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.