The Differences Between Electronic Music Genres

If you’re new to the world of electronic music, you might be wondering what the differences are between all the different genres. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the most popular genres and their key characteristics.

Introduction

With the popularity of electronic music, there has been an increase in the number of genres and subgenres. This can be confusing for those who are new to the music scene. In this article, we will explore the differences between some of the most popular genres and subgenres of electronic music.

Genres of electronic music can be broadly divided into four categories:

1. House
2. Techno
3. Trance
4. Drum and Bass

What is Electronic Dance Music?

Electronic dance music is a broad range of percussive electronic music genres made largely for nightclubs, raves, and festivals. EDM is generally produced for playback by disc jockeys who create seamless selections of tracks, called a mix, by segueing from one recording to another.

What is the difference between EDM and club music?

EDM is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of genres, while club music is a more specific category of music that is designed for dancing. Both EDM and club music can be enjoyed in a live setting or through recorded tracks, but club music is usually played in nightclubs or other dance venues. While EDM covers a wide range of genres, it is typically characterized by a heavy emphasis on electronic elements and a fast tempo. In contrast, club music often has a slower tempo and may include elements of other genres such as hip hop or R&B.

Where did EDM come from?

Electronic Dance Music, more commonly referred to as EDM, is a broad range of percussive electronic music genres made largely for nightclubs, raves and festivals. It is generally produced for playback by disc jockeys who create seamless selections of tracks, called a mix by segueing from one recording to another.

EDM producers also perform their music live in a concert or festival setting in what is sometimes called a live PA. In Europe, EDM is more commonly called ‘dance music’, or simply ‘dance’.

The popularity of EDM was greatly increased by the rise of the rave culture in the 1980s and 1990s. Rave parties were often illegal in most countries due to their notorious association with drug use, particularly ecstasy. However, in recent years EDM has become more mainstream, with some of the world’s biggest festivals, such as Tomorrowland and Ultra Music Festival, selling out almost instantly.

The Different Types and Styles of Electronic Dance Music

Electronic music is a genre of music that is made using electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology. It is a wide ranging genre with many different sub-genres and styles. In this article, we are going to take a look at the different types and styles of electronic music.

Techno

Techno is a kind of electronic dance music that emerged in the 1980s. It is characterized by a repetitive, hypnotic rhythm, often produced by sequencers. Techno music often has an industrial or futuristic sound.

What is the difference between techno and house music?

Techno and house music are two of the most popular genres of electronic dance music. Both genres originated in the early 1980s, and both have experienced popularity worldwide within the club and festival scene. However, there are several key differences between techno and house music.

Firstly, techno is generally faster than house music, with a tempo that is typically between 130-150 BPM. House music is usually slower, with a tempo ranging from 115-130 BPM. This difference in tempo can be attributed to the different origins of the two genres – techno was born out of the underground rave scene in Detroit, while house music was created in Chicago clubs that were focused on dancing.

Another key difference between techno and house music is the way that they are produced. Techno tracks often use repetition and have a minimalistic style, with only a few elements being used throughout the track. House music is generally more complex, with more varied percussion and melodies. This Again, this difference can be attributed to the different origins of the genres – techno was created by producers using limited equipment, while house producers had access to more advanced studio equipment.

Finally, the two genres also differ in terms of their atmosphere and mood. Techno tracks are often dark and industrial, while house tracks are more positive and soulful. This difference is reflective of the different scenes that each genre originated from – techno came from the underground rave scene, while house was created in more mainstream clubs.

Where did techno come from?

Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in the 1980s. The genre is characterized by a repetitive 4/4 beat and often features synthesizers, drum machines, and vocoder-processed vocals. Techno is typically produced for use in nightclubs, and the first techno songs were played in Detroit clubs in the early 1980s. By the late 1980s, techno had become popular in Europe, and it subsequently spread around the world.

House

House is a genre of electronic dance music characterized by a repetitive four-on-the floor beat and a typical tempo of 120 to 130 beats per minute. It was created by DJs and music producers from Chicago in the early 1980s. House music quickly spread to other American cities such as Detroit, New York, and Miami, and then to the rest of the world.

The name “house” comes from the fact that many early tracks were produced in people’s homes, using simple equipment such as drums machines and synthesizers. House music has evolved over the years, but the basic four-on-the-floor beat remains the same.

Today, house music is one of the most popular genres of electronic dance music. It is often played in nightclubs, festivals, and on the radio. There are many different subgenres of house music, each with its own distinctive sound.

What is the difference between deep house and tech house?

Deep house is a subgenre of house music. It originated in the 1980s, initially fusing elements of Chicago house with techno and acid house. Deep house generally has a kick drum on every 4th beat or 8th beat, a syncopated bassline, often in the form of a sub-bass, and atmospheric pads or synth chords. Tech house is a subgenre of electronic dance music that combines elements of techno and house.

