Goa Trance vs. Psytrance ~ Cosmosis

[jhwheeler7]

One thing I'm very interested in is the difference between New and Old school Goa...the stuff made after the turn of the century has definitely got a different flavor, compared to the older stuff. Even if it's lacking in full-on elements, it still sounds quite different. All I can tell is that it has something to do with the kick and the beat...perhaps the equipment they use is the key, as GeminiAmbience pointed out? Are there other differences, or structural ones?

[askadetra]

there are three psychedelic styles of trance: the original goa trance with indian music and its derivative forms psytrance and nitzhonot. goa trance is focused on the tb 303 sounds, psytrance is focused on the funky bass line and the sounds of industrial music, nitzhonot is victorious trance which is focused on crazy laser kicks and uplifting israeli melodies :)

[anyao123]

very nice explanation! I like both goa and psy trance :)

[askadetra]

nitzhonot wins the battle, even though it is not mentioned for this battle between goa trance and psytrance

[askadetra]

i prefer the original acid psychedelic goa trance than its derivative form psytrance

[newdawnhungary]

I dont like metal guitar sounds in goa ... metal guitar and spirituality? noooo waaaay......

[r0med0me]

kaaaameeeeeehaaaameeeee.......­........HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA­AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA­AAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!

[grze0091]

What is difference between psychedelic trance and full on?

I'm not good in psy-trance

[PsycloneD]

@grze0091 Actually, I wish I could tell you, but full-on is even confusing for me. I want to say it's got more modern elements (lots of full on has electric guitars in it), but I'm not totally sure. :x I'venoticed that it's more upbeat and new-age-y if you know what I mean.

Respect for your curiosity! Keep on looking!

[grze0091]

@PsycloneD

Thanks, you have best goa/psy-trance channel on you tube!:D

[tasostsirios]

@PsycloneD full on groups like system nipel is melodic and more ''plastic'' than psychedelic like skazi or infected mushroom.full on nowdays is getting more and more mainstream. btw i love goa :)

[askadetra]

@grze0091 full on is a melodic psytrance form

[GeminiAmbience]

I like how you break down some of the major differences in this video. The only thing I'd add is that many of the textural difference you've highlighted are also reflected in the changing taste in gear that producers started using. I miss hearing 909 + 303 combinations. Ever since the late 90's it's been nothing but Access and Nord. That's my biggest upset really - that modern day producers (with some exceptions naturally) most stick with either VSTs or a Virus.

[PsycloneD]

@GeminiAmbience That's very true. I'm glad you brought this up. Of course, new gear means easier production or simply just a different sound. I'm glad to see someone identify this issue with modern artists. But as we all know, as time progresses, new gear/software will make it more convenient for the producer, causing old gear to inevitably become a thing of the past. ...with the exceptions of course. ;)

Much respect.

[abhispy2003]

the first song is Dans ta figure(1995) Cannabanoid

[abhispy2003]

oh goa trance is so pleasant and pys is not

love GOA love 604 

[lishtota]

definitely GOA!

[danielsommadj]

Somebody is trying to save Goa lately... I love the Goasia album "Dancing With The Spirit" released at Kagdila Records, it's really like the old Goa Trance of the 1996.

[JustAReminder]

so the difference is more aesthetic then structural?

[PsycloneD]

I wouldn't go as far as to say THAT, but there's little structural difference. In a sense it's aesthetic, but there will always be exceptions to rules like that. :)

[GeminiAmbience]

@JustAReminder : not at all. Goa's composition places all the psychedelia and dissonance in the harmonic support to the melody. Psytrance is more like techno in that it's all pattern-driven composition (at least that's how it's evolved presently...and what puts me off to the modern sound).

The layering of the harmony (the counter-point) of goa is also much more complex in Goa than the modern Psy styles promote. Emphasis went from the mid-range to the bass and sub-bass as Psytrance took off.

[standingcorpse]

I love Goa trance!

[psyonick7]

this clips is very good to explain the reality nowdays in a part of the trance scene.. in my opinion, the genre called Goa trance its also Psychedelic..so the real psychedelic trance its not the genre they call Psytrance, this genre has nothing to do with psychedelia..

[PsycloneD]

I'm glad you made this comment. Technically, Goa Trance IS a form of psychedelic trance. So you're right. However, I like to distinguish them as Goa and Psytrance. It's just so that people know that there's a difference. But yes, Goa is a form of psychedelic. But it's important to separate them, as they sound so different! :) Respect, my friend.

[psyonick7]

@PsycloneD ..yes its realy that people knows about the music in such way and this is sad.. also i make a seperation, the first is Psychedelic goa trance, and the second(psytrance) its not psychedelic or goa ,but maeby iits a part of trance, nad this is its not sure , because this music can not leads you in a state of Trance. :).. i am glad that there are still people who likes the old school spirit ;)

[PairoftheSocks]

@PsycloneD

So I would say that goa is more analog sounding synths with more release on the amp envelope for the gated synths. While psytrance is more digital "cleaner" sounding with almost zero release on the gated synths. They then replace the lack of release on the synths with echo effects to create the shifty feeling.

