What’s the Difference Between Electric Dance Music and Dubstep?
Contents
Are you wondering what the difference is between electric dance music and dubstep? While they both fall under the umbrella of electronic dance music, there are some key distinctions between the two genres. Check out this blog post to learn more!
Introduction
Electric dance music, also known as EDM, is a broad category of music that includes a range of styles, such as house, techno, trance and dubstep. The main difference between EDM and other genres is the focus on the rhythm and the use of electronic instruments.
Dubstep is a subgenre of EDM that originated in London in the early 2000s. It is characterized by its dark, menacing sound, heavy basslines and syncopated rhythms.
What is Electric Dance Music?
Electric Dance Music, also known as EDM, is a type of electronic music that is produced with the intention of being danced to. The music is generally produced with synthesizers and drum machines, and is often accompanied by lights and visual effects. Dubstep is a subgenre of EDM that developed in the early 2000s and is characterized by heavy bass and synthesizer sounds.
Origins
Electric dance music, also known as EDM, is a broad range of electronic music genres that are often played in nightclubs, festivals, and raves. The music is typically characterized by heavy bass, fast beats, and synthesized melodies.
EDM has its roots in the 1970s disco and 1980s techno scenes. In the 1990s, the genres of house and trance emerged from the disco scene, and in the 2000s dubstep and electro house rose to prominence. Today, there are countless subgenres of EDM, each with its own unique sound and style.
Despite its popularity, EDM has been criticized for being too repetitive and formulaic. Some people also find the music’s heavy reliance on technology to be impersonal and cold. However, others appreciate the way EDM can create an immersive and transportive experience.
Characteristics
In general, EDM is pretty fast-paced, with a lot of buildups and drop-offs and quick changes in tempo and volume. The various subgenres all have their own distinct characteristics, but there are some things that are common to most types of EDM.
One of the most distinguishing features of EDM is the heavy use of synthesizers and other electronic instruments. This gives the music a very distinctive sound that is different from anything else out there. This is also one of the things that makes EDM so popular with club goers and people who like to dance.
Another characteristic of EDM is that it is often very repetitive. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as it can actually make the music quite catchy and easy to dance to. However, it’s something to keep in mind if you’re looking for something a little more varied.
Finally, EDM is often produced by DJs instead of traditional bands. This means that a lot of the music is designed to be played in clubs or at parties. As such, it often has a very high energy level which can be great for getting people up and moving.
What is Dubstep?
Dubstep is a type of electronic dance music that originated in South London in the late 1990s. It is characterized by a distinctive wobbly bass sound and often features elements of Garage, 2-step, and Drum and Bass.
Origins
Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in South London in the late 1990s. It is generally characterized by sparse, syncopated drum and bass patterns with heavy basslines and deconstructed sound design. The style emerged as an offshoot of UK garage, drawing influences from other genres such as dub, 2-step, and grime.
In the early 2000s, dubstep began to emerge as a distinct genre, characterized by a focus on bassline hooks and complex percussion. The style was pioneered by producers such as cratesz and Skream. In the mid-2000s, dubstep grew in popularity, becoming one of the most popular genres of electronic dance music. By the 2010s, the genre had begun to splinter into subgenres such as future garage and wonky.
Characteristics
Though it is difficult to trace dubstep’s roots due to the lack of documentation from the early days of the genre, it is generally agreed upon that dubstep emerged in South London in the late 1990s. Characterized by its dark and often foreboding atmosphere, dubstep focused on creating a feeling of space and dread through the use of low-frequency sub-bass sounds, sparse rhythms, and occasional sampling.
Comparison
Comparing electric dance music and dubstep can be difficult, as the two genres are quite similar. Both genres are forms of electronic dance music, or EDM, and both genres feature heavily synthesized sounds. However, there are some key differences between the two genres.
First, electric dance music is generally more upbeat and happy-sounding than dubstep. While both genres can feature dark or ominous-sounding tracks, overall, electric dance music is more likely to make you want to dance. Dubstep, on the other hand, is often heavier and more intense, with a heavier emphasis on bass wobbles and drops.
Second, electric dance music tends to be more melodic than dubstep. In general, dubstep tracks feature fewer melodies and harmonies than electric dance music tracks. This makes sense when you consider that dubstep is often intended to be danced to in a club setting, where the focus is on the beat rather than the melody.
Finally, electric dance music is generally more pop-oriented than dubstep. While there are certainly pop-influenced tracks in the dubstep genre, overall Electric Dance Music is more likely to feature catchy hooks and vocal elements. This makes sense when you consider that Electric Dance Music is often played at festivals and other large events, where people are looking to sing along and have a good time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are several key differences between electric dance music and dubstep. Electric dance music is typically faster paced and includes a wider range of genres, while dubstep is characterized by its heavy bass lines and unique sound. Ultimately, the choice between these two genres is a matter of personal preference.
