Tag Archives: Techno

Kraftwerk: Inspiration For Techno Music As We Know It Today

Have you ever been walking down the street when a car drives by and you hear a funky beat that makes you want to start grooving down the sidewalk? More than likely it was an awesomely mixed electronic dance music jam you heard, otherwise known as techno.

As what often happens with the origins of music genres, the history of techno really depends on who you’re talking to and what region you explore. The beginning story of techno differs whether you’re talking about techno in Europe or the United States. However, what is generally accepted as the story of techno emergence is that in the 1980s, three Detroit artists, known as the “Belleville Three,” fused the repetitive electro sounds of Kraftwerk with the rhythms of funk.

And here lies one key component to the awesome booty-shaking sounds we hear today: Kraftwerk. Kraftwerk is an electro music band from Germany who began making beats in the 1970s. The group was initially formed by classically trained musicians Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider, who became intrigued by the technical efficiency of machines. Since Kraftwerk’s beginning, there have been several additions and subtractions to the band. Their international breakthrough album, Autobahn, was the start of massive movements within various genres across the board. Not only has their music influence techno music, but has also inspired the rock n’ roll, pop music, and the hip-hop community.

Kraftwerk’s early albums were described more as free-form experimental rock but as their music progressed, they began using technology such as synthesizers, drum machines, vocoders, and self-made instruments.

Where many describe the early sound of Kraftwerk as more noise without much rhythm, Autobahn is considered the turning point where they began to incorporate rhythm, pop hooks, and disciplined structure. Though lyrics are generally kept to a minimum in their music, when there are lyrics incorporated, they are often about technology and urban life. Perhaps this is part of the reason why they’ve had a strong influence in the hip-hop and techno community.

Kraftwerk’s music is still incredibly influential after 30 something years. The electronic band’s last performance to date was in September 2009, which was at a festival on the Isle of Wight (an English island) named Bestival. It is rumored that a box set of Kraftwerk’s first three experimental albums, which weren’t as well perceived as their Autobahn album, is in the works, as well as a new studio album.

If you’ve never feasted your ears upon the unique sounds and rhythms of Kraftwerk’s music, I highly suggest you get on it. Though Kraftwerk’s music isn’t for everyone, if you’re into the electronic music scene, it may be beneficial know the roots and understand where a lot of the music you love today got its influence from. Before Kraftwerk, no band had ever quite experimented with technology and music in a similar way.

For more information or for questions on buying or selling used Techno, Dance and House CDs, visit www.used-techno.com. If you have any questions please email at customerservice@secondspin.com.

Brad Parmerter has almost 20 years experience in the music and entertainment industry as a writer, programmer, and merchandiser. He has professionally interviewed and photographed such artists as: Rush, Metallica, Celine Dion, Live, Phil Collins, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Live, Van Halen, Queensryche, Anna Nalick, Styx, Def Leppard, and many more.

Please visit SecondSpin.com for all of your entertainment needs.

Listen to free previews of Zylascope’s Electronic Music in our music store.

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Coming Into Its Own: A History of Techno Music

The early 80’s saw the beginning of modern techno music. Though electronic music was already beginning to rise in popularity via new advances in technology and disco, techno really didn’t begin to develop until this time. Early techno music began as being a series of regularly driven beats that were put together with distorted and synth sequences. Not many people realize this, but Detroit is known for being the birthplace of modern techno music as we know it.

The early greats or the grandfathers of techno music were producers such as Kevin Saunderson, Derrick May, and Juan Atkins. Known together as the “Belleville Three,” they produced music for the club scene and co-opped the styles of early German musicians Tangerine Dream and Kraftwerk. For the duration of the 80’s, techno remained very much an underground scene, though it was very popular in New York and Chicago clubs.

In Detroit, most of the early techno musicians used cheap or used electronic instruments to make new sounds. These methods typically weren’t the way that the original instrument was intended to work, but the sound that evolved this way was unique and all its own. Science fiction and other futuristic themes became staples of inspiration and the sound that came forth changed the music scene in subtle ways at first.

