Electronic Dance Music

Electronic Dance Music (EDM) encompasses a vast range of styles, from four-on-the-floor house to breakbeat-heavy drum & bass. This guide covers the essential techniques, sound design, and genre-specific patterns with references to classic tracks that defined each genre.

The Foundation: Four-on-the-Floor

Most EDM genres share a common foundation—the kick drum on every beat. This pattern originated in disco and became the heartbeat of house, techno, and trance:

sound("bd bd bd bd").cpm(31)

The Roland TR-909: The Sound of Dance Music

The Roland TR-909 drum machine, released in 1983, became the defining sound of house and techno. Its punchy kick, crisp snare, and metallic hi-hats appear on countless classic tracks:

“Strings of Life” by Derrick May (1987) — a Detroit techno anthem
“Vogue” by Madonna (1990) — brought the 909 to mainstream pop
“Show Me Love” by Robin S (1990) — helped bring house to the mainstream
“Revolution 909” by Daft Punk (1997) — a tribute to the machine itself

sound("bd").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(4, 4).cpm(31)

Building a Basic Beat

Step 1: Kick on Every Beat

sound("bd").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(4, 4).cpm(31)

Step 2: Add Off-beat Hi-hats

The off-beat hi-hat creates forward momentum—essential to house music:

stack(
sound("bd").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(4, 4),
sound("hh").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(4, 4).late(0.125)
).cpm(31)

Step 3: Claps on 2 and 4

The backbeat drives the groove:

stack(
sound("bd").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(4, 4),
sound("hh").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(8, 8),
sound("cp").bank("RolandTR909").euclidRot(2, 4, 2)
).cpm(31)

Step 4: Open Hi-hats for Lift

stack(
sound("bd").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(4, 4),
sound("hh").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(8, 8),
sound("oh").bank("RolandTR909").euclidRot(2, 8, 2),
sound("cp").bank("RolandTR909").euclidRot(2, 4, 2)
).cpm(31)

Sound Design Essentials

Bass Sounds

Sub Bass — Pure low-end foundation used in deep house and UK garage:

note("c1 c1 c1 eb1")
.s("sine")
.lpf(200)
.gain(0.8)
.cpm(31)

Saw Bass — Gritty and present, common in techno and electro:

note("c2 c2 eb2 c2")
.s("sawtooth")
.lpf(800)
.lpq(3)
.attack(0.01)
.decay(0.2)
.sustain(0.4)
.cpm(31)

Reese Bass — The signature neurofunk/D&B sound. Created by layering two slightly detuned sawtooth waves, causing phase cancellation that creates a swirling, animated texture:

note("c2 c2 eb2 c2")
.s("sawtooth")
.superimpose(add(.02))
.lpf(sine.range(400, 1200).fast(2))
.lpq(4)
.distort(1.5)
.gain(0.5)
.cpm(44)

Wobble Bass — Made famous by Skrillex and dubstep. The “wobble” comes from modulating a low-pass filter with an LFO. Add distortion and high resonance for aggressive sounds:

note("c2")
.s("sawtooth")
.lpf(sine.range(200, 2000).fast(4))
.lpq(8)
.distort(2)
.gain(0.6)
.cpm(35)

Growl Bass — Brostep’s aggressive mid-range sound. Uses FM synthesis and heavy distortion:

note("c2")
.s("sawtooth")
.fm(sine.range(1, 8).fast(6))
.fmh(2)
.lpf(sine.range(300, 2500).fast(8))
.lpq(10)
.distort(3)
.gain(0.5)
.cpm(35)

Lead Sounds

Supersaw Lead — Multiple detuned sawtooth waves, the signature sound of trance and future bass. Pioneered in the 1990s with the Roland JP-8000:

note("c4 eb4 g4 c5")
.s("supersaw")
.attack(0.01)
.release(0.3)
.room(0.3)
.cpm(35)

Pluck Lead — Short, percussive sounds:

note("c5 eb5 g5 bb5")
.s("sawtooth")
.lpf(3000)
.attack(0.001)
.decay(0.15)
.sustain(0)
.room(0.2)
.cpm(31)

