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The Definitive Textbook

The award winning, world-leading textbook for electronic music production for over 20 years, the dance music manual has won multiple awards, nominated for technology book of the year and is required or recommended reading at most educational instituions.

Access the resource files for the 3rd and 4th Edition of the Dance Music Manual here >

Required Reading.

The Dance Music Manual was first published in 2004 by Focal Press. It was the only book at that time to explore the real-world application of electronic dance music production. Its aim was to introduce producers to the technology, core concepts, and techniques, giving them a solid grounding to start.

Fast forward 20 years, and the book, now in its fourth edition (the fifth edition in September 2024), has become the world-leading textbook on electronic music production. It is required reading in colleges and universities worldwide and considered by many professionals as the definitive reference and resource text. It has been translated into seven languages, won awards, was shortlisted as Outstanding Technical Book of the Year, and comes highly recommended by ToolRoom Records, Mix Magazine, Music Tech Magazine, Freshly Squeezed Samples, Equipboard, Underground Production, Production expert and many others. It is suitable for anyone looking to produce dance music, including beginners.

The Dance Music Manual 4th Edition

Available Now

Buy It Here

(And use the 20% discount code AUD19)

Chapter Contents

Chapter 1:
The Studio Centre Piece

Chapter 2:
The Audio Interface

Chapter 3:
Monitors and headphones

Chapter 4:
Hearing Protection

Chapter 5:
Frequency and Amplitude

Chapter 6:
Synthesizers

Chapter 7:
FM and wavetables

Chapter 8:
Modular Synthesis

Chapter 9:
The Theory of Sound Design.

Chapter 10:
Samplers

Chapter 11:
Compression

Chapter 12:
Processors

Chapter 13:<
Effects

Chapter 14:
Mixing Desk Structure

Chapter 15:
Hybrid Studios

Chapter 16:
Fundamentals of Rhythm

Chapter 17:
Kicks and Percussion

Chapter 18:
Drum Loops

Chapter 19:
Fundamentals of Music Theory

Chapter 20:
Harmony

Chapter 21:
Composing and Designing Strings

Chapter 22:
Composing and Designing Leads

Chapter 23:
Composing and Designing Bass

Chapter 24:
Sound Effects

Chapter 25:
Vocals

Chapter 26:
Formal Structure in Dance Music

Chapter 27:
House Music

Chapter 28:
Techno

Chapter 29:
Uplifting Trance

Chapter 30:
Dubstep

Chapter 31:
Chill Out

Chapter 32:
Drum & Bass

Chapter 33:
Dub

Chapter 34:
Mixing Theory

Chapter 35:
Mixing Practice

Chapter 36:
Mastering

Chapter 37:
Publishing and Promotion

Chapter 38:
A DJ’s Perspective

Chapter 39:
Appendix

The Dance Music Manual is available from most good bookstores in paperback, hardback and also in electronic format. You can buy the paperback version from our Publisher and they will ship it directly to your door. For the Kindle electronic version, you will need to purchase directly from Amazon.

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