Making Good Breaks: How to Produce Electronic Dance Music

A look at how to produce electronic dance music, with advice on making good breaks and using the right software.

Introduction

Making Good Breaks: How to Produce Electronic Dance Music is a book that helps music producers of all experience levels improve their craft. In this book, author Matthew Butterfield covers topics such as music theory, sound design, mixing, and mastering. He also provides tips and tricks for using popular music production software programs like Ableton Live and Logic Pro. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned professional, Making Good Breaks will help you take your music production skills to the next level.

What is EDM?

Electronic dance music, also known as EDM, is a type of music that is produced electronically. The music is usually produced with the help of a computer or a synthesizer. It is often characterized by a fast tempo, loud bass, and catchy melodies.

Origins

Electronic dance music, also known as EDM, is a genre of music that is produced electronically for the purpose of being played at nightclubs, parties, and festivals. The music is created using a variety of electronic instruments and is often characterized by a strong beat and repeating melody.

EDM has its origins in the early 1970s, when musicians began experiment with electronic instruments and synthesizers to create new sounds. One of the earliest pioneers of EDM was German musician Klaus Schulze, who released several experimental albums in the 1970s. In the 1980s, British group The KLF became one of the first mainstream acts to produce electronic dance music, with their hit single “Doctorin’ the Tardis.” In the 1990s and 2000s, EDM continued to grow in popularity, with artists like Fatboy Slim, The Chemical Brothers, and Daft Punk achieving mainstream success.

Today, EDM is one of the most popular genres of music in the world. It is particularly popular among young people, and its popularity has only continued to grow in recent years. In 2012, an estimated 1.8 million people attended electronic music festivals in the United States alone. With its mix of pounding beats and catchy melodies, it’s no wonder that EDM has become so popular all over the world.

Characteristics

In its simplest form, EDM is created by a producer using a computer to compose, edit, and sequence various sounds and samples into a cohesive arrangement. This can be as simple as Loop-based music production or as complex as a multi-layered production with dozens of tracks.

While most EDM is composed with synthesizers and drum machines, it can also incorporate live instruments, vocals, and other sounds. The key characteristic that sets EDM apart from other genres is the heavy use of electronic effects to create unique sonic textures. These effects can be achieved through digital signal processing (DSP) or by using analog hardware processors.

EDM is often associated with the club scene and dance parties, but it can also be enjoyed in a variety of other settings. Thanks to the internet and digital streaming services, EDM has become one of the most popular genres of music in the world.

Popularity

EDM is one of the most genuinely global genres of music around, with festivals and clubs frequented by tourists from all corners of the world. In 2012, Billboard magazine launched an EDM-specific chart, and in 2014, Forbes estimated that the three highest-paid DJs in the world (Calvin Harris, Tiësto and David Guetta) earned a combined total of $125 million that year.

How to Produce EDM

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to produce EDM. You’ll need a computer with music production software, a MIDI keyboard, and some basic knowledge of music theory. Once you have all of that, you’ll be ready to start making some sick beats!

Equipment

You don’t need much to get started producing Electronic Dance Music. In fact, all you really need is a computer and some music production software.

With that being said, there are certain pieces of equipment that will make your life a lot easier (and produce better sounding music).

Here is a list of the essential equipment for producing EDM:

-A computer: This is the most important piece of equipment for making Electronic Dance Music. You can use any type of computer, but a laptop is usually best because it’s portable and you can take it with you to gigs.
-Music production software: This is what you’ll use to create your music. There are a lot of different options out there, but some of the most popular choices include Ableton Live, Logic Pro, and FL Studio.
-MIDI keyboard: A MIDI keyboard is not essential, but it will make it a lot easier to create melodies and basslines. If you don’t have a MIDI keyboard, you can use your computer’s built-in keyboard, but it’s not as fun or easy to use.
-Digital audio interface: This is what you’ll use to connect your MIDI keyboard (or other external devices) to your computer. It also allows you to record audio into your computer.
-Studio monitors: Studio monitors are speakers that are designed for accurate sound reproduction. They’re not necessary, but they will help you make better mixes.
-Headphones: Headphones are essential for listening to your music while you work. They also come in handy when you need to record yourself playing an instrument or singing vocals.

Music Production Software

Now that you understand the basics of composition, arrangement, and mixing, it’s time to look at the tools of the trade: music production software. These days, making music is a lot easier and cheaper than it used to be, thanks to advances in technology. In the past, if you wanted to make electronic music, you needed expensive hardware synthesizers, samplers, and drum machines. Nowadays, all you need is a computer and some music production software, and you’re good to go.

There are many different types of music production software out there, ranging from simple sequencers to full-fledged digital audio workstations (DAWs). In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of the most popular music production software on the market today.

Ableton Live
Ableton Live is a popular DAW for both Windows and MacOS. It’s widely used in the live music scene due to its robust built-in effects and easy-to-use interface. Ableton Live also has a unique feature called “Session View” which allows users to quickly arrange and rearrange musical ideas.

Logic Pro X
Logic Pro X is a popular DAW for MacOS only. It comes with a large library of sounds and instruments, as well as advanced features for more experienced users. Logic Pro X also has excellent integration with Apple’s other products such as Garageband and MainStage.

FL Studio
FL Studio (formerly known as FruityLoops) is a popular DAW for Windows only. It’s known for its ease of use and wide range of features. FL Studio also has a mobile version which allows users to create music on their phones or tablets.

Samples and Loops

Samples and loops are an integral part of EDM production, so it’s important to have a good understanding of how to use them effectively. In this article, we’re going to take a look at how to produce EDM using samples and loops.

First, let’s start with the basics: what is a sample? A sample is a recording of a sound that can be played back on an electronic device, such as a computer or sampler. Samples can be recorded from real-world sources (such as a voice or an instrument) or they can be created artificially using synthesisers.

A loop is simply a section of a sample that has been set to repeat automatically. When you produce EDM using samples and loops, you’ll typically use multiple samples and loops to build up your track. You can think of it like building a track from lego blocks – each sample or loop is like one of the blocks, and you can put them together in any order you like to create your finished track.

One of the great things about working with samples and loops is that it’s very easy to experiment and try different combinations until you find something that works well. In fact, this experimentation is often half the fun! To get started, you’ll need to gather up some samples and loops to work with. You can find plenty of free samples and loops online – just do a quick search and you’ll find plenty of websites where you can download them.

Once you’ve got your samples and loops, it’s time to start putting them together. Start by loading one of your loops into your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) or sampler. Then start adding other samples and loops one at a time, Experiment with different combinations until you find something that sounds good. And don’t be afraid to try something new – even if it doesn’t work out perfectly, you can always go back and change it later on.

Keep experimenting until you have all the elements you need for your track, then start piecing them all together into a finished song. Remember to leave some space for dynamics – your track should have some quiet parts as well as some louder sections. And don’t forget the build-up! A good build-up is essential for any dance track, so make sure yours is hypnotic and will make people want to dance when they hear it!

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed this guide on making good breaks. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment below. And if you found this guide helpful, please share it with your friends!