[losFilipos]

i love nu skool goa trance and i love oldskool psy trance too:)

[cdemusix]

That's a good explanation, thanks very much.

Actually, I've saw that Goa Trance was more inspired about psychedelic rock music, and psytrance hasn't rock elements at all, but is more inspired with techno sounds.

[littlerave86]

i wouldnt say something like that ...

1200 mics have produced some psy tracks with guitars and dali does so in general ... and theres others doing so, too

actually ive heard more rock inspired psy tracks than goa songs ...

[AsboDolche]

i love both!!! psytrance for night time

and goa for morning just like the parties i go to

just perfect!!!!!!

[AsboDolche]

i never used to like cosmosis so much

but he really is amazing at everything!

glad iv seen him play here in bristol!!!

[lsdvine]

rokin shit

[scallyhunter]

thanks for the video!

i'm an old school man myself. the goa had a sense of excitment to it. i think most psy trance sounds the same. to some it might ALL sound the same, but the psy definitly lacks musical personality!

ive bought recent albums by orion and alien project in the last few months, but they are shit :(

...this is all the proof i need...

[littlerave86]

youre so right ... the depth of goa is far beyond anything psy could ever reach in its deepest moments, which are only some few peaks poking out of the plain huge psy mass anyway.

the best example is a complete genre ... dark psy, its so fuckin absolutely not dark, i cant get why its called this way, darkness needs atmosphere and melody (which both give depth to a track) and dark psy is just an excessively overtuned bassline and some few other rhythmic elements ...

[higorman]

GOAbient New Style :P

[kmentiradocrl]

i think the bassline its better in psytrance, dunno why but its my opinion, but i love this track: electro sun - get more listen it :D

[denehez]

As for the info im glad that goa trance became underground again :)

and there are some good full on /psytrance tracks and some bad goa trance tracks too, and djs can play both kind good and baad

Cheer up! :)

the feeling lives on in peoples harts

[dsobolik]

The Goa sound uses a lot more Analog synths and the kicks aren't as clicky. PsyTrance evolved out of Goa. The musical similarities are there, the sound has just changed because of the acceptance of digital synthesizers and better overall production value. Both have their own unique sounds, but not enough to justify any musical difference. There are very few "natural or organic" sounds in Goa. Just warm analog awesomeness.

[PsycloneD]

That's a good take on it. Good explanation.

[littlerave86]

its not just because of the digitalisation, the modern goa sounds tend to sound closer to psy but still its different

the problem of psy is that its less melodic, its often more just some riffs, clicks, beeps and noises thrown together to create a fake impression of melody

but this happens not only to goa, its a wider spread trance problem ... techtrance, progressive, the modern upcoming genres are less melodic, and hardtrance loses all its melodies either

its just not trance anymore

[joshuacurtisswenson]

@littlerave86 that's the truth man!

[L1F315MU51C]

goa and psy are both good

[L1F315MU51C]

(own opinion)

[babacannibal]

i think that the recording techniques have influenced the sound and, then goa trance is pretty much explored so producers got into exploring different sounds,there r still some artists that produss goa and they r good, i heard this artist zolphinia, and its good old skool 2008 release utopia. check it out

[n4ndoz22]

I have a opinion about Goa/Psy!!

I don't like one, or other, i like the elements of one and elements of other.

The bassline of the Goa is beeetter than th Psy Bass. Some of the Goa elements are better, but if someone can make the right mix of it, it will be the best music ever. The song "LSD", Infected Mushroom, is one of that songs.

The right mix of Organic and "Mechanic" elements is a good song!

[Brainfart604]

You mean Hallucinogen, IM never made a track called LSD.. which is definitly oldschool goa trance :-)

[n4ndoz22]

yeah, that is it.

Hallucinogen, i forgot that.

I wont to put a song and i forgot the name of the artist!! hahahahahahaha =(

[BrianImChoppedLiver]

Great video, helped me learn quite a few stuff, even ppl new to the scene will pick up a few stuff

[ZEPPIHEK]

I really don't notice the difference except that the latter sounds more evolved plus I've never noticed mutch that could be called ORGANIC in goa either than hand drums and nature samples and I hear that sort of stuff in newer psytrance as well.But maybe I just don't over think it as mutch as maybe I should.

[iOWNZZyou]

this might sound like a weird question, but what is the name of that base sound u find in most goa songs? like for instance, if u listen to indra, ull notice the same, underlying bass/synth combo. im not quite sure what that sound is called. does anyone?

