Drum and Bass (DnB) is a genre of electronic music defined by fast tempos, complex breakbeats, and prominent basslines. Originating in the UK’s underground music scene in the 1990s, it has evolved over the years into various styles while retaining a core identity built on rhythmic intricacy and sonic weight. Its appeal comes from both its energetic impact and its capacity for diverse expression.

In this article we'll look at some of the major subgenres of DnB including Liquid, Jump Up, Neurofunk, and Dancefloor and how they're made. Producing DnB presents challenges, especially with rhythm and low frequencies, but there's still potential for sonic innovation if you know what you're doing.

You also need to understand something about where the music came from if you want your productions to sound authentic, so let's take a look at the history and technological changes that have led to the styles of DnB we know today.

The Origins and Evolution of Drum and Bass

UK Rave & Breakbeat Hardcore (Late 80s - Early 90s)

The origins of Drum and Bass lie in the late 1980s and early 1990s UK acid house and rave scene. From this environment, breakbeat hardcore emerged. This period involved significant experimentation, with producers blending breakbeats with elements from various genres like House, Techno, Reggae, Dub, and Hip Hop. Early labels such as Kickin’ Records, Shut Up and Dance, and Reinforced Records (co-founded by 4hero) were influential.

The increasing tempos of DnB compared to its predecessors had practical consequences. As speeds often exceeded 165 BPM, mixing these tracks with slower House and Techno became technically challenging or impossible on standard club equipment. This incompatibility helped establish a separate path for the breakbeat sound, requiring different mixing techniques and fostering its own musical ecosystem distinct from the wider rave scene. The environment encouraged pushing sampling technology to make creative fusions. Sampled breakbeats were crucial in the evolution of the genre, enhancing rhythmic and textural interest while sometimes struggling with sound quality issues.

Darkcore & The Emergence of Jungle (1992-1994)

By 1992-1993, breakbeat hardcore started to fragment. One direction moved towards lighter sounds (sometimes called "Toytown" Techno), prompting a reaction from producers who explored darker, more aggressive styles, or "Darkcore." This moodier sound, using ominous samples and heavy basslines, found traction in London's urban youth culture. It also integrated influences from Jamaican sound system culture (Reggae, Dub, Dancehall) and Hip Hop.

This fusion became known as "Jungle." The term's origin is debated, but it quickly gained cultural significance. It represented more than just a musical style; it became associated with Black British identity, a sound developed in UK inner cities distinct from American Hip Hop. In the context of post-Thatcherite Britain, Jungle's darker tone offered a form of cultural expression for marginalized urban youth. Pirate radio stations, notably Kool FM, were essential in disseminating the sound before it reached legal airwaves. Clubs like A.W.O.L., Roast, and Telepathy provided physical spaces for the scene.

Technically, Jungle advanced breakbeat manipulation. Producers learned to chop classic breaks, especially the "Amen break" (from The Winstons' "Amen, Brother"), rearranging the slices into complex, syncopated patterns. Basslines became heavier and more intricate, influenced by dub production techniques. Foundational tracks by artists like Lennie De-Ice ("We Are I.E."), A Guy Called Gerald ("28 Gun Bad Boy"), Bizzy B, DJ Ron, DJ Hype, Kenny Ken, Mickey Finn, and DJ Dextrous helped define the sound. Proficiency with samplers became key, transforming existing loops into new rhythmic forms. Jungle achieved mainstream chart success in 1994-1995 with tracks like M-Beat ft. General Levy's "Incredible" and Shy FX & UK Apache's "Original Nuttah."

Expansion (1995-1998)

Around 1995, as ragga-influenced Jungle gained visibility, some producers sought to broaden the music’s scope, focusing on more intricate drum programming and synthesized sounds. DnB productions began to emphasize the integration of various musical styles, with sampled breakbeats becoming foundational to creating unique tracks. This led to a distinction: “Jungle” remained associated with ragga-heavy tracks, while “Drum and Bass” was increasingly used for productions emphasizing complex drum edits and evolving synth basslines, often with fewer vocals. This reflected diverging artistic directions and a move towards more refined production.

Several figures and labels became linked with this developing DnB sound. Goldie’s 1995 album “Timeless” (on his Metalheadz label, co-founded with Kemistry & Storm), incorporated orchestral elements and raised DnB’s artistic profile. LTJ Bukem’s Good Looking Records pioneered the “atmospheric” or “intelligent” style, characterized by jazz influences, ambient textures, and smooth breaks. Roni Size & Reprazent (associated with V Recordings and later Full Cycle) integrated live instrumentation and jazz, winning the 1997 Mercury Prize for “New Forms.” DJs Fabio and Grooverider were respected pioneers. Andy C and RAM Records gained prominence for both production and DJ techniques. Moving Shadow, Suburban Base, and Renk Records were also important labels during this time.

A key sonic development was the adoption of the “Reese” bass. This sound originated from Detroit Techno producer Kevin Saunderson’s 1988 track “Just Want Another Chance” (as Reese). Ray Keith (as Renegade) sampled this bassline for his 1994 track “Terrorist,” combining it with the Amen break. The track helped popularize the Reese sound within Jungle/DnB. The Reese’s deep, detuned, warbling character offered a dynamic alternative to previous bass sounds and became widely used.

