Technopedia Glossary

Oldschool flavor with 303 acid: Acid Techno is hypnotic, wild, and drills its sawtooth basslines straight into the brain. For true Rave purists.

The Swedish DJ and producer **Adam Beyer** is a Techno icon and founder of the influential label Drumcode. Known for his driving, often percussive sound, he has shaped the scene for decades with his powerful sets.

Spanish producer with signature kicks. Brutal, direct, uncompromising – Adrián is a favorite of the uptempo Hard Techno crowd.

When the club closes, it really starts. Secret locations, sunrise, and last cigarettes – afterhours are the secret heartbeat of the scene.

When even the afterhour ends but no one wants to go home, the **After-Afterhour** begins. Often in private apartments or even more secret locations, these gatherings are the absolute core of the raver community – intimate and unfiltered.

The Belgian DJ and producer **Amelie Lens** is one of the currently most popular figures in Techno. Her sound is known for its raw, hypnotic, and driving energy, which she celebrates worldwide at festivals and clubs.

The Brazilian DJ and producer **ANNA** has made a name with her dynamic and often percussive Techno sound. She is known for her energetic sets and releases on renowned labels.

An emerging star from the UK, **Azyr** is known for his dark, industrial, and fast-paced Hard Techno. His productions and sets are marked by raw energy and atmospheric sounds.

When two DJs play together and alternate track by track, it’s called **B2B**. A dynamic type of DJ set that often creates unexpected musical synergies and excites the crowd.

As a resident DJ of Berghain and founder of Klockworks, **Ben Klock** is a staple in Berlin Techno. His sound is deep, groovy, and uncompromising, often with a dark, hypnotic touch.

The myth among clubs. Between concrete, bass, and bouncers, your raver fate is decided – in or out, ecstasy guaranteed.

One of the most well-known platforms for electronic music livestreams. **Boiler Room** brings DJs and producers into intimate settings, often surrounded by the crowd, and broadcasts their sets worldwide. A window into the global scene.

The German DJ and producer **Boris Brejcha** is known for his unique "High-Tech Minimal" sound and his Venetian mask. His sets are a mix of driving beats, complex melodies, and a distinctive atmosphere.

Beats per Minute – the unit measuring the pulse of the track. While House chills at 120, Hard Techno often races over 150. The more BPM, the more destruction.

A **Break** is a short, often tension-filled pause in the track where the beat drops out or is heavily reduced. It serves to build energy before the next drop drives the crowd wild again.

A living legend and a pioneer of electronic music. **Carl Cox** is known for his charismatic performances, versatility between House and Techno, and his ability to hype any crowd. Oh yes, oh yes!

The Belgian DJ and producer **Charlotte de Witte** is one of the world’s leading Techno artists. Her sound is characterized by dark, driving, and often acid-heavy Techno that makes dancefloors shake.

The **Closing Set** is the final act of a party or festival. The DJ playing the closing has the task of slowly winding down the energy or giving it their all one last time to end the night unforgettable.

More than just going out – a lifestyle. Those who "club" live nights between bass, fog, and sweat walls. For many ravers, the weekend starts on Friday – and ends Monday morning.

Just "Core"? Never soft. Whether Hardcore, Speedcore, or Frenchcore – the suffix signals escalation level 3000.

The British DJ and producer **Dax J** is known for his raw, uncompromising, and often fast Techno. His sets are energetic and push the crowd to their limits.

The Italian DJ and producer **Deborah De Luca** has built a huge fanbase with her unique mix of Hard Techno and melodic elements. Her sets are energetic and full of passion.

A dark subgenre with hard basslines, industrial flair, and deep sound design. The music sounds like a nocturnal tunnel trip full of strobes and sweat.

**Dark Disco** combines the driving grooves of disco with a dark, melancholic touch. Synthesizers, slow, hypnotic beats, and a certain heaviness make this sound unique and perfect for the early morning hours.

Techno origin from Motor City. Funky, mechanical, minimalist – the root of all rave evolutions.

A **DJ-Set** is a DJ’s performance where they seamlessly blend different tracks together. It’s more than just playing songs – it’s an art form that creates atmosphere and guides the crowd through the night.

The **Drop** is the moment everyone waits for: after a tension-building break, the beat hits back with full force. Pure energy that makes the crowd explode and guarantees goosebumps.

