Complete guide // 6 styles
Types ofDnB
Complete guide to all Drum and Bass styles — from melodic Liquid to dark Neurofunk and raw Jungle.
DnB types comparison table
| Type | BPM | Energy | Mood | Complexity | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liquid | 174 | Low-Medium | Melodic, Happy | Low | New listeners |
| Neurofunk | 174 | High | Dark, Technical | High | Bass heads |
| Jump-Up | 174 | Very High | Playful, Bouncy | Low | Festivals |
| Jungle | 160-175 | Medium-High | Raw, Organic | Medium | Purists |
| Techstep | 170-180 | Medium-High | Cold, Industrial | High | Minimalists |
| Halftime | 174 | Medium | Heavy, Dark | Medium | Head-nodders |
What does 174 BPM actually mean? See DnB BPM explained.
Liquid DnB
- 174 BPM
- Melodic
- Netsky, LSB
Smooth, melodic, and emotional — Liquid DnB focuses on lush chords, atmospheric pads, and often features soulful vocals. It's the most accessible type of DnB for newcomers.
Key characteristics
- Melodic chords and atmospheres
- Vocals and singing
- Rolling but gentle drums
- Warm basslines
- Often 160-180 BPM
You enjoy melodic electronic music, trance, or house and want an easy entry into DnB.
Neurofunk (Neuro)
- 174 BPM
- Dark / technical
- Noisia, Mefjus
- DnB Doctor roster
Dark, futuristic, and technical — Neurofunk is defined by intricate sound design, precision basslines, and cinematic tension. It's the heaviest type of DnB.
Key characteristics
- Complex sound design bass
- Precision drum programming
- Dark, sci-fi atmospheres
- Technical production
- Heavy sub-bass pressure
You love heavy bass, detailed sound design, and dark, futuristic vibes.
Jump-Up DnB
- 174 BPM
- Bouncy
- DJ Hazard, Macky Gee
Bouncy, playful, and high-energy — Jump-Up focuses on big hooks, catchy basslines, and dancefloor-ready drops. It's festival-friendly and crowd-pleasing.
Key characteristics
- Big, bouncy bass hooks
- High dancefloor energy
- Simple but effective drops
- Playful and fun vibes
- Crowd-friendly structure
You want high energy, big festival vibes, and music that makes you move.
Jungle
- 160-175 BPM
- Raw / breakbeat
- Shy FX, Congo Natty
Raw, breakbeat-driven, and rooted in reggae — Jungle is the predecessor to DnB from the early '90s. It features chopped breaks, dub influences, and organic energy.
Key characteristics
- Chopped and screwed breaks
- Reggae and dub influences
- Raw, organic production
- Bass pressure and weight
- Classic samples
You want the original sound, raw energy, and the roots of DnB culture.
Techstep
- 170-180 BPM
- Minimal
- Ed Rush & Optical
Minimal, robotic, and industrial — Techstep strips things back with tight drums, cold atmospheres, and driving sci-fi grooves. It's mechanical and precise.
Key characteristics
- Minimal, stripped-back production
- Cold, industrial atmospheres
- Tight, mechanical drums
- Driving sci-fi grooves
- Robotic bass sounds
You prefer darker, more minimal sounds with an industrial edge.
Halftime / 87 BPM
- 174 BPM
- Heavy
Heavy, spacious, and slower-feeling — Halftime keeps the DnB tempo (~174 BPM) but places drums in half-time, creating a heavy, head-nodding groove.
Key characteristics
- Half-time drum patterns
- Heavy, spacious grooves
- Dark atmospheres
- Slower-feeling at 174 BPM
- Head-nodding rhythm
You like heavy, slower-feeling beats with massive space and weight.
Hear the neuro side
Our lane is Neurofunk — the latest from the DnB Doctor lab.
FAQ about DnB types
What are the main types of DnB?
The main types of DnB (Drum and Bass) are: Liquid (melodic), Neurofunk (dark/technical), Jump-Up (bouncy/high-energy), Jungle (raw/breakbeat), Techstep (minimal/industrial), and Halftime (heavy/slow-feeling). Most modern tracks blend elements from multiple types.
Which type of DnB is best for beginners?
Liquid DnB is generally best for beginners because of its melodic, accessible nature. Jump-Up is also beginner-friendly due to its fun, energetic vibe. If you love heavy bass and sound design, start with Neurofunk.
What is liquid DnB — and how is it different from "regular" DnB?
Liquid DnB is the smooth, melodic type of Drum and Bass: lush chords, atmospheric pads and often soulful vocals, at the same ~174 BPM as other DnB. It is not an alternative to DnB but one style inside it — the difference is the mood and sound design, not the tempo.
What's the difference between Jungle and DnB?
Jungle is the earlier style from the early '90s featuring chopped breakbeats, reggae influences, and raw production. Drum and Bass evolved from Jungle, becoming more polished, production-focused, and expanding into many types like Liquid and Neurofunk.
How many types of drum and bass are there?
There are 6 main types of Drum and Bass: Liquid, Neurofunk, Jump-Up, Jungle, Techstep, and Halftime. However, many producers blend styles, and sub-subgenres exist (like "intelligent DnB" similar to Liquid, or "darkstep" related to Neurofunk).
What BPM are different types of DnB?
Most types of DnB run at 160-180 BPM (beats per minute), with 174 BPM being the standard. Jungle can be slightly slower (160-175 BPM), while Halftime maintains 174 BPM but feels slower due to half-time drum patterns.