How to Make Techno: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Techno is a genre of electronic dance music characterized by repetitive beats, synthesizers, and a strong emphasis on rhythm. It has evolved into multiple subgenres, each with distinct characteristics and production techniques. This guide will walk you through the fundamentals of making techno and dive into nine popular subgenres: minimal techno, hypnotic techno, peak-time techno, hard techno, industrial techno, Detroit techno, dub techno, acid techno, and schranz.

Essential Tools for Producing Techno

Before diving into specific subgenres, here are the fundamental tools and software you’ll need to start making techno:

Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)

A DAW is the heart of your production setup. Popular choices include:

• Ableton Live – Excellent for loop-based production and real-time performance.
• FL Studio – A beginner-friendly DAW with a strong step sequencer.
• Logic Pro X – Apple’s DAW with robust MIDI capabilities.
• Bitwig Studio – Offers innovative modulation and performance features.

Drum Machines & Synths

• Roland TR-909 & TR-808 – Classic drum machines used in techno.
• Elektron Analog Rytm – A modern drum machine with deep sound design capabilities.
• Moog Sub 37, Behringer TD-3, and Roland TB-303 – Common synths used for acid and bass-heavy techno.

VST Plugins

• Kick 2 (by Sonic Academy) – Excellent for designing techno kicks.
• FabFilter Saturn – Great for distortion and saturation.
• U-he Diva & Repro-5 – Analog-style synths for rich leads and pads.
• Soundtoys Decapitator – A saturation plugin for warmth and grit.

Sample Packs & Sound Libraries

• Loopmasters, Splice, and Samples From Mars provide high-quality samples tailored for techno production.

Genres of Techno & Production Techniques

1. Minimal Techno

Minimal techno is characterized by stripped-down, repetitive structures with subtle modulations.

Key Elements:

• Sparse drum patterns.
• Simple basslines with hypnotic grooves.
• Extensive use of delay, reverb, and subtle automation.

Production Tips:

• Use a high-pass filter to keep the low end clean and emphasize transients.
• Employ LFO modulation on synths and effects for evolving textures.
• Minimalism thrives on subtle automation—modulate cutoff, reverb decay, and delay feedback over time.

Artists to Study:

• Ricardo Villalobos
• Richie Hawtin
• Thomas Brinkmann

2. Hypnotic Techno

Hypnotic techno is deep, repetitive, and focused on evolving soundscapes that create a trance-like experience.

Key Elements:

• Atmospheric pads and evolving textures.
• Polyrhythmic drum grooves.
• Modulated synth loops.

Production Tips:

• Use granular synthesis and field recordings for immersive textures.
• Apply randomized modulation on delay and reverb for evolving depth.
• Experiment with unquantized percussion to create organic, rolling rhythms.

Artists to Study:

• Donato Dozzy
• Mike Parker
• Claudio PRC

3. Peak-time Techno

Peak-time (or big-room) techno is designed for large clubs and festival stages, featuring high-energy drops and driving basslines.

Key Elements:

• Powerful, distorted kick drums.
• Wide, aggressive hi-hats and claps.
• Rising tension with white noise sweeps and big synth stabs.

Production Tips:

• Use parallel compression on drums for punchy transients.
• Layer multiple kick drums to achieve a full, club-ready sound.
• Automate reverb and filter sweeps to enhance build-ups.

Artists to Study:

• Charlotte de Witte
• Adam Beyer
• Amelie Lens

4. Hard Techno

Hard techno is a faster, more aggressive style with distorted kicks and relentless energy.

Key Elements:

• Fast BPM (140-160 BPM).
• Distorted, overdriven kicks.
• Raw, industrial synth stabs and aggressive percussion.

Production Tips:

• Use distortion plugins like Soundtoys Decapitator to add grit.
• Apply sidechain compression aggressively to balance kick and bass.
• Layer fast, syncopated percussions for relentless energy.

Artists to Study:

• Sara Landry
• Nico Moreno
• 999999999
• Klangkuenstler
• Shlømo

5. Industrial Techno

Industrial techno incorporates mechanical, dystopian soundscapes and raw, abrasive textures.

Key Elements:

• Heavy use of noise and distortion.
• Atonal, metallic percussion.
• Dissonant synth layers.

Production Tips:

• Process drum sounds through bitcrushers and reverb to create an industrial feel.
• Utilize field recordings of machines, factories, and urban environments.
• Experiment with feedback loops and granular synthesis for chaotic textures.

6. Detroit Techno

Detroit techno is the origin of the genre, blending futuristic sounds with funk and soul influences.

Key Elements:

• Warm analog synths and deep basslines.
• Funky and soulful grooves.
• Sci-fi inspired sounds.

Production Tips:

• Use analog synths to create warm, evolving textures.
• Incorporate syncopated rhythms for a groovy feel.
• Sample old jazz and funk records to add depth and authenticity.

Artists to Study:

• Juan Atkins
• Derrick May
• Kevin Saunderson
• Jeff Mills
• Carl Craig

7. Dub Techno

Dub techno is heavily influenced by dub reggae, featuring deep, atmospheric soundscapes.

Key Elements:

• Reverb-drenched chords.
• Minimalist, atmospheric grooves.

Production Tips:

• Use delay and reverb to create space and movement.
• Modulate filter cutoff slowly over time.
• Layer white noise with soft pads to add texture.

Artists to Study:

• Basic Channel
• Deepchord
• Echospace
• Moritz von Oswald

8. Acid Techno

Acid techno is defined by squelchy, resonant basslines from the Roland TB-303.

Key Elements:

• Resonant acid basslines.
• Driving 4/4 beats.

Production Tips:

• Use filter automation to create evolving acid lines.
• Distort and layer TB-303 sequences for extra grit.
• Use glide and portamento settings to add movement to basslines.

Artists to Study:

• Chris Liberator
• D.A.V.E. The Drummer
• Regal
• I Hate Models

9. Schranz

Schranz is a relentless, fast-paced style of techno that pushes energy levels to the extreme.

Key Elements:

• Relentless rolling bass.
• Distorted kicks.

Production Tips:

• Use fast BPMs (150–160 BPM) and aggressive filtering.
• Add triplet-based percussion to create swing and drive.
• Use heavy compression to maintain energy throughout the track.

Artists to Study:

• Chris Liebing
• Sven Wittekind
• O.B.I.
• Torsten Kanzler

Final Thoughts

Making techno requires patience, creativity, and a deep understanding of sound design and rhythm. Experiment with production techniques, and most importantly, have fun making music!