Pure deepness. Dub Techno wafts, echoes, flows. The sound for after the peak – when the synapses learn to float.

The Dutch Hard Techno DJ and producer **DYEN** is known for his raw, fast, and uncompromising sets. He brings unparalleled energy to the dancefloor and is a favorite of the harder scene.

A legendary Berlin club that played a central role in the German Techno scene in the 90s. The **E-Werk** was known for its industrial spaces and groundbreaking parties that significantly shaped electronic music culture.

The Berlin DJ, producer, and label head of BPitch Control, **Ellen Allien**, is a pioneer of German Techno. Her sound is versatile, from experimental to dancefloor-oriented, and she is known for her energetic performances.

Although located in London, **Fabric** is an internationally recognized club known for its excellent sound quality and diverse booking. A mecca for electronic music lovers, often featuring German DJs and acts.

Large events that last several days and often feature multiple stages with a variety of DJs and live acts. **Festivals** are highlights in the raver calendar, uniting music, art, and community under the open sky.

Sound of the sound systems. DIY culture, off-grid raves, full bass – Free Tekno is musical resistance in the 180 BPM range.

A unique culture and music festival in Germany that goes far beyond pure Techno. The **Fusion Festival** is known for its alternative atmosphere, diverse music styles, art installations, and a strong community.

The gold standard of club sound systems. These sound systems deliver bass that gets under your skin – a real sound storm. A “Funktion-One” dancefloor is sacred.

Extreme subgenre from the Netherlands. BPM beyond 160, distorted kicks, and furious energy – Gabber is Techno in adrenaline mode.

A psychedelic subgenre that emerged in the late 80s in Goa, India. **Goa-Trance** is characterized by complex melodies, atmospheric sounds, and often long, meditative arrangements. A journey for mind and body.

Cult location in Karlsruhe. Concrete bunker, sweat, love – Gotec is like a mini-Berghain in Baden. Legendary.

Festival classic with 150 BPM and gigantic kitsch factor. Breaks, melodies, drops – escalation with laser guarantee.

Livestream legend with a washing machine vibe. At HÖR, the Underground plays live – straight into your living room (or warehouse).

The mysterious French producer **I Hate Models** is known for his dark, emotional, and often industrial-heavy Techno that combines elements of trance and EBM. His music is intense and captivating.

The Spanish DJ and producer **Indira Paganotto** quickly made a name for herself with her Psytrance-inspired Hard Techno. Her sets are energetic, spiritual, and full of driving rhythms.

Cold. Hard. Mechanical. Industrial Techno sounds like a factory on acid – and feels just like it.

Not just the animal: In scene jargon, **Kater** refers to the state after an excessive party night. Headaches, fatigue, and the desire to never get up again – an inevitable part of the rave cycle.

The heart of every Techno track: The **Kick Drum** (or simply "the Kick") is the driving bass drum that sets the beat and energy. Especially in Hard Techno, the kick is often distorted, hard, and dominant.

    A           Kinky Harness         is a body harness made of leather or durable materials,     worn in the rave, fetish, and queer scenes. It emphasizes the body shape,     creates an edgy look, and combines aesthetics with expression. Whether at Techno parties,     in clubs, or at kinky events – a harness stands for confidence,     freedom, and individual identity.  

Club, fetish temple, state of emergency. Those who want to rave at KitKat leave shame and shirts at the cloakroom.

The German DJ and producer **Klangkuenstler** has evolved from Deep House to become one of the leading names in Hard Techno. His sets are known for their raw, driving energy and the fusion of old-school and modern sounds.

Another Berghain resident, **Kobosil**, stands for a dark, aggressive, and often industrial-tinged Techno sound. His productions and DJ sets are intense and uncompromising.

An essential part of the rave experience. **Light shows** and **visuals** (projections, videos) amplify the music and create an immersive atmosphere that appeals to the senses and intensifies the journey on the dancefloor.

The German DJ and producer **Lilly Palmer** has quickly become a popular figure in the Techno scene. Her sound is driving, energetic, and often infused with melodic elements.

Unlike a DJ set where tracks are mixed, a **Live Act** often performs their music spontaneously and in real time using hardware like synthesizers, drum machines, and computers. Every performance is unique.

The **Mainfloor** is the epicenter of every club – here pulses the main energy. Usually the largest room where headliners perform and the crowd dances closest together. The place for the most intense moments of the night.