Where did house music come from?

House music is a genre that emerged in the 1980s from African American and Latino communities in Chicago. It was originally created by DJs who combined elements of existing dance music with their own synth and drum machine-created tracks. House music quickly gained popularity in European clubs, especially in the United Kingdom, where it gave birth to the subgenre known as acid house.

Drum and Bass

Drum and bass is a type of electronic dance music that emerged in the early 1990s. It is characterized by fast-paced breakbeats and heavy basslines. Drum and bass often features samples from other genres of music, including hip hop, punk, and reggae.

What is the difference between drum and bass and dubstep?

The biggest distinction between drum and bass and dubstep is the tempo. Drum and bass is generally between 160-180 BPM, while dubstep sits at a much slower 70-90 BPM. This obviously leads to some pretty big differences in feel—drum and bass is up-tempo and energetic, while dubstep is murky, dark, and brooding. sonically, dubstep borrows a lot from early jungle/drum and bass records, while adding its own spin with half-time beats and sub-bass heavy wobbles.

Where did drum and bass come from?

The 1990s saw the rise of acid house and techno in Europe and the US, with corresponding scenes springing up around the world. In the UK, a new style was emerging that would come to dominate the rave landscape for years to come: drum and bass.

Born out of the cross-pollination of breakbeat, techno, and reggae (among other genres), drum and bass first came to prominence in the early ’90s. By fusing these styles together, producers like Goldie, 4 Hero, and Photek created a sound that was both futuristic and grounded in tradition.

With its breakneck tempos and complex percussion patterns, drum and bass was designed to get ravers moving. But unlike other dance genres, it also had a dark, menacing edge that spoke to an uncertain future. This combination of elements would come to define the sound of drum and bass for years to come.

Dubstep

Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in South London in the late 1990s. It is generally characterized by sparse, syncopated rhythmic patterns with prominent sub-bass frequencies. The style emerged as an offshoot of UK garage, drawing on a lineage of related styles such as 2-step and dub reggae.

The earliest dubstep releases date back to 1998, and the genre rapidly gained popularity in the early 2000s. Dubstep began to achieve mainstream success in the UK in late 2005, when it began to be featured on pirate radio stations such as Rinse FM and BBC Radio 1Xtra. By 2007, the genre was being embraced by a wider range of DJs and producers, and had begun to influence mainstream pop music. In the 2010s, dubstep became increasingly popular in North America, Europe, and Australia.

What is the difference between dubstep and trap?

When it comes to contemporary electronic dance music, two genres that are often times confused for one another are dubstep and trap. Both genres are bass-heavy, dark and often times contain haunting melodies; however, the two couldn’t be more different.

To put it simply, dubstep is a style of music that evolved out of the 2-step garage scene in the United Kingdom during the early 2000s. The music is characterized by heavy bass lines, sharp drum rhythms and occasionally Contains elements of Hip Hop.

On the other hand, trap music is a style of Hip Hop that originated in the South during the late 1990s/ early 2000s. This type of music is characterized by its lo-fi production quality, heavy use of syncopation and multiple layered breakdowns.

In recent years, both styles of music have exploded in popularity all over the world and have even begun to influence one another.

Where did dubstep come from?

The origins of dubstep are often traced back to the early 2000s and the garage music scene in London. Producers like El-B, Horsepower Productions, and Zed Bias were releasing tracks that slowing the tempo of garage from around 130 BPM to a new slow pace of around 70-80 BPM. This new style became known as “2-step garage” or “dubstep Garage”. These producers were also incorporating elements of dub and reggae into their tracks, which added to the dubstep sound.

Trance

Trance is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the early 1990s. It is characterized by a tempo of 130-150 beats per minute, repeating melodic phrases, and a musical form that builds up and releases tension several times throughout the track.

What is the difference between trance and progressive trance?

The main difference between trance and progressive trance is the tempo. Trance is typically between 130-150 BPM, while progressive trance is a bit slower at around 118-130 BPM. Another difference is that progressive trance often has a build-up and breakdown, while trance generally doesn’t.

Where did trance come from?

Trance is a style of electronic dance music that developed in the early 1990s. It is characterized by a tempo of around 140 beats per minute, and features driving, often hypnotic rhythms, as well as melodies and chords that are often played in unison by different instruments. Trance music is often associated with psychedelic drugs such as LSD, and has been used by some people to achieve altered states of consciousness.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many different types of electronic music genres, each with their own unique characteristics. While some genres may share similarities, there are also many differences that make each genre distinct. Whether you prefer the fast-paced beats of EDM or the more relaxed vibes of Chillhop, there’s an electronic music genre out there for everyone to enjoy. So get exploring, and find your new favorite sound today.