Trance Sound 2025 with Plugins: This is a Perfect Match
Everything Fits Together – Inspiration for Your Next Purchase
3,0 / 5,0 | 
The perfect match for trance sounds: We’ll show you three plugins that you can use for producing trance in all its variations. From classic pads, basses and leads to modern anthems. All with movement, rhythm and drums that will rock the dance floor!
All About Trance Sounds – Perfect Match
The Perfect Match for Trance Sounds!
Although today there are several styles that fall under the umbrella term ‘trance’, trance sounds – or what we associate with them – can also be heard in hip-hop and R&B productions. Rather than discussing the characteristics of individual genres such as progressive, psy trance, acid trance and tech trance, we will focus on the fundamental similarities between them.
To create a modern trance sound purely in your DAW, you’ll need synthesizers for bass, leads and pads; rhythmic modulation to build tension and dynamics; and driving drums to provide the right foundation for the groove.
We present three plugins that we believe are a good trio for precisely these tasks. As always in this series, these suggestions are intended to inspire you, so you don’t have to consider them ‘set in stone’. There are always good alternatives, which we will discuss. In any case, we can recommend each of these plugins with a clear conscience.
u-he Hive 2: A Versatile Synth for Basses, Leads and Pads
Of course, many different synthesizers can be used to create a convincing trance sound, each with their own strengths (and perhaps weaknesses). However, since this is not a list of ‘the best trance synths’, we have limited ourselves to just one.
However, there are a few criteria that play a role in the selection process. First, the synthesizer should be polyphonic to handle chords and pads. This isn’t as important in the plugin world because almost every synth can do this.
However, one feature is relatively important for trance sounds. Many trance music motifs are created using a supersaw, which layers several sawtooth waves and plays them slightly out of tune. This creates the typical “broad” sound you’ve probably heard many times before.
Additionally, trance sounds are not always based on the typical analog sound of vintage synthesizers. Of course, a few clichés always come into play because an analog synth can sound “digital” and vice versa.
There are many synthesizers that trance producers like to use. When it comes to plugins, Synapse Audio Dune* and Xfer Serum are popular choices. However, we want to focus on u-he Hive 2.
This synthesizer sounds fantastic and is highly flexible. With up to 16-fold unison per oscillator, it can produce extremely thick supersaws. Its built-in effects are ideal for creating convincing trance sounds, and its modulation matrix enables producing complex, modern sounds. Additionally, Hive 2 is easy on your processor, which is another plus. You can purchase u-he Hive 2 here at Thomann*.
Cableguys ShaperBox 3 is ideal for trance gate FX and other rhythmic modulations
Anyone familiar with trance music has certainly come across the trance gate. It involves rhythmically opening and closing a noise gate to give a pad or lead voice a “choppy” sound. This technique is particularly effective due to the rhythm and can even be used on vocals.
As mentioned above, a trance gate is essentially achieved using a noise gate triggered by sidechaining, which can be closed and reopened by changing patterns.
While there are many tools and methods for achieving this effect today, Cableguys ShaperBox 3 takes the basic idea to a whole new level because a typical trance gate is just one of many creative possibilities.
ShaperBox 3 is a bundle of plugins that focus on a wide variety of rhythmic modulations. When combined, they trigger a veritable fireworks display of effects. Although the video above doesn’t use trance sounds, you can imagine the possibilities.
While VolumeShaper can perform the gating described here, it can also create exciting tremolos in which the volume is modulated more subtly. There are also other tools for filter sweeps, drive FX, bitcrushing, panning, widening the stereo signal, reverb effects, and more.
We’re also showing you ShaperBox 3 because this collection can do more than just a trance gate, which you can also achieve with the tools in your DAW or some specialized plugins. ShaperBox 3 is available from Plugin Boutique*.
Baby Audio Tekno: A Plugin for Electronic Drum Sounds
While the drum sounds in classic trance music are similar to those in techno and house music (think TR-909), some styles of trance music have developed a unique kick sound. A “trance kick” is often characterized by a hard punch and a strong bass presence.
To integrate drums well into the overall sound, you can use selected samples or shape the sound with a combination of tools. Another option is to use specialized plugins. Sonic Academy Kick 3 is considered the specialist for bass drums; however, here we’re looking for a slightly more flexible tool.
Baby Audio Tekno specializes not only in kick drums but also in several other drum sounds. It contains 18 engines for creating kicks, snares, claps, hats, percussion, and more.
The plugin does not use samples, making Tekno ideal if you want to use samples in layers. Another interesting feature is the built-in FX rack, which offers various options for creative drum editing. The randomizer is also great for generating new sounds with just a click of the mouse.
Another reason Baby Audio Tekno is a good choice is that the plugin isn’t just specialized for typical trance kicks; it’s also suitable for many other styles. If you want to use trance sounds in a different context, it provides a flexible drum synthesizer. Get Baby Audio Tekno here at Thomann*.
Conclusion: Why This Trio of Plugins is a Perfect Match for Trance Sounds
Today, we’re exploring the world of trance sounds, which are in high demand in electronic music and can be heard in pop, hip-hop, and R&B.
We present three plugins for production in the DAW. The first is the u-he Hive 2 synthesizer. With its flexible sound engine, it is well-suited for all kinds of sounds, especially punchy basses, broad leads, and playful pads. The Cableguys ShaperBox 3 bundle allows you to create typical trance gate effects and every other rhythmic modulation imaginable. Baby Audio Tekno is a plugin that not only delivers kicks with plenty of punch, but also a variety of other electronic drum sounds – without the use of samples. Together, they’re the perfect match!
More Information
*Note: This article about trance music contains affiliate links that help finance our website. Rest assured, the price remains the same for you! If you purchase something through these links, we receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!
This might also interest you
