"Electronic music is a genre of music that employs electronic musical instruments, digital instruments, or circuitry-based music technology in its creation."
A genre of music that relies heavily on electronic instruments, synthesisers, and computers to create a wide range of sounds and textures.
Analog and Digital Signals: Understanding the difference between analog and digital signals is crucial when working with electronic music equipment. Analog signals are continuous and can be shaped and manipulated by equipment, while digital signals are discrete and rely on numerical values.
Synthesis: Synthesis is the process of generating sound by combining fundamental waveforms such as sine, square, and sawtooth waves to create a musical tone. Understanding the different types of synthesis, such as subtractive, additive, and FM synthesis, is important in electronic music.
Sampling: Sampling is the process of recording and reusing sounds from other sources. It is a key technique in electronic music and is used to create unique sounds and textures.
MIDI: MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, and is a protocol for sending and receiving musical information between electronic devices. It is a vital aspect of electronic music production and performance.
DAWs: DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) are software programs that allow musicians to record, edit, and mix music. Learning how to use a DAW is an essential skill for electronic music production.
Audio Effects: Audio effects such as distortion, delay, and reverb can drastically alter a sound and are crucial tools in electronic music production.
DJing: DJing involves mixing and playing recorded music at events such as parties and clubs. Learning the basics of DJing, including beatmatching and mixing techniques, is essential for electronic music DJs.
Live Performance: Electronic music artists often perform live using controllers, keyboards, and other equipment. Learning how to set up and perform a live electronic music show is an important skill for electronic music producers and performers.
Programming: Programming involves writing code to create custom software for electronic music production and performance. Learning programming languages such as Max/MSP or Pure Data can allow artists to create unique and innovative electronic music tools.
Sound Design: Sound design is the process of creating and manipulating sounds to achieve specific goals, such as enhancing a musical melody or creating a new sonic texture. It is a crucial aspect of electronic music production and can be used to create unique and memorable sounds.
House: A genre that originated in Chicago in the early 1980s, characterized by its four-on-the-floor beats and soulful, funky grooves.
Techno: A genre that originated in Detroit in the mid-1980s, characterized by its repetitive beats and synthesized sounds.
Trance: A genre that originated in Germany in the early 1990s, characterized by its hypnotic melodies and soaring synths.
Ambient: A genre that emphasizes atmosphere and texture over beats, often featuring soothing, atmospheric sounds and minimal percussion.
IDM (Intelligent Dance Music): A genre that emphasizes complex rhythms and intricate arrangements, often featuring glitchy, experimental sounds.
Drum and Bass: A genre that originated in the UK in the mid-1990s, characterized by its fast breakbeats and deep basslines.
Dubstep: A genre that originated in the UK in the early 2000s, characterized by its heavy basslines and aggressive, distorted synths.
House subgenres: Tech House, Deep House, G-House, Acid House.
Techno subgenres: Acid Techno, Detroit Techno, Dub Techno, Minimal Techno.
Trance subgenres: Progressive Trance, Psytrance, Hard Trance.
Ambient subgenres: Dark Ambient, Ethereal Ambient, New Age.
IDM subgenres: Autechre, Aphex Twin.
Dubstep subgenres: Chillstep, Brostep.
Electro: A genre that originated in the early 1980s, characterized by its use of synthesizers and electronic instruments.
Electronic Pop / Indietronica: Genres that combine electronic music production with pop song structures and indie rock aesthetics.
"The first electronic musical devices were developed at the end of the 19th century."
"Such electromechanical devices include the telharmonium, Hammond organ, electric piano, and the electric guitar."
"Electroacoustic tape music was developed in the 1940s, in Egypt and France."
"Musique concrète, created in Paris in 1948, was based on editing together recorded fragments of natural and industrial sounds."
"Music produced solely from electronic generators was first produced in Germany in 1953 by Karlheinz Stockhausen."
"During the 1960s, digital computer music was pioneered."
"Moog synthesizers and drum machines helped popularize synthesized electronic music during the 1970s."
"Genres such as disco, krautrock, new wave, synth-pop, hip hop, and EDM emerged, influenced by electronic music."
"In the early 1980s, mass-produced digital synthesizers, such as the Yamaha DX7, became popular."
"MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) was developed in the 1980s."
"With a greater reliance on synthesizers and the adoption of programmable drum machines, electronic popular music came to the fore in the 1980s."
"During the 1990s, with the proliferation of increasingly affordable music technology, electronic music production became an established part of popular culture."
"In Berlin starting in 1989, the Love Parade became the largest street party with over 1 million visitors, inspiring other such popular celebrations of electronic music."
"Contemporary electronic music includes many varieties and ranges from experimental art music to popular forms such as electronic dance music."
"Pop electronic music is most recognizable in its 4/4 form."
"Pop electronic music is more connected with the mainstream than preceding forms which were popular in niche markets."
"Japanese electronic musical instruments began to influence the music industry."
"Magnetic audio tape allowed musicians to tape sounds and then modify them by changing the tape speed or direction."
"Electroacoustic music, combining electronic and acoustic instruments, was an early adopter of electronic instruments."