What do you look for in dubstep?

[jrkhnds]

that's the thing with hyperdub though: they know when it's time to move on; before stuff gets stale.

[ThisIsSovereign]

I suppose it's an obvious aspect but just like with all the other music I listen to (Drum and Bass, Jungle, Garage, Bassline House etc) I look for interesting sub-bass lines/melodies. I like when there's movement in the sub-bass via pitch, volume, volume LFO's or whatever. Here's one with good movement I've been rinsing lately and a favorite:

[+] Spoiler

I guess the other thing that is always nice would be movement in the low mids such as in:

[+] Spoiler

The sub and low mid movement in that track are just mental .

On top of all of that I'd say I look for an overall dark/moody atmosphere via any synths that are in the track, fx, pads etc and a good vocal sample can really complete a track. Such as in Distance - Free Me, the vocal sample in the track gives me chills every time I listen to it, and the synth lines are so haunting.

[+] Spoiler

[rickyarbino]

I suppose I look for dub and/or 2step in dubstep.

[sixs]

jah samples are a must

[Olska]

Percussion that makes your ears tingle, accompanied with a bassline that moves around a bit. And plenty of space, you need some room to breathe in a track.