EDM and Production Practice

Question 1

EDM

Answer 1

an umbrella term for the numerous genres and sub-genres of electronic music that are primarily performed at, and produced for, nightclubs and raves

Question 2

Rave

Answer 2

a term used to describe long lasting (often illegal or unsanctioned) parties typically featuring lous music mixed by Dj’

Question 3

EDM Performance

Answer 3

consist of a DJ mixing together recordings one after another

Question 4

Tracks

Answer 4

EDM peices, individual songs composed (produced) with synthesizers, drum machines, sequencers and computers

Question 5

Backbeat

Answer 5

hand claps or snare hits on beats 2 and 4

Question 6

Loop based

Answer 6

built on small sections of music (loops) that are designed to be continuously repeated

Question 7

Remixes:

Answer 7

A track built by altering and changing an already established track

Question 8

Bootlegs

Answer 8

remixes that are not solicited

Question 9

Edits

Answer 9

small changes made by a producer or DJ to tracks. They are not solicited by a producer and usually only used the editor (not really shared). Edits are often done to make a track more conducive to small changes made by a producer or DJ to tracks. They are not solicited by a producer and usually only used the editor (not really shared). Edits are often done to make a track more conducive to being mixed in a DJ set.

Question 10

Electro- Acoustic Music

Answer 10

music developed in Western Europe and North America during the early 20th century (and UofT!) It used electronics and early computing technology to generate sound.

Question 11

Notable Electro -Acoustic Composers

Answer 11

IannisXenakis (1922-2001) §Karlheinz Stockhausen (1928-2007) (ex. Studie I 1953) §Milton Babbit (1916-2011) §Pierre Boulez (1925-2016) §Mario Davidovsky (1934

Question 12

Chracteristics of EDM

Answer 12

Four-to-the-floor Kick Drum. ¡Hand claps or snare hits on beats 2 and 4 (backbeat). ¡Loop based: Built on small sections of music (loops) that are designed to be continuously repeated. ¡Sub-sections built on 2 beat units (2-4-8-16-32). ¡Rife with genres, sub-genres, and sub-sub genres.

Question 13

Predesecors or EDM

Answer 13

Electro-Acoustic Music,Experimental Pop,Disco, Electro-Funk

Question 14

Disco

Answer 14

A dance music genre that contained elements of soul, funk and pop. Initial audiences (during the early 1970s) were gay, Black, and Latino club-goers in the American mid-west (Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia). Disco often uses electronic instruments (synthesizers/drum machines) and many of its rhythmic characteristics are found throughout EDM genres (the disco beat).

Question 15

Afro-Futuerism

Answer 15

an aesthetic that combines elements of science fiction and futurism with afrocentrism. An approach to futurism informed by black experience and history

Question 16

Detroit Techno

Answer 16

Begins in Detroit with the Belleville 3 (Juan Atkins, Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson). ¡Exposed to German experimental pop via radio (The Electrifyin’ Mojo) and New York electro, they begin experimenting with drum machines and synthesizers. ¡They become well known on the black Detroit party scene, and eventually gain popularity throughout the mid-western United States during the 1980s. ¡First wave: §Juan Atkins §Derrick May §Kevin Saunderson§Blake Baxter §Anthony Shakir¡Second Wave §Carl Craig §Jeff Mills §Richie Hawtin

Question 17

Techno Stylistic Characteristics

Answer 17

120-135 BPM (beats per minute). ¡“Artificial” Sounds. ¡Abrasive timbres (often mimicking sounds like car alarms or loud factories). ¡A distinct lack of harmonic and melodic change. ¡Dystopian Affect (dark, sinister, brooding).

Question 18

Chicago House

Answer 18

Grew out of the 1980s Chicago black gay disco scene. ¡The term “house” originated from the Chicago club The Warehouse, where their resident DJ Frankie Knuckles would edit/remix disco records. ¡During the 1980s it gained popularity in American cities like New York, Baltimore, Detroit, and Newark. ¡By the late 80s it began achieving commercial success and became integrated into mainstream popular music. ¡Early house producers include: §Frankie Knuckles §Lil Louis §Masters at Work §Mr. Fingers

Question 19

House Characteristics

Answer 19

115-128 BPM (beats per minute). ¡Instrumental “Organic” Sounds (electric bass guitar,, strings, guitars, woodwinds). ¡Often features a vocalist. ¡A relative lack of harmonic and melodic change, however there are often chord progressions and recognizable melodies and bass-lines in place. ¡Often described as: groovy, sexy, warm, funky. ¡Example: Can You Feel It? (MK-Dub remix), Ch

Question 20

UK Rave

Answer 20

Example: Leeds Warehouse Mix, LFO 1991. ¡LFO was a group from Leeds England who released on Warp Records ¡More aggressive than American house music §Faster, brasher, more abrasive, hardcore ¡Consists of a main bass line and a single lead loop (a melodic loop played throughout the song). ¡Supplemented by string-like synthpads (a term for synths that sustain chords for background harmony, often like a orchestra)

Question 21

Trance

Answer 21

Developed during the late 1990s in Germany. ¡Became widely celebrated in Holland during the early 2000s ¡Characterized by it’s distinct melodies, dramatic chord progressions and large melodramatic builds ¡Seeks to be both hypnotic and euphoric. ¡Notable trance musicians include: §DJ Tiesto (example: Adagio For Strings Tiesto Remix) §Armin Van Buuren§Above and Beyond §Paul van Dyk

Question 22

Dubstep

Answer 22

Dubstep was created in south London during the early 2000s. §Notable producers include: Skream, Benga, Plastician, Burial. ¡Influenced by drum and bass, 2-step, and dub (British sub-genres that characterized by their use of break-beats and fast tempo) ¡Dubstep is heard at half speed, with rhythmic accents (snare hits) on the 3rd beat. 1-2-3-4 1-2-3-4¡Features a “wobbly” bass, a lower frequency sound that changes in timbre and volume as it is played.

Question 23

Third Track

Answer 23

Record A is mixed with Record B creating a “new” record, known as the

Question 24

DJ performance

Answer 24

DJ performance consists of the continuous sounding of recorded music. ¡Record A is mixed with Record B creating a “new” record, known as the “third track.” ¡This is done by using multiple turntables (or digital emulators) and a mixer.

Question 25

Dj Performance evaluation criteria

Answer 25

DJ performance is evaluated by: §Technical proficiency: The ability to move elegantly and seamlessly between records. §Curatorial skill: The ability to choose records that work well together. DJs are dubbed “Selectors.” §Reading the Crowd: The ability to judge the crowd and play the appropriate music that enhances their experience as dancers and listeners. §Example: Using Traktor DJ software.

Question 26

Groove construction

Answer 26

the combination of loops to create interesting and danceable rhythmic structures. Groove: How are loops overlapped to create an interlocking rhythm?