Detroit was already beginning to decline, and the industrial areas where techno music was produced and played seemed a stark contrast to the upbeat, driven music. Juan Atkins said of early techno, “It’s an attitude to making music that sounds futuristic, something that hasn’t been done before.”

Cybotron was one of the first artists to make the mainstream. “Alleys of Your Mind” became a very popular song but still, the genre hadn’t exploded into popularity. In 1988, however, a compilation album called “Techno! The New Dance Sound” gave the music style a boost and really began to shape the future of the genre itself. By the early nineties, Europeans had taken a strong liking to the style, and it became much more popular overseas than in the US. Electronica was already big overseas and this made a great deal of sense. However, something happened in the 90’s that would suddenly skyrocket the genre’s popularity in the US as well.

During the 90s, parties known as raves became very popular. Initially an underground thing, these were parties where continuous mixes of different sounds and electronic music played. Almost entirely dance parties, raves gained popularity and notoriety rather quickly. The Detroit Electronic Music Festival suddenly began to thrive in 2000, and fans from all over the world came to enjoy this free dance party.

For more information or for questions on buying or selling used Techno, Dance and House CDs, visit www.used-techno.com. If you have any questions please email at customerservice@secondspin.com.

 

Brad Parmerter has almost 20 years experience in the music and entertainment industry as a writer, programmer, and merchandiser. He has professionally interviewed and photographed such artists as: Rush, Metallica, Celine Dion, Live, Phil Collins, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Live, Van Halen, Queensryche, Anna Nalick, Styx, Def Leppard, and many more.

Please visit SecondSpin.com for all of your entertainment needs.

Listen to free previews of Zylascope’s Electronic Music in our music store.

www.zylascope.com | Electronic Music

Techno Music Maker – From Newbie To Club Banger, 5 Steps!

An easy to use techno music maker is essential these days as the music is getting to be more and more popular. Musicians of all types are taking the lead from Techno in terms of sound and interesting beats.

Often you can hear the influence in a who wide range of other music like Grime and Crunk.

Most of you know this but it all started back in the 90s, with some really great European Techno. By 2008 the music really had become mainstream.

If youre looking to get involved in the scene or just want to start making some Techno of your own, I have your back…

Here are a few tips to help you get started as a techno music maker.

1. The first step is the gather your weapons.

You need to have lost of interesting sounds and instruments plus a techno music maker to record your tune on.

I would use a software program like Garageband or Pro Tools to make your music.

If you dont mind spending a bit more money Magix do a techno music maker package that is killer..

2. Decided on your sound

With so many styles out there you need to decide on what kind of Techno you want to make. It helps to find a track that you like the sound of as a template.

3. The first stage is to add the drums and bass to your track.

This is the most important element of any music and you should be looking to give your tune a signature that people will recognize as soon as it comes on the radio.

4 Layer the sound and fill the track up

You might use some vocal breaks or even a guitar solo, but you need to make your music feel alive and exciting with the other instruments.

5. Follow a pattern

You need to make sure that your song flows well and has a massive climax.

You can follow this simple structure:

intro
chorus
climax
chorus
outro

This may seem a little bit simple, but having a plan like this keeps you on track and focused.

The best way to learn good song structure is to sit down with a pen and paper and make notes of how your favorite songs work.

Never blatantly copy though!

More Free Information for You…

To read my FREE guide on how to make professional Techno in 3 easy steps click here: Techno Music Maker

…and to to read my other FREE guide on how to use my favourite drum machine click here: Best Zoom Drum Machine

www.zylascope.com | Electronic Music

Learn How to Make Your Own Techno Music Using the Best Techno Music Software

Wouldn’t it be fantastic to make music like you hear DJs in clubs all around the world create? Imagine the feeling of having hundreds, if not thousands of people, going crazy to your beats and music. Well, it is possible, and in fact very easy these days with modern software. In this article you are going to learn how to make your own techno music quickly, easily and without the expense of having a band or lots of equipment. With techno music software creating fantastic music is only moments away.

