Electronic Dance Music, or EDM, is a genre that combines digital and analogue musical equipment to produce danceable songs that sound precise and full, unlike many acoustic genres that need significant audio engineering to sound clear.
EDM originated in the mid-1980s when DJs began using sampler-sequencers and bass line generators to craft beats, leading to a revival of modular synthesizers from early 1960s designs such as Eurorack.
Definition
Electronic music is composed using various sound resources–microphones, electronic oscillators (that create basic acoustical waveforms like sine waves, square waves and sawtooth waves), complex computer installations and microprocessors–recorded on tape and then edited into permanent forms that are played back through loudspeakers alone or combined with traditional musical instruments.
Electronic music as a form of composition was first pioneered during the early 20th century when composers first explored its possibilities through electroacoustic composition. This period marked its official recognition as a valid compositional activity rather than simply as a means for producing sounds.
At this time, composers experimented with various devices including electronic organs (which produced new tones), theremins, and early synthesizers. Some also engaged in circuit bending – altering existing equipment to generate novel sounds – creating something called “new music.”
This was an essential innovation in the history of electronic music, enabling musicians to produce more complex and dynamic sounds with existing equipment rather than having to resort to more costly devices such as synthesizers or samplers. Its ripples could be felt across numerous styles such as musique concrete, industrial music and dance music genres.
Digital audio technology was another transformative development in the mid-1980s, making available to musicians and producers for use. This allowed composers to explore more sound resources and produce new styles and genres like techno, house, and EDM music.
This trend has led to a dramatic surge in electronic music artists and DJs, many of whom are not traditional musicians. Thanks to affordable digital recording systems, home computers, and the internet, electronic music is becoming an accessible hobby that allows anyone to become an artist.
Origins
Electronic music refers to any composition or performance which incorporates or uses electronic processing technologies, including recording and editing on tape as well as computer technology.
Electronic music has historically been associated with Western Europe and Germany, although the US and Japan have both made significant contributions. Recent advances have helped make electronic music more widespread and mainstream:
First was the creation of electronic instruments designed to create new sounds not possible with traditional musical instruments, including the theremin invented in 1920 by a Russian scientist; Ondes martenot created in 1928 by French musician and scientist; and trautonium devised in 1930 by Germans.
In the 1960s, another important breakthrough for electronic music was the advent of synthesizers – devices which enabled musicians to produce unique sounds and melodies without relying on another composer for accompaniment – revolutionizing musical production and inspiring many composers alike.
Tape recorders were instrumental in popularizing electronic music among a wider audience and allowed people to explore its depths more fully. Composers such as Karlheinz Stockhausen used tape recorders as part of an electronic music studio they established in Cologne at this time, which established future developments.
These innovations paved the way for early electronic music genres such as synth pop to emerge during the 1970s. Later, artists like Kraftwerk began using synthesizers to produce techno.
This new genre gained immense popularity during the early 1990s and remains widely present today. It has spawned several subgenres such as trance music – which mixes techno with house – as well as commercial raves which have become more common across both America and abroad.
Styles
Electronic Dance Music (EDM), also known as EDM, is a genre of popular music composed by using electronic instruments and software. EDM typically takes the form of loud speakers playing distorted drums – this allows DJs to perform it at higher tempos (140 to 160 beats per minute).
Electronic music stands out as being distinct in that many styles are specifically created to facilitate dancing, making use of deliberately inorganic sounds and timbres that were produced using early 1980s Roland gear (like their 303 bass synthesizer and 808 drum machine) or samples taken from previously recorded recordings.
One characteristic that distinguishes Electronic Dance Music (EDM) songs from others is their strong rhythmic compositions, making EDM songs instantly appealing to partying audiences of all kinds.
EDM stands out as being a genre that typically features live performances with musical instrumentation such as piano or guitar thrown into the mix – something relatively recent that has expanded EDM’s appeal significantly.
Ambient music is a subgenre of electronic music that emphasizes mood, texture, atmospheric layers, and tonality. First created in 1917 by French composer Erik Satie and later popularized in the 1970s by John Cage with his minimalist approach focused on sound and musical timbres.
There are also various subgenres of electronic music which can be classified differently, such as trip-hop – which incorporates elements from multiple genres for an intense psychedelic experience.
Genres
Electronic music encompasses an ever-evolving collection of musical styles that has come about over recent decades. While some genres may share similar sounds and vibes, each has its own distinct identity.
