# Techno — Genre

> Detroit-origin electronic music. Mechanical, futuristic, hypnotic.

## Defining elements

- 4-on-the-floor kick (often more aggressive than house)
- 125-150 BPM (some genres faster)
- Repetitive, hypnotic
- Synth-heavy
- Less vocal than house
- Industrial / mechanical feel

## Sub-types

- **Detroit techno** — origins (Juan Atkins, Derrick May)
- **Berlin techno** — minimal, dark (Ben Klock, Marcel Dettmann)
- **Acid techno** — TB-303 squelch
- **Industrial techno** — harsh (Surgeon, Perc)
- **Melodic techno** — accessible (Stephan Bodzin, Tale of Us)
- **Hard techno** — aggressive 140+ BPM
- **Minimal techno** — sparse (Richie Hawtin)

## Typical instrumentation

Drum machine (TR-909 / TR-808) + synth bass + lead synth + atmospheric pads + occasional vocal samples

## Production characteristics

- Strong kick prominent
- Repetition with subtle variation
- Heavy reverb on synths
- Industrial sound design
- Long mixes (8-15 min DJ-style)

## Lyrics direction (when vocal)

- Often spoken word / robotic
- Repetitive phrases
- Often no vocals at all
- Sound design over melody

## For Suno

```
[Style: minimal techno, 130 BPM, A minor, hard kick drum + synth bass 
loop + sparse percussion + reverb-heavy synth stab + occasional vocal 
sample, hypnotic and mechanical, dark industrial atmosphere]
```

## Examples

- Detroit pioneers: Juan Atkins, Derrick May, Carl Craig
- Berlin: Ben Klock, Marcel Dettmann, Len Faki
- Modern: Charlotte de Witte, Amelie Lens, ANNA

## Avoid

- Live instruments
- Vocal-heavy structure
- Pop song format
- Bright major keys
- Acoustic feel