As a Berghain resident, **Marcel Dettmann** is a master of deep, percussive, and often minimalist Techno. His style is raw, powerful, and shapes the sound of the Berlin Underground.

A subgenre of Techno characterized by atmospheric melodies, often epic soundscapes, and a driving but less aggressive beat. Ideal for emotional journeys on the dancefloor.

Less is bass. Minimal focuses on groove, repetition, and hypnotic reduction – Techno for connoisseurs.

A **Modular Synthesizer** is a synthesizer made up of individual, connectable modules. It allows enormous sonic freedom and is popular among many Techno producers and live acts for unique, experimental sounds.

A versatile art and music festival in Hamburg that also features electronic music, including Techno, in a unique urban harbor atmosphere. The **MS Dockville** is known for its creative vibe and the fusion of music and visual arts.

One of the largest and oldest open-air festivals for electronic music in Germany. The **Nature One** attracts tens of thousands of ravers and offers a wide spectrum of electronic genres on numerous floors, from Trance to Hardcore.

The French DJ and producer **Nico Moreno** is known for his extremely fast, raw, and aggressive Hard Techno. His sets are not for the faint-hearted and guarantee maximum destruction.

The Russian DJ and producer **Nina Kraviz** is known for her eclectic style, ranging from raw Acid Techno to hypnotic grooves. She is one of the most influential artists in the electronic music scene.

The **Opening Set** is the start of a party or club night. The DJ playing the opening has the task of welcoming the first guests and slowly building the atmosphere before the peak time begins.

The German live act and producer **Paul Kalkbrenner** is an icon of melodic Techno. Known for his epic live performances and hits like "Sky and Sand," he fills stadiums and captivates a wide audience.

The British DJ and producer **Paula Temple** stands for uncompromising, industrial-heavy, and often distorted Techno. Her sets are intense and demanding, known for their raw energy and innovative sound design.

The **Peak Time** is the high phase of a party when the energy is at its highest, the dancefloor is fullest, and the DJs play their hardest or most famous tracks. The absolute highlight of the night.

The South Korean DJ and producer **Peggy Gou** has made a name worldwide with her unique sound that blends house, disco, and techno. Her sets are full of energy and positive vibes.

Control center for the sound. Every good label has its crew, its vision – and its vinyls, of course.

Peace, Love, Unity, Respect. Old raver code from the 90s scene. Today often used nostalgically or with a wink – but the spirit remains: partying without hate.

Melodic, atmospheric, and often with a slow build-up – **Progressive House** is known for its epic soundscapes. It’s the sound for long nights that unfold slowly and lead into trance-like states.

A **Rave** is more than a party – it’s an experience. A gathering of like-minded people dancing to electronic music, often in unconventional locations and until the early morning hours. It’s the essence of techno culture: freedom, community, and ecstasy.

**Rave Heritage** refers to the cultural legacy of the rave movement – from its roots in the 80s and 90s to today. It includes music, fashion, philosophy, and the indestructible DIY mentality that has shaped and continues to shape the scene.

A Rave Shop is more than a store – it’s a place where scene, style, and sound meet. Here you’ll find outfits and accessories specially designed for techno parties, festivals, and underground raves. From oversized shirts to futuristic looks to edgy clubwear – a good rave shop delivers not just clothing but identity. DARKXNASH combines fashion, music, and culture in a distinctive style that perfectly fits the hard-techno and rave community.

The successor event to the legendary Love Parade in Berlin. **Rave the Planet** is a demonstration for the recognition of electronic music culture as cultural heritage and a celebration of community, carried by numerous floats and sound systems.

The special clothing and accessories worn at raves. From wide pants to colorful tops to futuristic elements – **Ravewear** expresses individual personality and a sense of belonging to the scene.

Scene title for everyone who dances through the night with style, heart, and attitude. Gender-neutral, proudly worn – the rave look is a statement.

Frankfurt's legendary district. Between concrete, bass, and bunker parties. A synonym for honest, dirty Techno underground – then and now.

The American DJ and producer **Sara Landry** is a leading figure in Hard Techno, known for her dark, ritualistic, and "witchy" sound. Her sets are intense experiences that captivate the crowd.

Germany's Hardtechno export. Hard, monotonous, uncompromising. If you want schranz, you blast – no frills.