Trance Arp — Rapid arpeggiated patterns with delay, heard in tracks like Tiësto’s “Adagio for Strings” and Paul van Dyk’s “For An Angel”:

note("c4 eb4 g4 c5 g4 eb4".fast(2))
.s("sawtooth")
.lpf(2000)
.attack(0.001)
.decay(0.1)
.sustain(0.2)
.delay(0.3)
.delaytime(0.166)
.cpm(30)

Effects for EDM

Sidechain Compression

The pumping effect that makes EDM breathe—the bass ducks when the kick hits. Heard prominently in Daft Punk’s “One More Time”:

stack(
sound("bd").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(4, 4),
note("c2").s("sawtooth").lpf(600)
  .gain(perlin.range(0.2, 0.8).fast(4))
).cpm(31)

Filter Sweeps

Build tension with filter sweeps—essential for buildups and drops:

note("c3")
.s("sawtooth")
.lpf(sine.range(200, 8000).slow(4))
.lpq(8)
.room(0.3)
.gain(0.5)
.cpm(15)

Delay for Rhythm

Synced delay adds rhythmic interest:

note("c5 ~ eb5 ~")
.s("sawtooth")
.lpf(3000)
.decay(0.1)
.sustain(0)
.delay(0.5)
.delaytime(0.25)
.delayfeedback(0.4)
.cpm(30)

Genre Deep Dives

House (120-130 BPM)

House music originated in Chicago in the mid-1980s, pioneered by DJs like Frankie Knuckles and producers like Marshall Jefferson. It combines four-on-the-floor beats with soul and disco influences.

Classic Tracks:

“Can You Feel It” by Mr. Fingers (Larry Heard, 1986) — one of the first house records
“Move Your Body” by Marshall Jefferson (1986) — “the house music anthem”
“Big Fun” by Inner City (Kevin Saunderson, 1988)

Classic House:

stack(
sound("bd").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(4, 4),
sound("hh").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(8, 8).gain(0.6),
sound("oh").bank("RolandTR909").euclidRot(2, 8, 2).gain(0.5),
sound("cp").bank("RolandTR909").euclidRot(2, 4, 2)
).cpm(31)

Deep House (118-125 BPM)

Deep house emerged from Chicago, pioneered by Larry Heard (Mr. Fingers) and Marshall Jefferson. It features jazzy seventh and ninth chords, soulful vocals, and a more laid-back feel than mainroom house.

Classic Tracks:

“Mystery of Love” by Mr. Fingers (1985)
“Someday” by CeCe Rogers (1987) — one of the greatest dance records of all time
“In The Trees” by Faze Action (1997)

Characteristics: Rhodes piano, lush pads with long attack/release, warm bass, 110-125 BPM

stack(
sound("bd").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(4, 4),
sound("hh").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(8, 8).gain(0.5),
sound("cp").bank("RolandTR909").euclidRot(2, 4, 2).gain(0.6),
note("<c3,eb3,g3,bb3> <f3,ab3,c4,eb4>")
  .s("sawtooth")
  .lpf(800)
  .attack(0.05)
  .decay(0.3)
  .sustain(0.3)
  .gain(0.4)
).cpm(30)

Tech House (122-130 BPM)

Tech house emerged in the 1990s as a fusion of house grooves with techno’s rugged basslines and steely beats. It’s warm, funky, and hypnotic.

Classic Tracks:

“Percolator” by Cajmere/Green Velvet (1992)
“Body Language” by M.A.N.D.Y. vs Booka Shade (2005)
“Losing It” by Fisher (2018) — brought tech house to mainstream EDM
“Cola” by CamelPhat & Elderbrook (2017)

stack(
sound("bd").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(4, 4),
sound("hh").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(12, 16).gain(0.5),
sound("rim").bank("RolandTR909").euclidRot(3, 16, 2).gain(0.6),
sound("cp").bank("RolandTR909").euclidRot(2, 8, 4)
).cpm(31)

Acid House (120-130 BPM)

Acid house was born in Chicago around 1986 when Phuture (DJ Pierre, Spanky, Herb J) accidentally discovered the squelchy sound of the Roland TB-303 bass synthesizer. The 303 was originally designed to simulate bass guitars but became a dance music icon.

