decode the electronic music acronyms
Looking to get into the world of electronic music, but feeling overwhelmed by all the unfamiliar acronyms? Have no fear! In this post, we’ll decode some of the most common electronic music acronyms, so you can hit the ground running.
What is BPM?
BPM stands for beats per minute. It’s a measure of tempo in music, and it’s typically used to help DJs and producers match the tempo of different songs.
The BPM tempo of a song is usually expressed as a number, and it’s often written as “bpm” after the number. For example, if a song has a tempo of 120 bpm, that means there are 120 beats in one minute.
If you’re new to electronic music, you might be wondering what all these numbers mean. Here’s a quick guide to some of the most common tempo markings:
-60-90 bpm: This is the tempo range for most pop and hip-hop songs.
-120-140 bpm: This is the tempo range for most EDM and techno songs.
-140+ bpm: This is the tempo range for very fast techno and drum & bass songs.
What is DAW?
Daw is an electronic music acronym that stands for digital audio workstation. A digital audio workstation is a computer program used for recording, editing and producing audio files.
What is EDM?
EDM is an acronym for “electronic dance music.” It is a broad term that can be used to describe a wide variety of genres, including but not limited to house, techno, dubstep, trance and drum & bass. EDM is typically produced using digital audio workstations and synthesizers, and is often characterized by its use of repetitive beats and basslines.
What is VST?
VST is an acronym for Virtual Studio Technology. It 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 played and recorded using a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW).