Help: Introduction for a TiT/Noob/Newbie - Help define EDM

TranceAddict Forums (www.tranceaddict.com/forums)
- Music Discussion
-- Help: Introduction for a TiT/Noob/Newbie - Help define EDM

Posted by tortured_lizard on Mar-22-2004 17:45:

Help: Introduction for a TiT/Noob/Newbie - Help define EDM

So this is my newest, latest, and maybe greatest idea yet.

Or perhaps, I am totally off base and you can all flame me for trying :P

I want to write an article for people just getting into trance, or for those who aren't quite sure but afraid to ask (all you nasty flamers out there!!) hehe

Help me define EDM, the genres, some basic concept and key elements. I understand this article could be massive and cover many, many different areas - so to start it off, I want to get everyone's opinino, definition, or thoughts on the different genres within EDM and, most of all, the different styles of trance.

How would you describe:

progressive
house
drum & bass
break beats
techno
trance
psy/goa
tribal

CHANGED MY MIND: Let's not get into sub-genres .. this is only for beginners mind you, there are limitless types of subs ... stick wtih the main genres for now i guess and try to get me some definitions, hehe

i want to have some basic descriptions, too, like the difference between a Dub and a Remix - shit that I didn't understand when I first started and I think would be helpful to spread an understanding of our underground world :-D

This is a VERY OPEN discussion, please do not flame anyone else's ideas or opinions; I want a varied response, and then I will come to some generalized conclusions from there. Please feel free to mention anything else you think would be essential to understand for anyone just starting to experience being part of the trance community. I thank you all in advance for your help, let's make this a massive thread and help bring more people into the trance scene by creating a better comprehension of what we're all about!

Cheers!

Posted by DeviantxPete on Mar-22-2004 17:47:

There's always Ishkur's site to refer to (http://www.ishkur.com/features/music/index.htm). A bit biased, but it gives you the basic idea.

Posted by danielsebastian on Mar-22-2004 17:47:

club, dub/vocal?

Posted by Phortje on Mar-22-2004 17:50:

Techno? Psy? Goa?

Posted by DeviantxPete on Mar-22-2004 17:50:

Club Mixes should be self explanatory (more appropriate for a club environment, based on the artist's judgement).

Dub is just no Vocals, or a phrase from the vocal parts sporatically thrown in the song.

Posted by tortured_lizard on Mar-22-2004 18:00:

quote:
Originally posted by DeviantxPete
There's always Ishkur's site to refer to (http://www.ishkur.com/features/music/index.htm). A bit biased, but it gives you the basic idea.

i find that site to be very biased, and there really isnt any basic definitions for a newb imo ... im looking for something a little more open minded i guess

Posted by caddyshack on Mar-22-2004 21:25:

quote:
Originally posted by tortured_lizard
i find that site to be very biased, and there really isnt any basic definitions for a newb imo ... im looking for something a little more open minded i guess

but i don't think you can just say it. you need samples to really know the difference, esp. for a n00b.

Posted by djeternal on Mar-22-2004 21:58:

it would be hard to describe it in words. Usually i just tell people that the stuff on the radio is garbage...hand them a cd and tell em thats real EDM. Also....now and days im noticing edm isnt just music no more...its a lifestyle now...Generally most the listeners are open minded (to an extent)...fun loving, down to earth people...of course there are those people who just make it look bad too...every massive crowd has those...cant really get rid of em...humans will be humans.

If u really want people to read ur article...throw in sum kinda profound thought..."its music that has created a new lifestyle"...stay a little ambiguous though...(to avoid any real material for flamers to reply with)...create airs of mystery...and u got a #1 bestseller...

Posted by SYSTEM-J on Mar-22-2004 22:32:

quote:
Originally posted by DeviantxPete
Dub is just no Vocals, or a phrase from the vocal parts sporatically thrown in the song.

No, no, no, no. A dub is a track with higher notes and frequencies removed.

Posted by Tranc3 on Mar-23-2004 00:27:

quote:
Originally posted by SYSTEM-J
No, no, no, no. A dub is a track with higher notes and frequencies removed.

No, a dub is with the vocals removed. My 2X12" copy of Dirty Sticky Floors has 2 versions of Junkie XL's remix - one with the vocals (original remix), and one without (dub...this version leaves out a majority of the vocals). Other than that, the piece itself is exactly the same.

About EDM definition, I just think of it as any type of music (Western music, not world music) that incorporates some sort of synthesizer into the composition. Additionally, it has to have a clearly defined rhythm (so it can be danceable).

Oh and you need to add hip hop to that list of EDM if you're going to define the basics of EDM.

Posted by Torley Wong on Mar-23-2004 01:25:

The ishkur site is wonderful. I recommend it myself. You have to go into it with an openminded and humorous attitude. I don't agree with all of his classifications (i.e. where is Hybrid's "Finished Symphony"?) but they're his and not mine and he posted a disclaimer so the snarky one has every right to that .

Lot of funny words... just take them as generalization, like different shades of the same color or different colors of one rainbow but in the end it's quite cohesive -- or at LEAST, interconnected.

Don't forget dub techno and dub house and just plain dub, which is basically instrumental reggae using effects like instruments by manipulating delay times and reverb send amounts and stuff.

That's a gross generalization but you get the idea.

Godspeed.

Posted by Torley Wong on Mar-23-2004 01:27:

quote:
Originally posted by Tranc3
Oh and you need to add hip hop to that list of EDM if you're going to define the basics of EDM.

STRONGLY agree with that... to paraphrase what B. Transeau and no doubt others have said at numerous points in the timeline, what is hip hop with drum loops and samples? There is a divergence point in the mid-80s, you know, that whole electro thing and miami bass and all that... but it's connected.

Heck, might as well mention "Planet Rock" by Afrika Bambaataa. Now there's a seminal record for anyone who doubts the relation between "techno" and "hip hop" (as general terms).

Posted by Tranc3 on Mar-23-2004 03:24:

quote:
Originally posted by aspergian
STRONGLY agree with that... to paraphrase what B. Transeau and no doubt others have said at numerous points in the timeline, what is hip hop with drum loops and samples? There is a divergence point in the mid-80s, you know, that whole electro thing and miami bass and all that... but it's connected.

Heck, might as well mention "Planet Rock" by Afrika Bambaataa. Now there's a seminal record for anyone who doubts the relation between "techno" and "hip hop" (as general terms).

Interestingly enough, Afrika Bambataa and the Soul Sonic Force were first inspired when they heard some kids rapping over Kraftwerk's Trans-Europe Express (amongst other things).

Posted by Torley Wong on Mar-23-2004 03:30:

KRAFTWERK!!! YOU MENTIONED KRAFTWERK!!! WE'RE GOING PLACES!!! YAY

(can you tell I'm excited)

yes, just like you said!!! How four stiff Germans could inspire a legion of such funkiness... incredible. I think "Planet Rock" has the beat from Kraftwerk's "Numbers" and the stringish melody from "Trans-Europe Express".

*sings "computer love" - - they forecasted internet dating!!*