Ultimate​ ​List​ ​of​ ​Sound​ ​Design

References​ ​for​ ​EDM​ ​Genres

Introduction
In​ ​this​ ​document,​ ​we​ ​will​ ​provide​ ​you​ ​with​ ​some​ ​broad​ ​and​ ​general​ ​descriptions​ ​on
some​ ​of​ ​the​ ​biggest​ ​subgenres​ ​found​ ​in​ ​Dance​ ​music.

The​ ​sole​ ​purpose​ ​of​ ​this​ ​is​ ​to​ ​get​ ​you​ ​acquainted​ ​with​ ​some​ ​of​ ​the​ ​best​ ​sounds​ ​each
genre​ ​has​ ​to​ ​offer.​ ​This​ ​way,​ ​whenever​ ​you​ ​feel​ ​like​ ​experimenting​ ​or​ ​simply​ ​branching
out​ ​of​ ​whatever​ ​style​ ​of​ ​music​ ​you​ ​create,​ ​you​ ​will​ ​have​ ​a​ ​solid​ ​list​ ​of​ ​sounds​ ​to​ ​try​ ​out.

Just​ ​keep​ ​in​ ​mind,​ ​genres​ ​are​ ​meant​ ​to​ ​be​ ​organizational​ ​tools​ ​but​ ​are​ ​not​ ​meant​ ​to
constrict​ ​creative​ ​boundaries.​ ​There​ ​are​ ​no​ ​hard​ ​and​ ​fast​ ​rules,​ ​nor​ ​is​ ​anything​ ​is​ ​set​ ​in
stone.

You​ ​will​ ​most​ ​likely​ ​find​ ​multiple​ ​songs​ ​that​ ​do​ ​not​ ​fit​ ​any​ ​of​ ​the​ ​descriptions​ ​below,​ ​yet
they​ ​will​ ​still​ ​fall​ ​under​ ​a​ ​certain​ ​genre.​ ​There​ ​will​ ​always​ ​be​ ​artists​ ​running​ ​deep​ ​within
each​ ​genre​ ​challenging​ ​the​ ​rules,​ ​and​ ​this​ ​is​ ​exactly​ ​how​ ​it​ ​should​ ​be.

But​ ​even​ ​with​ ​these​ ​wildcards,​ ​you’ll​ ​still​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​get​ ​a​ ​good​ ​sense​ ​of​ ​how​ ​each​ ​genre
is​ ​meant​ ​to​ ​sound​ ​and​ ​a​ ​basic​ ​foundation​ ​of​ ​its​ ​elements.

Let’s​ ​start​ ​with​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​most​ ​successful​ ​genres​ ​in​ ​recent​ ​years!

Dubstep
Dubstep​ ​is​ ​a​ ​genre​ ​that​ ​emerged​ ​somewhere​ ​around​ ​the​ ​late​ ​90’s​ ​in​ ​the​ ​UK,​ ​but​ ​many
people​ ​argue​ ​that​ ​it​ ​had​ ​its​ ​golden​ ​era​ ​somewhere​ ​around​ ​2011.​ ​Even​ ​though​ ​Dubstep
has​ ​been​ ​around​ ​for​ ​over​ ​a​ ​decade,​ ​in​ ​our​ ​eyes,​ ​it​ ​has​ ​only​ ​grown​ ​bigger​ ​and​ ​stronger.

Modern​ ​Dubstep​ ​has​ ​stayed​ ​true​ ​to​ ​its​ ​roots​ ​by​ ​virtue​ ​of​ ​its​ ​half-time​ ​drum​ ​beats.
However,​ ​the​ ​sound​ ​design​ ​has​ ​progressed​ ​immensely​ ​over​ ​the​ ​years.

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Most​ ​modern​ ​dubstep​ ​consists​ ​of​ ​a​ ​combination​ ​of:

1. Growl​ ​Basses
2. FM​ ​Basses
3. Harsh​ L​ eads

A​ ​typical​ ​dubstep​ ​drop​ ​focuses​ ​on​ ​the​ ​rhythmic​ ​interaction,​ ​syncopation,​ ​and
arrangement​ ​of​ ​those​ ​elements.​ ​Because​ ​of​ ​this,​ ​melodies​ ​in​ ​dubstep​ ​drops​ ​are
generally​ ​simple​ ​monophonic​ ​bass​ ​lines​ ​playing​ ​between​ ​one​ ​to​ ​three​ ​notes.

Alternatively,​ ​lead-oriented​ ​drops​ ​may​ ​be​ ​a​ ​little​ ​bit​ ​more​ ​melodically​ ​complex.​ ​However,
they​ ​are​ ​still​ ​monophonic​ ​and​ ​focused​ ​on​ ​the​ ​rhythm.

Oftentimes,​ ​pitch​ ​bends​ ​are​ ​also​ ​incorporated​ ​to​ ​both​ ​of​ ​the​ ​basses​ ​and​ ​leads​ ​to​ ​create
unique​ ​movement.

The​ ​tracks​ ​below​ ​showcase​ ​a​ ​high​ ​degree​ ​of​ ​sound​ ​design​ ​expertise,​ ​and​ ​almost​ ​all​ ​of
them​ ​use​ ​some​ ​combination​ ​of​ ​the​ ​previously​ ​mentioned​ ​techniques​ ​and​ ​sounds.
However,​ ​they​ ​all​ ​achieved​ ​unique​ ​results​ ​based​ ​on​ ​the​ ​way​ ​those​ ​elements​ ​were
arranged​ ​and​ ​processed.

