Hello, TPF!

So I've been producing progressive trance, progressive house, trance 2.0, you get the idea, for about one and a half, two years now. 

Basically, i've realized my weak spot in this style is my breakdowns.  I can make a basic cheezy-sounding modern progressive house style breakdown, where it's short, got a catchy piano melody and all that jazz, but that's not the kind of thing i'm looking to put in my [trance] songs.

How can i make a breakdown that involves pads, vocals, piano, the whole nine, such that it sounds that like Andrew Bayer, Above & Beyond, Jason Ross kind of stuff. 

This kinda stuff (@ 1:27)
[iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MW7YFwH4QGE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen][/iframe]

What are some good ideas and tips behind designing pads, layering, all that stuff?

I ALWAYS start my breakdowns with a lush pad. Find something you like, add tons of reverb, TONS (obviously, there's a limit).

Making use of white noise sweeps (also with tons of reverb). Listen to this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4z5diz_fTBs, and take note of the use of the white noise. It fills up space and provides that "in between" stage that we so often here during trance.

Another key ingredient in these types of breakdowns is the use of a vocal shot. Adding reverb, transposing different sections of the vocal, and cutting volume in quick "chops".
Here's an example that I used in one of my tracks:

Before: https://soundcloud.com/erikf-2/vocal-effects-before

After: https://soundcloud.com/erikf-2/vocal-effects-after

Message me if you'd like!