The Different Genres of Dubstep and Techno Music

In this blog post, we’ll be discussing the different genres of dubstep and techno music. We’ll touch on the history of each genre, and some of the key artists and tracks that have shaped them. Whether you’re a fan of the heavier, more aggressive dubstep sound, or the more melodic and atmospheric techno, we hope this post will give you a better understanding of the music you love.

Introduction

There are many different genres of dubstep and techno music, each with its own unique sound and style. While some artists may incorporate elements from multiple genres, most tend to focus on one particular genre. Below is a brief overview of some of the most popular genres of dubstep and techno music.

Dubstep
Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the United Kingdom in the early 2000s. It is characterized by its heavy basslines and often dark or violent lyrics.

Techno
Techno is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the Detroit, Michigan area in the mid-1980s. It is characterized by its repetitive beats and often futuristic or industrial sound.

What is 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.

Origins

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.

In the early 2000s, dubstep began to develop more complex sonic textures, incorporating elements of techno and drum and bass. This led to a wave of new producers experimenting with the style and helped to establish dubstep’s reputation as an experimental and forward-thinking genre. By the 2010s, the style had achieved mainstream success, spawning a number of commercial hits and spawning a host of new subgenres.

Characteristics

The original dubstep sound was characterised by a syncopated 4/4 rhythm with snare drum on the 2 and 4, and a sub bass that drops on the 1, creating a half-time feel. This deep, dark and often cavernous bass sound was achieved using a Roland TR-808 drum machine and heavy amounts of low-pass filtering and reverb applied to the snare drums. The original dubstep tracks were all about 140 beats per minute (bpm), which is half the tempo of most dance music at the time.

What is Techno?

Techno is a type of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the mid-to-late 1980s. The first techno tracks were produced by Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson, who are often referred to as the ” Belleville Three.” Techno is characterized by a repetitive four-on-the-floor beat, often accompanied by synthesizers and samples.

Origins

Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid-to-late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word “techno” in reference to a specific genre of music was in 1988. Many styles of techno now exist, but Detroit techno is seen as the foundation upon which other subgenres have been built.

The most common elements of techno include synthetic/electronic drums, basslines and repetitive Melodies, often achieved through the use of sequencers and synthesizers.

Characteristics

The two main genres of techno are Detroit techno and Chicago house. Techno is generally characterized by a repetitive four on the floor beat, a focus on synthetic textures created by electronic instruments, and a lack of vocals. The tempo of techno ranges from approximately 120 to 150 bpm.

The Different Genres of Dubstep

There are many different genres of dubstep music, and each one has its own unique sound. Some of the most popular genres of dubstep include dark dubstep, wonky dubstep, and wobbly dubstep. Each genre has its own distinct sound that makes it unique.

Brostep

Brostep is a subgenre of dubstep that was developed in the late 2000s and early 2010s. It is characterized by a heavy bass sound that often includes growling or grunting noises, as well as aggressive beats. The name “brostep” is a portmanteau of the words “bro” and “dubstep”, and was originally used as a derogatory term for the music, but has since been adopted by some artists within the genre.

While dubstep typically has a slower tempo than other genres of electronic dance music, brostep is often distinguished by its fast tempo and heavy bass. The genre has been described as “a dark and warehouse-y brand of dubstep”. Examples of brostep tracks include Skream’s “Filth” (2010) and Flux Pavilion’s “Bass Cannon” (2011).

Drumstep

Drumstep is a genre of electronic dance music that emerged in the early 2010s. It combines elements of drum and bass with dubstep, resulting in a harder, more aggressive sound. Drumstep tracks are often characterized by fast rhythms, heavy basslines, and frequent use of percussion.

Neurofunk

Neurofunk is a dark and driving subgenre of drum and bass that first gained popularity in the late 1990s. Neurofunk tracks often feature complex, syncopated rhythms and dark, atmospheric soundscapes. Neurofunk is sometimes referred to as “techstep” due to its similarity to techno music.

Neurofunk tracks often feature complex, syncopated rhythms and dark, atmospheric soundscapes. The genre is heavily influenced by science fiction and typically features futuristic sound effects and themes. Neurofunk is sometimes referred to as “techstep” due to its similarity to techno music.

Neurofunk emerged in the late 1990s as a darker, more experimental offshoot of drum and bass. Neurofunk tracks often feature intricate sound design, frenetic breakbeats, and science fiction-inspired themes. The genre has been highly influential on subsequent genres of electronic music, such as dubstep and trap.

The Different Genres of Techno

Techno is a type of electronic dance music that emerged in the late 1980s. It is characterized by a repetitive 4/4 beat and often features a driving, hypnotic bassline. The early 1990s saw the development of subgenres such as acid techno and hard techno, which were characterized by distorted synthesizers and drum machines. In the mid-1990s, techno became more trance-like, with longer, more atmospheric tracks.

Acid Techno

Acid techno is a subgenre of techno that developed in the early 1990s, characterized by its mechanical, repetitious sound and hypnotic style. The genre was pioneered by artists like Plastikman, µ-ziq, and Luke Vibert, who built on the sound of Chicago acid house and Detroit techno to create their own unique style.

While acid techno shares many elements with other forms of techno, it is distinguished by its use of acid-sounding synths and drum machines. These elements give the genre its signature squelchy sound, which is often compared to the sound of a changing frequency on an old television sets. Acid techno is also known for its heavily trance-inducing qualities, which can lead listeners into states of altered consciousness.

Detroit Techno

Detroit techno is a style of techno music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan, in the mid-1980s. The first Detroit techno productions were released in 1984 on the city’s underground club circuit. This early techno was influenced by European electronic music, particularly that of Kraftwerk, and by Jamaican dub and disco music.

In the late 1980s, a more experimental and intellectual form of techno emerged from Detroit, influenced by Chicago house and European rave music. This style was pioneered by producers such as Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Richie Hawtin.

Minimal Techno

Minimal techno is a subgenre of techno music that is characterized by minimalism, repetition, and abstraction. The style is often stripped down to its essentials, and the result is often a hypnotic and trance-like sound. Minimal techno is usually made with electronic equipment such as drum machines, synthesizers, samplers, and software sequencers. The music is often created in a home studio environment and is frequently released on independent record labels.