● Zomboy​ ​-​ ​“Like​ ​A​ ​Bitch”

● Zomboy​ ​-​ ​“Terror​ ​Squad”
● Zomboy​ ​-​ ​“Biterz”
● Zomboy​ ​-​ ​“Young​ ​&​ ​Dangerous”
● Zomboy​ ​&​ ​Eptic​ ​-​ ​“Bop​ ​It”
● Zomboy​ ​&​ ​12th​ ​Planet​ ​-​ ​“Dead​ ​Presidents”
● Soltan​ ​-​ ​“Sahara”
● Soltan​ ​-​ ​“The​ ​Realm”
● Soltan​ ​-​ ​“Pappu”
● GTA​ ​-​ ​“Red​ ​Lips”​ ​(Skrillex​ ​Remix)
● Ragga​ ​Twins​ ​-​ ​“Bad​ ​Man”​ ​(Skrillex​ ​Remix)
● Torro​ ​Torro​ ​-​ ​“Make​ ​A​ ​Move”​ ​(Skrillex​ ​Remix)
● Spag​ ​Heddy​ ​-​ ​“Reddy​ ​The​ ​Throne”

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 ● Skism​ ​X​ ​Habstrakt​ ​X​ ​Megalodon​ ​-​ ​“Jaguar”
● Dr.​ ​Ozi​ ​-​ ​“Dirty​ ​Gravy”
● Virtual​ ​Riot​ ​-​ ​“Running​ ​From​ ​The​ ​Cops”
● Virtual​ ​Riot​ ​-​ ​“Warm​ ​Ups”
● Excision​ ​-​ ​“Codename​ ​X”​ ​(Virtual​ ​Riot​ ​Remix)
● “Without​ ​A​ ​Trace”​ ​(Kill​ ​The​ ​Noise​ ​&​ ​Virtual​ ​Riot​ ​Remix)
● Panda​ ​Eyes​ ​X​ ​Fyer​ ​-​ ​“Shuriken”
● Snails​ ​-​ ​“King​ ​Is​ ​Back”

Trap
Trap​ ​music​ ​is​ ​traditionally​ ​known​ ​as​ ​a​ ​subgenre​ ​of​ ​Hip​ ​Hop​ ​that​ ​materialized​ ​during​ ​the
early​ ​and​ ​mid​ ​2000’s.​ ​Over​ ​the​ ​last​ ​decade,​ ​it​ ​exploded​ ​in​ ​popularity​ ​and​ ​became​ ​the
archetypal​ ​sound​ ​of​ ​modern​ ​Hip​ ​Hop.

Around​ ​2012,​ ​elements​ ​of​ ​trap​ ​music​ ​found​ ​their​ ​way​ ​into​ ​the​ ​EDM​ ​scene,​ ​creating​ ​an
entirely​ ​new​ ​genre​ ​that​ ​fused​ ​modern​ ​Hip​ ​Hop​ ​with​ ​dance​ ​music.

Nearly​ ​every​ ​modern​ ​Trap​ ​song​ ​has​ ​two​ ​consistent​ ​elements:​ ​half-time​ ​drum​ ​beats​ ​and
808​ ​percussion(s).​ ​A​ ​typical​ ​Trap​ ​drop​ ​will​ ​also​ ​have​ ​rolling​ ​hi-hats,​ ​heavy​ ​808​ ​kicks,
and​ ​snares​ ​—​an​ ​instrument​ ​that​ ​played​ ​a​ ​huge​ ​role​ ​in​ ​defining​ ​the​ ​traditional​ ​Trap
music​ ​sound​ ​which​ ​is​ ​used​ ​in​ ​nearly​ ​every​ ​modern​ ​trap​ ​song​ ​out​ ​there.

The​ ​sound​ ​design​ ​in​ ​modern​ ​Trap​ ​is​ ​usually​ ​quite​ ​aggressive​ ​and​ ​energetic.​ ​Everything
from​ ​huge​ ​FM​ ​basses​ ​to​ ​high-pitched​ ​minimal​ ​pluck​ ​leads​ ​can​ ​be​ ​found​ ​in​ ​Trap​ ​drops.

However,​ ​the​ ​sounds​ ​and​ ​melodies​ ​in​ ​Trap​ ​can​ ​vary​ ​drastically​ ​from​ ​song​ ​to​ ​song.​ ​The
easiest​ ​way​ ​to​ ​identify​ ​this​ ​genre​ ​is​ ​the​ ​use​ ​of​ ​808​ ​drums​ ​as​ ​we​ ​mentioned​ ​above.

These​ ​tracks​ ​below​ ​represent​ ​the​ ​very​ ​best​ ​that​ ​Trap​ ​has​ ​to​ ​offer.

● Zomboy​ ​-​ ​“Beast​ ​In​ ​The​ ​Belly”

● Boombox​ ​Cartel​ ​&​ ​Quix​ ​-​ ​“Supernatural”
● NGHTMRE​ ​-​ ​“Get​ ​Back”
● Gent​ ​&​ ​Jawns​ ​-​ ​“Collecta”

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 ● NGHTMRE​ ​-​ ​“Street”
● DJ​ ​Snake​ ​-​ ​“Ocho​ ​Cinco”​ ​(Ricky​ ​Remedy​ ​Remix)
● Kendrick​ ​Lamar​ ​-​ ​“Humble”​ ​(Skrillex​ ​Remix)
● Ekali​ ​-​ ​“Babylon”​ ​(Skrillex​ ​&​ ​Ronny​ ​J​ ​Remix)
● Soltan​ ​-​ ​“Sick”
● Bok​ ​Nero​ ​-​ ​“No​ ​Problems”​ ​(QUIX​ ​REMIX)
● Boombox​ ​Cartel​ ​&​ ​QUIX​ ​-​ ​“Supernatural”
● RL​ ​Grime​ ​-​ ​“Era”
● Boombox​ ​Cartel​ ​-​ ​“Dem​ ​Fraid”​ ​(Feat.​ ​Taranchyla)
● Dirty​ ​Audio​ ​&​ ​Rickyxsan​ ​-​ ​“Gettin'​ ​That”
● Skrillex​ ​&​ ​Rick​ ​Ross​ ​-​ ​“Purple​ ​Lamborghini"

Future​ ​Bass
About​ ​3​ ​years​ ​ago,​ ​a​ ​new​ ​genre​ ​of​ ​EDM​ ​emerged​ ​that​ ​captivated​ ​listeners​ ​with​ ​beautiful
melodies​ ​and​ ​epic​ ​sound​ ​design​.​ ​This​ ​genre​ ​is​ ​Future​ ​Bass.​ ​Now​ ​fast-forward​ ​to​ ​2017,
and​ ​its​ ​perhaps​ ​the​ ​most​ ​successful​ ​genre​ ​of​ ​the​ ​year.

