Dubstep

Electronic Music Production Techniques in the Music Genre of Dubstep

Abstract

Dubstep is a genre of electronic music rooted in both the Jamaican dub and the culture of the sound system in Jamaica and the United Kingdom. Dubstep can be found in the origin of several of the hallmarks of bass music. The use of Subbass (with frequencies below 100 Hz), nervous and unbalanced batteries (typical of the later 2 step) or production effects like echo and reverb are few features of this music genre. Furthermore, we find the typical elements of the culture of sound system, such as using dubplates or reverence for the power of the bass.

Electronic Music Production Techniques in the Music Genre of Dubstep

Introduction

The Dubstep is a genre that belongs to the music styles of drum and bass. It has its origins at the musical techniques first used by UK Garage in the late 1990's. The sound of dubstep is characterized by a rate of about 140 beats per minute, with dominant low-frequency bass and sparse break beats in the background. This report is an investigation regarding present established creation techniques and theory of Dubstep Music, in association with reputable literature. The report also traces the origins of the music genre and explores its presence in the contemporary music productions.

Evolution of the Genre

The roots of Dubstep productions are found in some experimental cutting of several producers of UK Garage, which sought to introduce ingredients of drum and bass in the sound routine in the late nineties in South London. These "experiments" were often published on the flip side of the white labels of typical commercial garage at the time. The general rule that characterizes this type of music is instrumental. In the contemporary grime, sound tends to include harmonies. The style is dissonant, especially when using tritones in a riff. Other characteristic features are the use of jerky rhythms, with their common ubiquitous theme such as 'Subbass'. Some musicians have incorporated the style from the techno cut- dub in the manner of Basic Channel to classical music or heavy metal. Similar to what happened previously with drum and bass productions, dubstep began to be used in other audiovisual contexts, especially in the UK.

Rhythm

Dubstep is based on syncopated rhythms, and often incorporates notes played in shuffle or triplet. The tempo is usually maintained in a range between 130 and 148 bpm. The rate of Dubstep does not usually follow around typical four-to-the-floor patterns common in other styles of electronic dance music like techno or house. The rhythm is usually based on a structure formed by blows that hype in the first and third beat of bar (a feature inherited from the 2 step ) and loops of percussion beats based on other than 4 / 4. Often the listener has the feeling to hear the rhythmic pattern in isolation if the music is played at half speed as the song. This sense of "double speed" mode is achieved using rhythmic percussion and bass line ...