What You Need to Know About European Techno Music

Techno music has been around for decades, but it’s only recently that it has begun to gain popularity in the mainstream. If you’re a fan of EDM or electronic dance music, then you’ve probably heard of techno music. But what is it, really?

In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the history of techno music and some of its key characteristics. We’ll also explore the different subgenres of techno and some of the artists who have helped

What is European Techno Music?

Techno music is a type of electronic dance music that originated in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid-1980s. The first techno tracks were produced by Jamaican-born producer Juan Atkins, who is often credited as the “godfather” of techno. European techno is a subgenre of techno that developed in Europe during the early 1990s. It typically features a more minimalistic sound than Detroit techno and is often inspired by house music and industrial music.

The Different Types of European Techno Music

Techno music originated in Detroit in the 1980s, but the genre has since spread to other parts of the world, including Europe. European techno music can be divided into three main subgenres: French techno, German techno, and minimal techno. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at each of these subgenres and explore some of the defining characteristics of each.

Hard Techno

Hard Techno is a subgenre of techno that arose in the late 1990s. It is typified by its hard-hitting, often distorted and surgically precise sound. Hard techno tracks typically feature a minimalistic arrangement with a very limited number of elements and a strong focus on the rhythm. The genre is often associated with the sound of German labels such as Tresor, Ostgut Ton, and Ellen Allien’s BPitch Control.

Schranz

Schranz is a very hard, stripped-down form of techno music that originated in Germany in the early 1990s. Schranz tracks have a very fast tempo, typically around 160-170 BPM, and often have a machine-like, repetitive sound.

Acid Techno

Acid techno is a subgenre of techno that was developed in the late 1980s. It is characterized by its use of the Roland TB-303 bass synthesizer, which gives it its signature sound. The TB-303 was originally designed as an automatic bass line generator for guitarists, but it quickly gained popularity among electronic musicians because of its unique sound. Acid techno is often trance-like and psychedelic, with a heavy emphasis on the repetition of simple melodic motifs.

Minimal Techno

Minimal techno is a form of techno music that is characterized by a minimalistic approach to composition and sound design. The genre first emerged in the early 1990s in Germany and has been located primarily in Europe ever since.

As the name suggests, minimal techno is all about stripping down techno to its bare essentials and emphasizing simplicity over complexity. The focus is on creating hypnotic grooves and textures using a limited palette of sounds, often with a heavy reliance on repetition.

Minimal techno is not generally intended to be danceable in the traditional sense; rather, it is meant to be listened to intently and absorbed as part of an overall atmosphere or journey. That being said, the music can still be quite dynamic and varied, and some tracks may be more suitable for dancing than others.

If you’re new to minimal techno, some good starting points include the classic tracks “Perlon 4” by Plastikman (aka Richie Hawtin) and “Waveform Transmissions Vol. 1” by Speedy J.

Dub Techno

Dub techno is a subgenre of techno that combines elements of dub music and Detroit techno. The music typically has a slow tempo and features delayed, reverberant, and pitch-shifted sounds. It first emerged in the early 1990s in Berlin, Germany.

The History of European Techno Music

Techno music originated in Detroit, Michigan in the United States in the 1980s. The first techno tracks were created by DJs and producers who were influenced by the electronic music of Europe, particularly that of Germany and France. These artists used synthesizers, drum machines, and other electronic equipment to create their music.

In the 1990s, techno music became popular in Europe, particularly in Germany and the United Kingdom. By the early 2000s, it had spread to other countries on the continent, including Portugal, Spain, Belgium, and Switzerland. In recent years, techno music has gained popularity in Russia and Eastern Europe.

Today, techno music is enjoyed by people all over the world. It is often played at nightclubs and festivals, and its popularity shows no signs of waning.

The Future of European Techno Music

As electronic music continues to surge in popularity around the world, Europe remains one of the leading sources of techno music. In recent years, European techno artists have made a big impact on the global music scene, innovating new sounds and styles that have influenced artists all over the world.

So what does the future hold for European techno music? Here are a few predictions:

1. More experimental sounds will emerge.

European techno artists have always been willing to push boundaries and experiment with new sounds. As electronic music becomes more mainstream, we can expect to see even more experimental and avant-garde sounds emerging from Europe.

2. The lines between genres will continue to blur.

In the past few years, we’ve seen a growing trend of genre-bending in European techno music. Artists are increasingly incorporating elements of other genres like house, trance, and dubstep into their techno tracks, resulting in a more diverse range of sounds. This trend is likely to continue in the coming years as artists continue to explore new sonic possibilities.

3. The popularity of streaming services will increase.

As digital streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music become more popular around the world, we can expect to see European techno artists embracing these platforms as a way to reach new audiences. Platforms like Bandcamp and Soundcloud will also remain popular among independent and underground artists.

4. There will be more collaboration between European and American artists.

In recent years, there has been an increasing number of collaborations between European and American electronic musicians. As the two scenes continue to grow closer together, we can expect to see even more cross-continental collaborations in the future