The Most Inspirational Electronic Music Producers

These are the most inspirational electronic music producers that have helped shape the sound of modern music.

What is Electronic Music?

Electronic music is a genre of music that is created with the use of electronic instruments and electronic music technology. It is a broad category that includes music made with synthesizers, drum machines, and digital audio workstations.

The Birth of Electronic Music

The birth of electronic music is often traced back to the early 1900s, when composers started experimenting with new ways to create sound. One of the earliest pioneers was French composer Edgar Varese, who is credited with creating the first work of “musique concrete,” a type of music that involves manipulating recorded sounds.

In the 1950s, another Frenchman, Pierre Schaeffer, began experimenting with musique concrete and also developed a new technique called “synthesis.” This involved creating new sounds by manipulating electrical signals. Schaeffer’s work laid the groundwork for the development of electronic music instruments, such as synthesizers and sequencers.

During the 1960s and 1970s, electronic music became increasingly popular, particularly in Europe. Many famous classical composers, such as Karlheinz Stockhausen and Luciano Berio, experiment with electronic music. In America, composers like George Crumb and Terry Riley also began to experiment with electronics.

By the 1980s, electronic music had become mainstream, with artists like Kraftwerk and Giorgio Moroder scoring hits on the pop charts. In the 1990s and 2000s, electronic music became even more popular, thanks in part to advancements in digital technology. Today, there are many different genres of electronic music, ranging from techno and house to ambient and drum & bass.

The Different Types of Electronic Music

Broadly speaking, electronic music can be split into two distinct categories: produced and DJ’ed music. DJ’ed music is music that is played by a DJ using two or more turntables or CDJs, while produced music is music that is created using electronic equipment and recorded onto a computer or other digital storage device.

The term “electronic music” can also refer to music that uses electronic instruments, such as synthesizers, drum machines, and sequencers. However, not all electronic music is created using electronic instruments; some artists create electronic-sounding music using acoustic instruments or even live vocals.

The most popular and well-known type of electronic dance music is techno, which originated in Detroit in the early 1990s. Techno is characterized by its heavy use of synthesizers and drum machines, and its fast tempo. Other popular genres of EDM include house, trance, dubstep, and Drum & Bass.

The Most Inspirational Electronic Music Producers

In a time where people are looking for ways to be creative and productive, it’s no surprise that electronic music producers are some of the most inspirational people around. Their creative minds and passion for music inspire us to be better. Here are some of the most inspirational electronic music producers.

Aphex Twin

Richard David James (born 18 August 1971), better known by his stage name Aphex Twin, is an English musician. He is known for his influential and distinctive style of electronic music. He was raised in Cornish countryside and found success via the UK rave scene in the early 1990s. His album Selected Ambient Works 85–92 was released to critical acclaim; it was associated with the nascent intelligent dance music style and established him as one of the genre’s leading artists. He has been described by The Guardian as “the most inventive and influential figure in contemporary electronic music”,and by Pitchfork Media as “the most important artist in electronica”.

Moby

Moby is an electronic music producer who has achieved great success in the genre. He has produced some of the most influential and timeless tracks in electronic music, and his work has inspired many other producers. Moby’s music is frequently cited as a major influence by other producers, and he is widely respected for his technical ability and creative vision.

deadmau5

deadmau5 (stylized as deadmau5; pseudonym of Joel Thomas Zimmerman) is a Canadian electronic music producer, DJ, and musician. He has received six Grammy Award nominations for his work. Zimmerman produces a variety of styles within the progressive house genre and sometimes other forms of electronic music. His tracks have been included in numerous compilation albums, such as the 2007 In Search of Sunrise 6: Ibiza CD. The February 2008 issue of Mixmag’s magazine included a free CD which featured, among other songs, Zimmerman’s “Arguru”.

In 2009, Zimmerman signed an exclusive recording contract with Ultra Records after fortunate circumstances placed his previous album Random Album Title in the hands of Ultra president David Waxman. In the same year he released For Lack of a Better Name under Ultra Records worldwide with the singles “FML”, “Ghosts ‘n’ Stuff” and “I Remember” landing on Beatport’s Top 10 chart three times each. 2010 marked Zimmerman’s debut artist album 4×4=12 which was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category Best Dance/Electronic Album while two singles were nominated for Best Dance Recording at 54th Grammy Awards; both “Raise Your Weapon” and “Some Chords”. His fifth studio album > album title goes here < entered the US Billboard 200 at number ten and Canada Albums Chart at number two making it his highest-charting album to date. In 2013, he produced the song "The Veldt" featuring Chris James which appeared on American singer-songwriter Chris Cornell's fourth solo studio album Euphoria Morning under the pseudonym "Froot Batman". Later that year he released Album Title Goes Here which reached top 5 in five countries including United States, United Kingdom and Canada while reaching number one on Billboard's Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart making it his highest-charting album to date. After legal issues with Disney in 2014 over unauthorized use of The Veldt sample in a video posted by YouTube personality JonTron, Zimmerman produced JonTron's signature outro music which was used until early 2018 when the two had a falling out. In 2016 he composed the score for Harmonix's original game SUPER BEAT SPORTS alongside Japanese composer Kenichi Tokoi which won them both a GANG Award for Best Music in an Indie Game.

Why They’re Inspirational

These producers have made a significant impact in the electronic music world through their creativity, innovation, and artistry. They have inspired other producers and artists to push boundaries and explore new sounds. Each of these producers has a unique style that has influenced the direction of electronic music.

Aphex Twin

Aphex Twin, otherwise known as Richard D. James, is widely considered one of the most innovative and influential electronic music producers of all time. Hailing from the UK, James first rose to prominence in the early 1990s with a series of mind-bending acid techno tracks released under a variety of aliases. He soon began to experiment with other genres and styles, creating some of the most boundary-pushing and forward-thinking music of his generation. Today, James is widely revered by musicians and fans alike for his forward-thinking approach to production and composition, and he continues to push the envelope with his boundary-breaking music.

Moby

Moby is an American DJ and producer who has had a huge impact on the electronic music scene. He is best known for his hit song “Go,” which was a major success in the early 1990s. Moby has also produced a number of other chart-topping songs, including “Porcelain” and “Natural Blues.” In addition to his musical accomplishments, Moby is also an outspoken animal rights activist and has been involved in a number of charitable causes.

deadmau5

Joel Thomas Zimmerman, better known by his stage name deadmau5 (stylized as deadmau5; pronounced “dead mouse”), is a Canadian electronic music producer, DJ, and composer. Zimmerman produces a variety of styles within the progressive house genre and sometimes other forms of electronic music. His works have been included in numerous compilation albums, such as polluted beats, Nukleuz’s Hard Dance Euphoria series and Ministry of Sound’s American Gangster soundtrack.