ugh the Gate could use some work tho.

Proper EDM in Johannesburg.


Skrillex EP teaser. Also pretty bad ass.

Can't stand Skrillex. His fans are worse than his music. "DIRTIER THAN ______" "Skrillex is the best dubstep artist". He's a good producer, thats for sure but he sure as hell ain't dubstep. Combining elements of a break and electro house isn't really dubstep... Not to mention he brought with him when he broke into the scene a spur of unoriginality where all basses have to have no sub bass and sound like a voice going "WOAWWWWW RAAAA RA-RA-RAWWWWWWWWOW". Where is the bass? Real dubstep has bass and sounds boss as f**k.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrRcEful ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky5Mt2PLf9E
This new breed of electro/dubstep/tinnitus-step is shocking.
EDIT: Skrillex doesn't even DJ. Nuff said.

Anyway, On some DnB hype at the moment, particularly the PRSPCT records label. Counterstike are from South Africa, didn't even know South Africa had a hard dnb scene.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yNcM2Ou ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIp2ybbL ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESksv0nq ... re=related

Yeah Skrillex never stood for dubstep but his music isn't bad at all whatever you might call it. Electro house with some glitchyness.
True Dubstep artists:

Zeds Dead
Bar9
Skism
Numbernin6

"Scary Monsters" isn't my fav Skrillex song, I really like "Rock and Roll" and "Kill Everybody", as they are more electro-house style. So all-in-all, I'm not a big fan of dubstep. Although, I could be listening to the wrong kinds. I just find that it was the spawn of someone doing something original for a few tracks and it became it's own genre. Although, I guess that is how genres are created. But still, I find that they are generally unoriginal, so when I find someone like Skrillex that has some interesting bits (like a few tracks that have a sort of house beat) I really like them.

I sort of agree that Deadmau5 is a little overrated, but I can't deny that I think he's a good producer and makes some good live shows. #1 in EDM? Maybe not, but still some good stuff in my opinion. Of course, I'm not really a musically-inclined person so my opinion doesn't hold much value, but it is what it is.

For some reason though, he has some good singles that don't make it to albums, which is odd considering that there are some songs on some of his albums that I would have swapped them for. Stop Dance is a good one, as is Fifths (that one would have probably fit a lot more with Random Album Title), and few others that I can't think of off of the top of my head.

I can't stand hardstyle. It takes about 5 seconds to learn how to make a distorted 909, a clap on every beat and a super saw melody.

I'm actually an electro house producer. I just got my last EP signed to Lazy Rich's label and I have another coming out on Braslive Records soon, followed by another out on Funkk Sound recordings afterward.



I have to keep my next EP private because it's not released yet, but here's a preview of one of the tracks off the 2 track EP:

http://soundcloud.com/seandroid/seandroid-the-labyrinth

And here's a SUPER sneak peak at what I have coming out soon, it's still a work in progress, but if you dig absolutely insane and extremely dirty electro I think you'll like this!

http://soundcloud.com/seandroid/then-i-saw-red/s-PEb6u

Yeah, Hardstyle is pretty much garbage. I have a pretty open mind when it comes to music, but I just can't listen to HS for long. And people who think Skrillex is dubstep are oblivious to what real dubstep is.

And AJ, cheers for knowing of Madeon. I remember when that kid first started out back in FL Studio 6 or so. (Yes, he produces everything in FL Studio) He was only 14, but he was amazing everybody over at Image Line. I honestly attribute him and Gol for making FL Studio what it is today. He was, and still is, so innovative with it. And syncopation isn't necessarily about instruments talking back and forth, its just emphasis on the off beat. Like a hat on every 'and' of the beat, or a lead starting on the up beat. I think what you're thinking of is more glitch or complextro style.

I started following you on SC Calaway. I like your electro/complextro. Sounds tight, and well produced. I'm digging 'Then I Saw Red.' I'll have to check out your EP soon. Could be useful in my mixes. Cheers.

Here are some of my favorites with examples:
Alchemist Project
Devin Martin
Dave Darell
Rob & Chris
Wolfgang Gartner
Porter Robinson This song, 'Spitfire', is more like brostep than house or electro, but I dig it. Here's a better electro from him: Say My Name
I could go on for hours as I've built up a pretty good library, but I'll just leave these select favorites.

I like how quickly we went from hardstyle to anything-but. Good stuff.

Originally posted by CalawayPark

It takes about 5 seconds to learn how to make a distorted 909, a clap on every beat and a super saw melody.

Couldn't be anymore wrong. The Hardstyle Dist kick drum is not easy to design. the distorting of the kick isn't so bad but its the EQing before hand which really changes the sound. Claps often aren't even used much in most nustyle songs and super saw melody fair enough although a lot current songs dont use the typical super saw. Not to mention like the many other elements in the song. Wouldn't have thought another producer would generalize.
Thats like me saying it takes 5 seconds to rip a kick from a sample pack, throw in some percussion and add an square bass and you've got electro.
Prat.

