Dance music, though played mostly in nightclubs, is popular among a wide range of people and consists of many forms such as techno, trance and house. Some dance songs, such as "Staying Alive," "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" and "Single Ladies," were top-selling hits that were danced to all around the world. If you have an interest in producing a dance track for your own enjoyment or to create the next pop hit, the process is both a technical and creative one.
Technical
Step 1
Purchase a drum machine, as drums are necessary to drive the rhythm in a dance song. Invest in industry-standard machines such as the Akai MPC 2000, the Alesis SR16 or the Roland DR770.
Step 2
Purchase a music synthesizer, which is needed to add melody lines and other musical instruments. Begin exploring the various sounds available in your synthesizer, as a music synthesizer contains a large volume of sounds.
Step 3
Invest in a computer (laptop or desktop) and purchase digital recording software such as Pro Tools or Logic, which allows you to record and edit music. Connect your drum machine and music synthesizer to your laptop or desktop using the MIDI ports on both, which can connect to your computer via a regular cable or USB cable.
Step 4
Follow the setup menu on your computer to create the MIDI connection. Set up either your computer or keyboard to produce sound by selecting "MIDI In" or "MIDI Out," depending on the menu.
Creative
Step 1
Purchase current dance music online or listen to radio stations that play current dance music. Listen to the types of sounds and rhythms used.
Step 2
Use your drum machine to create your beat, which should a include a kick drum, snare drum or clap sounds. Loop the beat several times to keep a consistent rhythm. Locate bass guitar sounds in your synthesizer and create a bassline.
Step 3
Ensure that the tempo of the song is above 95 beats per minute to keep it danceable. Adjust the tempo on your synthesizer as need be.
Step 4
Record music on each device into the computer's recording software. Play it back in the software to ensure that the music has recorded properly. Listen to the current mix to decide what sounds and instruments should be more prominent.
Tips & Warnings
- Because the sounds and rhythms used in dance music can change over time, it is important to listen to current trends.
References
About the Author
Leonard Dozier is a freelance writer based in southern New Jersey and New York. His film and sports columns have been published by "Casino Connection Magazine" and Trev Rogers sports respectively. A prolific and extremely versatile writer, he is an ASCAP songwriter and has written screenplays and stage plays registered with the Writer's Guild of America.
