Why is music becoming more and more electronic?

[Craig FTW]

Music does change over the years, and my friends and I are into many different types of music. One of my friends is quite into techno/electronica and we have been wondering: Why is music becoming more electronic and losing instruments, especially with some of the mainstream populace?

 

[RebelRising]

What specific genres are you talking about?

 

[Ninja_X]

I like the new stuff.

 

[Hazy]

Because people like hearing that shit, because it requires no actual talent and is just the same loop over and over.

You don't find this the least bit entrancing?

And OP: I guess people like the sound of it.

 

[RavingPenguin]

Quite simply because club hits are easy to produce when you dont use instuments. Thats not to say all electronica is simple, good heavens no. Some of the trance I listen to has some very complex layering. Back on Topic: When a producer has the means to make money at low cost, he will implement it, hence we have an influx of electronic sounds. Making a back beat with a computer is easier than hiring a drummer.

 

[HardRockSamurai]

I can't say WHY music has become more electronic, but understand this; almost EVERYTHING has become more electronic.

And despite what the auto-tune whores of the music industry might have you believe, there IS some great electronic music out there. My favorites are the kinds that actually blend in with actual instruments; in my opinion, that's the sound of the age we live in.

EDIT: I thought I'd post an example. Enjoy!

 

[Craig FTW]

My friend had me link this page and he got mad haha..
It is complex to make quite often yes, but it puts me off when 99.9% of the music at my semi formal was techno/hip hop. I don't get how it appeals so much to mainstream society.

 

[Hazy]

Because people like hearing that shit, because it requires no actual talent and is just the same loop over and over.

You don't find this the least bit entrancing?
Snip

Not really.

To each their own

 

[TaborMallory]

Because it takes less practice to perfect.

 

[Akai Shizuku]

Electronic music is way easier to make than, say, metal.

 

[Craig FTW]

I can't say WHY music has become more electronic, but understand this; almost EVERYTHING has become more electronic.

And despite what the auto-tune whores of the music industry might have you believe, there IS some great electronic music out there. My favorites are the kinds that actually blend in with actual instruments; in my opinion, that's the sound of the age we live in.

EDIT: I thought I'd post an example. Enjoy!

I find it great when they blend it with actual instruments like you said. That's what him and I plan on.. for our 2man techno/rock band =D

 

[That One Six]

I don't know. I only really listen to Classic Rock/Metal, orchestras, and almost anything with a horn section.

 

[AmericanIdiot1993]

Part of the reason people like electronic beats is because they are very stimulating to the brain. Whether you like that sort of music or not, you have to admit that the beats and rhythms can be very catchy. A few of my friends like electronica and techno, and this is how they explained it. They also said that it was a nice change from the popular rap or rock/metal music that is so abundant on the radios today, which i agree with completely.

 

[TraumaHound]

I was asking myself something similar this morning. A clip of a song came on the radio and it the singer was using an auto-tuner (I think it was Shakira's newest tune, which is sad since she can sing, for what it's worth.) I can understand when a singer can't sing (which I also find odd since the "singer" has the word "sing" right in it..like Kanye's SNL performance) but if it's someone who can normally belt out a tune or two why use an electronic device to fake your way through it? Black Eyed Peas has at least their first two new singles auto-tuned for no apparent reason than "everyone else on the radio is doing it".

I think it takes some skill to make some decent electronica that isn't just the same looped tracks but with the ease of which anyone can drag-n-drop WAVs into looping software I don't see this type of music going away anytime soon.

Me? I'd rather learn to play "Smoke on the Water" on guitar than install Fruity Loops (aka FL Studio.)

 

[cleverlymadeup]

What specific genres are you talking about?

going to have to go with this one, there's TONS of types of electronic, tho they all have the same roots funnily enough.

there is the techno and radio played stuff that is honestly rather crappy. there is also other stuff that is rather complex and rather smartly done.

 

[RebelRising]

What specific genres are you talking about?

going to have to go with this one, there's TONS of types of electronic, tho they all have the same roots funnily enough.

there is the techno and radio played stuff that is honestly rather crappy. there is also other stuff that is rather complex and rather smartly done.

Well, I've rarely, if ever, cared for modern pop. Of course electronic/synthesized stuff requires less work, but it has a much richer and lush pedigree than what stuff like, I don't know, Britney Spears or Miley Cyrus have done to it.

I've been listening to Tangerine Dream's Purgatorio as I'm posting on this thread, so I am definitely biased. TD, along with Vangelis and Klaus Schulze, are where true electronica has been, and will, almost assuredly, will always be. It's a Golden Age that can't be repeated.