You can make your own techno music using beat making software which will allow you to lay down the basics of any good track. When you listen to music, especially techno, the most critical aspect is the beat that drives the song along. Therefore techno music and beat making software is absolutely critical.

In order to make a song you select parameters such as the tempo (speed of the song) add synth pads or keys, use the sequencer to line up different sounds, then once you are happy with the result you export it and can either listen to it as is, or do further post-editing using more complex software.

By experimenting with different sound mixes, beat styles, tempos etc you will start to develop your own style and grow your skills. It’s not that hard to make your own techno music, but the road to becoming the next superstar of electronic music won’t be easy so you need to start right away!

Learn more about how to make techno music yourself by clicking one of the following links- discover the best beat making software that will enable you to make techno music quickly, easily and without unnecessary expense.

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Top Quality Techno Listening

When tuning in by means of headphones, you usually do not just tune in to some blaring music or incessant conversation, but you try and really listen closely or carefully into the words of the song being sang out in a music track or words being spoken by somebody else if you desire to be aware of the content of what you’re really hearing. The headphone used naturally, is detrimental to the listening done by a person. If the voice or sound cracks while you’re on earphones then you certainly won’t understand things at all. The quality of headphones then is critical for the person so as to complete conversations or appreciate some tune.

However , when are you going to realise that your headphone choice has some truly exceptional quality. There are a lot of things to consider, and one had been outlined in the last paragraph – voice quality. Those that have very good sound feedback are invariably crystal clear, sharp, and well-balanced. Which means that the earphone can take away sounds coming from the outside environment and even feedback from other devices.

Yet another concern is the ease and comfort which the headphones can give for the person. Headphones have been proved to provide ease and comfort if they are just the right fit. The ears aren’t going to be bruised as the earphones are used. Similarly, the headphones won’t consistently fall off since they’re quite loose. The cushions are soft and not close to the steel make up of the ear pads. Headphones are comfortable too when the individual using them will not likely encounter itchiness when using them for a number of continuous hours.

Therefore which headphone then in the technology marketplace can be considered as good when there are several being sold? The mdr headphone can be quite a major choice for the earphone business, and then there are two excellent explanations why this is a good headphone option. One, its pads are circumaural. Circumaural ear pads are best for doing away with external sounds. Simply because they cover the whole ears. Circumaural ear pads are normally heavy, though the mdr has pressure alleviating capacities even when they are ultra thick, therefore they won’t feel that weighty in any way. This pressure reducing function is caused by ear pads that are made to be parallel to the ears’ angle, thus, the weight of the pads will not be added onto the ears themselves. Furthermore, such design and style even offers increasing ease and comfort because they’re steadily worn.4

And two, its firmly sealed acoustic designs make certain that the sounds transported across the ear pad won’t break. Its added bass diaphragm and direct vibe design can provide ultra low frequency sounds which are with superb audio quality. The sounds that will emerge from the earphones are consistently rich, strong and crisp clear. No matter what one is hearing then is easy to grasp and appreciate.

Finding and buying the best bass headphones can be a breeze with the aid of a guide. Best-Bass-Headphones.Com has the best reviews on the best brands / models of bass headphones on the market these days.

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Ferry Corsten: The Human Side of Techno

Lauded as one of the top ten DJ’s in the world, Ferry Corsten has made quite a name for himself in the trance and techno music world over the past couple of decades. With hits such as “Punk,” “Made of Love,” “Fire,” and “Beautiful” (and many more singles) topping the dance charts around the globe, Corsten has risen to extraordinary fame and continues to excel in his ventures today. In addition to making a name for himself, he has also collaborated with some of the best and brightest trance superstars, including DJ Tiesto, Robert Smith, and Ayumi Hamasaki. But success didn’t happen overnight.

