Difference Between Dubstep and Techno
In the world of electronic dance music, dubstep and techno are no amateurs. Along with dubstep and techno, there lies a third type of electronic dance music known as ‘house’ hence these are the pillars of electronic music.
Although dubstep and techno might sound similar to commoners, there are quite a lot of differences between the two. Starting from their origins to the way they sound, the journey from dubstep to techno might define the whole symphony of electronic dance music ever created!
Dubstep vs Techno
The main difference between dubstep and techno is that dubstep has a Jamaican and London origin and is usually ranged to 140 bpm whereas, techno is originated in Detroit, America, and is ranged to 145 bpm. Techno in the 90s was quite modernized and it is characterized by a repetitive four on the floor beat.
Dubstep, as the name suggests, it’s a Jamaican dub with a sequence of 2 beats that are synchronized to create a beat that usually ranges from 135-140 bpm. It is quite famous amongst African and American dance music enthusiasts because of its unique bass lines and beat drops. It became popular when a nightclub named “Forward” showcased it for the first time in 2001. The wobble isn’t usually present in older dubstep genres, which tend to sound more relaxed with loads of sub-bass but, the 4-to-the-floor beat is popular in newer dubstep, which features forceful drums and synths.
Whereas techno has an American origin and is much more creative with its sequential treble and consecutive beats. Modern techno is partially inspired by pop music and is more melodious. The 4-to-floor aspect along with the ranged 140-145 bpm is still a distinct feature of techno dance music.
Comparison Table Between Dubstep and Techno
| Parameters of comparison | Dubstep | Techno |
| Definition | A fusion of Jamaican dub and 2 steps beat drops. One of the major types of electro dance music. | A mechanical 145 bpm ranged music. It follows the 4 to floor beat-drops and is another branch of electronic dance music. |
| Origin | Originated from Jamaican dub music and South London. | Originated in Detroit, USA. |
| Year of fame | Dubstep gained its floor in the year 2001 although it was introduced back in 1988. | A rhythm-centric music and was originated back in the 1980s. |
| Focus and beats | Follows the 2-step breakbeat along with bass dips. The use of triplet rhythms and cross-rhythms is a signature too. | Rhythm and beat centric music with 4-to-floor pattern and treble synths. Beats increase eventually with less or no vocals. |
| Characteristics | Bass drops, lots of drums, wobble bass, and rewinds-strums. | Use of fast beats, usage of synthesizers, four-to-the-floor patterns. |
What is Dubstep?
A distinct type of electronic UK-based dance music originated from Jamaican dub music and South London. Dubstep got its origin when a nightclub named “Forward” played it for the first time in 1988, it eventually gained popularity in the year 2001. In 2002, the genre of dubstep started to spread throughout America, and it got exponentially popular.
Distinguished by its 2-step rhythmic beat drops and bass-rewinds combo, dubstep is one of the most popular electronic music heard by music enthusiasts. It is bass-line-based music with frequent beat drops along with 2 beat-break orientations of rhythm. Dubstep manages to range from 138 to 142 beats per minute (bpm) and is enjoyed by people who love fast beats with some volumetric vocals.
Another signature feature of dubstep music is the use of low-frequency oscillators, that produce wobble bass and is sometimes responsible for those bassline drops and emerging experience. Some famous dubstep albums are listed below ;
- Ghost Rider – El-B (2007)
- Midnight Request Line – Skream (2005)
- Machine Gun – Noisia (2010)
- We Are Dust – Xilent (2019)
What is Techno?
Originated from Detroit, USA in the late 1980s, techno gained the ground along with dubstep. With the touch of Ibiza and Spanish partial tunes, techno developed furthermore into acid house and rave (some types of techno EDM), techno holds the essence of ‘do as you want and dated back to 1988 when it was more mechanical than musical. The old techno beats resembled modern-style mechanical beats and tunes.
Modern techno is equipped with quite a lot of tunes and vocals which make it sound energetic and much more melodious than its ancestors. Techno is focused on rhythmic beats and sequential beat drops along with mechanical tones. Synthesizers are used to produce a variety of electronic genres. Waveforms are generated by tone generators and filters in synthesizers.
Hip hop EDMs had become Europe’s most popular kind of dance music by 1988, with Acid house becoming a consistent pattern in the United Kingdom and Germany the same year. Techno has a signature 135-145 bpm trend and sticks to pop-inspired notes, especially the modern techno, unlike its predecessor which was more “futuristic” than melodious. Techno doesn’t usually have vocals because the essence of techno lies in its music, not its songs and lyrics.
Main Differences Between Dubstep and Techno
Conclusion
Electronic dance music such as dubstep and techno are popular. They belong to distinct genres and are extremely diverse in their features to a trained ear, but they might be difficult to distinguish for individuals who are just getting into the new instrumental music.
In the world of Electronic dance music or EDM, techno and dubstep constitute a lot of fandom and followers. Both being a part of house music, they are highly rich in bass, beats, and bass-line drops. Techno being distinct in treble and rhythm whereas dubstep being bliss for bass and beats lovers. None of the house music is vocal-based, drums and synthesizers when coupled with electronic guitars give out the masterpieces like these.
Reference
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