Techstep and Further Diversification (Late 90s - Present)

While melodic DnB gained popularity in the mid-to-late 90s, a harder style called “Techstep” developed in the underground. Influenced by Techno and science fiction, Techstep featured intricate, precise drum patterns, often distorted basslines, and a colder, synthetic aesthetic.

Key figures included DJ Trace, Ed Rush, and Optical. Experimentation at studios like No U Turn led to innovations such as running the Reese bass through distortion, creating a gnarlier, midrange sound that cut through mixes effectively. This distorted Reese became characteristic of Techstep, featured by the No U Turn crew and later Ed Rush & Optical on their Virus Recordings label. Ed Rush & Optical’s 1998 album “Wormhole” is considered a defining Techstep release.

Since the late 90s, DnB has continued to diversify into subgenres. Styles like Liquid Funk (melodic, soulful), Jump Up (high-energy bass riffs), Neurofunk (pushing Techstep’s technical complexity), Dubwise (reggae/dub focus), and Drumfunk (complex breakbeat focus) emerged, each with dedicated artists and labels (e.g., Hospital Records, Critical Music, Shogun Audio, Exit Records, Eatbrain, Blackout Music NL). The genre also became a global phenomenon, with strong scenes developing worldwide. This emergence of various subgenres within Drum and Bass showcases its ongoing creativity and adaptability, catering to different audience preferences and maintaining a distinctive aesthetic.

Drum & Bass Subgenre Quick Guide

The Anatomy of Drum and Bass: Core Sonic Elements

Key components define the Drum and Bass sound:

• Tempo: Typically fast, between 170 and 180 BPM (174 BPM is common), creating inherent energy.

• Rhythmic Complexity: Characterized by intricate drum patterns, often combining manipulated breakbeats with programmed drums for syncopation.

• Bass Dominance: Deep, powerful basslines are central, providing harmonic foundation, weight, and sonic character. Understanding the frequency spectrum is crucial in achieving a balanced mix, as different elements like bass and drums occupy specific areas within it, affecting the overall quality and energy of the track.

Building the Rhythmic Foundation: Drum Programming Concepts

Drums form the rhythmic backbone of DnB. Programming involves understanding tempo, patterns, and the use of breaks and one-shots. The importance of programming snares to create groove and complexity in drum patterns cannot be overstated, as they significantly enhance the overall sound.

Crafting the Sonic Weight: Bassline Concepts

The bassline is central to DnB’s identity, known for sounds ranging from deep subs to complex textures. Using a low note on a supersaw oscillator contributes to the Reese bass's full-bodied and gritty character, which is essential for achieving a wide and encompassing stereo effect.

The Foundational Sub Bass Role

Sub bass provides low-frequency weight (below 80-100Hz). Sine waves are often used for their purity. Sub bass is typically kept mono to ensure consistency on playback systems, especially club PAs. Ensuring that sub bass frequencies are both felt and heard is crucial for an optimal listening experience. Careful level balancing with the kick drum is necessary to avoid muddiness.

The Iconic Reese Bass - Significance

The iconic Reese sound is created by slightly detuning two sawtooth waves, causing a phasing or warbling effect. This harmonically rich, moving sound offered a dynamic alternative to static basses and became a staple. Using many unison voices enhances the stereo field and creates a fuller Reese bass sound, which is essential for achieving the desired effect in electronic music production. Modulation and effects shape its character.

Midrange Power and Neuro Growls

Midrange bass frequencies (approx. 100Hz-1kHz) provide definition, character, and translation to smaller speakers. Richer waveforms (saws, squares) or FM synthesis create these layers, often with distortion. Neurofunk features complex “growls” or morphing textures, created through advanced synthesis (FM, wavetable, granular), aggressive processing, and iterative resampling (processing, rendering, reprocessing audio) for detailed, evolving sounds. The use of aggressive sounds in Neurofunk helps create a dark and intense atmosphere, setting it apart from other subgenres.

Bass & Drum Interplay

The relationship between drums and bass dictates the groove. The main challenge is managing the low-frequency overlap (below ~150Hz) between kick and bass, which can cause muddiness. Solutions focus on creating separation:

• Sidechain Compression: Briefly lowering bass volume when the kick hits.

• EQ: Carving distinct frequency spaces for kick and bass.

• Phase Alignment: Ensuring waveforms interact constructively (check in mono).

• Level Balancing: Finding the right volume relationship.

• Sample Selection: Choosing sounds that naturally complement each other.

• Stereo Field Management: Expanding the sound across the stereo field, especially by adding unison voices to a supersaw oscillator, contributes to a rich, immersive sound essential for full-bodied bass tones in drum and bass music.

Expanding the Soundscape: Atmospherics, Melodies & FX Roles

Other elements that contribute to DnB tracks include:

• Atmospheric Pads: Create mood and space, often processed with reverb/delay (common in Liquid).

• Leads and Melodies: Provide hooks or harmonic interest (importance varies by subgenre).