Ferry Corsten started producing and mixing before he was sixteen years old. He had many aliases, ranging from “System F” to “Moonman” to “Skywalker” (and about ten other names). He worked very hard to get his name out there and eventually won a few awards and recognition in his native country of the Netherlands, skyrocketing him to national fame.

But he didn’t stop there. No, Ferry Corsten was just getting started. One of his earliest professional albums, Out of the Blue, gained international attention in clubs and discos before eventually sliding into a few top twenties charts.

Gouryella, created later in the nineties with DJ Tiesto, pulled him even higher on the international stage, with more and more people listening and raving about his trance beats with every passing album. Corsten began getting into remixes and even ended up doing a remix for the popular Irish group, U2, on their “New Years Day” song. He began to accumulate several awards, including platinum status on one of his works in the U.K. and the Silver Harp Award in the Netherlands.

And he still didn’t stop there. Ferry Corsten began performing at the top dance events in the nation, including the Dance Valley Anthem. Connected, created with Ayumi Hamasaki. Shortly after the Dance Valley event, Connected sold millions of copies worldwide and is now thought to be one of his most well known songs ever recorded.

And so Ferry Corsten continued onward. With racy, monstrous (literally) hits such as Punk (who could forget the music video of a half naked dancer with a snake draped over her glittering topline while she danced amongst zombie-like clubbers?) and of course, the charming and emotionally-charged Made of Love, it’s no wonder he’s still a smashing success. Further yet, Fire was named one of the best trance songs of the year in 2006. He also has his own radio program. Is there anything Corsten can’t do? It appears not.

Despite the general insensitivity of the hard-drumming techno beats in a club, Ferry Corsten changed the industry, proving with the help of powerful and evoking music videos that techno also has a very human quality to it. He has truly made his mark in the trance/techno music industry, but at just 37 years old, he still has great plans for the future. Will he be able to completely revolutionize the whole techno music genre? Only time will tell.

For more information or questions regarding buying or selling used techno CDs from Ferry Corsten’s “Twice in a Blue Moon” to Daft Punk’s “Discovery”, visit www.used-techno.com. If you have any questions, please email us at customerservice@secondspin.com.

Brad Parmerter has almost 20 years experience in the music and entertainment industry as a writer, programmer, and merchandiser. He has professionally interviewed and photographed such artists as: Rush, Metallica, Celine Dion, Live, Phil Collins, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Live, Van Halen, Queensryche, Anna Nalick, Styx, Def Leppard, and many more.

Please visit SecondSpin.com for all of your entertainment needs.

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www.zylascope.com | Electronic Music

Sandstorm: Darude’s Greatest Contribution to the Techno Music Industry

Few songs can make people feel energized, excited, anxious, powerful, breathless, and edgy all at the same time. Such an explosive musical masterpiece as Darude’s 1999 song, “Sandstorm,” only comes around every few years. Perfect for clubs and discos around the world, “Sandstorm” has been a hit for years. And with that kind of techno-inspired genius, it’s no wonder this song has become so successful.

From its roots in Finland clubs by DJ Darude – eventually produced professionally by 16 Inch Records and released in November of 1999 – “Sandstorm” took the country by storm (no pun intended). Due to its raving national success, the recording company took “Sandstorm” global, releasing it to a broader European audience in 2000. It also gained popularity there, almost instantaneously becoming a worldwide hit in the first year of the new millennium.

With the entrancing first minute of the song, listeners are slowly introduced to a techno-venture, as the sound of cymbals clashing grows closer and more menacing with each passing beat. Rhythmatic techno beats begin softly in the distance and grow louder and more powerful until an explosion of techno beats take over the initial sensitive sequence of the song.

It is a masterfully-woven, yet heart-racing collection of beats that go from high speed trance to stuttering, cautious ticks of a beat, and right back to the unending assimilation of techno choruses that keep the song flowing faster than a raging hurricane.

