What is Electronic Music: Exploring its History, Characteristics, and Sounds

Electronic music isn’t just a genre—it’s an entire universe made from circuits, samples, and the unshakable belief that any sound can become music if you twist the knobs the right way. Whether you're a curious listener, a brand-new bedroom producer, or someone who has accidentally stayed up all night messing with synth presets (it happens), this guide walks you through where the genre came from, what defines it, and how it’s made today.

Introduction: What is Electronic Music?

At its core, electronic music is any style built primarily using electronic instruments: synthesizers, drum machines, samplers, computers, and—now more than ever—AI-powered tools. Think: sound made from math, electricity, and a bit of chaos.

But calling it a single “genre” is like calling the entire ocean “one big puddle.” Electronic music contains dozens of subgenres—EDM, house, techno, ambient, synth-pop, future bass, hyperpop, and the endless micro-substyles you’ll stumble into at 3 a.m. on YouTube. Electronic music is often described as an umbrella term that covers many different genres and music styles, each with its own unique characteristics and influences.

Electronic music production is more accessible and exciting than ever before. Thanks to advances in technology, anyone with a passion for music can dive into the world of electronic music and start creating their own tracks from home. Whether you’re interested in crafting hypnotic beats, exploring new electronic music genres, or experimenting with cutting-edge electronic instruments, there’s a place for you in this vibrant scene.

As an aspiring electronic music producer, understanding the basics of music production is key—this includes getting to know your digital audio workstation (DAW), exploring different electronic music genres, and learning how to use both classic and modern electronic instruments. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential building blocks of electronic music production, from laying down your first beat to sharing your finished track with the world.

Core Characteristics of Electronic Music

Synthesizers Everywhere

Pads, plucks, basses, leads—synths do it all. A key feature of synthesizers in electronic music is their ability to generate and manipulate a wide range of sounds, allowing artists to create unique tones and textures that define the genre.

Drum Machines & Digital Beats

From vintage 808 kicks to modern trap hats, electronic rhythms come from machines, not mic'd drum kits. Digital and analog instruments like drum machines are essential tools used to produce music in electronic genres, allowing artists to craft unique beats and experiment with a wide range of sounds.

Loops, Layers & Repetition

Songs often build from loops—tiny ideas repeated, stacked, and sculpted into full tracks. Many songs in electronic music are constructed by layering multiple tracks, each adding rhythm, melody, or effects to create a rich sound. Focusing on completing one song at a time can help producers develop their skills and gain valuable experience.

Sampling & Remix Culture

Pull audio from old records, field recordings, movies, or other tracks. Chop it. Stretch it. Flip it.  

Sampling has played a major role in genres like hip hop, where producers use samples to make music by creating new tracks from existing sounds. This approach has become a popular way to make music in many electronic styles. (And when you need clean stems? Kits Stem Splitter is a lifesaver.)

Vocal Processing as a Creative Tool

Electronic vocals = part instrument, part emotion.
Pitch FX, formant shifts, chopped rhythms, lush reverbs—you name it.
Try Kits voices like Female Pop EDM, Male LoFi EDM, or Female Dancefloor Diva for instant electronic-ready tones — all designed with clean transient response, bright mix-cutting clarity, and flexible FX-friendly dynamics..

A typical FL Studio electronic music session.

A Brief (but fun) History of Electronic Music

1. Tape Loops & Laboratory Weirdness (1940s–60s)

Electronic music began as pure experimentation, almost like sonic science fair projects. Early pioneers manipulated tape machines, oscillators, and rudimentary electronic circuits.

Early electronic music experiments often combined electric organs, traditional instruments, and other instruments to create new sounds.

Notable early trailblazers include:

• Pierre Schaeffer — father of “musique concrète,” using trains, engines, and real-world sounds as musical material.

• Karlheinz Stockhausen — a boundary-pusher whose avant-garde electronic works influenced everyone from The Beatles to Aphex Twin.

• Daphne Oram & Delia Derbyshire (BBC Radiophonic Workshop) — early synth wizards responsible for iconic works like the Doctor Who theme.

The Moog MiniMoog is a classic synthesizer first released in the 1970s and still widely used in electronic music productions today.