• Vocal Samples: Used for rhythmic effect, texture, or hooks, often processed.

• FX (Effects): Used for tension, transitions, and sonic interest. Includes risers, downlifters, impacts, drum fills, reversed sounds, and glitch effects. FX such as risers and impacts are crucial for building tension and enhancing transitions, creating excitement and preparing listeners for changes in the track.

Instruments and Samples in Drum and Bass

Drum and bass production heavily relies on the use of the right instruments and samples to create the distinctive sound of the genre. Instruments such as drum machines and synthesizers are commonly used to craft intricate drum patterns and powerful bass sounds. These tools allow producers to program drums with precision and design bass sounds that define the track’s character. Samples, on the other hand, add texture and depth to the music. In Drum and Bass music, samples can range from classic drum breaks to melodic phrases, often used to create a sense of tension and release. By blending these elements, producers can create dynamic and engaging drum and bass tracks that captivate listeners.

Using Samples and Synths

When using samples and synths in drum and bass production, it’s essential to consider the overall sound and style of the track. For instance, a Liquid Drum and Bass track may feature more atmospheric and ambient samples, creating a smooth and emotive soundscape. In contrast, a Neurofunk track might incorporate more aggressive and distorted synths, adding intensity and complexity. By carefully selecting and manipulating the right samples and synths, producers can craft a unique and captivating sound that sets their track apart. Additionally, using a reference track can help producers understand how to effectively mix the samples and synths in their own drum and bass productions, ensuring their tracks are well-balanced and impactful.

FX and Processing in Drum and Bass

When using FX to enhance your sound in Drum and Bass production, it’s essential to consider the overall balance and mix of the track. For example, adding too much reverb or delay can make the track sound muddy and unclear, while excessive distortion can result in a harsh and aggressive sound. By carefully balancing the levels and settings of different FX, producers can achieve a sound that is both polished and professional. Additionally, using a high-pass filter can help clean up the low end of the track, making it sound more focused and defined. This attention to detail in FX and processing ensures that each element of the track contributes to a cohesive and powerful final mix.

Bass Drum Techniques

The bass drum is a critical element in drum and bass production, providing the foundation and drive for the rest of the track. There are several techniques that can be used to create a heavy and powerful bass drum sound. One common approach is to use distortion and compression to add punch and attack, making the bass drum cut through the mix. By experimenting with different techniques and settings, producers can create a bass drum sound that is both unique and captivating, ensuring their drum and bass tracks have the necessary impact and energy.

Structuring the Journey: Arrangement Concepts

A typical DnB structure includes:

• Intro: Establishes mood, builds anticipation.

• Build-up: Increases tension towards the drop.

• Drop 1: Main high-energy section.

• Breakdown: Contrasting section with lower energy.

• Build-up 2: Rebuilds energy.

• Drop 2: Second high-energy section, usually with variations.

• Outro: Gradually fades out elements.

Effective arrangements incorporate variations within these sections (e.g., every 8 or 16 bars) to maintain interest.

Energy Dynamics and Transitions

Managing energy involves layering elements (adding/removing sounds) to build and release tension. Transitions between sections use FX (risers, impacts, fills) to signal changes and maintain flow. Using FX and automation can add interest and enhance transitions, making the track more engaging. Automation (gradual changes to parameters like filters or volume) also shapes the energy contour. The goal is a dynamic musical journey.

Conclusion

This guide has covered the history and core concepts of Drum and Bass, from its UK origins to its current diverse forms. It outlined the conceptual pillars of production: drums, bass, atmospherics, arrangement, and mixing. Understanding these provides a foundation for creating DnB. Additionally, understanding the history and techniques of music creation in Drum and Bass is crucial for mastering the genre.

Technical knowledge is one aspect; creative exploration is equally important. Learning from the genre’s history and experimenting with different techniques helps develop a unique sound. DnB production requires dedication but allows for creating music with distinct energy and depth. Combining technical understanding with creative vision and practice allows producers to find their place within Drum and Bass.

Your Turn to Shape the DnB Sound

You're now armed with the history, techniques, and core concepts behind crafting powerful Drum and Bass. From understanding the legacy of Jungle and the Amen break to programming intricate rhythms and earth-shattering basslines, you've got the map. Whether you're aiming for the soulful flow of Liquid, the raw energy of Jump Up, the futuristic complexity of Neurofunk, or the polished impact of Dancefloor DnB, the foundation is laid.

Drum and Bass thrives on innovation. Take these concepts, experiment fearlessly, blend influences, and push the boundaries at 174 BPM (or wherever your creativity leads). The next evolution of DnB could come from you.

So, load up your DAW, grab those classic breaks (or program your own!), sculpt that Reese or Neuro bass, and let the rhythms roll.

Knowing the theory is one thing, making tracks that shake the sound system is another! Our How to Make Drum and Bass course covers all the essentials – from complex drum programming and synthesis to advanced bass sound design and mixing techniques to get your tracks club-ready.

Ready to build complete DnB rollers and bangers? Join Futureproof Music School today and get a 7-day free trial.