Many​ ​Future​ ​Bass​ ​drops​ ​are​ ​centered​ ​around​ ​chord​ ​progressions​ ​that​ ​are​ ​played
through​ ​huge​ ​supersaws​ ​which​ ​are​ ​accompanied​ ​by​ ​half-time​ ​drum​ ​beats.​ ​The​ ​use​ ​of
volume​ ​and​ ​filter​ ​automation​ ​is​ ​frequently​ ​used​ ​to​ ​add​ ​movement​ ​and​ ​rhythm​ ​changes
to​ ​the​ ​supersaws.

Oftentimes,​ ​drops​ ​in​ ​this​ ​genre​ ​will​ ​also​ ​have​ ​topline​ ​melodies​ ​usually​ ​played​ ​by​ ​vocal
chops.​ ​Songwriting​ ​is​ ​extremely​ ​important​ ​in​ ​this​ ​genre,​ ​as​ ​the​ ​majority​ ​of​ ​the​ ​songs​ ​are
largely​ ​driven​ ​by​ ​stellar​ ​melodies​ ​and​ ​extended​ ​chords.

The​ ​drums​ ​in​ ​this​ ​genre​ ​typically​ ​consist​ ​of​ ​acoustic​ ​drum​ ​shots​ ​mixed​ ​with​ ​808
samples,​ ​drawing​ ​inspiration​ ​heavily​ ​from​ ​Trap​ ​music.​ ​However,​ ​artists​ ​were​ ​quite
innovative​ ​and​ ​found​ ​new​ ​ways​ ​to​ ​additionally​ ​layer​ ​drums​ ​with​ ​foley​ ​and​ ​other
miscellaneous​ ​sounds.​ ​This​ ​created​ ​the​ ​ever​ ​so​ ​dynamic​ ​drums​ ​Future​ ​Bass​ ​is​ ​known
for.

The​ ​tracks​ ​below​ ​showcase​ ​some​ ​of​ ​the​ ​genre’s​ ​melodic​ ​greatness​ ​and​ ​grandiose
sound​ ​design​ ​that​ ​has​ ​become​ ​synonymous​ ​with​ ​Future​ ​Bass.

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 ● Disclosure​ ​-​ ​“You​ ​&​ ​Me”​ ​(Flume​ ​Remix)
● Lorde​ ​-​ ​“Tennis​ ​Court”​ ​(Flume​ ​Remix)
● Sam​ ​Smith​ ​-​ ​“Lay​ ​Me​ ​Down”​ ​(Flume​ ​Remix)
● Flume​ ​-​ ​“Heater”
● DJ​ ​Khaled​ ​-​ ​“Wild​ ​Thoughts”​ ​(Medasin​ ​Remix)
● Porter​ ​Robinson​ ​-​ ​“Language”​ ​(Ekali​ ​&​ ​Quix​ ​Tribute)
● Flume​ ​-​ ​“Smoke​ ​&​ ​Retribution”​ ​(Ekali​ ​Remix)
● Snakehips​ ​-​ ​“Don’t​ ​Leave”​ ​(Ekali​ ​Remix)
● Vanic​ ​X​ ​Zella​ ​Day​ ​-​ ​“High”
● Whethan​ ​-​ ​“Savage”​ ​(Sem​ ​Remix)
● Cabu​ ​&​ ​Akacia​ ​-​ ​“Gold”​ ​(Jupe​ ​Remix)
● Diplo​ ​&​ ​Sleepy​ ​Tom​ ​-​ ​“Be​ ​Right​ ​There”​ ​(Boombox​ ​Cartel​ ​Remix)
● Boombox​ ​Cartel​ ​-​ ​“Dancing​ ​With​ ​Fire”​ ​(Feat.​ ​Stalking​ ​Gia)
● Martin​ ​Garrix​ ​&​ ​Bebe​ ​Rexha​ ​-​ ​“In​ ​The​ ​Name​ ​Of​ ​Love”
● The​ ​Chainsmokers​ ​-​ ​“Don't​ ​Let​ ​Me​ ​Down”​ ​(Illenium​ ​Remix)
● San​ ​Holo​ ​-​ ​“Light”
● Just​ ​A​ ​Gent​ ​x​ ​smle​ ​-​ ​“Leave​ ​It​ ​All”
● Grey​ ​-​ ​“Chameleon”​ ​(Feat.​ ​Asia)
● Skott​ ​-​ ​“Porcelain”​ ​(AWAY​ ​Remix)
● THEY.​ ​-​ ​“Motley​ ​Crue”​ ​(AWAY​ ​Remix)
● lophiile​ ​-​ ​“Preach”
● Zedd​ ​Feat.​ ​Troye​ ​Sivan​ ​ ​-​ ​“Papercut”​ ​(Grey​ ​Remix)

Chill
The​ ​“Chill”​ ​genre​—​also​ ​known​ ​as​ ​“Chillwave”​—​is​ ​a​ ​relatively​ ​new​ ​style​ ​that​ ​has​ ​become
extremely​ ​popular​ ​over​ ​the​ ​last​ ​few​ ​years.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​characterised​ ​by​ ​slow-paced,​​ ​relaxing
melodies​ ​and​ ​smooth​ ​sound​ ​design.

Some​ ​like​ ​to​ ​describe​ ​it​ ​as​ ​a​ ​toned-down​ ​derivative​ ​of​ ​Future​ ​Bass.

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A​ ​typical​ ​“Chill”​ ​drop​ ​will​ ​have​ ​pleasant,​ ​airy​ ​sounds​ ​over​ ​slow,​ ​half-time​ ​drum​ ​patterns.
The​ ​sound​ ​design​ ​process​ ​consists​ ​of​ ​clever​ ​filtering​ ​techniques​ ​to​ ​either​ ​make​ ​sounds
more​ ​airy​ ​or​ ​toned​ ​down.

Similar​ ​to​ ​Future​ ​Bass,​ ​vocal​ ​chops​ ​are​ ​used​ ​frequently​ ​as​ ​well.​ ​Bass​ ​sounds​ ​in​ ​this
genre​ ​are​ ​usually​ ​smooth​ ​and​ ​deep,​ ​while​ ​pads​ ​are​ ​constantly​ ​used​ ​to​ ​add​ ​a​ ​relaxing
atmosphere​ ​to​ ​the​ ​track.

Songwriting​ ​is​ ​also​ ​quite​ ​important​ ​in​ ​this​ ​genre;​ ​it​ ​is​ ​a​ ​highly​ ​musical​ ​style​ ​that​ ​puts
emphasis​ ​on​ ​relaxing​ ​melodic​ ​runs​ ​and​ ​chord​ ​progressions.

The​ ​tracks​ ​below​ ​capture​ ​the​ ​essence​ ​of​ ​the​ ​“Chill”​ ​genre​ ​with​ ​smooth​ ​sonic​ ​landscapes
and​ ​calming​ ​melodies.

● New​ ​Navy​ ​-​ ​“Zimbabwe”​ ​(Flume​ ​Remix)

● Electric​ ​Mantis​ ​-​ ​“Daybreak”
● Alina​ ​Baraz​ ​&​ ​Galimatias​ ​-​ ​“Show​ ​Me”
● Alina​ ​Baraz​ ​&​ ​Galimatias​ ​-​ ​“Fantasy”
● Portugal​ ​The​ ​Man​ ​-​ ​“Feel​ ​It​ ​Still”​ ​(Medasin​ ​Remix)
● Medasin​ ​-​ ​“Daydream”​ ​(Feat.​ ​JOBA)
● PHAZZ​ ​-​ ​“About​ ​Her”
● GOLDWATER​ ​-​ ​“Booling”
● Tennyson​ ​&​ ​Mr.​ ​Carmack​ ​-​ ​“Tuesday”
● Pascäal​ ​-​ ​“Drowning​ ​In​ ​You”
● KRANE​ ​x​ ​Laxcity​ ​-​ ​“Outside"
● Fedmate​ ​-​ ​“Mediana”
● Skrillex​ ​-​ ​“Fire​ ​Away”
● Zayn​ ​-​ ​“Pillowtalk”​ ​(Stwo​ ​Remix)
● AWAY​ ​-​ ​“Honest​ ​To​ ​Gød”​ ​(feat.​ ​Charity)
● oshi​ ​-​ ​“i​ ​carmacked​ ​bastille”

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House​ ​-​ ​Progressive​ ​House
While​ ​there​ ​is​ ​certainly​ ​no​ ​shortage​ ​of​ ​aggressive​ ​dance​ ​music​ ​genres,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​hard​ ​to​ ​find
genres​ ​that​ ​are​ ​highly​ ​energetic​ ​without​ ​compromising​ ​any​ ​melodic​ ​elements.

Progressive​ ​House​ ​fills​ ​that​ ​void,​ ​and​ ​that’s​ ​most​ ​likely​ ​why​ ​it​ ​brought​ ​a​ ​huge​ ​part​ ​of​ ​a
whole​ ​generation​ ​into​ ​dance​ ​music​ ​in​ ​the​ ​first​ ​place.

Characterized​ ​by​ ​emotional​ ​melodic​ ​themes​ ​and​ ​uplifting​ ​chord​ ​progressions,​ ​you​ ​can
still​ ​hear​ ​progressive​ ​house​ ​in​ ​almost​ ​every​ ​single​ ​big​ ​music​ ​festival​ ​around​ ​the​ ​world.

Progressive​ ​House​—​for​ ​lack​ ​of​ ​a​ ​better​ ​wor​d—​progresses​ ​from​ ​beautiful​ ​and​ ​lush
polyphonic​ ​plucks​ ​to​ ​huge​ ​drops​ ​that​ ​have​ ​monophonic​ ​leads,​ ​bright​ ​supersaws,​ ​and
gritty​ ​bass​ ​lines.

Like​ ​most​ ​House​ ​music,​ ​Progressive​ ​House​ ​has​ ​a​ ​four-to-the-floor​ ​beat,​ ​and​ ​because​ ​it
is​ ​comprised​ ​of​ ​so​ ​many​ ​full​ ​elements,​ ​each​ ​sound​ ​is​ ​carefully​ ​designed​ ​to​ ​fit​ ​in​ ​a
specific​ ​space.

The​ ​list​ ​below​ ​is​ ​full​ ​of​ ​Progressive​ ​House​ ​tracks​ ​that​ ​showcase​ ​some​ ​exciting​ ​sound
design​ ​techniques​ ​such​ ​as​ ​layering​ ​and​ ​pitch​ ​bending.​ ​These​ ​tracks​ ​also​ ​include
beautiful​ ​melodies​ ​manifested​ ​through​ ​huge​ ​captivating​ ​sounds,​ ​which​ ​most​ ​of​ ​the​ ​time
result​ ​in​ ​emotionally​ ​compelling​ ​festival​ ​bangers.

● Sander​ ​Van​ ​Doorn,​ ​Martin​ ​Garrix,​ ​DVBBS​ ​-​ ​“Gold​ ​Skies”

● Martin​ ​Garrix​ ​-​ ​“Forbidden​ ​Voices”
● Martin​ ​Garrix​ ​&​ ​Mesto​ ​-​ ​“WIEE”
● Martin​ ​Garrix​ ​&​ ​MOTi​ ​-​ ​“Virus”
● Deorro​ ​-​ ​“Five​ ​Hours”
● Deadmau5​ ​-​ ​“The​ ​Veldt”​ ​(Feat.​ ​Chris​ ​James)
● Zedd​ ​-​ ​“Clarity”​ ​(Feat.​ ​Foxes)
● Syn​ ​Cole​ ​-​ ​“Miami​ ​82”​ ​(Avicii​ ​Edit)
● Tiesto​ ​&​ ​KSHMR​ ​-​ ​“Secrets”​ ​(Feat.​ ​Vassy)
● KSHMR​ ​&​ ​Bassjackers​ ​-​ ​“Memories”​ ​(Feat.​ ​Sirah)

