Electronic Dance Music: The Ultimate Frequency Chart

This frequency chart is the ultimate guide to understanding electronic dance music. It covers all the essential frequencies that you need to know to create a great mix.

Introduction

electronic dance music, also known as EDM, is a broad range of percussive electronic music genres made largely for nightclubs, raves and festivals. EDM is generally produced for playback by DJs 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 term “electronic dance music” and the term “EDM” are used interchangeably.

What is Electronic Dance Music?

Electronic Dance Music, also known as EDM, is a type of music that is made specifically for people to dance to. It is characterized by its fast tempo and its often repetitive style. EDM is often made with electronic instruments, which is where it gets its name.

The History of Electronic Dance Music

Electronic dance music, also known as EDM, is a genre of music that is made with the use of electronic instruments. It is characterized by a fast tempo and often has a four-on-the-floor beat.

The first electronic dance music was created in the late 1970s by DJ Giorgio Moroder. He is credited with creating the disco hit “I Feel Love” in 1977. This song is considered to be one of the first electronic dance tracks. In the 1980s, electronic dance music began to gain popularity in nightclubs. This genre became known as “house music” after a popular club in Chicago called The Warehouse. House music quickly spread to other parts of the United States and Europe.

In the 1990s, electronic dance music became even more popular with the advent of rave culture. Rave culture is a subculture that is associated with illegal outdoor parties that feature loud Electronic Dance Music and often involve drug use. Raves became very popular in the United Kingdom and Europe in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Today, electronic dance music is one of the most popular genres of music in the world. It is often played at nightclubs, festivals, and concerts.

The Different Types of Electronic Dance Music

There are a variety of different types of electronic dance music, each with their own distinct sound and history. Here is a brief overview of some of the most popular genres:

-House: House music is a style of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago in the 1980s. It is characterized by a strong 4/4 beat and often features synthesized basslines and drum machines.

-Techno: Techno is a type of electronic dance music that emerged from Detroit in the late 1980s. It is characterized by a hypnotic, repetitive sound that often features heavy use of drums and synthesizers.

-Trance: Trance is a type of electronic dance music that originated in the 1990s. It is characterized by a dreamlike quality, often with lengthy builds and breakdowns followed by periods of intense dancing.

-Dubstep: Dubstep is a type of electronic dance music that originated in London in the early 2000s. It is characterized by its heavy basslines and often features samples from other genres of music such as hip hop or reggae.

The Ultimate Frequency Chart

If you’re new to electronic dance music, or just looking to brush up on your knowledge, this ultimate frequency chart is for you. Here, you’ll find a breakdown of all the important frequencies, what they’re used for, and how they work together to create killer tracks.

The Lowest Frequencies

The following is a list of the lowest frequencies you will find in electronic dance music. These are the bass frequencies that give EDM its thump and punch.

20 to 35 Hz – This is the range where you will find the lowest sub-bass frequencies. These are the frequencies that give music its “rumble” and are responsible for that feeling of pressure on your chest when you’re standing in front of a huge sound system. Most people can’t hear these frequencies, but they can feel them.

35 to 60 Hz – These are the frequencies that give EDM its punch and power. This is the range where you will find the majority of basslines and kick drums. If a track doesn’t have much going on in this range, it will likely sound weak and lack impact.

60 to 100 Hz – These are the frequencies that add fullness and body to a track. This is the range where you will find most bass instruments like synth basses and low string notes. If a track doesn’t have much going on in this range, it will likely sound thin and lacking in low-end punch.

The Mid-Range Frequencies

The mid-range frequencies are where a lot of the action happens in electronic dance music. These are the frequencies that give a track its energy and drive, and can make people want to dance.

If you want your tracks to have dancefloor appeal, it’s important to get the mid-range frequencies right. In this article, we’ll take a look at what frequencies make up the mid-range, and how you can use them to create exciting and energising music.

The mid-range frequencies are generally considered to be between 250 Hz and 5 kHz. This is where most of the melodic elements of a track reside, as well as the midrange “thump” that gets people moving.

If you want your tracks to have a lot of energy, it’s important to boost the levels of the mid-range frequencies. This will make the track sound fuller and more exciting, and will help it cut through on busy dancefloors.

There are a few different ways to boost the mid-range frequencies in your tracks. One way is to use EQ, boosting the level of mid-range frequencies that are already present in the mix. Another way is to use compressors or saturators, which can add extra energy and excitement to tracks.

If you’re looking for some extra inspiration, check out our roundup of the best EDM tracks with powerful mid-ranges.

The Highest Frequencies

The highest frequencies are the treble frequencies. They’re the ones that result in that “tinny” sound when they’re too high. In general, the higher the frequency, the shorter the wavelength. That’s why treble frequencies are sometimes also referred to as high frequencies.

The human ear can hear a wide range of frequencies, from 20 Hz all the way up to 20,000 Hz. Of those frequencies, we perceive some as sounds and others as pitches. For example, a low rumble like the sound of thunder is made up of bass frequencies, while a high-pitched whistle is made up of treble frequencies.

In electronic dance music (EDM), there are four main frequency ranges that are important to consider: sub-bass, bass, mid-range, and treble.

Sub-bass: 20 – 60 Hz
Bass: 60 – 250 Hz
Mid-range: 250 – 2 kHz
Treble: 2 – 20 kHz

Conclusion

We hope you’ve enjoyed this quick guide to electronic dance music frequencies! As you can see, there’s a lot of range in what’s considered “good” for EDM. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and what sounds best to you. Try experimenting with different frequencies to see what works best for your style of music.

If you found this guide helpful, be sure to check out our other articles on EDM production!