EDM (electronic dance music) is one of the world’s most beloved genres, drawing fans together for dancing crowds across house, disco, techno, trance, drum ‘n bass, trap and dubstep genres.
EDM (Electronic Dance Music), also referred to as “rave”, has quickly become a global sensation since its advent in 1997. Composed and produced at DJ booths or by musicians, EDM has since grown immensely popular and now stands as one of the primary forms of mainstream music today.
Drum machine music fuses hip-hop and funk rhythms, typically using Roland TR-808s, to produce breakbeats that sound like they belong in both genres.
Electro-music, another electronic dance music subgenre, combines synthesizers with distorted drums. It’s often described as having an aggressive sound which some critics may even describe as having industrial strength.
This genre also incorporates ambient and synthesized noises, often taking inspiration from Kraftwerk, techno and industrial music sonic palette. It can provide a highly complex and intense musical experience.
Prodigy, Depeche Mode, the Chemical Brothers and Goldie are among the best-known performers of electronic music. Furthermore, other subgenres like acid house, big beat and trip-hop have emerged due to this style.
Representation
Electronic music refers to any style and genre produced through combining electronics with traditional instruments, such as dance music, jazz, rock music or classical. Also referred to as electronic or digital music, electronic music may be performed either through computer systems or analog instruments like pianos and trumpets.
A sampler is a digital musical instrument that uses sampling technology to produce sounds. This allows musicians to play back sounds from an array of sources – piano or violin notes, five-second bass guitar riffs from popular songs or found sounds such as ocean waves. Samples are loaded onto computers or digital storage devices before being played back through sampler programs such as MIDI keyboards or sequencers or another trigger device.
Electronic music began developing during the early 20th century. Its roots lie in technology developed between World Wars I and II, particularly electrical recordings (later referred to as phonograph records) and audio tape technology.
Synthesizers and computer-controlled keyboards were instrumental in further developing electronic music; tape recorders helped bring this medium into mainstream use.
Karlheinz Stockhausen and Hans Schaeffer were pioneering artists who experimented with altering sounds through pure electronic means; their works can be heard both as concert pieces as well as movie, theatre and TV soundtracks.
Representation can be defined in different ways by scholars; some view it as a process that helps shape meanings while others see it as an expression of social interest based on power dynamics between representatives and constituents. Representation plays an integral role in politics, religion, and business environments alike.
As disco faded away, house music quickly gained popularity thanks to DJs hosting parties at fitness clubs or warehouses – dubbed raves.
Many pop artists began borrowing sounds and structures from underground trance, acid house and rave genres; thus the term EDM (Electronic Dance Music) emerged to differentiate it from more traditional dance music genres.
Techno
Techno is an all-electronic music genre characterized by hard and driving beats mixed with futuristic synthesizer melodies for an enjoyable danceable yet ethereal sonic experience. Techno often incorporates vocals for added drama and tension on its tracks; typically more pulsating than house or trance styles of EDM, techno tends to make for good club night entertainment during peak hours.
Techno was an instrumental component in the early days of EDM, helping pave the way for contemporary genres like drum and bass, trance and industrial. Techno’s futuristic aesthetic also had an effect on other dance genres like acid house and Chicago house sound.
Techno is distinguished from other musical expressions by its emphasis on rhythm, which plays an essential role in any form of musical expression. Techno also utilizes synthesized timbres to produce unique musical sounds which cannot be reproduced using traditional instruments.
EDM music is designed for DJing, with DJ-friendly features that include seamless transitions from track to track using “mixes.” Its main drum part typically follows common time (4/4), meaning four quarter note pulses per bar with kick drum hits on every other pulse; snare or clap sounding every second and fourth pulse in addition to an open hi-hat sound on third and fifth pulses of each bar.
Detroit techno is widely considered the birthplace of techno. Credited with creating its signature sound, Detroit techno was pioneered by Juan Atkins, Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson’s Belleville Three in the early 1980s – known for their blend of beats and melodies; early tracks from this trio such as Cybotron’s “Clear” and Rhythim Is Rythim’s “Strings of Life” caused chaos on European dance floors.
Lately, this genre has been heavily shaped by Jeff Mills and Underground Resistance (UR). Their politically charged music reflected both social issues in Detroit as well as larger global political concerns of their day – they even became a catalyst for the Black Power movement by using music to promote equality!
