How to Start Making Techno Music

A guide on how to start making techno music from scratch. Learn about the different elements of techno and how to put them together to make your own tracks.

Introduction

Techno music is a type of electronic dance music (EDM) that began in the 1980s. It is characterized by a repetitive 4/4 beat and often has a dark, underground sound. If you’re interested in making techno music, there are a few things you’ll need to get started.

First, you’ll need some quality equipment. Techno music is produced using synthesizers, drum machines, and samplers. You’ll also need a good computer with audio editing software. While it’s possible to create techno tracks using only a computer and some basic software, having quality equipment will make the process much easier and will produce better results.

Next, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the basics of music production. If you’ve never produced music before, there are plenty of resources available to help you get started. You can find online tutorials, books, and even video courses that will teach you everything you need to know about making techno music.

Once you have the equipment and the knowledge necessary to get started, it’s time to start creating your own tracks! Experiment with different sounds and rhythms until you find a style that suits you. There’s no right or wrong way to make techno music, so don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with it!

What You Will Need

To make techno music, you will need a computer with a music production program, such as Ableton Live, FL Studio, or Logic Pro. You will also need a MIDI controller, such as a keyboard or drum pads. Additionally, you will need headphones and/or speakers to listen to your music. Finally, it can be helpful to have an external hard drive to store your music files.

Making the Beat

The first and arguably most important step in making techno is creating a steady beat. This can be accomplished with a drum machine, a sequencer, or by programming individual drums samples into a digital audio workstation. Once the beat is created, it can be looped and layered with other sounds to create the finished track.

Techno beats are usually between 120 and 150 beats per minute, and often have a 4/4 time signature. They often make use of closed hi-hat or cymbal sounds on the 2 and 4 beat, giving the rhythm a driving, forward momentum. This simple formula can be embellished with variations in tempo, time signature, and drum sounds, but it is a good starting point for creating your own techno tracks.

Adding the Melody

Now that you have your drums set up, it’s time to add a melody. Techno uses a lot of electronic sounds, so it’s a good idea to start with a synthesizer. You can use any type of synthesizer, but many producers prefer to use FM synthesis or subtractive synthesis. If you’re not sure which type of synthesizer to use, try out a few different ones and see which one you like the best.

Once you’ve chosen your synthesizer, it’s time to start programming your melody. If you’re not sure how to do this, there are a few different ways you can approach it. One way is to come up with a simple melody that you can repeat throughout the song. Another way is to create a more complex melody that changes over the course of the song. Either way is fine, so just choose the approach that you think will work best for your song.

Once you have your melody programmed, it’s time to add some chords. Chords are simply two or more notes played together, and they can add a lot of depth and feeling to your melody. To create chords, simply play two or more notes from your melody at the same time. Experiment with different combinations of notes and see what sounds good.

Once you have your chords set up, you can start adding other elements to your song. These could include percussion, basslines, effects, or anything else that you think would sound good. Just remember to keep everything in time with the rest of the song so that everything flows together nicely.

Finishing Up

Finally, you need to learn how to finish your tracks. This is a skill that takes time to develop, but it’s important to get into the habit of finishing your tracks. A good rule of thumb is to aim for a minimum of two minutes per track. This may seem like a lot, but it will give you enough time to develop your ideas and create a complete song.

Conclusion

Now that you know the basics of making techno music, you can start experimenting with different sounds and techniques to create your own unique tracks. There is no right or wrong way to make techno, so don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with it. Who knows, you might just create the next big hit!