The Underworld of Electronic Music

A look into the underground world of electronic music – its history, its sub-genres, and the artists that keep it alive.

The Basics of Electronic Music

Electronic music is a genre of music that is produced with the help of electronic devices. It is a very vast genre that includes subgenres like house, techno, drum and bass, and dubstep. In this article, we will be covering the basics of electronic music.

What is electronic music?

Broadly speaking, electronic music is music that involves the use of electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In a narrower sense, it refers to music produced using only electronic musical instruments.

In the late 19th century, early electronic musical instruments such as electromechanical organs and player pianos were developed. Following the development of devices such as the Theremin, synthesizers and drum machines in the early 20th century, electronic music became more widely used in popular music styles such as rock and roll and jazz. In the late 20th century and into the 21st century, electronic dance music genres such as house, techno and trance also became popular.

Electronic music has been used in film scores since the 1930s; early examples include compositions by composers such as Bernard Herrmann for The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934) and Firmin Franck for Les Visiteurs du Soir (1942). Electronic music was also used in Fritz Lang’s Metropolis (1927)

The history of electronic music

The genre of electronic music has been around for several decades now, and its popularity has only increased in recent years. But where did this genre come from? How did it evolve? Let’s take a look at the history of electronic music.

The first electronic instruments were invented in the early 1900s, and they were used in a variety of ways throughout the 20th century. They gained popularity in the 1950s and 1960s with the development of musique concrète and electroacoustic music, two genres that made extensive use of electronic instruments and techniques. In the 1970s, electronic music began to be used extensively in popular music, with pioneering artists such as Kraftwerk and Giorgio Moroder incorporating it into their sound. This trend continued throughout the 1980s and 1990s, with more and more artists embracing electronic music as a way to create innovative and exciting sounds.

Today, electronic music is more popular than ever before, with new subgenres constantly emerging. It’s safe to say that this genre has well and truly cemented its place in the history of music.

The different genres of electronic music

Electronic music is a wide-ranging genre that encompasses everything from danceable pop to moody soundscapes. It can be difficult to pin down, but there are some general characteristics that are common to most electronic music. For one, electronic music is produced using electronic instruments and technology, rather than acoustic instruments. This can include anything from synthesizers and drum machines to samplers and computer-generated sounds.

In addition, electronic music often has a repetitive, hypnotic quality that can make it perfect for dancing or for creating a particular mood. It often relies heavily on technology for its creation and production, which gives it a unique sound that can be hard to replicate with traditional instruments.

There are many different subgenres of electronic music, each with its own distinctive sound and style. Some of the most popular include house, techno, trance, drum & bass, dubstep and garage.

The Equipment Used in Electronic Music

Let’s take a look at the equipment used in the production of electronic music. This will give us a better understanding of the music itself. Electronic music is created using a variety of different instruments and equipment. These can include everything from synthesisers and drum machines to samplers and computers.

Synthesizers

Analog synthesizers are built around analog circuitry and generate sound using analog oscillators. These were the first type of synthesizers developed and were very popular in the 1970s and 1980s. Analog synthesizers create continuous waves, which can be modulated to create sounds that resemble other instruments or that are completely unique.

Digital synthesizers use digital signal processing to generate sound. These synthe size ers are often more complex than analog synthesizers and can create a wider range of sounds. They can also be more difficult to program.

Modular synthesizers are composed of a number of different modules that can each generate or process a signal. These modules are then patched together using cables to create the desired sound. Modular synthesizers can be either analog or digital.

Drum machines

Drum machines are electronic musical instruments designed to create and play back drum patterns. Drum machines may imitate drum kits or other percussion instruments, or produce unique sounds. Most modern drum machines allow users to create their own drum patterns.

Early drum machines were heavily influenced by the sound of analog synthesizers, and they typically used analog synthesis to generate their sounds. However, more recent drum machines have been designed to generate their sounds using digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms, and many drums machines now use samples of real drums or other percussion instruments as the basis for their sounds.

There are a wide variety of different types of drum machines available on the market, from simple devices that only offer a handful of basic sounds to complex devices with hundreds of different sounds and the ability to create and store multiple patterns.

Samplers

Samplers are digital devices that allow users to record and playback sounds. They are commonly used in electronic music, as they allow for a wide range of sounds to be created and manipulated. Samplers typically have a number of buttons and knobs that can be used to control the sound, pitch, and tempo of the playback. Some samplers also have built-in effects that can be applied to the sound.

MIDI controllers

MIDI controllers come in lots of different shapes and sizes, from simple single-octave keyboard controllers to all-in-one units with pitch and mod wheels, faders, knobs, and drum pads.

MIDI controllers are usually USB-powered and can be used with any computer or iOS device. They send MIDI data – usually via USB – which can be used to control just about anything in your DAW or other MIDI-compatible software.

In the past, most keyboard controllers only had a few assignable controls – maybe a pitch Bender wheel and a modulation wheel – but now manufacturers are adding all sorts of faders, buttons, XY pads, drum pads, and even knobs. Some even come with built-in audio interfaces so you can record your performance directly into your DAW.

The Software Used in Electronic Music

DAWs, VSTs, and other software can be used to create, mix, and master electronic tracks. In this article, we’ll be discussing the different software used in electronic music and their features.

DAWs

There are many different types of software used in electronic music, but one of the most important is the DAW, or digital audio workstation. This is the software that allows you to record, edit, and mix your music.

There are many different DAWs on the market, and it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a DAW:

-What type of music do you want to make?
-What is your budget?
-What is your level of experience?

Some of the most popular DAWs include Ableton Live, Logic Pro, and Pro Tools. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to do your research before making a decision.

Once you’ve chosen a DAW, it’s time to start making music!