House
House music has emerged with the rise of electronic music technology. This genre combines rhythms, bass lines, synthesized melodies with vocal samples and non-traditional instruments such as non-traditional percussion instruments to form its unique soundscape. House’s early origins can be traced back to DJs mixing disco records while layering their own rhythmic loops onto them; creating new dance music played across Europe during the 1980s at fitness centers, fields, warehouses as well as fitness clubs; this movement eventually gave birth to subgenres such as techno and trance music genres as well.
House music’s early beginnings were marked by acoustic instruments; as technology advanced and digital synthesizers became more affordable and electronic drum kits emerged, these instruments began to give way to electronic counterparts. House has also become synonymous with its signature basslines, heavy emphasis on repetition, funk-inspired basslines and repetition; its roots can be traced back to Chicago, where DJs like Frankie Knuckles and Marshall Jefferson began mixing disco records with their own rhythmic repetition at nightclubs.
Melodic house is a subgenre of house music that emphasizes upbeat tempos and melodies that create positive emotional experiences, often played at festivals or other events that focus on partying. This style’s upbeat tempos and catchy melodies make it popular at festivals or other gatherings with people looking for an enjoyable time; its positive energy gives listeners feelings of happiness or euphoria while listening.
Tech house, another variation of Chicago house music, can be described by its pulsing rhythms and erratic melody, drawing influence from funk, disco, techno and dubstep among other genres. Tech house makes heavy use of Roland TB-303 electronic synthesizer-sequencer to produce its signature sound; often featuring distorted guitar riffs paired with an intoxicating beat.
Electro house is an increasingly popular subgenre of house music. This variant combines dance music with elements from rock, punk and hip-hop music for an exciting sound that also includes soulful vocal snippets.
EDM
Electronic Dance Music (EDM) differs significantly from traditional forms in that it is predominantly created using computer software. This enables an almost limitless variety of sounds and effects, giving DJs greater control over each element in a song – for instance creating beats from samples, altering chord progressions or adding whole new synth sounds for different tracks altogether. Such flexibility encourages creativity and experimentation when sound designing while giving musicians freedom to explore uncharted territories when writing their compositions.
EDM music typically features four-on-the-floor beats and synthesized bass lines, along with energetic, melodic vocal samples and harmonies that often provide energy-packed entertainment. EDM has become immensely popular worldwide and is featured at major music festivals like Electric Daisy Carnival and Tomorrowland.
Setting the appropriate tempo is the cornerstone of electronic dance music production, providing a rhythmic pulse to get people moving and dancing. Most EDM songs fall between 120 to 130 beats per minute (BPM) as ideal dance music tempo range.
Once your tempo has been decided upon, the next step in EDM production should be selecting an appropriate key for your song. This step is important because it determines how the song sounds and will ultimately make an impressionful statement to listeners about its emotional content. While songs can range from major to minor keys, selecting one which matches its emotional intent is ideal.
Mixing is the final step in EDM production, performed using studio monitors which offer flat frequency response for optimal audio recording quality. This step enables producers to hear what their listeners will hear – with full clarity – so adjustments can be made real-time to improve overall sound quality.
Pop
After disco became increasingly popular during the 1970s, electronic music emerged as an art form. This development was driven by advances in electronics such as instruments enabling musicians to control sound frequencies with rotary generators and telephone receivers; these instruments are known as electroacoustic instruments and include Theremin, Telharmonium, and Ondes Martenot.
Electronic music continues to progress as new technologies emerge, thanks to the Internet and streaming services like Spotify and YouTube. Furthermore, using digital synthesizers and other composition tools has democratized creation process leading to an increase in artists creating and promoting electronic music.
Electronic music extends beyond techno, house and EDM genres. Synth-pop emerged alongside progressive house and techno in the 1980s; this genre combines pop and dance music with synthesizer sounds. Recently it has gained widespread recognition thanks to artists like Lana Del Rey and Taylor Swift who have championed it.
Electronic music encompasses a broad variety of other genres, such as ambient and drum and bass music. While these styles may not be as widely recognized by the general public as techno or EDM, their popularity and recognition worldwide has grown considerably over time. These genres feature synthesized sounds with fast beats and high pitches. Furthermore, this genre also draws inspiration from world culture while simultaneously mixing traditional elements with modern elements for an appealing contemporary soundscape.
Electronic music is often misunderstood as meaning music composed with electronic instruments; however, this term is inaccurate. “Electronic music” most accurately applies to production using MIDI technology and software programs like Ableton Live for creation; some can even mimic human voices more realistically than traditional instruments do. Some producers still utilize traditional instruments when producing their music – artists such as Skrillex, Aphex Twin and Nina Kraviz all utilize various means to craft their tunes.