How to Make Electronic Dance Music

If you want to make Electronic Dance Music and are looking for some tips on how to get started, then this is the blog post for you!

Introduction

Electronic dance music (EDM), also known as dance music, club music, or simply dance, 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 the United Kingdom and in other countries such as Australia and Japan, EDM is more commonly called club music or simply dance.

In the early 2010s, following mainstream success of artists such as Tiësto, Avicii and Swedish House Mafia, EDM achieved widespread global popularity. By the mid-2010s it had become one of the world’s most voracious musical genres.

What You Will Need

To make electronic dance music, you will need a computer with music production software, a MIDI controller, and a digital audio workstation. You will also need a sound card and speakers.

With these tools, you can create electronic dance music of any genre, from techno to house to dubstep. The sky is the limit! To get started, check out our step-by-step guide below.

Making a Basic Track

In order to make a basic track, you will need a few things:
-A DAW (digital audio workstation) such as Ableton, Logic, Fruity Loops, etc.
-VST plugins (virtual instruments and effects)
-A MIDI controller
-Some basic knowledge of music theory

The first thing you need to do is launch your DAW and create a new project. Then, you will need to choose the tempo (speed) of your track. Most dance music is between 120 and 160 BPM (beats per minute). Once you have chosen the tempo, you can create a new MIDI track.

On the MIDI track, you will need to add a virtual instrument. This can be anything from a synth to a drum machine. Once you have added the instrument, you can begin playing around with it to get a feel for it.

Once you have the hang of your instrument, it’s time to start making some music! Try coming up with a simple melody or chord progression. If you get stuck, just refer back to some of your favorite dance songs for inspiration.

Once you have something that you’re happy with, it’s time to add some drums. Again, you can use either real or virtual drums for this. If you’re using virtual drums, there are usually plenty of preset drum kits to choose from. Just find one that sounds good with your track and start playing around with it.

Next, you will want to add some bass. The bass line should compliment the melody and help to fill out the low end of the mix. Once you have the bass line sorted out, it’s time to add some chords. Chords are usually played by piano or keyboard in dance music, but they can really be played by any instrument that you like. Just experiment until you find something that sounds good!

Adding Drum Loops

Adding drum loops is a key part of creating electronic dance music. A drum loop provides the backbone of the track, and can be used to add energy, keep the beat, and fill out the sound.

There are a few different ways to add drum loops to your track. One is to use a drum machine or Sampler. You can also purchase pre-made drum loops, or create your own using a drum sequencer.

When you are choosing a drum loop, it is important to consider the tempo of the track, as well as the style of music you are creating. Drum loops can be fast or slow, and can be simple or complex. They can also be straight or swung.

Once you have chosen a drum loop, you will need to add it to your sequencer. Most sequencers will have a dedicated track for drums, which makes it easy to keep everything organized. You may also want to add effects to your drum tracks, such as reverb or delay.

Adding Bass Lines

One of the most important elements of any EDM track is the bass line. This is what gives the track its power and drive, and can make or break a good track. There are a few things to keep in mind when creating a good bass line:

-The bass should be in sync with the kick drum, so it hits on the same beat.
-The bass should have a good amount of low end to it so it can be felt as well as heard.
-The bass line should have a bit of variation to it so it doesn’t get repetitive.

To create a bass line, start by finding a nice, clean sine wave sound in your DAW’s synth. Then, using a MIDI keyboard or controller, start playing around with some notes that complement the kick drum. Once you’ve found something you like, add in some variation by changing up the notes and adding in slides, vibrato, etc.

Adding Synth and Lead Lines

One of the most important aspects of creating a good dance track is the melody. It is often what makes or breaks a track, and can be the difference between someone enjoying your music or not. A great melody will stay with a listener long after they have heard the song, and can even make them want to come back and listen to it again.

There are many ways to create memorable melodies, but one of the most effective is by using synth and lead lines. These are two different types of musical parts that can be used together to create a catchy hook that will keep people coming back for more.

Synth lines are usually created using software instruments, and are often the main melody of a track. They can be either simple or complex, but should always be catchy and easy to remember. Lead lines, on the other hand, are usually created using physical instruments such as guitars or keyboards. They often play a supporting role to the synth line, and can add depth and interest to a track.

When used together, synth and lead lines can create an unforgettable melody that will make people want to dance all night long. If you’re looking to make your next dance track a hit, be sure to use these two important elements!

Arranging and Mixing Your Track

The arrangement of a song is how the track is structured and ordered. In EDM, the arrangement is usually divided into sections, each with a different feel or purpose. For example, you might have an intro section, a drop section, and a breakdown section.

Your arrangement will be determined by the type of track you’re making, as well as your personal preference. In general, you should start with a basic idea of how you want your track to sound, and then flesh out the details as you go.

Once you have a basic arrangement mapped out, it’s time to start mixing your track. This is where you determine the levels of each individual element in your song, as well as adding effects like EQ, compression, and reverb.

mixing can be a complex process, but there are a few basic things to keep in mind. First, make sure all of your elements are at appropriate levels relative to each other. You don’t want any one element to overpower the others.

Second, add effects judiciously. Too much of any one effect can ruin your mix. And finally, listen to your track on different speakers to make sure it sounds good on all systems.

Mastering Your Track

Now that you have the mix of your track complete, it’s time to start thinking about the mastering process. The mastering process is where you will take your final mix and prepare it for release. This includes ensuring that the levels are correct, adding any final effects, and generally just polishing the sound of the track.

There are a few things that you will need to do in order to get your track ready for mastering. First, you will need to make sure that your mix is as good as it can be. This means that all of the levels are set correctly, the EQ is balanced, and any other effects are applied correctly. You want your track to sound as good as possible before you start the mastering process.

Once you have a good mix, you will need to export it as a WAV file. This is the file format that most mastering engineers work with. Once you have exported your mix as a WAV file, you can then send it to a mastering engineer or do it yourself if you have the necessary skills and equipment.

If you are going to master your own track, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. First, you need to make sure that your levels are set correctly. The loudness wars have made many tracks sound terrible because they are simply too loud. You want your track to sound loud but not distorted, so find a happy medium with your levels.

Next, you will need to add any final EQ adjustments and effects. These should be things that enhance the sound of the track but don’t change it drastically. For example, you might want to add some compression or limiting to make sure that your track doesn’t clip when it’s played back on systems with lower volumes.

Finally, make sure that you save your mastered version as a new file so that you don’t accidentally overwrite your original mix. Once you have exported your mastered version, your track is ready for release!

Conclusion

In conclusion, making electronic dance music is a process that requires a lot of time, effort, and practice. However, it can be extremely rewarding and satisfying to see your hard work come to life in the form of a finished product that you can share with the world. If you’re serious about making electronic dance music, start by investing in some quality equipment and software, and then practice, practice, practice. With enough dedication, you’ll be able to create the perfect track that will get everyone on the dance floor.