Classic Tracks:

“Acid Tracks” by Phuture (1987) — the first acid house track
“Voodoo Ray” by A Guy Called Gerald (1988) — Manchester acid anthem
“Da Funk” by Daft Punk (1995) — distorted 303

Characteristics: Resonant filter sweeps (high lpq), squelchy bass, repetitive patterns. The TB-303’s “accent” function boosts both volume and filter resonance for spiky peaks.

stack(
sound("bd").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(4, 4),
sound("oh").bank("RolandTR909").euclidRot(2, 8, 2).gain(0.4),
note("c2 c2 c3 c2 eb2 c2 c3 g1")
  .s("sawtooth")
  .lpf(sine.range(300, 4000).fast(2))
  .lpq(18)
  .attack(0.001)
  .decay(0.08)
  .sustain(0.1)
  .gain("0.7 0.5 0.8 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.9 0.5")
).cpm(31)

Techno (130-150 BPM)

Techno originated in Detroit in the mid-1980s, created by the “Belleville Three”: Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson. Derrick May described it as “George Clinton and Kraftwerk caught in an elevator.”

Classic Tracks:

“Strings of Life” by Derrick May (1987) — raised techno’s profile in Europe
“No UFOs” by Juan Atkins (1985)
“Big Fun” by Inner City (Kevin Saunderson, 1988)

Detroit Techno:

stack(
sound("bd").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(4, 4),
sound("hh").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(16, 16).gain(0.4),
sound("oh").bank("RolandTR909").euclidRot(4, 16, 2).gain(0.4),
sound("cp").bank("RolandTR909").euclidRot(2, 8, 4)
).cpm(34)

Minimal Techno — Stripped down, hypnotic:

stack(
sound("bd").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(4, 4),
sound("hh").bank("RolandTR909").euclidRot(5, 16, 0).gain(0.4),
sound("rim").bank("RolandTR909").euclidRot(3, 16, 4).gain(0.5)
).cpm(32)

Industrial Techno — Harder, distorted, darker:

stack(
sound("bd").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(4, 4).distort(1.5),
sound("hh").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(16, 16).gain(0.4),
sound("sd").bank("RolandTR909").euclidRot(3, 8, 2).distort(2),
note("c1*4").s("sawtooth").lpf(400).distort(3).gain(0.4)
).cpm(36)

Trance (138-150 BPM)

Trance emerged in Germany in the early 1990s, characterized by euphoric melodies, soaring synths, and emotional buildups. The tempo typically ranges from 128-142 BPM, with uplifting trance specifically at 138-142 BPM.

Classic Tracks:

“For An Angel” by Paul van Dyk (1994)
“Children” by Robert Miles (1995)
“Adagio for Strings” by Tiësto (2005)
“Café Del Mar” by Energy 52 (1993)

Uplifting Trance (138 BPM):

stack(
sound("bd").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(4, 4),
sound("oh").bank("RolandTR909").euclidRot(2, 8, 2).gain(0.4),
note("<c4,eb4,g4> <eb4,g4,bb4> <f4,ab4,c5> <g4,bb4,d5>")
  .s("supersaw")
  .lpf(4000)
  .attack(0.1)
  .release(0.4)
  .room(0.4)
  .gain(0.3)
).cpm(34.5)

Trance with Arp:

stack(
sound("bd").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(4, 4),
sound("hh").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(8, 8).gain(0.4),
sound("cp").bank("RolandTR909").euclidRot(2, 4, 2).gain(0.6),
note("c4 eb4 g4 c5 g4 eb4 c4 eb4".fast(2))
  .s("sawtooth")
  .lpf(3000)
  .attack(0.001)
  .decay(0.1)
  .sustain(0.1)
  .delay(0.3)
  .delaytime(0.109)
  .gain(0.4)
).cpm(34.5)

Psytrance (140-150 BPM)

Psytrance (psychedelic trance) emerged from the Goa trance scene in India. It features driving basslines, complex layered synths, and hypnotic, trippy textures.

Classic Artists:

Infected Mushroom — Israeli duo known for innovative sound design
Astrix — progressive psytrance with euphoric melodies
Shpongle — psychedelic downtempo/psytrance fusion

Characteristics: 140-150 BPM, rolling 16th-note bassline, acid-style filter modulation, complex percussion, trippy FX

stack(
sound("bd").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(4, 4),
note("c2*16")
  .s("sawtooth")
  .lpf(sine.range(300, 2500).fast(4))
  .lpq(12)
  .phaser(sine.range(0.5, 4).slow(4))
  .gain("1 0.5 0.7 0.5".fast(4))
  .gain(0.5)
).cpm(36)

Drum & Bass (170-180 BPM)

Drum & bass emerged from the UK jungle scene in the early 1990s. It features fast breakbeats (170-180 BPM) and heavy basslines.

