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I'm working on this database in my free time. If you find it useful, please, consider supporting me. You can do that by contacting me on Trancefix forums and writing me a PM for additional details and/or gifting me a copy of the Windows version of Mixed In Key 10. This application would not just help me to improve the database with more precise Key, Cam, and BPM data, but would also make it possible to add information regarding a tune's energy levels, danceability, etc.
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Categories:

🟩 Main [curated by Koncz Dávid] [10% COMPLETE | I LISTENED TO 15,000 OUT OF 150,000 TRANCE TRACKS]

A curated collection that upon completion will cover the entire history of the classic trance era, showcasing the best tunes the genre has to offer, chosen by me, the creator of this database. There's zero tolerance for nostalgia. Only tracks that stood the test of time, have true artistic merit and still sound great today are listed here. This database includes a wide variety of information about each release, including BPM, key, and Camelot key data for mixers, YouTube, Discogs, and weighted ratings, lossless version availability, and many more.

🟦 Alternate [curated by Trance Classics and 2trancecentral] [100% COMPLETE]

Tunes that were picked up by such trustworthy YouTube channels as Trance Classics or 2trancentral, not necessarily featured in the Main collection due to my different taste, (genre) requirements, or quality standards.

The collections are unfiltered, so there are many non-trance tunes (ambient, house, techno, etc.) in 2trancecentral's picks, since it's not a trance-exclusive music channel.

🟪 Other [curated by Koncz Dávid]

Historically important and/or well-known tunes that were embraced by the trance community, but are mostly rooted in other genres (e.g.: techno, ambient, acid, or house). Some proto-trance tracks and releases that a trance lover would probably like but might bend the rules of the genre too much to be exclusively called trance are also listed here.

This database is only supplementary to the Main database, thus, it probably won't receive as much attention from me and it will still be considered incomplete even after I finish the Main database.

🟫Updates

Here, you can check all the updates made to the database since its creation.
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Curator's Rating explanation:

The Curator’s Rating reflects a track’s overall enjoyment factor and serves as a direct measure of its quality. Only tracks that have earned a rating of 3.0 stars or higher are included in the Main Database, ensuring a collection of high-quality trance music. The ratings have been calculated with the assumption they can theoretically range from 0 to 5 stars, where 2.5 (the mathemetical middleground) represents mediocre/average productions.

5-star rating (masterpiece/perfect):

A 5-star rating signifies that the track is flawless, embodying the artist’s vision with every element in perfect sync. The core melody resonates with strength and memorability, while the build-ups, transitions, and breakdowns are thoughtfully crafted to enhance the track’s unity. Tracks with a 5-star rating often reveal intricate layers and a melodious richness that reward listeners with new discoveries upon each listen.

4.5-star rating (amazing/fantastic):

A 4.5-star rating is awarded to tracks that are close to reaching the peak of trance music excellence. They either rival the emotional intensity and euphoric highs of a 5-star anthem but have certain elements that leave room for improvement, or they showcase perfectly consistent quality yet with melodies and execution that could reach even greater heights of dynamism and allure.

4-star rating (great/excellent):

Tracks that receive a 4-star rating are often regarded as classics, notable for their entrancing qualities and their ability to evoke a profound connection. However, they lack the full-bodied emotional resonance found in higher-rated tracks due to their subdued melodies. Additionally, they might have segments that feel somewhat auxiliary, rather than seamlessly interwoven and integral to the selected track’s central theme.

3.5-star rating (noteworthy/good):

A track that receives a 3.5-star rating generally has a solid flow and production quality, and it also possesses at least one notable quality that leaves a lasting impression. This could be a strong melodic hook, an emotionally resonant segment, or a unique sonic texture. Consider these tracks as hidden gems – pieces that are worth exploring and revisiting, even if they don’t claim the top spot among the best.

3-star rating (solid/competent):

3-star tracks adhere to the genre’s expectations and provide a satisfactory listening experience, but they don’t evoke the strong emotional connection or possess the unique melodic hook that higher-rated tracks do. In other cases, they contain interesting and memorable segments that elevate their perceived quality, but their lesser parts lack cohesion and struggle to exceed mediocrity. Hence, these tunes aren't necesseraly worth listening to on their own, but might function well within a mix or thematic set, complementing other tracks and maintaining the flow.

The 3-star rated tracks in the database are not final. As I continue to explore and evaluate their overall quality, some might get removed later.

Explanation of other ratings:

Subratings are present to make it possible to rate tracks more accurately. These ratings cover all aspects of a tune, including structure and arrangement, impact and recognition, and many others. These ratings are used in a constantly adjusted and perfected mathematical formula to formulate a final, Weighted Rating, which will help in the creation of an eventual Trance Top 1000 list. The Curator's Rating still acts as a baseline with 50% dominance in the equation, and the subratings are used to finetune the final value.
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Evaluation of tunes and the definition of trance:

Trance is an infinitely abstract genre that is much more about the emotions and experiences it brings to the surface than specific, structurally verifiable elements you might find on Wikipedia (e.g.: the 4-to-the-floor rhythmic pattern). True to its name, trance is about transcendence, a heightened experience, an altered state of mind, and euphoria. Trance takes the listener on a soul-stirring journey from one point to another. It is filled with energy, dynamically propelling forward with a multitude of interwoven and harmonious sounds, ultimately leading the listener to catharsis. Melody and musicality, along with their emotional charge, play a paramount role. If vocals are present, they serve a supportive purpose, leaving space for the sounds to evoke feelings and tell stories. Essentially, the same principles that applied to classical music centuries ago still hold true, but with the distinct twist that trance comes alive through electronic instrumentation, amidst a much greater danceability.

The above definition is pretty in-line with the things Mark Reeder (one of the godfathers of trance music) said about the genre in the 1993 documentary called Berliner Trance. It can be equally applied to all proper trance tunes, whether we delve into early ambient trance compositions – like Mystic Force’s ‘Mystic Force’ from 1994 – or explore hard trance club anthems produced in the 2000s – such as the Original Daedalus Mix of Flutlicht’s ‘Icarus - The Flight’). At the same time, this philosophy excludes anything that strays too far from the core guiding principles and values of the genre, ensuring a focused collection of electronic music that is curated in a very harmonious and consistent way. Obviously, this means that many pieces of music that are embraced by the trance community (such as Robert Miles' Children) will be excluded, as well as most psy/goa productions, since – despite their structural similarities – they trade the core, emotional component of the traditonal trance genre for a psychedelic one, which ultimately results in a completely different experience. Still, I completely respect that everyone draws the line somewhere else, and I would like to give space to opinion's of others who I respect greatly. Hence, that's why there's an alternate curated list, featuring selected tunes from Trance Classics, 2trancecentral, and also from the general trance community.
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