What defines techno?
Techno is one of the most minimal forms of electronic music. It relies on rhythm and texture rather than melody and harmony. A great techno track can be built from just a kick, a hat, a clap, and a bassline.
- Tempo: 125 to 140 BPM. Faster than house, driving and relentless.
- Kick: Heavy, dominant, and always present. The kick IS the track.
- Percussion: Crisp, metallic, industrial. Hats, rides, claps, rim shots.
- Bass: Dark, often filtered, sometimes acid (resonant filter sweeps).
- Melody: Minimal or absent. When present, it's a single repeating phrase that evolves slowly.
- Texture: Industrial, dark, hypnotic. Drive and distortion are welcome.
Step 1: The kick
Set tempo to 130 BPM. Open Drums. Place kicks on every beat (steps 1, 5, 9, 13). In techno, the kick is the most important element. It should be heavy, punchy, and loud in the mix.
Step 2: Percussion
Add hi-hats on every step (16th notes) or every other step (8th notes). Make them crisp and tight. Add a clap or rimshot on beats 2 and 4. Optionally add a ride cymbal on offbeats for metallic shimmer.
Techno percussion is all about patterns that lock together into a groove. Even without bass or melody, the drums alone should make you nod your head.
Step 3: The bassline
Switch to Bass. Choose the 303 or Acid preset if available. Techno bass is often a single repeated note with a filter sweep. Place the same note on every beat or every other beat, then use the filter to create movement.
The classic acid techno sound comes from a resonant low pass filter sweeping open and closed. Start with the filter mostly closed, then gradually open it during the pattern. Add drive for extra aggression.
Step 4: Texture and atmosphere
Techno uses texture where other genres use melody. Try:
- A Synth pad with heavy reverb, playing a single sustained chord. Very quiet in the mix.
- An arp pattern using a simple 2 to 3 note sequence that repeats hypnotically.
- FX or noise hits on occasional beats for industrial atmosphere.
Resist the urge to add a catchy melody. Techno is about rhythm and hypnosis, not hooks.
Step 5: Mix dark
Techno mixes are kick dominant. The kick should be the loudest element by far. Bass sits underneath. Everything else is quiet, dark, and filtered. Use the low pass filter on most elements to cut highs. The overall feel should be dark and driving.
Add drive to the kick and bass for weight. Use reverb sparingly on percussion for industrial space.
Techno subgenres
- Minimal techno: Even fewer elements. Just kick, hat, and one bass/texture element.
- Industrial techno: Heavy distortion, metallic textures, aggressive energy.
- Acid techno: 303 style basslines with resonant filter sweeps.
- Dub techno: Heavy reverb, delays, spacious and atmospheric.