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 ● KSHMR,​ ​Dzeko​ ​&​ ​Torres​ ​-​ ​“Imaginate”
● Dmitri​ ​Vegas,​ ​Moguai​ ​&​ ​Like​ ​Mike​ ​-​ ​“Mammoth”
● Swedish​ ​House​ ​Mafia​ ​&​ ​John​ ​Martin​ ​-​ ​“Save​ ​the​ ​World”
● Sebastian​ ​Ingrosso,​ ​Tommy​ ​Trash,​ ​and​ ​John​ ​Martin​ ​-​ ​“Reload”
● Dzeko​ ​&​ ​Torres​ ​Feat.​ ​Delaney​ ​Jane​ ​-​ ​“L'Amour​ ​Toujours”​ ​(Tiësto​ ​Edit)

House​ ​-​ ​Future​ ​House

Emerging​ ​between​ ​2013​ ​and​ ​2014,​ ​Future​ ​House​ ​has​ ​been​ ​described​ ​as​ ​a​ ​fusion
between​ ​classic​ ​deep​ ​house​ ​and​ ​UK​ ​garage,​ ​while​ ​still​ ​carrying​ ​similar​ ​energy​ ​found
throughout​ ​most​ ​of​ ​EDM​ ​mainstage​ ​songs.

Future​ ​House​ ​is​ ​characterized​ ​by​ ​deep​ ​melodic​ ​bass​ ​lines,​ ​paired​ ​with​ ​4-to-the-floor
House​ ​beats,​ ​swung​ ​hi-hats,​ ​and​ ​percussive​ ​accents.

The​ ​basslines​ ​are​ ​also​ ​swung​ ​to​ ​match​ ​the​ ​drum​ ​and​ ​percussion​ ​grooves.​ ​The​ ​bass
sounds​ ​are​ ​generally​ ​designed​ ​through​ ​FM​ ​synthesis​ ​and​ ​sit​ ​in​ ​the​ ​low​ ​end​ ​of​ ​the
frequency​ ​spectrum,​ ​which​ ​gives​ ​them​ ​their​ ​characteristic​ ​deep​ ​sound.

However,​ ​Future​ ​House​ ​songs​ ​have​ ​started​ ​to​ ​incorporate​ ​leads​ ​or​ ​pluck​ ​layers​ ​to
accompany​ ​their​ ​basslines.

The​ ​tracks​ ​below​ ​are​ ​a​ ​collection​ ​of​ ​the​ ​most​ ​impressive​ ​sound​ ​design​ ​efforts​ ​in​ ​Future
House​ ​thus​ ​far.​ ​The​ ​variety​ ​of​ ​sounds​ ​and​ ​timbres​ ​exhibited​ ​in​ ​these​ ​tracks​ ​reveals​ ​why
Future​ ​House​ ​is​ ​a​ ​genre​ ​that​ ​facilitates​ ​unique​ ​sound​ ​design​ ​possibilities.

● Tchami​ ​-​ ​"After​ ​Life"​ ​(Feat.​ ​Stacy​ ​Barthe)

● Tchami​ ​-​ ​"Promesses"​ ​(Feat.​ ​Kaleem​ ​Taylor​)
● Tchami​ ​x​ ​Janet​ ​Jackson​ ​-​ ​"Go​ ​Deep"
● Oliver​ ​Heldens​ ​-​ ​"Koala"
● Curbi​ ​-​ ​"Discharge"
● NOVKA​ ​-​ ​"Poezia"
● Brooks​ ​&​ ​GRX​ ​-​ ​"Boomerang"
● Brooks​ ​-​ ​“If​ ​Only​ ​I​ ​Could"

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 ● The​ ​Chainsmokers​ ​-​ ​"Paris"​ ​(Beau​ ​Collins​ ​Remix)
● Mesto​ ​-​ ​"Tetris"
● Pep​ ​&​ ​Rash​ ​-​ ​"Underground"
● Pep​ ​&​ ​Rash​ ​-​ ​“Rumors”
● Mr.​ ​Belt​ ​&​ ​Wezol​ ​-​ ​"Take​ ​Me​ ​Higher"
● Jelle​ ​Slump​ ​-​ ​“Dreams”
● Shiba​ ​San​ ​-​ ​“Okay”​ ​(Dave​ ​Winnel​ ​Remix)

House​ ​-​ ​Bass​ ​House

For​ ​many​ ​listeners,​ ​genres​ ​like​ ​Future​ ​House​ ​or​ ​Progressive​ ​House​ ​are​ ​not​ ​heavy​ ​or
aggressive​ ​enough.​ ​In​ ​stark​ ​contrast,​ ​genres​ ​like​ ​Dubstep​ ​or​ ​Drum​ ​and​ ​Bass​ ​are​ ​not
groovy​ ​enough.

Bass​ ​House​ ​is​ ​a​ ​genre​ ​which​ ​fuses​ ​the​ ​heavy​ ​sound​ ​design​ ​and​ ​aggression​ ​of​ ​Dubstep
with​ ​the​ ​groove​ ​and​ ​swing​ ​of​ ​House.

Bass​ ​House​ ​is​ ​arguably​ ​the​ ​tip​ ​of​ ​the​ ​spear​ ​right​ ​now​ ​when​ ​it​ ​comes​ ​to​ ​sound​ ​design​ ​in
House​ ​music.​ ​Similar​ ​to​ ​Dubstep​ ​and​ ​Future​ ​House,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​predicated​ ​around​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​FM
synthesis.

However,​ ​the​ ​basslines​ ​found​ ​in​ ​most​ ​Bass​ ​House​ ​drops​ ​are​ ​not​ ​that​ ​melodic.​ ​They​ ​are
focused​ ​around​ ​rhythmic​ ​patterns​ ​to​ ​complement​ ​the​ ​drum​ ​grooves,​ ​with​ ​static​ ​single
note​ ​melodies​ ​and​ ​even​ ​some​ ​pitch​ ​bending.

