Define 'organic'

[Gab]

Greetings fellow ableton users

I've recently began to listen to trance, especially goa (mainly Astral Projection, Hallucinogen for the moment) and, as I got interested in it, I read a bit of information on the sujbect on the Internet. One fairly common adjective used to characterize some elements in goa is 'organic'; and although I can make out its meaning I can hardly find words to precisely define it.

So, according to you, from a listener's and a producer's perspective, what is 'organic'?

[Bonehead]

Use of human organs during production?

[smartass303]

ask chris organic. and listen to organic records... just kidding.
is he around anymore?

303

[Grappadura]

organic music I would charactarize as having lots of movement, meaning lots of evolving sounds, and not too much monotony, as well as some softness. Many of the goa type evolving melodies I find they kind of grow out of the music like a branch from a tree.

[Low Frequency Obstinator]

...sampled water drops, monks chanting, flutes being put thru tape loops n shit....all that arpegiated 'gloopy' smooth stuff associated with the psy-type tunes made by (amongst others) yer man Simon Posford (Halucinogen, Shpongle, Younger Brother etc..)

Loads of you tube vids of him in the studio too.

Its very akin to the sound you hear when your tripping on LSD.

[Gab]

Its very akin to the sound you hear when your tripping on LSD.

I knew I was missing something, thanks for pointing it out

And thanks for the answers so far!

[Minimal Justice System]

I always believed the "organic" tag was used because of the lack of repitition within the sound as a whole, although some parts may sound similar in any given tune there are usually suble differences. I neve really liked Goa or Psy trance until a mate of mine let me hear Son Kite and the attraction became clear, they're wirth checking out if you haven't already done so!!

[tacvbo83]

Simple,

In order to define organic you must first be able to define..........define.

[ethios4]

Compared to modern psytrance production, the old-school 604 sounds more organic, or perhaps 'analog' is a better word. When I hear people refer to that style as 'organic', it usually makes me think of the tracks with hand drumming, or 'ethnic' instruments. A lot of Hallucinogen tracks have subtle organic percussion mixed in, which really became prevelant with the Shpongle project.

So, to me, 'organic' relates to non-synthesized instruments like hand drums, flutes, guitars, etc.

[tw1nstates]

I always believed the "organic" tag was used because of the lack of repitition within the sound as a whole, although some parts may sound similar in any given tune there are usually suble differences. I neve really liked Goa or Psy trance until a mate of mine let me hear Son Kite and the attraction became clear, they're wirth checking out if you haven't already done so!!

Son Kite are also Minilogue, who are awesonme. If you haven't heard do a search for Minilogue live at panorama bar, it's a couple of years old now but still very good. .

[Gab]

So, to me, 'organic' relates to non-synthesized instruments like hand drums, flutes, guitars, etc.

Interesting. To me, the organic constituent of a track lies more in the fluidity of the articulation between the different parts of the track, bewteen layers inside the same part and inside the layers.

So, organic as flow and motion, as opposed to mechanical - note that the mechanical and the organic are not mutually exclusive and that one can set off the other.

[beatpoet]

So, to me, 'organic' relates to non-synthesized instruments like hand drums, flutes, guitars, etc.

Interesting. To me, the organic constituent of a track lies more in the fluidity of the articulation between the different parts of the track, bewteen layers inside the same part and inside the layers.

So, organic as flow and motion, as opposed to mechanical - note that the mechanical and the organic are not mutually exclusive and that one can set off the other.

I'm with the fluidity changing description too, I would prob describe a soft flowing, evolving pad sound as organic.

[Android Bishop]

music with a carbon backbone

[ze2be]

So, according to you, from a listener's and a producer's perspective, what is 'organic'?

Subtle but constant changes in patterns and tones.

This is typical in forest trance, etc.

boom,
Loke

[ze2be]

So, to me, 'organic' relates to non-synthesized instruments like hand drums, flutes, guitars, etc.

Interesting. To me, the organic constituent of a track lies more in the fluidity of the articulation between the different parts of the track, bewteen layers inside the same part and inside the layers.

So, organic as flow and motion, as opposed to mechanical - note that the mechanical and the organic are not mutually exclusive and that one can set off the other.

Exactly. In a DAW composition scenario: It doesn't matter how organic the samples are, if they looped straight with no changes. IE its all about constant human interference. Whatever the source of the sound might be.