Classic Tracks:

“Inner City Life” by Goldie (1994) — one of the genre’s most iconic tracks
“Timeless” album by Goldie (1995) — brought D&B to mainstream attention
“Demon’s Theme” by LTJ Bukem (1992) — one of the first recognizable D&B tracks

Basic D&B:

stack(
sound("bd").euclidRot(3, 16, 0),
sound("sd").euclidRot(2, 16, 8),
sound("hh").euclid(14, 16).gain(0.5)
).cpm(44)

Liquid Drum & Bass (170-175 BPM)

Liquid D&B is a smoother, more musical subgenre with jazz and soul influences. Hospital Records is a key label.

Classic Tracks:

“Even If” by Calibre — considered the pinnacle of liquid D&B
“Horizons” by LTJ Bukem
“Moving With You” by Netsky (2010)

Characteristics: Jazzy chords, soulful vocals, rolling basslines, atmospheric textures

stack(
sound("bd").euclidRot(3, 16, 0),
sound("sd").euclidRot(2, 16, 8),
sound("hh").euclid(12, 16).gain(0.4),
note("<c3,eb3,g3> <f3,ab3,c4>")
  .s("sawtooth")
  .lpf(1500)
  .attack(0.1)
  .release(0.3)
  .room(0.3)
  .gain(0.3)
).cpm(43)

Neurofunk (175-180 BPM)

Neurofunk is a dark, technical D&B subgenre that emerged around 1997-1998. It features complex “neuro” basslines (variations on the “reese bass”), robotic sound effects, and a dystopian/sci-fi mood.

Classic Tracks:

“Wormhole” album by Ed Rush & Optical — credited with creating neurofunk
“Messiah” by Konflict — a neurofunk anthem
“Stigma” by Noisia — Dutch trio known for pristine production

stack(
sound("bd").euclidRot(5, 16, 0),
sound("sd").euclidRot(3, 16, 4),
sound("hh").euclid(14, 16).gain(0.4),
note("c2*8")
  .s("sawtooth")
  .superimpose(add(.015))
  .lpf(sine.range(200, 1800).fast(8))
  .lpq(6)
  .distort(2.5)
  .gain(0.4)
).cpm(44)

Dubstep (140 BPM, half-time)

Dubstep emerged from London’s underground in the early 2000s, characterized by sparse rhythms, heavy sub-bass, and the snare on beat 3 (half-time feel).

UK Dubstep Classic:

“Midnight Request Line” by Skream (2005) — a genre-defining track

Characteristics: 140 BPM, half-time feel, emphasis on sub-bass, sparse arrangement

stack(
sound("bd").euclidRot(2, 8, 0),
sound("sd").euclidRot(1, 4, 2),
sound("hh").euclid(8, 8).gain(0.4)
).cpm(17.5)

Dubstep with Wobble:

stack(
sound("bd").euclidRot(2, 8, 0),
sound("sd").euclidRot(1, 4, 2),
note("c2 ~ c2 ~")
  .s("sawtooth")
  .lpf(sine.range(150, 1800).fast(4))
  .lpq(12)
  .distort(1.5)
  .gain(0.6)
).cpm(17.5)

Brostep (140-150 BPM)

Brostep is an aggressive American dubstep variant that emphasizes mid-range frequencies over sub-bass. It features metallic sounds and high-energy drops.

Classic Tracks:

“Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” by Skrillex (2010) — Grammy-winning track that defined the sound
“Cinema” (Skrillex Remix) by Benny Benassi
“X-Rated” album by Excision (2012)

Characteristics: Aggressive mid-range “growl” bass, metal-influenced, robotic sounds, complex fills. Uses FM synthesis for metallic textures.

stack(
sound("bd").euclidRot(3, 8, 0),
sound("sd").euclidRot(1, 4, 2),
note("c2 c2 c2 c2".fast(2))
  .s("sawtooth")
  .fm(sine.range(2, 10).fast(8))
  .fmh(3)
  .lpf(sine.range(300, 3000).fast(8))
  .lpq(10)
  .distort(3)
  .gain(0.5)
).cpm(17.5)

Riddim (140-150 BPM)

Riddim is a minimalist dubstep subgenre featuring repetitive, hypnotic bass patterns. Unlike brostep’s varied sound design, riddim uses simple patterns that “respond to one another.”

