Late 19th-century mechanical phonographs quickly became common household objects and electrical recording was introduced, opening the way to innovations like sound speed adjusting that allowed composers to explore an array of pitch variations.
Gary Numan is one of the most revered names in electronic music; upon entering a studio to record punk guitar music, he discovered a Moog synth already activated – this became an essential moment in electronic music history.
Techno
Techno is a form of electronic music that emerged out of German electro-pop and American house music in the late 1970s and 1980s, drawing its influences from German electro-pop and American house music respectively. With its futuristic atmosphere and hypnotic rhythms, its futuristic vibe influenced numerous other genres including EDM, dubstep and dance punk music. Techno’s distinctive sounds include repeated beats with synthesizer sounds unlike anything else heard elsewhere; additionally it’s known for its dark moody atmosphere as well as club culture that revolves around all-night warehouse parties.
Juan Atkins, Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson of Detroit are considered the “Godfathers” of Techno. Influenced by Detroit DJ Charles “The Electrifying Mojo” Johnson’s freeform radio shows and his nighttime shows as DJ Charles “The Electrifying Mojo” Johnson would DJ at nightclubs around town; these three Detroit children became known as The Belleville Three who produced house music that combined elements of hip hop, funk and soul using synthesizers instead of traditional instruments such as bass guitars or drummers to produce house music that had elements of house music that was unique for its time – using drum machines instead.
In the early ’80s, Mojo Radio offered them an incredible platform to introduce their sound to a wider audience – and their performance on Mojo was an instantaneous hit, giving birth to Techno music as a movement.
Techno is widely considered to have changed the face of dance music in Europe, particularly Britain and Germany, where it quickly rose in popularity. Techno’s distinctive bass sounds were combined with acidic textures like those found in disco and funk to form its unique sound.
However, while initially shunned by many critics, electronic dance music eventually gained mainstream acceptance during the 90s. Its rise in popularity led to many subgenres such as trance (characterized by metronomic beats and cosmic melodies), electronica (an atmosphere-building experimentalism designed for album-length home listening), and jungle (based on speedy hip-hop breakbeats and floor-rattling reggae bass).
As the industry matured, Techno artists started pushing sonic boundaries, leading to new forms of the genre. Acid techno was born out of Roland TB303 synthesizer; originally meant as a bass guitar but later utilized by artists for creating distinct basslines with its distinct tonality.
Electronic dance music (EDM)
Electronic Dance Music, commonly referred to as EDM for short, is a musical genre composed of electronic synthesizers and drum machines as well as software used to digitally process analog instruments and vocals. EDM can often be recognized by its repetitive beats and catchy synth melodies accompanied by build-ups and drops for an engaging dance floor experience. Furthermore, EDM features layers of harmony chord progressions for its signature sound.
Early forms of danceable electronic music were inspired by acoustically driven genres such as disco, funk and soul. Producers like Kraftwerk and Giorgio Moroder experimented with synthesizers to produce new sounds which eventually gave birth to modern dance music genres like house, techno, trance and drum and bass.
In the 1990s, EDM took off in clubs and other underground venues such as fitness centers, fields and warehouses – particularly rave culture and super DJs – becoming one of the pillars of rave culture and super DJs. Electronic Dance Music (EDM) eventually came to encompass all these different sounds that combined acoustic-driven elements with electronic beats to produce an accessible form of electronic music that didn’t require costly analogue equipment.
Electronic dance music (EDM) has long been an integral component of popular music culture. Its impact has been felt across genres and subgenres alike; furthermore, streaming services have made electronic music accessible to more audiences than ever.
As electronic music becomes more and more popular, its appeal grows exponentially. From early pioneers of krautrock to Aphex Twin’s mysterious work, influential artists have left their mark on this genre. Dance music has also had an influence on mainstream rock/indie bands who incorporate electronic elements into their sound to appeal to a broader audience; such as with bands like Beastie Boys and Run-DMC. This strategy has proven immensely successful – as evidenced by their enormously successful campaigns!
Synthpop
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, synthpop enjoyed its golden age – combining electronic music with pop’s melodic sensibilities. Synthesizers provided synth-pop’s creators with tools to craft dreamy arpeggios, atmospheric pads, and punchy basslines; drum machines helped musicians produce danceable beats with precise tempo and rhythm.
Depeche Mode and The Human League were instrumental in propelling synth-pop to mainstream success through iconic tracks that broke production paradigms, not simply due to using electronic instruments but rather by adapting compositional strategies to conform with electronic sound’s capabilities.
Depeche Mode, Erasure and A Flock of Seagulls all brought this innovative ethos to life through live performances. Bands such as Depeche Mode, Erasure and A Flock of Seagulls combined their sonic innovation with dramatic visual presence by incorporating futuristic stage designs and choreographed choreography – creating a seamless blend of audio-visual elements that reinforced their thematic ethos.
Synth-pop was known for its extravagant visual aesthetic and influential fashion trend initiation; synth-pop was also responsible for pioneering avant-garde hairstyles and dramatic makeup looks, which helped establish its distinct identity among fans.
The synth-pop movement inspired fan clubs and newsletters, allowing fans to interact directly with artists as well as share common interests. These forums sparked a sense of community which in time evolved into what we know as today’s music industry.
Hip hop did not arise immediately as a reaction to synth-pop’s rise, yet its foundations can be closely traced. Hip hop began its development during economic hardships in the 70s that drove young people onto streets seeking community. What followed was an amalgam of dance, funk and punk music which eventually gave way to modern genres such as Hip Hop Techno Post Punk Dancehall as well as breakbeats – rhythmic loops made up of four-on-the-floor beats featuring kick drum on quarter notes with snare or high hat hits on second fourth and eighth notes respectively – created as well as breakbeats which featured kick drum quarter notes with kick drum beats followed by four-on-the-floor beats featuring four on-the-floor beats featuring four-on-the floor beats that featured kick drum on quarter notes while an additional high hat or snare/high hat on second, fourth and eighth notes respectively – creating genres such as Hip Hop Techno Post Punk Dancehall to name just some modern genres like these from its birthplace!
Electronic rock
Electronic rock is a music genre which blends electronic instruments with classic rock. Since the advent of MIDI and digital audio technology, electronic rock has grown increasingly popular as an form of modern music. Synthesizers, drum machines and other digital equipment such as synthesizers have proliferated to enhance this form of rock music; prominent examples being Nine Inch Nails and Daft Punk who have both achieved great success as electro-rock musicians.
Electronic music’s history can be traced back to the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, when electronics enabled experimentation with sounds. Progressive rock artists began incorporating instruments such as the Moog synthesizer and mellotron into their performances during this era; pioneers included Klaus Schulze, Tangerine Dream, Can and other groundbreaking acts like Ultravox, Depeche Mode and New Order among many others.
Juan Atkins and Derrick May began their career in Detroit DJing with techno in the early 1980s. Fusing elements of Chicago house influenced electronic and Detroit (including Motown) inspired funk into an entirely new form, they popularized four-on-the-floor beat driven by kick drum quarter notes with either snare/high hat on second, fourth, or eighth notes to create this style of music.
Depeche Mode, The Chemical Brothers and New Order were among the most beloved electronic rock acts during this era; using key synthesizers, percussion instruments and digital effects they produced their songs with great success.
As the 1990s progressed, heavy metal rockers gradually started taking an interest in electronic music. This genre saw bands such as Pendulum, Ratatat, Celldweller and Nine Inch Nails explore elements from both traditional rock music and electronica into their sound. Furthermore, an unusual fusion between these genres known as Electronicore has gained significant attention across America.