Editing Electronica (section)

==Characteristics and definition==
Electronica benefited from industry advancements in [[music technology]], especially [[electronic musical instruments]], synthesizers, [[music sequencer]]s, [[drum machine]]s, and [[digital audio workstation]]s. As the technology developed, it became possible for individuals or smaller groups to produce electronic songs and recordings in smaller studios, even in [[Recording studio#Project studios|project studios]]. At the same time, computers facilitated the use of music "[[Sampling (music)|samples]]" and "[[Loop (music)|loops]]" as construction kits for sonic compositions.<ref name="direct2">"This loop slicing technique is common to the electronica genre and allows a live drum feel with added flexibility and variation."  Page 380, ''DirectX Audio Exposed: Interactive Audio Development'', Todd Fay, Wordware Publishing, 2003, {{ISBN|1-55622-288-2}}</ref> This led to a period of creative experimentation and the development of new forms, some of which became known as electronica.<ref name="holmes5">"Electronically produced music is part of the mainstream of popular culture.  Musical concepts that were once considered radical - the use of environmental sounds, ambient music, turntable music, digital sampling, computer music, the electronic modification of acoustic sounds, and music made from fragments of speech-have now been subsumed by many kinds of popular music. Record store genres including new age, rap, hip-hop, electronica, techno, jazz, and popular song all rely heavily on production values and techniques that originated with classic electronic music." Page 1,  ''Electronic and Experimental Music: Pioneers in Technology and Composition'', Thomas B. Holmes, Routledge Music/Songbooks, 2002, {{ISBN|0-415-93643-8}}</ref><ref name="wired-BT">"Electronica and punk have a definite similarity: They both totally prescribe to a DIY [[aesthetic]].  We both tried to work within the constructs of the traditional music business, but the system didn't get us - so we found a way to do it for ourselves, before it became affordable.", quote from artist BT, page 45, ''Wired: Musicians' Home Studios : Tools & Techniques of the Musical Mavericks'', Megan Perry, Backbeat Books Music/Songbooks 2004, {{ISBN|0-87930-794-3}}</ref> Wide ranges of influences, both sonic and compositional, are combined in electronica recordings.<ref name="technoculture1">" For example, composers often render more than one version of their own compositions. This practice is not unique to the mod scene, of course, and occurs commonly in dance club music and related forms (such as ambient, jungle, etc.—all broadly designated 'electronica')." Page 48, ''Music and Technoculture'', Rene T. A. Lysloff, Tandem Library Books, 2003, {{ISBN|0-613-91250-0}}</ref>

Electronica includes a wide variety of musical acts and styles, linked by a penchant for overtly electronic production;<ref name="direct1">"Electronica lives and dies by its grooves, fat synthesizer patches, and fliter sweeps.". Page 376, ''DirectX Audio Exposed: Interactive Audio Development'', Todd Fay, Wordware Publishing, 2003, {{ISBN|1-55622-288-2}}</ref> a range which includes more popular acts such as Björk, Madonna, [[Goldfrapp]] and [[Intelligent dance music|IDM]] artists such as [[Autechre]], and [[Aphex Twin]].

=== Regional differences ===
The North American mainstream music industry uses the term as an umbrella category to refer any dance-based electronic music styles with a potential for [[Pop music|pop]] appeal.<ref name="bogdanov" /> However, United States–based [[AllMusic]] still categorizes electronica as a top-level genre, stating that it includes danceable [[Groove (music)|grooves]], as well as music for headphones and [[Chill-out music|chillout]] areas.<ref name="AMG">{{Cite web |title= Electronica Music Style Overview|website=[[AllMusic]] |url=https://www.allmusic.com/style/electronica-ma0000002574 }}</ref>

In other parts of the world, especially in the UK, electronica is also a broad term, but is associated with non-dance-oriented music, including relatively [[Experimental music|experimental]] styles of listening electronic music. It partly overlaps what is known chiefly outside the UK as intelligent dance music (IDM).<ref name="bogdanov" />