VSTs

VST (Virtual Studio Technology) is a software interface that integrates software audio synthesizer and effect plugins with audio editors and hard-disk recording systems. VST and similar technologies allow the replacement of traditional recording studio hardware with software counterparts. VST plug-ins are standalone soft synth modules that can be integrated into a larger Digital Audio Workstation environment, or they can operate as standalone instruments.

The most popular use for VST instruments is in the realm of electronic dance music (EDM). In this genre, producers often use VST synths to generate tracks that would be otherwise difficult or impossible to create with traditional hardware synths. Many VST instruments are designed to emulate the sound of specific hardware synths, and producers often use them for this purpose. However, many VST instruments also offer unique capabilities that can’t be found in any hardware synth.

The following is a list of some of the most popular VST instruments used in electronic music production:

-Ableton Live
-FL Studio
-Logic Pro
-Cubase
-Nuendo

Plug-ins

In order to create electronic music, you will need to use a computer with music production software. This software will allow you to record, edit, and mix your music. There are many different types of software available, and the one you choose will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

One type of software that is commonly used in electronic music production is called a plug-in. Plug-ins are small programs that can be added to your music production software to give it additional features and capabilities. There are many different kinds of plug-ins available, and they can be used for a wide variety of purposes. For example, there are plug-ins that can be used to add new sounds to your music, or to process the sounds that you have recorded in order to make them sound better. There are also plug-ins that can be used to control the way your music is played back, or to automate certain tasks.

plug-ins are small programs that can be added to your music production software

The Artists Who Make Electronic Music

In electronic music, the artists who make the music are often hidden behind the scenes. They are the producers, the DJs, and the people who create the tracks that we listen to. While we may not always see their faces, they are the ones who create the music that we love.

Deadmau5

Deadmau5, born Joel Thomas Zimmerman on January 5, 1981, is a Canadian electronic music producer and DJ. He is known for his innovative musical style and his use of 3D visualizations and artsy fartsy computer-generated imagery in his live performances. He has won several Grammy Awards and was ranked No. 6 on DJ Magazine’s Top 100 DJs list in 2016.

Zimmerman began producing electronic music in the late 1990s under various pseudonyms, including “Dead Mouse” and “Halcyon441.” His early work was predominately trance music, but he later branched out into other genres such as progressive house, electro house, and even rock. He has released eight studio albums to date, the most recent being “W:/2016Album/” (2016).

In addition to his work as a solo artist, Zimmerman has also collaborated with a number of other producers and DJs, including Skrillex, Eric Prydz, Kaskade, and Tommy Lee. He has also remixed tracks for popular artists such as Madonna, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, and The Black Eyed Peas.

Skrillex

Skrillex is the stage name of Sonny John Moore, an American record producer, DJ, and singer. He is a founding member of the EDM group From First to Last, and he released his first album with them in 2004. He began his solo career in 2007 and released his debut EP, My Name is Skrillex, in 2010. His first full-length album, Bangarang, was released in 2012. His second album, Recess, was released in 2014.

Skrillex is known for his work in the dubstep and Electrohouse genres. He has collaborated with several other artists, including Korn, Diplo, Fifth Harmony, and Justin Bieber. He has won eight Grammy Awards, including Best Dance Recording for “Bangarang” and Best Dance/Electronic Album for Recess.

Avicii

EDM, or electronic dance music, is a genre of music that emerged in the early 1990s. It is characterized by a repetitive 4/4 beat and often incorporates synthesizers, drum machines, and samples.

Avicii was one of the most well-known EDM artists. He rose to fame with his hit song “Levels” and went on to produce a number of other chart-topping tracks. He was nominated for a Grammy Award and won several MTV Music Awards. Avicii retired from touring in 2016 due to health concerns, and he died by suicide in 2018.

Other well-known EDM artists include:

– Tiësto
– Skrillex
– Calvin Harris
– David Guetta
– deadmau5

Tiesto

Tijs Michiel Verwest, better known by his stage name Tiesto, is a Dutch DJ and record producer from Breda. He was named “The Greatest DJ of All Time” by Mix magazine in a poll voted by the fans. In 2013, he was voted by DJ Magazine readers as the “best DJ of the last 20 years”. He is also regarded as the “Godfather of EDM” by many sources.

Tiesto’s first album Magik One: First Flight was released in April 1997 and includedsthe track “Obsession”, which became popular in clubs. Tiesto’s second album Magik Two: Story of the Fall was released in September 1997. The album featured more tracks than the first and expanded on the trance style that Tiesto had begun to perfect. In May 1998, Tijs released Magik Three: Far from Earth, which featured the track “Flights of Fancy”. This track became one of Tiesto’s most well-known and was later remixed by Ferry Corsten and Armin van Buuren.

In February 2001, Tiesto released his fourth album Magik Four:live in Amsterdam. This album was recorded live at the RAI Amsterdam on October 22, 2000, during his set at the Magik Muzik Event. The album featured tracks from all four of his previous albums, as well as some new tracks.

Between 2002 and 2004, Tiësto took a break from producing music to focus on his DJ career. In this time he released several remixes, including those for Delerium’s ” Silence” , Moby’s “Natural Blues”, and Kirsty MacColl’s “In these Shoes”. He also release a mix album entitled Nyana in May 2003.

In May 2004 he released Parade of the Athletes to mark the occasion of the Athens Olympic Games that same year; this mix contained many trance tracks with anthemic builds similar to those often used in sports montages. This led him to be asked to create official mixes for both the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turinandthe 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing; both albums were entitled Parade Of The Athletes respectively.

In 2007 Tiësto composed music for statue Unconditional Surrender in San Diego harbour as a tribute to American sailors who served during World War II; it is based on a photograph taken during that war showing a sailor kissing a nurse on V-J Day celebrations