Music Involved in Dubstep: More Than Meets the Ear

Dubstep music is more than just the heavy bass and fast tempo that many people associate with it. If you take a closer listen, you’ll find that there’s a lot more going on than just that. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the different elements that make up dubstep music and how they come together to create the unique sound.

What is dubstep?

Originating in the late 1990s in the United Kingdom, dubstep emerged as a new type of electronic dance music (EDM) characterized by wobbly basslines and huge drops. The genre was pioneered by producers such as Skream and Benga, and sometimes draws influence from 2-step garage, reggae, and hip-hop.

The history of dubstep.

Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in South London in the late 1990s. It is generally characterized by sparse, syncopated rhythmic patterns with prominent sub-bass frequencies. The style emerged as an offshoot of UK garage, drawing on a lineage of related styles such as 2-step and dub.

Where dubstep came from.

The history of dubstep is often told through the lenses of two cities: London and Bristol. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, a hybrid style of music was being created in these English metropolises that would eventually come to be known as dubstep. This new style was a merging of various genres and influences, including 2-step garage, jungle, grime, and drum and bass.

The earliest days of dubstep are often traced back to the London clubs FWD>> and DMZ. These clubs were important early incubators for the sound, as they provided a space for new artists to experiment with this new hybrid style. Artists like Benga, Skream, and Kode9 were all early pioneers of the sound, and their releases on labels like Tempa helped to spread dubstep beyond London’s club scene.

In Bristol, a similar scene was developing around the club night dubbed Subloaded. This club night featured artists like Peverelist and Appleblim, who would go on to be key figures in dubstep’s development. The Bristol sound was often characterized by a slower tempo and a focus on Bass music.

While London and Bristol were the two key scenes in dubstep’s development, the sound quickly began to spread throughout the UK and beyond. In the mid-2000s, dubstep began to gain popularity in America, thanks in part to its inclusion in popular video games like NBA Live 2005 and Forza Horizon 2. By the late 2000s, dubstep had become a global phenomenon, with artists like Skrillex helping to bring the sound to new audiences.

How dubstep has evolved.

Dubstep has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the early 2000s. What started as a niche subgenre of electronic dance music has morphed into a full-fledged musical genre, with its own unique sound and style.

In its early days, dubstep was known for its dark, minimalist sound, characterized by heavy basslines and syncopated rhythmic patterns. This signature sound was pioneered by producers like Skream and Benga, who were influential in the development of the genre.

As dubstep began to gain popularity in the mainstream, producers began to experiment with different sounds and styles. This led to the creation of subgenres like wonky dubstep and brostep, which incorporated elements from other genres like hip hop and drum and bass.

Today, dubstep is no longer just a subgenre of electronic dance music—it’s a genre unto itself, with a sound that is constantly evolving. With each new generation of producers, dubstep continues to evolve and change, making it one of the most exciting genres in electronic music today.

What makes dubstep unique?

Dubstep is a type of electronic dance music that originated in London in the late 1990s. It is characterized by its heavy bass and syncopated rhythms. Dubstep music is often created with a variety of electronic instruments, including drum machines, synthesizers, and digital audio workstations.

The sound of dubstep.

The sound of dubstep is unique because it is a mix of 2 genres that are not typically mixed: house and drum and bass. This results in a fast-paced, intense sound that is perfect for dancing. Dubstep is also characterized by its use of wobbly bass lines and syncopated drums.

The culture surrounding dubstep.

Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in South London in the late 1990s. It is characterized by a sparse, syncopated drum pattern with deep basslines and occasional vocal samples. The earliest dubstep tracks were often dark, atmospheric, and minimal, but the style has since evolved to include a wide range of different sounds and styles.

Today, dubstep is a global phenomenon, with fans all over the world. One of the things that makes dubstep so popular is the culture surrounding it. Dubstep fans are known for their passion and commitment to the music, and they often form close-knit communities online and offline.

In addition to its passionate fan base, dubstep has also been embraced by the mainstream music industry. Major labels have signed dubstep artists, and mainstream radio stations have begun to play dubstep tracks. This growing acceptance has only led to more people discover and love dubstep.

How can dubstep be used?

Dubstep music is often characterized by its heavy bass and distorted synths. This can lead many people to believe that it is only good for headbanging and dancing. However, there is more to dubstep than meets the eye. Dubstep can be used for many things beyond just parties and clubs.

In film and television.

In film and television, dubstep is often used for moments of tension, to add an element of danger, or to convey a sense of foreboding. It has been used in trailers for films such as Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Godzilla, and Netflix’s Stranger Things. In the latter two examples, the tracks “Scatterbrain” by Flux Pavilion and “Let’s Go” by Anevo were used in their respective trailers.

In video games.

Dubstep has become popular in recent years for use as a background soundtrack in video games. The games that have used dubstep include:
-Halo 3: ODST
-Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
-Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit
-Borderlands

The popularity of dubstep in video games has led to the production of compilations of tracks specifically designed for gaming. These albums usually feature a mix of well-known and up-and-coming dubstep artists.

In advertising.

Advertisers have utilized dubstep in a variety of ways due to its growing popularity. For example, in 2012, Nissan featured a remix of Nero’s “Promises” in an advert for the Nissan Juke. The following year, Beats by Dre featured a remix of Flux Pavilion’s “I Can’t Stop” in an advert for its Solo2 headphones. Monster Energy has also used dubstep music in numerous advert campaigns, most notably featuring Excision tracks such as “X Rated” and “Bounce.”