Learn the fundamental theoretical, technical and artistic elements of electronic music creation – perfect for beginners! This video course assumes no prior knowledge.
One key point about electronic music is that its soundscape (timbre) plays an outsized role, even more than rhythm or melody. A great way to experience this principle in action would be listening to psychedelic rock bands such as Ozric Tentacles or MAN.
1. EDM
EDM (Electronic Dance Music) has taken the world by storm and remains a top trend within music and culture today. This success can be attributed to advances in technology as well as increased emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility among musicians and fans.
Electronic dance music (EDM) was specifically created to get people moving and dancing, typically featuring high tempos and intense bass lines, to encourage people to move and groove to its beats. EDM may draw influence from its acoustic counterparts such as disco, funk or soul genres or it may create its own distinct sound.
In the 2000s, EDM experienced exponential growth due to various factors. First of all, new computer technology allowed musicians to produce music using programs like Ableton Live or Reason and make production simpler and more accessible; this also contributed to festivals showcasing some of its biggest names.
Other contributing factors to its expansion include streaming services that give listeners around the world access to any song they like, opening doors for artists that might otherwise remain unknown to mainstream audiences – further diversifying genres.
EDM’s most beloved subgenre, Drum and Bass can be traced back to rave scenes in the early 1990s. Characterized by high tempos, massive basslines, and the use of pulsating breakbeat samples – this genre has experienced incredible popularity with mainstream audiences over time, leading artists such as Roni Size and Goldie achieving massive success within it.
2. Techno
Techno was first created in Detroit and has become one of the world’s most beloved electronic music genres. It is typically rhythmic, often featuring four-on-the-floor beat (4/4 rhythm). Techno tracks generally adhere to certain tempo ranges between 120 BPM and 150 BPM for drums, bassline, and other sounds within each track.
Producers utilizing traditional instruments (including analogue and digital synthesizers, drum machines, sequencers) as well as software can produce techno tracks. Sound synthesis enables producers to craft unique timbres which distinguish techno from other forms of dance music. Rhythmic elements tend to take precedence over melodic or harmonic components for greater rhythmic power in this form of dance music resulting in darker yet mechanical sounds.
Techno dates back to the early 1980s in Detroit when several producers started experimenting with rhythm and sound in innovative ways. Derrick May, Juan Atkins, and Kevin Saunderson — better known collectively as Belleville Three–created dark, otherworldly tracks in their basements which would come to define this new sound called techno.
Techno music often features repetitive and hypnotic percussion that transports listeners back to tribal times when shamans and villagers used rhythmically beating drums to mesmerize audiences. Repeated sections work well within this genre; however, to maintain audiences’ interest it is also essential that some aspects remain repetitive while varying overall tempo and tone as much as possible.
Techno music production typically relies on drum machines, sequencers, and other electronic equipment such as Roland TR-808 and TR-909 software emulations for creating its signature rhythmic patterns. Other instruments used include analog and digital synthesizers as well as vocal samples (vocal samples are often featured), effects and textures to complete its signature soundscapes. Tracks in this genre often undergo extensive processing including dynamic equalization and frequency filtering to complete its sound signature.
3. Ambient
Ambient music first emerged in the 1970s. Pioneers like Brian Eno used tape loops, synthesizers and environmental recordings to compose compositions that adapt to various levels of listener attention. Although often described as background music, ambient can also be profoundly immersive and deeply moving, featuring repetitive patterns that slowly evolve over time.
Ambient music is best known for creating feelings of spaciousness and calm, often inspired by religious or philosophical ideas. These soothing qualities have led it to cross over into New Age music genre, founded at around the same time. Ambient has also played an integral part in influencing artists such as Harold Budd, Jon Hassell and Laraaji who use lush yet tranquil compositions to instil calm feelings of serenity into their works.
More recently, ambient has fused with other genres and styles, drawing on elements of minimalism, systems music and pop. This hybridization has allowed artists such as Wolfgang Voigt to produce mammoth ambient productions under his GAS moniker where samples from classical and other genres would slowly unfurl over a four-to-the-floor beat.
Another strand of ambient has explored darker terrain, with producers such as Final and Scorn using techniques like modulated reverb and delay to produce dense sounds that can be deeply meditative. This style has been termed isolationist ambient, giving rise to groups like lo-fi noise-rockers Total, neo-Romantic dream poppers Dif Juz, Nijiumu (Keiji Haino’s medieval drone-drift outfit), as well as independent producers like The Grid who have expanded the boundaries of ambient through albums like Floatation and 4 Ambient Tales.
4. Dubstep
Dubstep is a hugely popular electronic genre known for its signature distorted wobbles and deep basslines, heavily influenced by UK garage music, featuring hard, fast beats that will have listeners dancing or headbang to its soundscape. Like other EDM genres, dubstep has also given way to numerous subgenres.
Brostep, or its American variant “brostep,” typically features a 140-155 bpm drum pattern and produces melodic tracks using low frequency effects such as wub wubs or other instruments to augment low frequencies, while others take another approach by employing synthesizers to add harmonics to bass notes.
Liquid dubstep is another variation on this style, using reverb and other effects to create a psychedelic atmosphere, often with dark percussion and cinematic pulsing rhythms as accompaniment. Furthermore, this music can combine electronic sounds such as flutes and strings for an additional unique sound experience.
Bassnectar and Skrillex are two renowned dubstep artists who have contributed significantly to popularizing this genre of electronic music. Their songs like “Timestretch” and “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites,” with its blend of ethereal melodies and aggressive bass drops, appealed to music fans from a wide range of musical backgrounds. Dubstep has plenty of potential to expand; its hard-hitting basslines, innovative production techniques, diverse musical influences are sure to draw new fans as well as inspire new producers alike!