2. Synthesizer Revolution (1970s–80s)

Then came analog synths: Moog, Buchla, Roland. Analog synthesizers, especially the Moog synthesizer, played a pioneering role in creating new sounds during this period, allowing artists to explore innovative sonic textures and expand the possibilities of electronic music. Artists like Kraftwerk, Brian Eno, Jean-Michel Jarre, and Giorgio Moroder shaped the future with mechanical precision and warm, pulsing electronic sounds.

This era gave birth to synth-pop, ambient, and the early DNA of club music.

The Roland TR-808 and TR-909 are two analog drum machines that have been elevated to legendary status in the world of electronic music. Laying down a pivotal foundation for the rhythms and percussive sounds heard from the 1980s thru the modern era.

3. House, Techno & Rave Culture (1980s–90s)

Chicago invented house. Detroit created techno. The UK built rave culture around it. Affordable drum machines like the TR-808 and TR-909 shaped the sound: punchy kicks, syncopated hi-hats, and hypnotic repetition. In these dance music styles, a strong drum pattern and a compelling bass line are essential, providing the rhythmic and melodic foundation that drives the groove and energy of the track.

To make it more concrete, here are some key early artists from each lane:

Frankie Knuckles, American DJ, producer, and remixer, often credited as a pioneer of House music.

House (Chicago)

• Frankie Knuckles – “The Godfather of House,” resident at The Warehouse.

• Larry Heard (Mr. Fingers) – lush deep house pioneer (“Can You Feel It”).

• Marshall Jefferson – helped define the genre with piano-driven house anthems.

Techno (Detroit)

• Juan Atkins – widely credited as the originator of Detroit techno.

• Derrick May – futuristic, emotional techno (“Strings of Life”).

• Kevin Saunderson – part of the “Belleville Three” and creator of Inner City.

The Prodigy are an English electronic music group formed in 1990, and they became one of the defining acts of the ’90s rave, breakbeat, and big beat scenes. Known for their aggressive, high-energy sound and rebellious aesthetic, they helped push electronic music into the mainstream.

Rave / Breakbeat / UK Scene

• The Prodigy – aggressive, high-energy rave icons.

• Orbital – melodic, hypnotic electronic duo tied to the early rave movement.

• The Chemical Brothers – big beat pioneers who bridged rave and mainstream dance.

UK garage emerged from this vibrant scene, known for its 120-130 BPM tempo and distinctive four-to-the-floor kick pattern, distinguishing it from house, trance, and hardcore. Additionally, dub music, developed in Jamaica by pioneers like King Tubby and Lee 'Scratch' Perry, brought experimental recording and remixing techniques that deeply influenced the UK electronic and hip-hop scenes.

These scenes didn’t evolve in isolation—they fed each other, cross-pollinated, and helped shape the global explosion of electronic music in the decades that followed.

Deadmau5 (pronounced “dead mouse”) is the stage name of Joel Zimmerman, a Canadian electronic music producer and DJ known for his melodic, progressive, and technically sophisticated take on dance music. He’s also instantly recognizable for performing in a large, glowing “mau5head” helmet.

4. The Big, Loud, Glitter-Covered EDM Boom (2000s–2010s)

Festivals exploded. Super-saw leads took over. EDM became a global cultural moment powered by artists like Avicii, Skrillex, Calvin Harris, and Deadmau5. During this era, electronic dance music (EDM music) heavily influenced pop music, with its sounds and production styles dominating mainstream charts and shaping the direction of popular hits worldwide.

5. Today: Bedroom Producers, TikTok Drops & Infinite Subgenres

Tools became cheaper, laptops got powerful, and now millions of producers craft tracks in bedrooms—often using AI tools like Kits Stem Splitter to create samples, a task that used to take hours.

Thanks to new technology and the low cost of digital production tools, independent artists can now produce and release electronic music from home, using online platforms and social media to reach global audiences.

If someone from the 1950s saw your Ableton session, they’d faint.

How Electronic Music Is Made Today

1. Start With a DAW

Ableton, FL Studio, Logic—your DAW is the command center for arranging loops, designing sounds, and mixing. Popular DAWs like Ableton Live and Logic Pro are programs designed for electronic music production. Many DAWs offer free trials, allowing new producers to test them before committing.

