Electronic dance music (EDM) is a compilation of percussive, electronic sound loops created primarily for live environments, especially focused on dance-based music, for example-club settings. Electronic dance music can also be known as “trap music”, “house music”, “disco music” or “club music”. EDM can be characterized by the presence of a complex and rhythmic blend of musical instruments, vocals, and vocals mixed in one composition. This music is often very dynamic, with an intense sense of rhythm. It has been noted that many DJs, when asked what they consider as the most vital characteristic of electronic dance music, responded by saying “rhythms”.
Electronic dance music can be separated into three categories: house, techno, and trance. While trance is often considered the most accessible and popular among the three, trance is actually a subgenre of house music. Typically, the beat is very subtle, but there is enough melody to create excitement and desire in the listener. On the other hand, techno is generally described as a type of electronic music with a very “organic” and non-oriental sound to it. It is very difficult to dance to this kind of electronic music, as it tends to create feelings of deep relaxation and comfort in the listener.
In terms of style, there are several common characteristics of electronic dance music. The first and foremost would be a focus on a core audio loop, rather than using a variety of loops together. There are a few exceptions, where the use of multiple loops is common. These include the use of sampler patches in club music, as well as certain types of vocal track. Some producers integrate spoken words in club music, and others simply dance to the beat, which is commonly referred to as “trance”.
Another common characteristic is the often-introduced “tech bass”. This term refers to a low-frequency pitch accentuated by distorted vocals. Many producers have started to combine this effect with another, sometimes subtle, effect known as “tech boom”. The goal here is to generate some depth to the sound produced, and to make it seem more “real”. The result is the addition of some “oomph” to the audio.
A third common characteristic of electronic dance is the use of “stomping”. When using footwork in the verses of a track (as in “Punchline” from LCD Soundsystem), the lead guitarist will play a series of notes that are high-pitched, but then follow that up with a low-pitched kick drum sample. In many cases, the kick drum sample is played backwards. The effect is known as “the kick”, and many producers combine this effect with the use of a pitched voice for an added touch of reality.
Yet another common trait is the use of reverb on electronic dance music. The reverb is used to add an overall sense of ambiance to the track. The main disadvantage of this effect is that it can cause some unwanted feedback. Other producers opt for the less invasive approach of using reverb on just one or two main sounds to emphasize the theme of the song.
One very popular effect in electronic dance music is the use of “stacking”. Here, different sounds are played together. For example, the piano note sounds may be stacked upon one another, while the main drum sample is played on top of the other. Sometimes, the whole song is stacked. The main advantage of this effect is that the listener is kept informed of what is happening in each section of the track.
There are many other effects that can be found in electronic dance music. While these techniques all have their place, it is important for a producer to experiment and find out what works best for him. It takes trial and error to learn what works best for a particular song. Just like any other form of music, this style requires finesse and knowledge to create a well crafted piece.