The Ten Rules of Techno

Every scene has unwritten rules, and techno has more than most. In under five minutes this video from Underdog Electronic Music School sets out ten of them: the principles that separate a track that works in a warehouse at 3am from one that just sits in a folder. Think of it as a checklist for your next session, covering groove, restraint, repetition and the small details that keep a loop hypnotic rather than tiresome. Why it is a fresh way to get producing: instead of learning one more plugin trick, you get a way of thinking about the whole track. Watch it once, then load up an unfinished idea and test it against each rule. You will quickly see what to cut, what to repeat and what to leave alone. Knowing the rules also shows you which ones to break on purpose, and that is often where the most exciting underground records come from.

Video: “The ten rules of techno” by Underdog Electronic Music School on YouTube (4:38). All credit to the creator; please like and subscribe to support them.

Get the plugin: Ableton Live (or any DAW)