The Different Types of Electronic Dance Music

A quick run-down of the different types of EDM for anyone who’s curious about the genre.

Introduction

Electronic Dance Music, also known as EDM, is a type of dance music that is produced using electronic equipment. This includes synthesizers, drum machines, and computer software. The music is generally played in nightclubs, festivals, and rave parties. It has become one of the most popular genres of music in recent years.

There are many different subgenres of EDM, each with its own distinct sound. The four most popular subgenres are house, techno, trance, and dubstep.

House music is a style of EDM that originated in the 1980s. It is characterized by a 4/4 time signature and a steady beat. The tempo is typically between 120 and 130 beats per minute. House music often has a positive and optimistic feeling to it.

Techno is a subgenre of EDM that originated in the 1980s in Detroit, Michigan. It is characterized by a fast tempo (usually 140-160 beats per minute), repetitive rhythms, and an synthesized sound. Techno is often associated with futurism and the underground club scene.

Trance is a style of EDM that originated in the early 1990s. It is characterized by a tempo of around 140 beats per minute, repetitive melodies, and euphoric feelings. Trance music often has a spiritual or mystical feeling to it.

Dubstep is a style of EDM that originated in the early 2000s. It is characterized by its heavy basslines, syncopated rhythms, and dark atmosphere. Dubstep often has a dark and ominous feeling to it.

House Music

House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago in the early 1980s. It is characterized by a repetitive four-on-the-floor beat and a synthesized bassline. The genre was originally popularized by DJs who would play extended tracks of disco hits by artists like Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, and Chic.

Sub-genres of house music

There are many sub-genres of house music, each with their own distinct sound and history. Here is a brief overview of some of the most popular sub-genres:

Chicago house: One of the earliest and most influential sub-genres of house music, characterized by its use of a Roland TR-808 drum machine and synthesizers.

acid house: A more experimental offshoot of Chicago house that emerged in the late 1980s, characterized by its distorted, “acidic” sound.

hip house: A hybrid genre that combines elements of hip hop and house music, often with rap vocals.

deep house: A soulful and atmospheric style of house music that originated in the 1980s.

tech house: A heavier, more techno-influenced style of house that became popular in the 1990s.

Techno

Techno is a type of electronic dance music that was developed in the late 1980s. Techno is characterized by a heavy use of synthesizers and drum machines. The music is often repetitive and has a driving, hypnotic feeling.

Sub-genres of techno

Techno is a broad and ever-evolving genre of electronic dance music that defies easy definition. Originally developed in the early 1990s in Detroit, techno is characterized by a repetitive 4/4 beat, often with a driving, trance-like melody. Techno is often minimalistic, with long stretches of loops or clipped samples layered over each other to create a dense, hypnotic sound.

While techno remains elusive in terms of its precise definition, there are many sub-genres that have emerged over the years. These include acid techno, Berlin techno, Detroit techno, hard techno, and minimal techno. Each sub-genre has its own distinct sound and style, making it unique from the others.

Acid Techno: Developed in the UK in the late 1980s and early 1990s, acid techno is characterized by the use of synthesizers and drum machines to create an acidic sound. This sub-genre often features 303 basslines and is heavily influenced by acid house music.

Berlin Techno: Developing out of the underground club scene in Berlin during the 1990s, this sub-genre is characterized by its dark, moody sound. Berlin techno often features warehouse samples and deep basslines.

Detroit Techno: As the name suggests, this sub-genre originated in Detroit during the 1980s and early 1990s. It is characterized by its use of machine-like rhythms and futuristic sounding melodies. Detroit techno is often minimalistic in nature and heavily influenced by Chicago house music.
Hard Techno: Developing out of rave culture in Europe during the early 1990s, hard techno is characterized by its fast tempo and hard-hitting beats. This sub-genre often features distorted synthesizers and sparse melodies.
Minimal Techno: Minimal techno is a more recent sub-genre that emerged out of Germany during the 2000s. It is characterized by its use of repeating loops , minimalist composition ,and stripped down sounds .

Trance

Trance is a genre of electronic dance music that developed in the late 1990s. It is characterized by a tempo of around 130 beats per minute, and frequently has synthesizer pads, high-energy basslines, and grandiose melodies.

Sub-genres of trance

Trance is a genre of electronic music that emerged in the early 1990s. It is characterized by a hypnotic and trance-like atmosphere, often with sharp builds and breakdowns. Trance music is often emotional and uplifting, with a driving beat and soaring melodies.

There are many sub-genres of trance, each with its own sonic signature and feeling. The most common sub-genres are progressive trance, uplifting trance, tech trance and psytrance.

Progressive trance is the most popular style of trance music. It is characterized by long, slow buildups followed by explosive drops. The breakdowns in progressive trance tracks are often very emotional, with swirling melodies and driving basslines.

Uplifting trance is similar to progressive trance, but with a focus on positive emotions and uplifting melodies. Tracks in this style often have a light, airy feeling and are very danceable.

Tech trance is a more gritty and dark style of trance, with hard-hitting beats and synth lines. Tracks in this style are often dark and foreboding, with a heavy emphasis on the bassline. Psytrance is another dark style of trance, with an emphasis on psychedelic rhythms and atmospheres.

Drum and Bass

Drum and bass is a type of electronic dance music that emerged in the early 1990s. It is characterized by fast, syncopated breakbeats, and often features heavy basslines. Drum and bass is a relatively new genre of music, and as such, it is constantly evolving.

Sub-genres of Drum and Bass

1. Liquid Drum and Bass: A softer and more melodic sound, liquid D&B is characterized by airy pads, female vocal samples, and smooth basslines. It’s perfect for laid-back listening or dancing.

2. Neurofunk: A dark and aggressive sub-genre, neurofunk is defined by its sharp basslines and complex drum patterns. It’s a popular choice for DJs and ravers alike.

3. Jump Up: A high-energy style of D&B, jump up is all about the party vibes. It’s often characterized by MCs and includes a lot of Wiley-style grime sounds.

4. Darkstep: As the name suggests, darkstep is a dark and atmospheric style of D&B that often incorporates dubstep elements. It’s perfect for late-night listening or headbanging at a festival.

5. Techstep: A more technical sounding style of D&B, techstep includes complex basslines and intricate sound design. It’s perfect forHeadz fans or anyone who likes their music on the darker side.

Dubstep

Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the early 2000s in the United Kingdom. It is characterized by sparse, syncopated drum and percussion patterns with prominent sub-bass frequencies.

Sub-genres of dubstep

While dubstep originated as a more dark and minimalistic sub-genre of 2-step garage, it has since morphed into a wide variety of sub-genres, each with its own unique sound and style.

##Brostep:
Brostep is a sub-genre of dubstep that is characterized by its heavy basslines and aggressive sound. Brostep first rose to popularity in the early 2010s, led by producers such as Skream, Benga, and Rusko.

##Wonky:
Wonky is a sub-genre of dubstep that is known for its irregular, syncopated rhythms and off-kilter melodies. Wonky dubstep often features less emphasis on the drop than other sub-genres, instead opting for a more hypnotic and groove-based sound. producers such as Flying Lotus, Hudson Mohawke, and Mount Kimbie are often credited with popularizing wonky dubstep.

##Post-Dubstep:
Post-dubstep is a sub-genre of dubstep that is characterized by its use of ethereal, atmospheric textures and downtempo tempos. Post-dubstep first emerged in the late 2000s/early 2010s, led by producers such as Mount Kimbie and James Blake.

Conclusion

So there you have it – a quick run-down of the different types of electronic dance music. Do you have a favorite? Let us know in the comments below!