Producers like Bassnectar were instrumental in expanding dubstep’s popularity within mainstream culture by mixing heavy basslines and wobbles with elements from other genres to produce a powerful yet energetic sound that resonated with listeners while changing music culture.
Dubstep places an emphasis on sub-bass frequencies known as “wubs”. This unique sound is created through low-frequency oscillators (LFOs), which modulate bassline volume and pitch.
1. Rhythm
Rhythm is one of the primary elements in music, particularly electronic dance music. However, creating rhythm can be extremely challenging; combining melodies with complex harmonic structures can be dauntingly complex and time consuming – but when done successfully it adds an intriguing and dynamic layer to any piece.
Dubstep rhythm is defined by half-time drum patterns, whereby snare drum hits are spaced evenly instead of hitting on every first and third beat like in traditional 4/4 time. This provides for a slower yet more spacious feeling to the drumming while emphasizing subbass frequencies to create its deep bass sound.
Dubstep music features reggae-influenced chord stabs to create its rhythmic foundation, often arpeggiated and used as an accentuating device for depth and momentum in songs. They may also accompany heavy kick and snare drum beats for added impactful punch.
Dubstep music is known for its rhythm, but also for its unique percussion sounds – particularly short attack and long decay times on its snares and kicks that create a distinct tone that gives its songs more energy. This distinct tone often serves to increase energy in songs written using dubstep.
Dubstep has become increasingly popular within hip hop culture due to its deep and energetic bass. Artists such as Rusko have made dubstep more accessible, while some artists have explored further dimensions of what dubstep can be with harsh and alien-sounding basslines – an example being Mala’s track “Alicia,” which samples an interlude from Alicia Keys’ song of the same name and features a bass line that is heavily saturated with midrange frequencies.
2. Bass
Bass is an integral element of electronic music, from dubstep to hip-hop and beyond, providing depth, emotion and rhythmic vibrato. Producers rely heavily on heavy basslines to achieve that deep, subterranean sound associated with dubstep; when combined with powerful rhythms and unique textures it can make or break an entire track.
Although much music today is recorded digitally, many original classics were originally issued on vinyl records in limited quantities to maintain authenticity of genre. Vinyl’s unique grooves and sound contributes to creating the distinct vibe of dubstep records.
As dubstep evolved, more artists began incorporating elements from various genres – hip-hop, rock, and other dance music – into their work, such as hip-hop and rock music. This led to a more commercialized form of dubstep which quickly gained mainstream appeal; artists such as Skrillex, Benga & Coki as well as Rusko pioneered such efforts to reach mainstream audiences.
These artists incorporated hard-hitting beats, heavy basslines and vocal samples to their tracks for maximum reach. While this type of dubstep remains popular today, its roots lie more within London’s underground scene.
Liquid Dubstep stands out among dubstep subgenres by using a more minimalist bass approach with melodic elements incorporated. Other styles of dubstep such as Brostep feature trippy high-pitched noises as well as aggressive bass sounds – yet retain many of the atmospheric qualities which set this form apart from others forms of EDM.
3. Syncopation
Dubstep music is an energizing genre combining elements of reggae, 2-step and drum and bass into one infectiously rhythmic genre, perfect for dancing floors and club scenes alike. Syncopation plays an integral part of dubstep’s style – often including shuffled rhythms and tuplets as sycpassism is key to its soundscape.
Dub step producers frequently employ 16th note arpeggios as an engaging addition to their tracks, creating an interesting rhythm which adds depth and anticipation. Skrillex uses this pattern in his track to add an energetic and captivating element that keeps listeners engrossed with his soundscape. Listen carefully for 1:55 of his track below where arpeggios add a hypnotic and captivating element.
Dubstep music often includes the bass drop, which can vary in intensity depending on its producer. A bass drop typically involves one or more beats where tempo drops and percussion pauses before returning with deeper and more intense bass line; this style of bass drop can also be found in genres such as drum and bass and bass house.
As dubstep became more mainstream and mainstream, its sound adapted as its popularity increased. Some producers took an aggressive approach and created brostep; this subgenre of dubstep was inspired by artists such as Skrillex and Zomboy and featured more wobbles and trippy high-pitched noises instead of deep bass sounds.
Mount Kimbie and Burial managed to keep the energy of dubstep while adding an unexpected twist. These producers mixed sounds from ambient music, UK garage and 2-step into their tracks.
4. Melodic elements
Dubstep is an electronic dance music (EDM) subgenre distinguished by a heavy bassline, syncopated rhythms and dark sound design. This genre is famed for its dynamic drops and distinct sound, setting itself apart from other EDM genres.
One of the defining characteristics of dubstep music is its use of cut and diced drum loops, often featuring tuplets to form intricate bass patterns. Producers in this genre also often employ reverb to add depth and space to their sounds; its rhythm usually oscillating between 132-142 beats per minute; clap or snare typically appear every third beat in each bar, distinguishing it from more rigid two-step drum patterns found elsewhere EDM genres.
Dubstep stands out with its emphasis on deep sub bass layers and wide chords used as synth leads, as well as lighter sound design such as acoustic instrumentation or vocal layers that evoke more positive moods – features which give this genre its signature “dub” sound. These musical components define dubstep’s characteristic lurch.
Skrillex’s influence has caused dubstep to evolve over time, but plenty of producers still adhere to its original sound. Other types of dubstep variations include liquid dubstep which takes a softer and more soothing approach in its production and chillstep which uses rhythmic techniques but with smooth basslines and melodic beats.
Post-dubstep is an experimental variation that blends dubstep with ambient, house and techno styles such as Mount Kimbie’s James Blake and Burial are known for this style, which often places more focus on atmospheric melodies than basslines.
5. Vocals
Dubstep stands out as a genre due to its emphasis on vocal frequencies, enabling producers to convey emotion and urgency easily through vocals that tend to be deep, dark, and accented with sub-bass effects like subwoofers. Some producers go further by adding effects designed specifically to create “wobbles”, and some go so far as saturating all frequency ranges with reverb to make their sounds sound even more powerful and intense.
Dubstep music is distinguished by the use of samples and loops that combine into dynamic beat patterns, creating more exciting rhythmic sequences. Furthermore, its tempo tends to be slower than other electronic dance music subgenres, enabling it to be played at lower volumes while still creating an energetic experience for dance floors and large sound systems.
James Blake has brought new elements to the genre over time, adding an R&B, gospel and electronic influence that’s been described as post-Dubstep. His track “Limit to Your Love” showcases this style beautifully – featuring soulful vocals with minimalist piano production that draws out its emotional side.
Mount Kimbie and Burial have recently combined elements of post-Dubstep with other genres like ambient and indie, further expanding this subgenre and increasing its appeal among listeners. Their tracks illustrate its evolution as more people call this style “post-Dubstep.” However, some traditionalists of this classic style feel that newer aggressive variants are taking away its soul.