[benyjamin]

i think goa is amazing but theres only so much i can take, i find theres alot more variaton in psytrance as far as different styles are concerned (maybe because ive taken more time to explore psy than goa). i guess its each to their own opinions, what i love about psy is the combination of in your face kick/basslines and crazy noises. anywho i do agree, goa still needs to be kept alive, but all things change as we progress so i guess its only natural that new more precise styles are emerging

[PsycloneD]

Very true. Well-put.

I'll agree that new styles have to come with time, but Goa should still be kept alive. Even with all the new stuff being produced, Goa is still a fantastic subgenre.

Thanks for the comment.

[benyjamin]

yehhhh i definitely agree goa should definitely be kept alive, its the root of psytrance which means alot, itd be like jungle vanishing once drum and bass came around, and i think itll probably stay on a fairly similar level, like drum and bass has obviously taken jungle over by a long shot, but theres still a fair amount of jungle being made and the die hard fans will never let it go. i reckon the goa/ psy story will be a similar one. ben

[MasterDarkarbiter]

The second cosmosis song sounded more like morning psy to me anyway. Fair enough that the average psy quality may have gone down and its become less psychedelic... however theres still lots of very organic sounding and trippey psy out there.

Compare electric universe-online information to electric universe-acidance maybe.

[iOWNZZyou]

btw, its still kinda hard for me to figure out the differences, cuz they both sound similar, in some ways.

i listen to such artists as astrix, yahel and indra. can someone tell me which of the 2 (psy or goa) those artists are?

[Brainfart604]

Astrix made some goa-tracks, but all 3 are now full on (psytrance) artists. if it's released after 2000-2001 it's a very high chance it's psytrance, and not oldschool.

[iOWNZZyou]

thanks

[iOWNZZyou]

i cant choose between psy and goa trance; they both sound fantastic when i listen to them. this vid helped me figure out the difference, so thank you.

goa trance, psytrance, and trance in general will never die!!!

[gathan1]

great video

[aladinthemonkey]

Too bad about the decline in Goa trance.

[chrissymcmanus]

all sounds good to me, i like all the genres of trance acid house newwave whattever its called now..... good uploads PsycloneD

[smgakos]

who said GOA is dead?

[Psycracy]

A nice video: Goa was related to analog devices and DAT, nowadays psytrance is just a new-wave of that legendary sounding. Skazi and IM are getting worldwide success, so many producers ride this wave. I support Psykovsky and Goa Gil instead.

[thchris]

the Metallic/Sharp sounds come from nowadays production and mastering methods..

even the "new goa trance" music sounds Metallic/Sharp

go 8 years back an almost all psy/and goatrance records did sound quite organic.

and the term psytrance was used since a long time....

[PsycloneD]

Things that are wrong with your comment:

1) Nowhere do I say nor imply that Goa was the only genre around back then.

2) New School Goa is not the same as Old School. I never said it didn't sound like Psy.

3) Why eight years? What significance does the year 2000 hold?

4) Since a long time?

[gathan1]

its because they use a lot of software.and everybody use the same programms to produce.

u are absolut right.even the today goa(the producers who make the old school style)(not psy as my friend said ;) )is metalic sounded

[Knolwar]

A Shame that Goa is dying, not that I don't enjoy Psy It's just that I like goa a bit more ;)

[Slitegoz]

Sorry for double comment, but why is every old school Goa producer leaning towards the Psy genre? The Goa one is much better, imho.

[PsycloneD]

From what I understand, Psy is 'the thing' nowadays. It apparently sells better and has gained popular appeal. Couldn't tell ya for sure, though. :/

[Rockdrigo0]

I first met Psy and i loved it but then i met Goa and i like it better... but yah most people i know is more into psy :/

[Slitegoz]

Thank you PsycloneD, I was really waiting for this kind of comparative video!

[bytemeah]

PsycloneD, dude! Huge respect for the series!!

KEEP GOA ALIVE!!!!

[PsycloneD]

Indeed! Thanks for the comments!

[projectdp]

Hi again psycloneD!

I'm still watching your videos! Keep up the good work :)

[PsycloneD]

Awesome. Thanks for following for so long!

[PsycloneD]

Haha, there's not much to contend with. Thanks!

[GBart]

Dude! Astral Projection has made this move too. What the hell?

[PsycloneD]

Truth. I'll be doing a video on them soon, too.

[morenohijazo]

Yeah, you only uploaded their "Mahadeva" track even though you said you would upload more.

[fluXxX88]

PsycloneD ftw!!

[PsycloneD]

w00!

[smgakos]

Great video and some good info about Legendary music like goa.

[Astonmartin4444]

yeah... but dont make such a problem :D i read it with no problems ;)

[Astonmartin4444]

Great one man! i like how u explain to all of us the Goa-Psy difference!

[PsycloneD]

Thanks!

Not really happy with how the red text is distorted. Ah well. I'll put a link to the high quality video in the description.