what exactly is the difference between techno and trance? what is electronica? isn't that a totally different thing from EDM? like, how do you define them?

i just don't want to be one of those ignorant fools who labels everything as techno and thinks techno and electronica are the same thing.

Whistle-stop answer: techno originated in the early 1980s in Detroit, evolving out of electro. Cold, futuristic robot music. Trance emerged in early 90s reunited Germany, and was originally techno with the addition of more spacey and melodic elements. Now they're very different. For a really quick and rough guide to just how different they sound in 2008, go on Beatport and listen to five random tracks labelled techno, then five labelled trance.

EDM = Electronic Dance Music, an umbrella term for all electronic music played in clubs and mixed by DJs.

Electronica = Media buzzword for all modern electronic music, usually in a home listening context.

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quote:

Originally posted by SYSTEM-J Electronica = Media buzzword for all modern electronic music, usually in a home listening context.

Alternatively, it's the "we can't categorize this properly so let's just lump it all under this"-genre.

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contrary to my username, techno is cooler.

quote:

Originally posted by SYSTEM-J Whistle-stop answer: techno originated in the early 1980s in Detroit, evolving out of electro.

Waitwaitwait. Early 80s?

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Originally posted by paulandrews Waitwaitwait. Early 80s?

The first Cybotron records came out around 1982, those early electro/techno ones where you can hear the evolution I'm talking about. I usually say early 80s because I think of techno as just a little bit earlier than house, and Chicago house was mid-80s.

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> DI.FM 26th Anniversary Guest Mix [Progressive House]
> Live @ Dance:Love:Hub London, 11.10.2025
> Higher Peaks [Progressive House]
> Dance:Love:Hub Afterparty (The Return) 23.11.24

Like these sets? Come see me play live at Kibosh in Manchester: https://www.instagram.com/kibosh.mcr/

quote:

Originally posted by paulandrews Waitwaitwait. Early 80s?

A Number Of Names - Sharevari

Cybotron - Alleys Of Your Mind

Although first sounds more like disco and second like electro, these two are generally considered first Detroit techno tunes. I'd say proper techno started with Metroplex and first Model 500 releases around '85.

The difference.....

The kids want Techno, the kids do not want Trance.

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Originally posted by sljiva A Number Of Names - Sharevari Cybotron - Alleys Of Your Mind Although first sounds more like disco and second like electro, these two are generally considered first Detroit techno tunes. I'd say proper techno started with Metroplex and first Model 500 releases around '85.

Hmm Disco? I wouldn't say so...Italo-Disco maybe. Those were purely Electro tunes. Very cool.

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Originally posted by PETRAN Hmm Disco? I wouldn't say so...Italo-Disco maybe

You're nitpicking here. What is Italo disco than just a subgenre of disco music. Plus, Italo Disco was neither the first nor the only version of disco with colder, futuristic sound.

Techno is more repetitive and centers more heavily on developing a series of complex rhythms. It utilizes a great deal of percussive sounds.

Trance is more thematic and less minimalist. It centers generally on melodies and hypnotic sounds, using more tonal elements, typically in lydian, dorian or phryigian modes.

These are, of course, gross generalizations, and many tracks can and do deviate quite a lot from the prototypical styles.

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Great user name, OP.