A Beginner’s Guide to Electronic Music Production Terminology
Contents
A Beginner’s Guide to Electronic Music Production Terminology
If you’re new to the world of electronic music production, you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the new terminology. Don’t worry, we’re here to help! In this blog post, we’ll give you a beginner’s guide to some of the most common terms you’ll come across.
Introduction
In the world of electronic music production, there is a lot of jargon thrown around. If you’re new to production, it can be hard to keep up with all the terms and acronyms. In this beginner’s guide, we will define some of the most commonly used terms in electronic music production.
DAW: Digital Audio Workstation – A digital audio workstation is a software application used for recording, editing, and producing audio files.
MIDI: Musical Instrument Digital Interface – MIDI is a protocol that allows electronic musical instruments and computers to communicate with each other.
VST: Virtual Studio Technology – VST is a software interface that allows for the integration of virtual instruments and effects into a DAW.
AU: Audio Units – Audio Units is a similar protocol to VST, developed by Apple for use on their Macintosh computers.
plugin: A plugin is a piece of software that adds a specific function or effect to a DAW. Plugins can be virtual instruments, effects processors, or both.
synth: A synth is a type of plugin that generates sound, usually through oscillators. Synths can be either software or hardware-based.
sampler: A Sampler is a type of plugin that plays back recorded audio samples. Samplers can be either software or hardware-based.
sequencer: A Sequencer is a type of plugin that allows you to record and edit MIDI data. Sequencers can be either software or hardware-based.
The Different Types of Electronic Music
Although there are sub-genres within each type of electronic music, these are the four most popular types: techno, house, trance, and Drum and Bass. Techno is a type of electronic dance music that is characterized by a repetitive 4/4 beat. House is a type of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago in the 1980s. Trance is a type of electronic dance music that is characterized by a hypnotic and repetitive sound. Drum and Bass is a type of electronic dance music that is characterized by fast breakbeats.
Techno
Techno is a genre of electronic music that was developed in Detroit, Michigan in the 1980s. The first use of the word “techno” in reference to a specific genre of music was in 1988, when a mix tape by British DJ Derrick May was given the title “Techno!” Techno is generally characterized by a 4/4 time signature, rigidly sequenced basslines and hypnotic rhythms created using synthesizers and drum machines.
House
House is a style of electronic dance music that was developed in the 1980s in Chicago. The name is derived from the Warehouse, a club in Chicago where House music was first played. House music is characterized by a 4/4 time signature, a thumping bassline, and drums. House music is often instrumental, but can also include vocals.
Drum and Bass
Drum and bass (commonly abbreviated to D&B, D+B or DnB) is a genre of electronic music characterised by fast breakbeats (typically between 150–180 beats per minute) with heavy bass and sub-bass lines, synthesizers, and Samplers. The popularity of drum and bass at its commercial peak ran parallel to several other homegrown dance styles in the United Kingdom including big beat and hard house. Drum and bass incorporates a number of styles. A major influence on jungle and drum and bass was the original Jamaican dub and reggae sound. Another feature of the style is the complex syncopation of the drum tracks’ breakbeat.
The earliest roots of drum and bass lie in the late 1980s rave underground within the UK whose members began fusing breakbeats drawn from funk, hip hop, electro and house with an increasingly dark narrative sensibility driven by hardcore techno, dub reggae and industrial electronica influences to further fragment the already eclectic mix found in clubs at the time. This initial fusion of breakbeat, hardcore techno, house music (and subsequently hip hop) created jungle, a blueprint which would be developed throughout the 1990s by producers like Goldie, Roni Size, 4hero leading to what is commonly known as drum ‘n’ bass today.
Dubstep
Dubstep is a type of electronic dance music that originated in the early 2000s in the United Kingdom. It is characterized by its heavy bass lines, syncopated rhythms, and sparse melodies. Dubstep tracks are often created with a time signature of 4/4, and the tempo is typically around 140 beats per minute.
The Different Types of Electronic Music Production
Sequencing
In its most basic form, sequencing is the process of playing a series of sounds in a specific order. This can be done with any type of instrument, including drums, guitars, and even vocals. However, sequencing is most commonly associated with electronic music production, as it allows for a greater degree of control over the timing and order of the sounds that are played.
There are two main types of sequencing: real-time and step-time. Real-time sequencing is when the sounds are played in accordance with a set tempo, or beat per minute (BPM). This is how most live instruments are played, as it allows for a more natural feel to the music. Step-time sequencing is when each sound is individually programmed into the sequencer, and can be played in any order or combination desired. This type of sequencing gives the producer more control over the sound and timing of the music, but can often result in a less natural feel.
Sequencing is an important part of electronic music production, as it allows for a greater degree of control over the timing and order of the sounds that are played. It is also possible to create more complex rhythms and patterns with sequencing than would be possible with live instruments alone.
Sampling
The process of digitally recording and manipulating a sound, often an instrument or piece of music, and using it in a new composition. Sampling is central to most genres of electronic music, particularly hip hop, house, techno and drum and bass.
Synthesis
Synthesis is the process of creating new sounds by combining and manipulating existing sounds. In electronic music, synthesis is often done using software instruments, which are played using a MIDI controller or by creating audio files that can be played back using a sampler.
There are many different types of synthesis, but the most common in electronic music are subtractive synthesis, additive synthesis, granular synthesis, and FM synthesis.
Subtractive synthesis is the process of starting with a complex sound and then removing frequencies to create a new sound. This can be done using filters or by playing back a recorded sound at a lower pitch.
Additive synthesis is the opposite of subtractive synthesis; instead of starting with a complex sound and removing frequencies, you start with a basic waveform and add harmonics to create a more complex sound. This can be done by stacking different waveforms on top of each other or by using modulation to add movement to the sound.
Granular synthesis is a type of synthesis that involves breaking up a sound into tiny pieces (grains) and then manipulating those grains to create new sounds. This can be done by pitch-shifting the grains, reversing them, or playing them at different speeds.
FM (frequency modulation) synthesis is a type of synthesis that uses two waveforms to modulate each other’s frequencies. This creates unique harmonic relationships between the two waveforms, which can result in some very complex and interesting sounds.
Conclusion
We hope this guide has helped you understand some of the key terms used in electronic music production. Although there is a lot of jargon to learn, it is worth taking the time to familiarize yourself with the language of music production as it will help you communicate your ideas more effectively and make better music.