Bass​ ​House​ ​is​ ​yet​ ​another​ ​genre​ ​that​ ​allows​ ​for​ ​a​ ​wide​ ​breadth​ ​of​ ​sound​ ​design
approaches.

Bass​ ​House​ ​originating​ ​from​ ​the​ ​UK​ ​is​ ​generally​ ​much​ ​deeper​ ​and​ ​darker,​ ​while​ ​North
American​ ​Bass​ ​House​ ​is​ ​more​ ​similar​ ​to​ ​Dubstep​ ​in​ ​its​ ​aggression.

Listening​ ​to​ ​the​ ​tracks​ ​below​ ​will​ ​make​ ​it​ ​clear​ ​that​ ​Bass​ ​House​ ​is​ ​a​ ​genre​ ​which,
despite​ ​its​ ​diversity,​ ​requires​ ​a​ ​high​ ​level​ ​of​ ​sound​ ​design​ ​proficiency.

● Skrillex​ ​&​ ​Habstrakt​ ​-​ ​“Chicken​ ​Soup”

● DJ​ ​Snake​ ​-​ ​“4​ ​Life”​ ​(Habstrakt​ ​Remix)

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 ● Joyryde​ ​-​ ​“Hot​ ​Drum”
● Joyryde​ ​-​ ​“Fuel​ ​Tank”
● Joyryde​ ​-​ ​“I​ ​WARE​ ​HOUSE”
● Jauz​ ​-​ ​Feel​ ​The​ ​Volume​ ​(Joyryde​ ​'Stick​ ​It​ ​In​ ​Reverse'​ ​Mix)
● Valentino​ ​Khan​ ​-​ ​“Pump”
● Valentino​ ​Khan​ ​-​ ​“Deep​ ​Down​ ​Low”
● Ephwurd​ ​&​ ​Jauz​ ​-​ ​“Rock​ ​The​ ​Party”
● Dillon​ ​Nathaniel​ ​-​ ​“Resonate”​ ​(Warehouse​ ​Bass​ ​VIP​ ​Edit)
● Moksi​ ​-​ ​“Lights​ ​Down​ ​Low”
● Sikdope​ ​-​ ​“Snakes”
● VOLAC​ ​-​ ​“No​ ​Love”​ ​(Taiki​ ​Nulight​ ​Remix)
● Loge21​ ​-​ ​“In​ ​My​ ​Zone”​ ​(Feat.​ ​Kevin​ ​Flum)
● Dirtyphonics​ ​&​ ​UZ​ ​-​ ​"Hustle​ ​Hard"​ ​(feat.​ ​Trinidad​ ​Jame$)​ ​[Habstrakt​ ​Remix]

House​ ​-​ ​Melbourne​ ​Bounce

Originating​ ​in​ ​Melbourne,​ ​Australia,​ ​Melbourne​ ​Bounce​ ​took​ ​over​ ​the​ ​world​ ​between
2012​ ​and​ ​2013.​ ​This​ ​genre​ ​tied​ ​together​ ​the​ ​loose​ ​ends​ ​of​ ​Big​ ​Room​ ​House​ ​and​ ​offered
a​ ​cleaner​ ​but​ ​equally​ ​energetic​ ​alternative.

Melbourne​ ​Bounce​ ​is​ ​mainly​ ​characterized​ ​by​ ​its​ ​unique​ ​kick-bass​ ​relationship.​ ​This
genre​ ​also​ ​uses​ ​shorter​ ​kick​ ​drums​ ​compared​ ​to​ ​Big​ ​Room​ ​House.​ ​It​ ​also​ ​places​ ​the
main​ ​bass​ ​on​ ​the​ ​upbeat​ ​to​ ​create​ ​a​ ​pulsing​ ​vibe​ ​relationship​ ​between​ ​the​ ​kick​ ​and
bass.

The​ ​bass​ ​generally​ ​has​ ​a​ ​pluck-like​ ​envelope​ ​either​ ​on​ ​the​ ​filter​ ​or​ ​amplitude​ ​envelope
to​ ​make​ ​it​ ​short​ ​and​ ​stabby​.​ ​To​ ​fill​ ​the​ ​rest​ ​of​ ​the​ ​spectrum​ ​out,​ ​Melbourne​ ​Bounce
relies​ ​on​ ​huge​ ​festival​ ​leads​ ​and​ ​horns​ ​playing​ ​an​ ​independent​ ​topline.

The​ ​tracks​ ​below​ ​are​ ​not​ ​only​ ​iconic,​ ​but​ ​reveal​ ​some​ ​of​ ​the​ ​most​ ​impressively​ ​designed
sounds​ ​that​ ​Melbourne​ ​Bounce​ ​has​ ​to​ ​offer.

● TJR​ ​&​ ​Vinai​ ​-​ ​“Bounce​ ​Generation”

● TJR​ ​-​ ​“Ode​ ​To​ ​Oi”

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 ● DVBBS​ ​&​ ​Vinai​ ​-​ ​“Raveology​”
● Deorro​ ​-​ ​“Bootie​ ​In​ ​Your​ ​Face”
● Deorro​ ​&​ ​MAKJ​ ​-​ ​“READY!”
● Uberjakd​ ​&​ ​Joel​ ​Fletcher​ ​-​ ​“JetFuel”
● R3HAB​ ​&​ ​Vinai​ ​-​ ​“How​ ​We​ ​Party”
● Anders​ ​Crawn​ ​&​ ​Dirty​ ​Palm​ ​-​ ​“Violence”
● New​ ​World​ ​Sound​ ​&​ ​Reece​ ​Low​ ​-​ ​“Bounce​ ​That”
● New​ ​World​ ​Sound​ ​-​ ​“Muzz”
● New​ ​World​ ​Sound​ ​&​ ​Timmy​ ​Trumpet​ ​-​ ​“The​ ​Buzz”
● Laidback​ ​Luke​ ​&​ ​D.O.D​ ​-​ ​“Flashing​ ​Lights”
● Timmy​ ​Trumpet​ ​&​ ​SCNDL​ ​-​ ​“Bleed”
● KSHMR​ ​-​ ​“The​ ​Spook”​ ​(Feat.​ ​BassKillers​ ​&​ ​B3nte)
● Henry​ ​Fong​ ​&​ ​SCNDL​ ​-​ ​“Ass​ ​Up”