The middle of the extended version (the radio edit is approximately 3:30, the longer version is over seven minutes) contains a brief pause in the flow of the beats, with just the occasional ominous cymbal once again clattering far off in the distance. The entire feel of the song gives the listener the feeling of the music coming from some far away location, not in the close proximity of their ears.

Furthermore, this song was so popular all over the world that it managed to land in some prestigious dancing-based games, such as DDRMAX Dance Dance Revolution. Despite it’s declining popularity since its first release over a decade ago, it has received top awards from countries such as Germany, Australia and the US. It is still often played today during various sporting events to encourage excitement amongst the crowds for the home team.

For more information or questions regarding buying or selling used techno CDs from Darude’s “Sandstorm” to Daft Punk’s “Discovery”, visit www.used-techno.com. If you have any questions, please email us at customerservice@secondspin.com.

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Top Techno Songs

Hello fellow techno lovers, or those just waiting for the inevitable conversion to a new faith. From Sash to Picotto, this top 10 techno songs list really holds its own against any other on the web.

My own personal top techno songs may not be your own, nobody is perfect! If not then ultimately – fair enough. It’s completely relative to perspective although there are many songs many people like, so in some ways it’s more of a cross section of what people, including myself (yes I am a person), feel about techno. Of course you will get the odd techno viking saying, hey that’s not pure techno, and to be honest in some respects they are right.

Most techno is more hard edge, but the feeling is very similar and sometimes so hard to distinguish, that often many techno actually becomes more of a techno/trance combination, or even electro/techno.

I think all that matters though is the music, if you love electronica and the whole good vibe scene that goes with it, drop in – have a few Shandy’s and just appreciate it for what it is – really good music. What more can you ask for? OK probably quite a lot in all fairness, but it’s a pretty damn good place to start.

Deciding what is and is not techno can be hard even though there are techno cd’s dedicated purely to it. I actually sat down with my best mate (who incidentally is a an amazing producer of the stuff!) and we came up with a list for the top 10, but it can be pretty hard to distinguish between a lot of the tracks out there for what is and is not techno to put into our top techno songs list, or best techno songs, however you want to put it.

Ultimately many of the tracks are actually a mixture of trance and techno, but I’m sure most of you won’t mind as geniuses such as Tiesto and Darude have created many brilliant tunes down the years for us to listen to.

So here is our list of top techno songs, enjoy!

1.Sandstorm – Darude

2.Equador – Sash!
3.Insomnia – Faithless
4.Wizards of the Sonic – Westbam
5.Mysterious Times – Sash!
6.Lizard – mauro picotto
7.Children – Robert Miles
8.Encore En Fois – Sash!
9.In The Silence – DJ Contacreast
10.Komodo – Mauro Picotto

So I hope you like my top techno songs, I would love to know your own favorite top techno and ultimately your top techno songs, so please feel more than free to let me know in the comments box at the link provided and I hope to hear from you soon!

It’s all about the music!
Top Techno Songs Blog
http://toptechnosongs.zoxic.com/

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Techno Blast – Is Techno Becoming Mainstream?

Music has definitely spun through its popular genres within the last 10 years, with changes continuing each day. We can look at the different music genres and see how they have progressed over time and take note when we hear something new and different.

It appears that music’s pop genre seems to be changing. There is no telling how hard-core techno fans feel about this, but it appears that pop is morphing into a mainstreamed techno. To confirm this, let us take it to the charts.

According to multiple sources, here are a few songs and artists that have cycled through the Top 20 Pop Music list (please note that these are not in any specific order, but rather a simple list of popular artist that have hit the charts):

– Katy Perry “E.T. Featuring Kanye West”

– Britney Spears “Till the World Ends”

– Swedish House Mafia “One” and “Save the World”

– Ke$ ha “Blow”

– Usher “More”

– Rihanna “S&M”

– Far East Movement “Like a G6”

– Lady Gaga “Judas”

– Taio Cruz featuring Travie McCoy “Higher”

Now, these are only a few songs, but if you listen to them carefully, you can hear the music transitioning into techno, can you not? Yes, it appears that even popular artists cannot deny the greatness of techno.