A **Sound System** is more than just a collection of speakers. It is a self-built or assembled audio system, often operated by crews who bring their own sound to parties and free raves. It stands for independence and uncompromising bass.

Beyond good and BPM. Speedcore is acoustic terror, faster than your pulse, more intense than any Monday morning.

The ultimate German Techno icon. **Sven Väth**, also known as "Papa Sven", has shaped the scene for decades with his marathon sets, his label Cocoon, and his incomparable aura. A true pioneer and ambassador of Techno.

Electronic musical instruments that produce sounds by generating and manipulating electrical signals. **Synthesizers** are the backbone of electronic music production and enable the characteristic sounds of Techno.

Internet icon from the early 2000s. Topless, danced through Berlin with anger and dignity – the epitome of viral raver culture.

Techno subgenres describe the enormous stylistic diversity within techno culture. Although Techno is often perceived as a single genre, over more than three decades a large network of subgenres has formed – shaped by different cities, scenes, producers, BPM ranges, and sonic philosophies. This diversity makes the scene so vibrant: from raw basement techno to hypnotic, atmospheric styles to hard, industrial sounds.

Subgenres typically differ by tempo, kick structure, sound design, atmosphere, and cultural origin. Many movements started locally – Detroit, Berlin, Belgium, or Birmingham – and later developed into global trends.

Important Techno subgenres at a glance:

• Detroit Techno: The origin of the genre. Futuristic, groovy, warm, and strongly influenced by funk/house.
• Berlin Techno: Dark, repetitive, and club-oriented. Famous through Tresor, Berghain, and the German underground culture.
• Minimal Techno: Reduced structures, focus on groove and fine micro-details. Fewer elements, more space.
• Dub Techno: Deep, reverberant textures, calm atmospheres, lots of reverb and delay – inspired by dub music.
• Hard Techno: Hard kicks, faster tempo, aggressive and especially popular at raves.
• Industrial Techno: Dark, distorted, metallic, inspired by EBM and noise music.
• Schranz: Shaped by Chris Liebing. Fast loops, monotone patterns, raw character.
• Raw Techno: Unpolished, powerful, often less melodic and strongly percussive.
• Hardgroove Techno: Funky, tribal, and rhythm-focused with many groove elements.
• Acid Techno: Defined by the iconic 303 sound. Psychedelic, driving, and extremely rave-oriented.
• Melodic Techno: Emotional, harmonic, atmospheric. Very present at festivals.
• Peak Time Techno: Expansive, loud, festival-ready. Fat, powerful sound for main stages.
• Hypnotic Techno: Monotonous, trance-like, long arrangements – perfect for long, deep club nights.
• Rave Techno: Euphoric, oldschool influences, reminiscent of 90s raves and Euro rave.
• EBM Techno: Mix of Techno and Electronic Body Music. Hard, military, cold, and rhythmically strict.

Whether acid-heavy, melodic, hard, or hypnotic – the subgenres show how diverse the techno world has become. Especially for DJs, producers, and ravers, this classification helps to find personal preferences and shape sets deliberately.

Today, techno subgenres are not just a musical label but also an expression of identity, fashion, club culture, and community. Each style brings its own aesthetic, crowd, and energy – and that’s exactly what makes techno one of the most versatile cultures in modern music history.

Another Berlin techno pioneer and an institution. The **Tresor** is known for its raw, industrial style and its deep, uncompromising techno sounds, celebrated since the early 90s.

Refers to the non-commercial, often subcultural side of the scene. **Underground** parties and labels stand for authenticity, musical experiments, and a close community, away from the mainstream.

Blasting at 200 BPM+. Uptempo is the kick-overkill for the hardcore – faster, more brutal, uncompromising.

Although digital is widespread, **Vinyl** remains the heart of many DJs and collectors. The warm sound, the tactile experience, and the tradition make vinyl the ultimate discipline in DJing. True connoisseurs swear by it.

The **Warm-up** is the first DJ set of the evening, slowly building the mood. The warm-up DJ prepares the dancefloor for the following headliners, often with deeper, groovier sounds.

Originally from Detroit, **Warehouse Raves** are legendary for their raw atmosphere. Abandoned warehouses turn into temporary temples of techno, with massive sound, strobes, and an energy that only arises in such industrial settings.

Hardtechno DJ from Spain with a god complex and signature sound. When Zeus spins, it rains kicks and ecstasy.