Electronic Music Production

We discovered in our database the Electronic Music Production terms that are most frequently searched. This has resulted. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. There are numerous additional terms in Electronic Music Production World. These terms will be added continuously below.

Electronic Music Production Terms

A
Acid
A type of electronic music characterized by a squelchy, resonant sound that is often associated with the Roland TB-303 synthesizer.
Acid House
A subgenre of tech house characterized by its use of the Roland TB-303 synthesizer to create a squelchy, resonant sound.
Additive Synthesis
A method of sound synthesis that involves starting with sine waves and then adding more harmonics to create a new sound.
Aftertouch
A MIDI message that is sent when a key is held down after the initial strike, can be used to add expression to a performance.
Arpeggiation
The process of playing a sequence of notes based on a chord or melody, often used to create complex patterns and textures in trance music.
Arpeggiator
A tool that plays a sequence of notes based on a chord or melody, often used to create complex patterns and textures.
Audio Limiting
The process of preventing audio signals from exceeding a certain level, often used in mastering to avoid clipping and distortion.
B
Basslines
The foundation of a song, basslines are often used to create the rhythm and pulse of a song and can be created using a variety of synthesis techniques.
Beat Slicing
The process of cutting an audio sample into smaller pieces, which can be rearranged and played at different tempos.
Beatmatching
A DJ technique that involves adjusting the tempo and phase of two tracks so that they play in sync.
Big room
A subgenre of EDM characterized by its energetic and uplifting sound, often featuring powerful kick drums and soaring melodies.
Bitcrushing
An effect that reduces the resolution of an audio signal, creating a lo-fi or gritty sound.
Bounce
The process of exporting or rendering an audio file from a DAW or other software, for example bouncing a mixdown of a song to create a stereo audio file.
Breakbeat
A term used to describe a style of music characterized by its use of breakbeats, often used in tech house music to create a sense of rhythm and movement.
Breakdown
A section in a song where the energy and rhythm decrease, often used to create contrast and build anticipation for the next section.
Build-Up
A gradual increase in energy and tension in a song, leading up to a climax or drop.
C
Chicago house
A subgenre of tech house that originated in Chicago, characterized by its use of soulful vocals, funk, and disco samples, and heavy use of drum machines.
Chorus
A time-based effect that creates a sense of depth and movement by layering multiple copies of a sound with slightly different pitch, delay, and modulation.
Chorus
The process of adding depth and movement to an audio signal by layering multiple copies of the signal with slight variations in pitch, delay, and modulation.
Companding
A process that reduces the dynamic range of an audio signal by compressing it during recording and expanding it during playback.
Compression
A process that reduces the dynamic range of an audio signal, making the quieter parts louder and the louder parts quieter.
Crossfading
The process of gradually fading out one audio source while fading in another.
D
Deep House
A subgenre of tech house characterized by its use of soulful vocals, emotive melodies, and a strong focus on basslines.
Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
A software application used for recording, editing, and producing audio files. Examples include Ableton Live, FL Studio, Logic Pro, and Pro Tools.
Distortion
An effect that adds harmonics to an audio signal, creating a sense of saturation or grit.
Drop
A sudden change in the structure of a song, often characterized by an increase in energy and a shift in the melody or rhythm.
Drum samples
Pre-recorded drum sounds that can be used to create a drum track in a song.
Dubstep
A genre of electronic dance music characterized by its heavy bass and syncopated rhythms, often featuring a “wobble” bass sound.
E
EQ
Short for equalization, EQ is a tool used to adjust the balance of frequency components in an audio signal.
Electro house
A genre of EDM that combines elements of house music with electro and techno, often characterized by its heavy use of synthesizers and a strong focus on bass.
Envelope
A set of parameters that shape the attack, decay, sustain, and release of a sound.
F
FM synthesis
A method of sound synthesis that involves using one oscillator to modulate another oscillator, creating a wide range of harmonic content.
FX
Short for effects, FX can refer to audio effects such as reverb, delay, and distortion, which can be applied to individual tracks or the entire mix.