How does this make you feel as a fan of techno? For some people, techno is like their secret “underground” dance musical love. Don’t worry friends. Remember, we did discuss the many faces and facets of techno music. You will always have trance, dubstep, and chill to groove to. On the other hand, let’s get amped up! Our favorite genre is beginning to infiltrate the popular music section. Here’s a way to think of it, when you’re at work and the boss puts on a pop radio station that drives you crazy, would you rather the typical music that makes your day drag on? Or do you want to hear something that makes you go, “Hmm, this sounds like techno. I like where we’re headed!”

What got this ball rolling you might ask? Many would argue that Lady Gaga’s rise to fame has caused many pop artists to question their musical progression. It has just been released that Lady Gaga now makes more money per capita than Oprah. Wow! That must be talent.

Either way, Lady Gaga fan or not, it appears that techno and pop are fusing in some sort of exciting fashion. So let us celebrate that fact that techno is beginning to capture the hearts of many! Let’s keep an open mind while this progression takes place and we’ll see where we end up. Happy listening and searches friends!

For more information or for questions on buying or selling used Techno, Pop and Trance CDs, visit www.used-techno.com. If you have any questions please email at customerservice@secondspin.com.

 

Brad Parmerter has almost 20 years experience in the music and entertainment industry as a writer, programmer, and merchandiser. He has professionally interviewed and photographed such artists as: Rush, Metallica, Celine Dion, Live, Phil Collins, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Live, Van Halen, Queensryche, Anna Nalick, Styx, Def Leppard, and many more.

Please visit SecondSpin.com for all of your entertainment needs.

www.zylascope.com | Electronic Music

A History of Techno Music

Irrespective what end of the spectrum of techno music, whether you love it or hate it, chances are you don’t know a thing about its history and even less about what has made it one of the most popular forms of electronic music today.

Whilst techno is without doubt most popular in Europe today, techno music in fact originated from a Detroit Michigan during the 1980’s. Although Detroit is far more famous for exporting cars rather than music, the vast array of techno music genres we listen to today are variants on the original style of “Detroit Techno.” (Ironically Eminem, one of the 2000’s biggest names in rap music who openly hates techno music also comes from the same city)
The pioneers of techno music are without question the Belleville 3, given that label by adoring fans because they all attended Belleville High School, who’s first 3 albums popularised the fledgling genre of music.

However the main reason for the growth in techno music during this period was the fact that synthesizers and sequencers required to produce techno music became increasingly affordable. As a result, experimentation with techno music became increasingly popular within Detroit, in particular by those not wishing to follow the mainstream music of the time.
It wasn’t long before the techno music genre started to make inroads into Europe, with Germany and England becoming early adopters of this new style. When the Berlin wall fell in 1989, techno music exploded in German bars, nightclubs and underground venues, the most famous of which was UFO, hosted by DJ Westbaume and DJ Maute. This underground venue would be the first steps to founding the most epic festival of techno music being The Love Parade.

With the growth in techno music in bars and nightclubs, various genres started to make a name for themselves and create their own following. He various genres of Trance music (hard trance, progressive trance, acid trance, uplifting trance) all have their origins in Detroit techno. Mainstream music also became heavily influence by techno, in particular with “techno remixes” of pop, hip hop, RnB and rap music.

Today techno music is without question the most popular genre of electronic music, so much so that it is often mistaken by newbie’s as the name for electronic music itself with DJs and groups such as the Aphex Twins, Basshunter, Daft Punk and DJ Rush pushing techno music into the mainstream.

 

BY Ben King For Melbourne Bars and Function Rooms

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