Classic Tracks:

“German Engineering” EP by Virtual Riot (2018)

Characteristics: Minimalist, repetitive triplet patterns, heavy snare and kick

stack(
sound("bd ~ ~ ~ bd ~ ~ ~"),
sound("~ ~ ~ ~ sd ~ ~ ~"),
note("c2 ~ c2 c2 ~ c2 c2 ~")
  .s("square")
  .lpf(500)
  .distort(3)
  .gain(0.6)
).cpm(17.5)

Future Bass (140-160 BPM)

Future bass emerged in the early 2010s, combining elements of trap and dubstep with pop appeal. It features bright supersaw chords, vocal chops, and wobbly synths.

Classic Tracks:

“You & Me” (Flume Remix) by Disclosure (2013) — first mainstream future bass hit
“Never Be Like You” by Flume (2016)
“Light” by San Holo (2016)
“Roses” by The Chainsmokers (2015)

Characteristics: Supersaw chords with filter modulation (the “wobbly” effect), 808 drums, vocal chops, emotional melodies. Sidechain compression creates the pumping chord sound.

stack(
sound("bd").euclidRot(3, 8, 0),
sound("sd").euclidRot(1, 4, 2),
note("<c4,eb4,g4,bb4> <f4,ab4,c5,eb5>")
  .s("supersaw")
  .lpf(sine.range(800, 5000).fast(0.5))
  .vib(4)
  .vibmod(0.02)
  .attack(0.02)
  .release(0.4)
  .room(0.4)
  .gain(perlin.range(0.2, 0.5).fast(4))
).cpm(18)

EDM Trap (140 BPM, half-time)

EDM trap fuses hip-hop trap production with electronic dance music elements. It emerged around 2012 with releases from TNGHT, Flosstradamus, and RL Grime.

Classic Tracks:

“Original Don” (Flosstradamus Remix) by Major Lazer (2012) — helped define the genre
“Core” by RL Grime (2014)
“Turn Down for What” by DJ Snake & Lil Jon (2013)

Characteristics: TR-808 drums, booming 808 bass, fast hi-hat rolls, syncopated rhythms

Basic Trap:

stack(
sound("bd").bank("RolandTR808").euclidRot(2, 16, 0),
sound("sd").bank("RolandTR808").euclidRot(2, 8, 4),
sound("hh").bank("RolandTR808").euclid(14, 16).gain(0.5)
).cpm(17.5)

Trap with 808 Bass:

stack(
sound("bd").bank("RolandTR808").euclidRot(2, 16, 0),
sound("sd").bank("RolandTR808").euclidRot(2, 8, 4),
sound("hh").bank("RolandTR808").euclid(14, 16).gain(0.4),
note("c1 ~ ~ ~ c1 ~ c1 ~")
  .s("sine")
  .decay(0.5)
  .sustain(0.3)
  .gain(0.8)
).cpm(17.5)

Hi-hat Rolls — A signature trap technique:

stack(
sound("bd").bank("RolandTR808").euclidRot(2, 16, 0),
sound("sd").bank("RolandTR808").euclidRot(2, 8, 4),
sound("hh").bank("RolandTR808").fast("<1 1 1 4>").gain(0.5)
).cpm(17.5)

Complete Tracks by Genre

House Track

stack(
// Drums
sound("bd").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(4, 4),
sound("hh").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(8, 8).gain(0.5),
sound("oh").bank("RolandTR909").euclidRot(2, 8, 2).gain(0.4),
sound("cp").bank("RolandTR909").euclidRot(2, 4, 2).gain(0.7),

// Bass
note("c2 c2 eb2 c2")
  .s("sawtooth")
  .lpf(700)
  .attack(0.01)
  .decay(0.2)
  .sustain(0.4)
  .gain(0.5),

