DJ House Music: The Ultimate Guide
Contents
This guide covers everything you need to know about DJ house music, from its history to the best tracks and artists out there today.
Introduction
DJ house music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized by DJs who played at warehouse parties and rave parties. The style is characterized by a thumping bassline, techno-style percussion, and occasionally include samples of house tracks from the 1980s.
The term “house music” is derived from the name of the House Club in Chicago where many of the original DJs who played this style of music were residents. The first use of the term “house music” outside of Chicago was on the newly released 1983 album N°n° by New York City-based post-punk/no wave band Liquid Liquid.
In the mid-to-late 1980s, house music became popular in Europe as well as North America, especially in the United Kingdom – giving rise to early acid house parties
What is DJ House Music?
DJ House music is an electronic genre of music that emerged in the early 1990s in the Chicago club scene. It is a style of music that is heavily influenced by African-American music, such as soul, funk, and disco. DJ House music is characterized by its use of repetitive 4/4 beats, often with off-beat hi-hat cymbals and syncopated basslines.
The History of DJ House Music
DJ house music is a type of electronic dance music that emerged in the early 1980s in Chicago. The style is a fusion of disco, soul, and electronic music. It was originally created by DJs who mixed these genres together to create a new sound.
The first DJ to play house music was Frankie Knuckles, who mixed disco and soul records at the Warehouse club in Chicago. His style of DJing inspired other DJs to start mixing different genres of music together. House music quickly spread to other cities in the US, as well as Europe and Asia.
In the 1990s, house music became more mainstream, with artists such as Massive Attack and The Prodigy incorporating it into their own styles. Today, house music is one of the most popular genres of electronic dance music. It has also influenced other genres, such as trance and techno.
The Different Types of DJ House Music
There are four main types of DJ House Music, which are:
-Deep House: This type of DJ House Music is characterized by a deeper, more nuanced sound. It often has a more soulful feel to it, and is perfect for listener who want to relax and unwind.
-Tech House: This type of DJ House Music is characterized by a more techno-oriented sound. It often has a heavier beat and is perfect for listeners who want to get up and dance.
-Progressive House: This type of DJ House Music is characterized by a more progressive sound. It often has a build-up and release structure, and is perfect for listeners who want to get lost in the music.
-Electro House: This type of DJ House Music is characterized by a more electronic sound. It often incorporates elements from other genres, such as hip hop or dubstep, and is perfect for listeners who want to hear something new and innovative.
How to Make DJ House Music
The aim of this guide is to equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to make your own DJ house music. With this guide, you will learn about the different elements of DJ house music, as well as how to put them all together to create your own tracks. This guide will also provide you with some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your production.
The Equipment You Need
If you want to make DJ house music, you’re going to need the right equipment. At a minimum, you’ll need a laptop or desktop computer with an audio interface, DJ software, and a good set of speakers or headphones.
Here’s a closer look at each of these components:
1. Laptop or desktop computer: You’ll need a fairly powerful computer to run the DJ software without any lag or glitches. If you plan on using a lot of video or live instruments in your sets, you’ll need an even more powerful machine.
2. Audio interface: This is a piece of hardware that allows you to connect your DJ software to your speakers or headphones. It converts the digital audio signals into analog signals that can be amplified and played through speakers.
3. DJ software: This is the heart of your setup—it’s where you’ll create your mixes and control them during your sets. There are lots of different DJ software programs available, so do some research to find the one that best suits your needs and budget. Serato Scratch Live, Traktor Pro, and Ableton Live are all popular choices among house DJs.
4. Speakers or headphones: You’ll need a good set of speakers or headphones so you can hear what you’re doing while you’re mixing. If you plan on playing out live,you’ll need a PA system with adequate power and sound quality for your venue.
The Software You Need
The trend these days is to use a DAW, or digital audio workstation, to create music. You can buy high-end programs like Logic Pro or Ableton Live, or you can go for a more budget-friendly option like Reaper. Some people even use free programs like Audacity.
Once you have your software set up, you’ll need some sounds to work with. A lot of DJs and producers use samples, which are short recordings of sounds that can be manipulated and used in your track. You can find samples online (we’ll talk more about where to find them in a bit), or you can record your own.
If you want to get more creative with your sound, you can also use synthesizers. These are instruments that generate sounds using oscillators (sine waves) and filters (to shape the sound). You can buy hardware synthesizers (like the Moog Sub 37) or softsynths (synthesizer programs that run on your computer).
The Techniques You Need
Learning how to make DJ house music requires understanding the basics of music composition and mixing, as well as having an ear for what sounds good. While there is no one “right” way to make a track, there are some tried-and-true techniques that will help you get started.
One of the most important elements of making DJ house music is the drumbeat. The drums create the foundation for the track, so it’s important to get them right. Start by finding a basic 4/4 beat that you like and build from there. You can add in different percussion instruments or layer multiple beats to create a more complex sound.
The next step is to add in your bassline. This should be a simple, catchy melody that complements the drums. Once you have your bassline, it’s time to start adding in other elements like chords and lead melodies. Again, there is no one right way to do this – just experiment and see what sounds best.
Once you have all of your elements in place, it’s time to start mixing everything together. Pay attention to the levels of each element and make sure they are balanced properly. You also want to create a smooth transition between each section of the track – this is where EQing and effects come in handy.
If you’re new to making DJ house music, it’s best to start with simple tracks and gradually add complexity as you become more comfortable with the process. There are endless possibilities when it comes to making music, so don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things. With a little practice, you’ll be crafting dance floor anthems in no time!
Conclusion
In conclusion, house music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago in the early 1980s. House music is characterized by a four-on-the-floor drumbeat, syncopated basslines, and often contains samples of disco or funk. House music quickly gained popularity in clubs and rave parties around the world. Today, house music is one of the most popular genres of electronic dance music.
