Electronic Music 101: The Basics

This guide covers the basics of electronic music and provides helpful tips for getting started in the genre.

What is electronic music?

At its most basic, electronic music is music made with electronic instruments and equipment. This can include everything from synthesizers and drum machines to laptops and even smartphones.

In the past, electronic music was mostly made by professional musicians in studios. But these days, anyone can create electronic music with the right tools and a little bit of know-how.

There are all sorts of different genres of electronic music, from upbeat and danceable to mellow and atmospheric. And because it can be created with just a few simple ingredients, it’s often very affordable to get into.

If you’re interested in creating your own electronic music, there are a few things you’ll need to get started:

-An electronic instrument or two: This could be anything from a basic synthesizer to a more complex piece of equipment like an Ableton Push.
-A computer: You’ll need a computer to run your software and make your music. A laptop is usually best for making music on the go, but a desktop computer will give you more power for complex productions.
-Music software: There are all sorts of different software programs you can use to create electronic music. Some are free, while others come with a monthly or yearly subscription. Some popular options include Ableton Live, FL Studio, Logic Pro X, and Propellerhead Reason.
-Sound samples: These are recordings of real-world sounds that you can use in your productions. They can be anything from drums and basslines to vocals and sound effects. You can usually find sound samples online or buy them from sample libraries.

The history of electronic music

The history of electronic music is long and complicated, but we’ll try to give you a brief overview. Early electronic instruments date back to the late 19th century, when inventors started experimenting with electricity and sound. The first electronic instrument, called the theremin, was invented in 1920. In the 1930s, composers like Karlheinz Stockhausen and Edgar Varese began using electronic instruments in their music.

In the 1950s, a new generation of composers, including John Cage and Pierre Boulez, began experimenting with electronic music. These composers were interested in creating new sounds and textures, and they used a variety of techniques to create their music. Many of these techniques are still used today.

In the 1960s, electronic music became more popular with the general public. Composers like Brian Eno and Klaus Schulze were making records that people actually wanted to listen to. And in 1967, the first electronic music festival, called “The Great Wall of China,” was held in Germany.

Since then, electronic music has continued to evolve and change. In the 1970s and 1980s, synthesizers became more popular and affordable, which led to a boom in popularity for synthesizer-based music. In the 1990s and 2000s, computer software made it possible for anyone with a computer to create complex pieces of electronic music. And today, there are entire subgenres of electronic music that are defined by the use of specific technologies or software programs.

The different genres of electronic music

Like all music, electronic music is divided into genres. Here are some of the most popular genres of electronic music:

Techno: Techno is a fast-paced, energetic genre that often features repetitive, hypnotic rhythms. It originated in the 1980s in Detroit and has since evolved into a global phenomenon.

House: House music is a style of electronic dance music that originated in the 1980s. It is characterized by a 4/4 beat and a strong emphasis on melody.

Trance: Trance is a genre of electronic music that is characterized by high-energy melodies and soundscapes. It often features repetitive, hypnotic rhythms and is designed to create a feeling of ecstasy.

Drum and Bass: Drum and bass is a genre of electronic music that emerged in the early 1990s. It is characterized by fast, syncopated beats and often features samples from other genres of music.

Dubstep: Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the late 1990s. It is characterized by heavy basslines and syncopated drums.

The equipment used to make electronic music

To create electronic music, you will need some specific equipment. Although the technology has come a long way, and you can now create fairly complex pieces of music with just a laptop, there is still some handy equipment that will make your life much easier.

Here is a list of essential equipment for making electronic music:

-A computer: This is the backbone of your setup. You will need a fairly powerful computer to run music production software without any hiccups. A laptop will do for most people, but if you plan on doing a lot of live performance, you might want to consider a desktop model so you have more power at your disposal.

-Music production software: This is the heart of your setup. There are many different options available, so it’s important to do some research and find the one that’s right for you. Some popular options include Ableton Live, Logic Pro, and Pro Tools.

-MIDI controller: A MIDI controller is an essential piece of equipment for any electronic musician. It allows you to control your music production software with physical buttons, knobs, and pads, which makes creating music much more intuitive and fun. There are many different MIDI controllers available on the market, so again, it’s important to do your research and find the one that’s right for you.

-Synthesizer: A synthesizer is an electronic instrument that can create a wide range of sounds. They are often used in electronic music to create basslines, lead melodies, and sound effects. Synthesizers come in many different forms, from standalone hardware units to software plugins that can be used within your music production software. Again, there are many different options available on the market, so it’s important to do your research and find the one that’s right for you.

-Drum machine: A drum machine is an electronic instrument that can be used to create drum beats and percussion patterns. They are often used in electronic music to provide a steady rhythmic foundation for the other instruments to play over. Drum machines come in many different forms, from standalone hardware units to software plugins that can be used within your music production software. As with other types of electronic musical instruments, there are many different options available on the market, so it’s important to do your research and find the one that’s right for you.

The software used to make electronic music

In order to create electronic music, you will need to use music production software. This software can either be installed on your computer or accessed through a web browser. There are many different types of music production software available, so it is important to choose one that is right for you.

Some of the most popular music production software includes:
-Ableton Live
-Logic Pro
– FL Studio
-Cubase
-Pro Tools

Each of these software programs has its own unique interface and set of features. If you are just starting out, it is recommended that you choose a program that is relatively simple to use. Once you have mastered the basics, you can then move onto more complex software programs.

How to get started making electronic music

Are you interested in making electronic music, but not sure where to start? This guide will give you the basics of what you need to know to get started.

First, you’ll need a computer with audio production software. This can be anything from a simple program like Audacity to a more complex one like Ableton Live. Once you have your software set up, you’ll need some audio files to work with. These can be downloaded from the internet or created using a microphone and an instrument (if you’re playing live).

The next step is to start experimenting with the sounds you have available. You can create new sounds by combining different audio files, manipulating their pitch and tempo, and adding effects like reverb and delay. Once you’ve created some sounds that you like, it’s time to start arranging them into a song. This is where your creativity comes into play – there are no rules about how to do this, so go with whatever feels right for the sound you’re trying to create.

Once you have a basic idea of how to get started making electronic music, it’s time to start practicing and perfecting your craft. There are lots of resources available online (like this one!) that can help you learn more about the different techniques and processes involved. With a little bit of practice, you’ll be making great sounding tracks in no time!