2. Build the Core Elements

• Chords / Pads

• Drums

• Bassline

• Lead Hook

• Vocals (or not!)

A MIDI controller, such as a keyboard or drum pad, can be used to play virtual instruments and input notes directly into your DAW, making it easier to create and arrange these core elements.

Kits’ Vocal Generator paired with an EDM voice model is a fast way to land a melodic idea before you’ve even opened a plugin.

3. Sound Design & FX

Sidechain compression, reverb swells, gritty distortion, filter sweeps—this is where electronic music gets its identity.

4. Arrangement & Energy Flow

House grooves build slowly, EDM wants a massive drop, techno thrives on tension, ambient doesn’t care about any of that.

5. Modern Shortcuts

Producers now rely on presets, sample packs, MIDI patterns, and AI tools to speed up their workflow.
Since electronic music evolves fast—and modern tools help you keep up.—it makes sense to watch tutorials to learn how to use these tools efficiently.

The Life of an EDM Producer

For many music lovers, becoming an EDM producer is the ultimate dream job. Imagine spending your days crafting infectious dance music, building powerful bass lines, and designing sounds that light up festival stages and club dance floors. EDM producers rely on a toolkit of electronic instruments—like drum machines, synthesizers, and digital audio workstations—to bring their musical visions to life.

But it’s not just about the gear; a solid grasp of music theory, including chord progressions, melodic elements, and rhythm, is essential for creating tracks that truly resonate. The best EDM producers, from David Guetta to Calvin Harris, have mastered the art of blending catchy melodies with driving beats and innovative sound design. Whether you’re working on your first track or aiming for the main stage, understanding the creative process and the tools of the trade is what sets a great EDM producer apart.

Popular Electronic Genres (Quick Tour)

House: Groovy, soulful, built around a steady four-on-the-floor kick.

Artist example: Disclosure (modern UK house with smooth vocals and polished production)

Techno: Driving, Mechanical, Hypnotic.

Artist example: Carl Cox (a global techno staple known for high-energy sets)

Carl Cox is a legendary British DJ, producer, and one of the most influential figures in house and techno. Known for his joyful energy, technical skill, and decades-long presence in the global club scene, he’s often described as one of the true ambassadors of dance music.

Drum & Bass: Breakbeats, Huge Subs, Razor-sharp Precision

Artist example: Goldie (a pioneer of atmospheric and jungle-influenced DnB)

Ambient: Evolving, Atmospheric, Beatless or Minimal

Artist example: Brian Eno (widely credited as the father of modern ambient music)

Brian Eno is an English musician, producer, and thinker best known as the pioneer of ambient music and one of the most influential creative forces in modern sound.

EDM: Festival Energy, Epic Drops, Bright Vocals

Artist example: Calvin Harris (chart-topping anthems built for massive crowds)

Hyperpop: Glitchy, Pitch-shifted, Futuristic

Artist example: 100 gecs (maximalist, experimental, and defiantly chaotic)

100 gecs is an American experimental pop duo known for making some of the wildest, most chaotic, and most influential music in the hyperpop scene.

Try Building Your First Electronic Track

If you’re ready to jump in:

• Generate vocal ideas with Kits’ Vocal Generator

• Try electronic-friendly voices like Female Pop EDM or Male Synth Pop

• Create individual samples with Stem Splitter

• Use the Voice Changer to morph your own vocals into wild electronic textures

Electronic music rewards experimentation—and Kits is built to help you explore.

Conclusion

Electronic music has always been about curiosity—artists pushing boundaries, tinkering with new tools, and discovering fresh ways to shape sound. From tape loops and early synth labs to today’s bedroom producers and global festival stages, the genre continues to evolve because people love experimenting. And the best part? You don’t need a massive studio or decades of training to jump in. With modern DAWs, sample libraries, and creative tools like Kits AI for vocals, hooks, and sound manipulation, anyone can start crafting their own electronic ideas. So explore, tweak, layer, automate, distort, and play—your next great track might only be one spark of inspiration away.

-SK

Sam Kearney is a producer, composer and sound designer based in Evergreen, CO.