Filter
A processing component in a synthesizer that can be used to shape the sound by altering the frequency content of the signal.
Filtering
The process of removing or reducing certain frequency components of an audio signal, often used to create filtering effects in tech house music.
Frequency modulation synthesis (FM)
A synthesis technique that uses one oscillator to modulate the frequency of another oscillator, creating complex and evolving sounds.
G
Glitch
A type of sound manipulation characterized by sudden, unexpected changes in the audio, often used to create experimental and abstract music.
Glitch hop
A genre of EDM that combines elements of hip hop and glitch, characterized by its use of chopped-up beats, and heavy use of processing and effects.
Granular synthesis
A synthesis technique that involves breaking up an audio sample into small “grains” and manipulating those grains to create new sounds.
Groove
A term used to describe the rhythm and feel of a song, often characterized by its use of syncopated rhythms and percussive elements in tech house music.
Groovebox
A type of music production hardware or software that combines a synthesizer, drum machine, and sequencer in one unit, often used in tech house music production.
H
Harmonic mixing
A DJ technique that involves matching the key of one track to another to create a smooth and harmonious transition between songs.
House music
A genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago in the 1980s, characterized by its use of soulful vocals, funk, and disco samples, and heavy use of drum machines.
Humanize
The process of adding subtle variations in timing, velocity, or other parameters to a performance, to create a more natural and human-like feel.
Hypnotic
A term used to describe the use of repeating patterns and rhythms in tech house music, often used to create a sense of trance-like state in the listener.
J
Jacking
A term used to describe the use of jackhammer-like rhythms in tech house music, often characterized by its use of syncopated rhythms and percussive elements.
K
Kick drums
The bass-heavy drum sound that forms the foundation of many EDM tracks.
L
LFO
A low-frequency oscillator that can be used to modulate other parameters in a synthesizer, such as the pitch or cutoff of a filter, to create cyclical changes in the sound.
Loop
A repeating section of audio that can be used as a building block for electronic music production.
M
MIDI
A protocol that allows electronic instruments and devices to communicate with each other. MIDI data can be used to control virtual instruments in a DAW, or to trigger sounds on external hardware synths and drum machines.
MIDI sequencing
The process of creating and editing MIDI data in a DAW or MIDI sequencer software.
Mastering
The final stage of the music production process, where the audio is adjusted and optimized for the desired medium, be it a CD, vinyl, streaming, etc.
Melodic
A style of trance that emphasizes the use of melodic elements, such as synthesizer leads, to create a sense of emotion and movement in the music.
Micro-editing
The process of making small, precise edits to an audio sample to create new rhythms and patterns, often used in tech house music production.
Microtiming
The precise timing of the placement of sounds and events within the beat of a song, can be used to add groove and character.
Mid/Side processing
A technique that separates the stereo image of a sound into its mid (center) and side (stereo) components, allowing for separate processing and manipulation.
Minimal
A subgenre of tech house characterized by its use of minimalistic rhythms and a focus on basslines.
Minimalism
A term used to describe the use of minimalistic rhythms and a focus on basslines in tech house music.
Mixer
A software or hardware tool used to adjust the levels and panning of individual audio tracks in a DAW, or to add effects such as EQ and compression.
Modulation
The process of using one signal to control or change another signal. For example, using an LFO (low-frequency oscillator) to modulate the cutoff frequency of a filter to create a wobbling sound.
Moombahton
A genre of EDM that originated in Washington, D.C. characterized by its fusion of reggaeton, house and other genres.
N
Noise gate
An effect used to reduce or eliminate background noise by muting audio below a certain threshold.
O
Oscillator
A sound-generating component in a synthesizer that produces a waveform, such as a sine, sawtooth, or square wave.
P
Phase shifting
An effect that shifts the phase of an audio signal, creating a sense of movement or stereo width.
Physical Modeling Synthesis
A method of sound synthesis that simulates the behavior of physical objects, such as strings, drums, and pipes, to create new sounds.
Pitch bend
A MIDI message that changes the pitch of a note in real-time, often used to create expressive performances or to correct pitch errors.
