Skream (Tempa)

The music genre.

I’m passionate about spreading the great vibes of Dubstep. For this reason, I have decided to create this page which is solely dedicated to the awesome music genre that is Dubstep. Warning! I’m going on a little mini-rant before I even begin.. What really ticks me off is when people hear the word Dubstep and instantly jump on the “is crap” bandwagon. I can sometimes understand this mindset (as a lot of people share it), but seriously, Dubstep is a diverse music genre with many different sub-styles, sounds, patters, etc. I will (try and) explain about all of them right here, let’s go.

The first question many will actually ask is what is Dubstep? I find it quite funny that people don’t even know that Dubstep is a genre of music, seriously. Here is the definition of Dubstep from Wikipedia; “Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music that has its roots in London’s early 2000s UK garage scene. Dubstep tracks are generally produced at a tempo of around 140 beats per minute“. If you don’t even understand this, Dubstep is a sub-genre of Dance that’s relatively new. Easy to understand when simply explained, you still with me?

Next is another reasonable question to ask, what does Dubstep sound like? This is usually a problem as Dubstep isn’t be produced in “note” format if you get where I’m coming from. Dubstep is never written out on a piece of paper and then produced by a big band or whatever (or group, on that matter). Dubstep is usually a one man job which is thought out on the spot and produced with no instruments other than a midi keyboard and some software packages on a PC (or Mac). Another problem, as I have highlighted earlier, is that there are many different styles and types of Dubstep. The only way to explain how Dubstep sounds is to play you some (keep reading)!

Rusko (Sub Soldiers)

Thirdly, some may know the answer to this but others may be thinking where can I buy Dubstep? Another sensible question and surprisingly, the answer isn’t actually that obvious. Of course, some Dubstep is available online (digitally) from iTunes but in the Dubstep genre’s case, iTunes isn’t actually the main online digital Dubstep store. In fact, a smaller online store called Beatport is the main store to buy Dubstep digitally. So make sure you keep Beatport in mind when looking for Dubstep (although it’s more expensive)!

Now, for the bit you may not actually know, all Dubstep is sold in physical format too! Yes, this is correct; most, if not all produced Dubstep songs are sold on Vinyl records. You may be thinking at this point in time “isn’t that a step backwards, Vinyl records?”, when thinking this, you are actually wrong. Most club DJ’s still use Vinyl records as they’re easily manipulated and offer supreme sound quality. Also, enthusiasts simply love to own their favourite tracks physically. It’s a simple concept really.

If you have ever been to clubs (I’m talking about real dance clubs, not sit down and have a drink places), you may have noticed DJ’s using a mixture of CD’s and Vinyls. For this reason, Dubstep records are still produced on Vinyl to be used at home on the turntables. To be honest, I buy them just to own some of my favourite songs in physical format, so I can hold and caress them (plus I DJ as well, so it’s a bonus). As for shops that sell Dubstep Vinyl records, Google or ask around locals. In my home town of Cardiff we have one shop called Catapult Records which sells all kinds of Dance music including Dubstep. Go there (it’s in High Street Arcade).

And now we have reached the hour of spliff politics Dubstep suggestions! Instead of you going off and simply typing “Dubstep” into YouTube or Google (and coming up with rubbish results of Mt Eden Dubstep which is junk), I thought I would suggest 10 tracks for you to listen to, just copy and paste each track and YouTube them, they’re all there!

Finally, I thank you for reading my Dubstep page. All I ask you to now do is enjoy the music. I’m not forcing you to praise Dubstep or whatever – we all have our individual music tastes!

Found an error? Contact me.