cadewav

cadewav is a term that emerged from online communities, primarily within the realm of music production and audio engineering. It describes a specific type of sound or musical style characterized by a blend of electronic textures, often with a lo-fi or degraded quality, and elements of what could be considered ambient or even vaporwave aesthetics. The "cade" prefix is believed to be a portmanteau or abbreviation, though its exact origin is not definitively documented and can vary in interpretation among users.

The sonic characteristics of cadewav often include synthesized melodies, atmospheric pads, and sometimes sampled material that has been manipulated to sound distorted, compressed, or otherwise altered. This manipulation contributes to the distinct, often nostalgic or melancholic, feeling associated with the sound. It is not a formally recognized genre in mainstream music discourse but exists as a niche within subcultures dedicated to experimental electronic music and internet-based art forms. Discussions and examples of cadewav can be found on platforms like Reddit, Bandcamp, and SoundCloud, where artists and listeners share their work and engage in discussions about its defining features.