Drum​ ​&​ ​Bass

Drum​ ​&​ ​Bass​ ​is​ ​a​ ​genre​ ​that​ ​has​ ​stood​ ​the​ ​test​ ​of​ ​time.​ ​Drum​ ​&​ ​Bass​ ​has​ ​seen​ ​big
success​ ​in​ ​Europe​​ ​(​where​ ​it​ ​originally​ ​stemmed​ ​from,​ ​specifically​ ​the​ ​UK​)​ ​and​ ​in​ ​certain
parts​ ​of​ ​North​ ​and​ ​South​ ​America.​ ​Regardless​ ​of​ ​its​ ​commercial​ ​success,​ ​one​ ​thing​ ​is
certain:​ ​Drum​ ​&​ ​Bass​ ​requires​ ​a​ ​high​ ​level​ ​of​ ​sound​ ​design​ ​ability.

Drum​ ​&​ ​Bass​ ​is​ ​primarily​ ​characterized​ ​by​ ​its​ ​drumwork​ ​and​ ​tempo,​ ​and​ ​most​ ​songs​ ​in
this​ ​genre​ ​sit​ ​between​ ​160-180​ ​BPM​ ​range,​ ​with​ ​the​ ​sweet​ ​spot​ ​being​ ​at​ ​174​ ​BPM.

The​ ​accompanying​ ​basslines​ ​are​ ​generally​ ​deep,​ ​distorted,​ ​and​ ​arranged​ ​to​ ​focus
around​ ​rhythm​ ​more​ ​than​ ​melody.​ ​While​ ​melodic​ ​subgenres​ ​like​ ​Liquid​ ​Drum​ ​&​ ​Bass
exist,​ ​the​ ​majority​ ​of​ ​Drum​ ​&​ ​Bass​ ​is​ ​a​ ​showcase​ ​of​ ​complex​ ​bassline​ ​sound​ ​design.

Drum​ ​&​ ​Bass​ ​producers​ ​often​ ​utilise​ ​complex​ ​techniques​ ​like​ ​resampling​ ​and​ ​frequency
splitting​ ​to​ ​achieve​ ​their​ ​sounds.

The​ ​tracks​ ​below​ ​showcase​ ​some​ ​of​ ​the​ ​most​ ​technically​ ​impressive​ ​sound​ ​design​ ​in​ ​all
of​ ​modern​ ​Drum​ ​&​ ​Bass.​ ​These​ ​producers​ ​are​ ​unanimously​ ​considered​ ​to​ ​be​ ​incredible

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sound​ ​designers.​ ​If​ ​a​ ​producer​ ​can​ ​master​ ​a​ ​genre​ ​as​ ​complex​ ​as​ ​Drum​ ​&​ ​Bass,​ ​they
can​ ​master​ ​almost​ ​anything.

● Noisia​ ​-​ ​"Straight​ ​Hook"

● Noisia​ ​-​ ​“Oh​ ​Oh”
● Noisia​ ​-​ ​“Tentacles”
● Noisia​ ​-​ ​“Asteroids”
● Mefjus​ ​-​ ​“Purify”
● Mefjus​ ​&​ ​Phace​ ​-​ ​“Clock​ ​Off”
● MRSA​ ​-​ ​“Bioweapon”
● The​ ​Upbeats​ ​-​ ​“Dungeon”
● The​ ​Upbeats​ ​-​ ​“Punks”
● Culprate​ ​-​ ​“Fester”
● Teddy​ ​Killerz​ ​-​ ​“Quasar”
● Spor​ ​-​ ​“Mind​ ​of​ ​an​ ​Insomniac”​ ​(Feat.​ ​Icicle​ ​&​ ​Linguistics)
● Posij​ ​-​ ​“Attention”
● Topi​ ​-​ ​“Got​ ​To​ ​Be”
● DJ​ ​Guv​ ​-​ ​“Warning”

Hardstyle
Originating​ ​from​ ​the​ ​Netherlands,​ ​Hardstyle​ ​has​ ​become​ ​widely​ ​known​ ​for​ ​its​ ​steady
four​ ​to​ ​the​ ​floor​ ​beat,​ ​massive​ ​distorted​ ​kick​ ​drums,​ ​and​ ​anthem-like​ ​leads.​ ​Hardstyle​ ​is
comprised​ ​of​ ​a​ ​combination​ ​of​ ​aggressive​ ​hardcore​ ​sections​ ​and​ ​euphoric​ ​melodic
sections.

The​ ​kick​ ​drums​ ​require​ ​complex​ ​layering​ ​and​ ​processing,​ ​while​ ​the​ ​leads​ ​and​ ​screeches
use​ ​advanced​ ​detuning​ ​techniques​ ​to​ ​sound​ ​big​ ​and​ ​powerful.

Oftentimes,​ ​the​ ​detail​ ​and​ ​timbre​ ​of​ ​the​ ​kick​ ​drum​ ​is​ ​the​ ​most​ ​important​ ​part​ ​of​ ​any
Hardstyle​ ​track.​ ​As​ ​such,​ ​the​ ​level​ ​of​ ​sound​ ​design​ ​and​ ​processing​ ​expertise​ ​that​ ​is
necessary​ ​for​ ​Hardstyle​ ​is​ ​quite​ ​high.

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The​ ​tracks​ ​below​ ​showcase​ ​the​ ​best​ ​of​ ​Hardstyle​ ​with​ ​well​ ​designed​ ​kicks​ ​and​ ​huge
euphoric​ ​leads.

