A quote from Armin

[Viceroy]

Here's a quote from AvB that I know some of you will be interested in:
"Trance for me as a genre refers to the old Oakenfold sound, the warm melodic driving music, not the euphoric cheese with vocals, predictable breaks and drumrolls that you hear now in the charts. There are a lot of different definitions of the genre, but to me it's just warm electronic dance music, anything from progressive to techno. Don't be a prisoner of your own style, is what I always say; don't get caught up in the bullshit of your own creativity!"

What do you think of that?

[Nick P]

I've heard him say stuff like this before... Armin's right, for the most part. However, by ignoring the legions of producers who have been producing great trance and instead choosing to focus on commericialized Dj Sammy pop-cheese he's really doing a diservice to the industry.

That being said, theres a definite trance sound that has influenced every genre of electronic music, so I suppose in a sense hes right there.

[Aquascape]

Those are good words to live by for a producer. Y'know don't let your creativity be hindered by the boundary lines of different genres. But from a listener's perspective a large portion of trance does rely on the cliche snare rolls and breaks so you cannot deny their existence. Above and Beyond, for example have succeeded in the charts and have a loyal following in the more underground scene as well and many of their tracks rely on predictability.

[davehart]

Very interesting views there.

All I'd say is that you produce the style that you want to produce and bring across not what others expect. Allows for that little bit of creativity. As for the old Oakenfold trance sound that is possible the purest form of trance available.

[Nick P]

The idea that you produce music in a vacum is silly. Every single artist wears his influences on his sleeve, with even the true musical genius bearing the influences of his predecessors. My own production experience reflect this... Every time I hear something I like know, I start thinking to myself "How could I get that sound?". True originality is just about impossible, however, I think whats more important is progression. To take what others have done and tracked out for you and to add your own undeniable influence and take on... Now thats expression.

[torley wong]

Yeha, for me... I prefer to talk about what I like as opposed to what I don't Focus on the positive, ya know. No need to even mention the negative, sometimes.

If cliches become unpopular, in due time they'll be back in full force -- including the snare rolls. I have no problem with this. In fact, I find it rather amusing. I even have a track about that, haha

Amen, Nick P... to deny influence and inspiration is to show nothing but the LOWEST form of disrespect to the giants who have come before us. Like a quilt, take what's already been established, add your own squares, and pass it on.

It is for this reason I will never consider "trance" a dirty word.

(Too much foolish, temporal psychology behind that.)