// Chords
note("<c3,eb3,g3> <f3,ab3,c4>")
  .s("sawtooth")
  .lpf(1200)
  .attack(0.05)
  .decay(0.2)
  .sustain(0.3)
  .room(0.2)
  .gain(0.25)
).cpm(31)

Techno Track

stack(
// Drums
sound("bd").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(4, 4).gain(1.1),
sound("hh").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(16, 16).gain(0.4),
sound("oh").bank("RolandTR909").euclidRot(4, 16, 2).gain(0.35),
sound("cp").bank("RolandTR909").euclidRot(2, 8, 4).gain(0.6),
sound("rim").bank("RolandTR909").euclidRot(5, 16, 1).gain(0.4),

// Bass
note("c2*8")
  .s("sawtooth")
  .lpf(sine.range(300, 800).fast(2))
  .lpq(5)
  .gain(0.4)
).cpm(34)

Trance Track

stack(
// Drums
sound("bd").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(4, 4),
sound("hh").bank("RolandTR909").euclid(8, 8).gain(0.4),
sound("oh").bank("RolandTR909").euclidRot(2, 8, 2).gain(0.35),
sound("cp").bank("RolandTR909").euclidRot(2, 4, 2).gain(0.6),

// Arp
note("c4 eb4 g4 c5 g4 eb4".fast(2))
  .s("sawtooth")
  .lpf(3000)
  .attack(0.001)
  .decay(0.1)
  .sustain(0.1)
  .delay(0.3)
  .delaytime(0.108)
  .gain(0.3),

// Pad
note("<c3,eb3,g3> <f3,ab3,c4>")
  .s("supersaw")
  .lpf(2000)
  .attack(0.3)
  .release(0.5)
  .room(0.4)
  .gain(0.2)
).cpm(34.5)

D&B Track

stack(
// Drums
sound("bd").euclidRot(4, 16, 0),
sound("sd").euclidRot(2, 16, 8),
sound("hh").euclid(14, 16).gain(0.4),
sound("oh").euclidRot(2, 16, 4).gain(0.3),

// Bass
note("c2 ~ c2 c2 ~ c2 ~ c2")
  .s("sawtooth")
  .lpf(sine.range(400, 1200).fast(4))
  .lpq(5)
  .gain(0.5),

// Pad
note("<c4,eb4,g4>")
  .s("sawtooth")
  .lpf(1500)
  .attack(0.1)
  .release(0.3)
  .room(0.3)
  .gain(0.2)
).cpm(44)

EDM Quick Reference

Genre	BPM	Feel	Key Elements
House	120-130	4/4	Off-beat hats, claps on 2&4
Deep House	118-125	4/4	Jazzy 7th chords, sub bass
Tech House	122-130	4/4	Minimal, hypnotic loops
Acid House	120-130	4/4	TB-303 squelch, high resonance
Techno	130-150	4/4	Industrial, dark, driving
Trance	138-150	4/4	Arps, supersaws, euphoric
Psytrance	140-150	4/4	Rolling bass, trippy FX
D&B	170-180	Breakbeat	Fast breaks, heavy bass
Liquid D&B	170-175	Breakbeat	Jazzy, soulful, smooth
Neurofunk	175-180	Breakbeat	Dark, technical, reese bass
Dubstep	140	Half-time	Sub bass, sparse
Brostep	140-150	Half-time	Mid-range growl, aggressive
Riddim	140-150	Half-time	Minimal, repetitive
Future Bass	140-160	Half-time	Supersaw chords, wobbly
Trap	140	Half-time	808s, hi-hat rolls

What You Learned

The TR-909 defined house and techno sounds
The TB-303 created acid house’s squelchy bass (high .lpq() resonance, accent patterns)
Four-on-the-floor vs half-time feel differentiates genres
.lpf() with sine.range().fast() creates filter sweeps and wobbles
.lpq() (resonance) at high values (12-18) creates acid sounds
.superimpose(add(.02)) creates detuned reese bass for neurofunk
.fm() and .fmh() add metallic/growl textures for brostep
.vib() and .vibmod() add movement to supersaws
.phaser() creates trippy psytrance textures
.distort() adds grit and aggression to bass sounds
Supersaw is essential for trance and future bass
D&B uses breakbeats at 170-180 BPM
Dubstep/trap use half-time feel at 140 BPM
Each genre has specific BPM ranges and sonic characteristics