● Audiofreq​ ​-​ ​“Lose​ ​Control​ ​2.0”

● Max​ ​Enforcer​ ​&​ ​Coone​ ​-​ ​“LOVE​ ​x​ ​HATE”
● Kayzo​ ​-​ ​“Scream”
● Psyko​ ​Punkz​ ​-​ ​“Back​ ​Again”
● Hardwell​ ​&​ ​Dyro​ ​feat.​ ​Bright​ ​Lights​ ​-​ ​“Never​ ​Say​ ​Goodbye”​ ​(Wildstylez​ ​Remix)
● Armin​ ​Van​ ​Buuren​ ​&​ ​Vini​ ​Vici​ ​-​ ​“Great​ ​Spirit”​ ​(Wildstylez​ ​Remix)
● Darren​ ​Styles​ ​-​ ​“Us​ ​Against​ ​The​ ​World”​ ​(Da​ ​Tweekaz​ ​Remix)
● Hardwell​ ​&​ ​Joey​ ​Dale​ ​Feat.​ ​Luciana​ ​-​ ​“Arcadia”​ ​(Psyko​ ​Punkz​ ​Remix)
● Brennan​ ​Heart​ ​&​ ​Jonathan​ ​Mendelsohn​ ​-​ ​“Follow​ ​The​ ​Light”
● Brennan​ ​Heart​ ​-​ ​“Outta​ ​My​ ​Way”
● Headhunterz​ ​-​ ​“Scantraxx​ ​Rootz”​ ​(Noisecontrollers​ ​Remix)
● DJ​ ​Fresh​ ​vs​ ​Diplo​ ​-​ ​“Earthquake”​ ​(LNY​ ​TNZ​ ​&​ ​Yellow​ ​Claw​ ​Remix)
● DVBBS​ ​&​ ​Borgeous​ ​-​ ​“Tsunami”​ ​(Jay​ ​Cosmic​ ​Remix)
● W&W​ ​&​ ​Blasterjaxx​ ​-​ ​“Rocket”​ ​(Jay​ ​Cosmic​ ​Remix)
● The​ ​Chainsmokers​ ​-​ ​“Don't​ ​Let​ ​Me​ ​Down”​ ​(Hardwell​ ​&​ ​Sephyx​ ​Remix)

Moombahton
The​ ​Moombahton​ ​genre​ ​is​ ​quite​ ​recent,​ ​as​ ​it​ ​was​ ​basically​ ​discovered​ ​by​ ​Dave​ ​Nada
around​ ​2009​ ​by​ ​slowing​ ​down​ ​a​ ​song​ ​by​ ​DJ​ ​Chuckie​—​“Moombah”,​ ​which​ ​is​ ​part​ ​of
where​ ​it​ ​got​ ​its​ ​name​ ​from​—​from​ ​128​ ​BPM​ ​to​ ​108​ ​BPM​ ​.

By​ ​doing​ ​this,​ ​Dave​ ​Nada​ ​got​ ​pretty​ ​close​ ​to​ ​the​ ​reggaeton​ ​BPM​ ​range​ ​(around​ ​90).
The​ ​BPM​ ​is​ ​what​ ​gives​ ​the​ ​genre​ ​most​ ​of​ ​its​ ​groove.

Essentially,​ ​Moombahton​ ​has​ ​reggaeton-like​ ​dembow​ ​beats​ ​blended​ ​with​ ​House​ ​music
sound​ ​design​ ​at​ ​tempos​ ​in​ ​the​ ​90-110​ ​BPM​ ​range.

Because​ ​the​ ​drums​ ​generally​ ​have​ ​a​ ​standardized​ ​groove,​ ​most​ ​of​ ​the​ ​excitement​ ​and
diversity​ ​in​ ​the​ ​tracks​ ​comes​ ​from​ ​the​ ​sound​ ​design.​ ​The​ ​leads​ ​sit​ ​in​ ​the​ ​higher​ ​end​ ​of

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the​ ​frequency​ ​spectrum​ ​and​ ​utilise​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​pitch​ ​bending,​ ​while​ ​the​ ​drums​ ​follow​ ​a​ ​type
of​ ​tresillo​ ​rhythm.

A​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​dance​ ​music​ ​producers​ ​have​ ​taken​ ​Moombahton​ ​to​ ​new​ ​heights​ ​by
incorporating​ ​increasingly​ ​creative​ ​sound​ ​design​ ​over​ ​the​ ​standard​ ​reggaeton
influenced​ ​drum​ ​pattern.​ ​The​ ​tracks​ ​below​ ​showcase​ ​how​ ​diverse​ ​the​ ​synthesis​ ​can​ ​be
in​ ​Moombahton.

● Zomboy​ ​-​ ​"Nuclear"​ ​(Dillon​ ​Francis​ ​Remix)

● Dillon​ ​Francis​ ​-​ ​“Bruk​ ​Bruk​ ​(I​ ​Need​ ​Your​ ​Lovin)"
● Dillon​ ​Francis​ ​&​ ​NGHTMRE​ ​-​ ​“Need​ ​You”
● Dillon​ ​Francis​ ​&​ ​Skrillex​ ​-​ ​“Bun​ ​Up​ ​The​ ​Dance”
● Dillon​ ​Francis​ ​-​ ​“I​ ​Can’t​ ​Take​ ​It”
● Dillon​ ​Francis​ ​-​ ​“Masta​ ​Blasta”
● JSTJR​ ​-​ ​“Phases"
● Excision​ ​&​ ​Dion​ ​Timmer​ ​-​ ​Final​ ​Boss​ ​(Dillon​ ​Francis​ ​Remix)
● Getter​ ​-​ ​“Cool​ ​As​ ​Frick”
● Knife​ ​Party​ ​-​ ​“Sleaze”
● Valentino​ ​Khan​ ​&​ ​Sean​ ​Paul​ ​-​ ​“Gold”
● Major​ ​Lazer​ ​-​ ​“Know​ ​No​ ​Better”​ ​(Feat.​ ​Travis​ ​Scott,​ ​Camila​ ​Cabello​ ​&​ ​Quavo)
● Major​ ​Lazer​ ​-​ ​“Bumaye”​ ​(Feat.​ ​Busy​ ​Signal,​ ​The​ ​Flexican​ ​&​ ​FS​ ​Green)
● J​ ​Balvin​ ​-​ ​“Mi​ ​Gente”​ ​(Feat.​ ​Beyonce)
● Zedef​ ​&​ ​Treeko​ ​-​ ​“Duro”

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