Polyphony
The number of voices or notes that can be played simultaneously by a synthesizer or sampler.
Progressive
A subgenre of trance characterized by its more experimental and evolving sound, often featuring a more gradual build-up and breakdown structure.
Punchy
A term used to describe the use of tight, powerful sounds in tech house music, often characterized by its use of tight bass drums and crisp percussive elements.
Q
Quantization
The process of adjusting the timing of MIDI or audio events to align with a musical grid or metronome.
R
Raw
A term used to describe the use of unpolished, raw s ounds and textures in tech house music.
Resonance
The enhancement of certain frequencies in a sound, often used to create a sense of warmth or emphasis in a sound.
Reverb
A time-based effect that simulates the reflections of sound in a physical space, used to create a sense of depth and ambiance in a mix.
S
Sample chopping
The process of cutting and rearranging samples to create new sounds, often used in tech house music production.
Sample rate and bit depth
These terms refer to the resolution of an audio file, and affect the overall sound quality of the recording.
Sample rate conversion
The process of converting an audio sample to a different sample rate, which can affect the overall sound quality and pitch.
Sampler
A software or hardware instrument that allows you to record and play back audio samples.
Sampling
The process of recording and using an existing sound or recording as a source for a new piece of music, often used in tech house music production to add a sense of nostalgia or familiarity to the music.
Saturation
The effect of adding warmth and character to a sound by simulating the characteristics of analog equipment such as tape, tube and transistors.
Scratching
A DJ technique that involves moving a record back and forth on a turntable to create percussive or rhythmic sounds.
Sidechain
A routing technique that uses the level of one track or signal to control the behavior of another track or signal, often used to create a “pumping” effect in dance music.
Sidechain compression
A technique that uses the level of one track to control the compression applied to another track, often used in tech house music to create a “pumping” effect.
Snare drums
The sharp, high-pitched drum sound that is often used to provide a backbeat in EDM tracks.
Sound design
The process of creating and shaping sounds for use in music production, film, video games, or other media.
Sound synthesis
The process of creating sound by generating and shaping signals, either through software or hardware.
Soundscapes
A background layer of sound that is often used to create a sense of atmosphere in EDM tracks.
Spectral processing
Audio processing technique that operates in the frequency domain, allowing to manipulate the frequency content of a sound.
Stutter
An effect that repeatedly cuts and repeats small fragments of an audio signal, often used to create rhythmic and percussive effects.
Subtractive synthesis
A synthesis technique that starts with a complex waveform, and subtracts or filters out certain frequency components to shape the sound.
Super saw
A sound often used in trance music, characterized by its sawtooth waveform and rich harmonic content.
Synth leads
A melody played by a synthesizer that is often used to create the main melody of a song.
Synthesizer
A software or hardware instrument that generates audio through the use of oscillators, filters, and other sound-shaping tools.
T
Tape stop
An effect that simulates the sound of a tape machine slowing down or stopping, often used to create dramatic transitions in electronic music.
Tech House
A genre of EDM that combines elements of techno and house music, characterized by its use of minimalistic rhythms and a focus on basslines.
Techy
A term used to describe the use of technology and electronic elements in tech house music.
Tempo syncing
The process of matching the tempo of one track or signal to another, often used to synchronize different elements of a production or live performance.
Trance
A genre of electronic dance music characteri zed by its uplifting melodies and repetitive rhythms, often featuring a “build-up” and “breakdown” structure.
Transient
The initial attack or impact of a sound, often used as a reference point for adjusting the timing and level of a drum or percussive sound.
U
Uplifting
A term used to describe a style of trance characterized by its euphoric and positive sound, often featuring powerful kick drums and soaring melodies.
V
VST
A virtual instrument or effect that can be used within a DAW. VSTs can emulate the sounds of classic hardware synthesizers, or provide unique sound design capabilities.
Velocity
The strength or force with which a MIDI note is played, often used to add expression and dynamics to a performance.
W
Wavetable synthesis
A synthesis technique that involves using a table of waveforms as the basis for creating sounds.

Electronic Music Production World