[jayman]

heh .. it takes me 10 minutes just for my 1974 arp odyssey to warm up , and then to make a " super saw " sound i can go ahead and slightly de-synch one of the ( real genuine voltage controlled ) oscillators, and add just a little bit of ring modulation. or to get a similar ( or better ) lead sound i could sync the oscillators and slightly modulate the pulse width of a square wave on the second one with the envelope. or i can run the juno 106 through my big muff or proco vintage rat and run it off a midi map.. or i could hook up the dave smith mopho and use it's genuine super saw ( two real analog oscillators , filters and envelopes) or i could set up my ensoniq eps , sample a nice lead sound and filter the f*** out of it, or i could make a nice lead with my modified korg poly 800 and break speakers with it . of course after that i could also just borrow an 8080 and do it for real, but i never really liked the sound of emulated lead synth sounds.. they are great for pads and drum sounds, and cant be beat for reliability, but i LOVE my analogs and dont plan on switching anytime soon .

Talking of analog.

Joel Zimmerman at it again:

[jayman]

i would be locked down for days with a rig like that .

1:11 he shows off the Macbeth M5. more than 4000 ????????? for that thing. 3 VCO's, 2 filters and 2 LFO's. It helps being rich and famous.

[jayman]

yeah .. that synth is one of the new good ones.. money helps.. i'd NEVER be able to afford market value on my collection, but i have been lucky and it helps to have some electronics background and soldering skills.
heres a couple pics of my " poor man's " version
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I don't own a single synth. Just a bunch of midi controllers mainly for DJ'ing. Started constructing tracks digitally years ago but I'm really liking the idea of going analog. It's just heavy on the wallet.

Originally posted by HazBruv

Originally posted by CalawayPark

It takes about 5 seconds to learn how to make a distorted 909, a clap on every beat and a super saw melody.

Couldn't be anymore wrong. The Hardstyle Dist kick drum is not easy to design. the distorting of the kick isn't so bad but its the EQing before hand which really changes the sound. Claps often aren't even used much in most nustyle songs and super saw melody fair enough although a lot current songs dont use the typical super saw. Not to mention like the many other elements in the song. Wouldn't have thought another producer would generalize.
Thats like me saying it takes 5 seconds to rip a kick from a sample pack, throw in some percussion and add an square bass and you've got electro.
Prat.

I know how to produce a distorted 909. I'm an electro house producer, and I've had 3 EPs signed to labels and one coming soon, now, I'm not the best out there and nor do I claim to be, but I know how to do a distorted 909 kick drum. I know how to EQ it to balance out the mids generated by the distortion and sharpen the sound, while keeping the bass frequencies intact, or maybe even layering it over a second kick drum or a pitch bent sine wave with an envelope on it to retain the transient punch. Or how about using a compressor to amplify the transient at the entrance of the kick? I know my stuff lol.

And I'm not just generalizing, Hardstyle trance IS very easy to produce, I know that because I started out wanting to make happy hardcore/hardstyle trance, because I liked artists like Neophyte and Tune Up back then.

Electro House *can't* be generalized as a square bass and a sampled kick drum, because practically no electro house is even like that anymore. For instance, my new track Then I Saw Red has over 22 instances of Massive running for the bass line alone, and not a single synth amounts to anything even remotely close to a "square bass." Electro involves using envelopes and LFO and tonnes of post production to create that "complextro" sound and requires a lot more production than Hardstyle trance.

That doesn't apply to all "electro" house though, Dirty Dutch/Afrojack House is just as bad as hardstyle. I mean, it's an entire genre based off of a high pitch portamento synth and a reggaeton rhythm.

[Coasterkidmwm]

And it all sounds like contracting AIDS.

[jayman]

Originally posted by dj-dj

I don't own a single synth. Just a bunch of midi controllers mainly for DJ'ing. Started constructing tracks digitally years ago but I'm really liking the idea of going analog. It's just heavy on the wallet.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=dave+smith+mopho&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=8269242388970240001&sa=X&ei=UGyKTvH4MrKCsgLj-ODJBA&ved=0CG8Q8wIwAg there you go.. great place to start, all analog for the price of a microkorg and once you midi it up it'll work just like a soft synth, except real . ..

[jayman]

Originally posted by Coasterkidmwm

And it all sounds like contracting AIDS.

dang dude. thats insensitve as hell. just because this sort of music seems to attract more people that will probably get too high to use protection while they copulate with each other without prejudice under the influence of cheap ecstasy that's probabally cut with homemade meth and heroin than pretty much any other genre of music doesn't immediately mean "aids" geeesh