Why You HAVE to Listen To/Mix to Techno Music In Berlin And Why You Should Anywhere Else As Well

   

The Importance of Techno

   Beatport's top ten list nowadays is a go to for many DJs around the world as well as lovers of EDM and club music. The list is full of electro, big room and trap tracks. So you may be asking why should I listen to techno? Well first off all of the styles that exist today in EDM hold some aspects of techno. Whether its the 909 ride in Martin Garrix Animals, the detuned saws, repetitive chorus or loud, hard hitting claps they all feed off of original sources from techno. In any subject of study, you always learn the history of the subject before studying it, and DJing is no exception. If not just to have personal interest in the music you are listening to, the history of techniques and implementations of these techniques will overall improve your Djing.

       A great example is Frankie Knuckles (I mentioned him in my last post) He created house music by using a 909 drum machine and looping sections of acapellas he liked (Even though this is house, it explains how looping came into effect in dance music, and how the basics of EDM came about) Along with house came techno from the dark corners of Detroit where Basement parties and Warehouse parties ruled. Shortly after the wall came down the sound moved to Berlin and instantly caught on. The Housey hi hats become darker and the bass drums ran through hard effects and soon Berlin became the capital of Techno. This is of course not the whole story, but one thing led to another, styles expanded, even modern day techno is far from where it began. But i digress. So Techno is one of the birthplaces of many genres of EDM. (underneath are some interesting articles from DJ Tech Tools about cool Documentaries, many about production style and the birth of some genres definitely check it out.)

http://www.djtechtools.com/2012/08/30/7-more-incredible-documentaries-for-djs-producers/
http://www.djtechtools.com/2013/07/04/dj-and-producer-documentaries-part-5/
http://www.djtechtools.com/2014/01/02/documentaries-and-tutorials-for-producers-djs-round-6/
     
         Secondly Techno teaches you how to mix music that doesn't necessarily have the Intro-Break-Build-Drop/Chorus-Break-Beat-Build-Drop-Outro-End Organization. When you have this layout you can fall into the habit of mixing Builds into drops, drops into breaks, outro into intro. Recently the pattern of EDM mixes has gone to Intro- Break- Build- Drop-Drop-Drop-Drop-Etc. It's getting a little boring. For me, mixing techno has taught me to appreciate the fullness of a great loop, the ability to mix off key, that drops aren't everything and that sometimes simple mixes are the best. I can now look   at my old music and see these aspects, and I believe that this has made me a better DJ.

      Example of a Drop Build Drop-Drop- Quick Transitions Mix that you see at most EDM festivals nowadays

      Example of Berlin Techno mix (Long transitions, loops, FX use and versatile music choice)

       Playing Techno has also taught me the importance of Music selection for your mix. Due to length and often interesting transitions/ chord progressions/ breaks/ Techno often requires more than one listen to really feel a track. Often with recent electro tracks you can listen to a 45 second sample (Not for all) and you know what the rest sounds like. This doesn't work for me with techno, it is important that everything fits into a techno mix, it is almost crafted like bread. Leave bread to rise too long and it will be too airy, and take it too soon and it's chewy. Leave a song to play for too long and it could become boring and take it away too early and you lose some vibe. I find that with techno I want to find where the mix fits perfectly and for myself I would never know if someone has mixed at that point with that exact track, I can not say this with most EDM songs. So I have learned to pick music that will fit in it's place in a mix. Intro's and outgo's are vital now! And hi hats are my favorite friends :D

 
     The last important part of mixing/listening to techno for me is the realization that you can move a room with "basic materials" Simple is often mistaken for bad as far as music goes. I used to say things like "yeah I hate it because I could probably make it in a few minutes" But music shouldn't be based on complexity it should be based on your ability to enjoy it. Learning to mix with "Basic Materials" will teach you that a repeating snare (As seen in the video above) can be as powerful as a drop if used correctly. Don't be fooled thinking it is basic, it is not when you have the tools in your hands. If you learn to appreciate music for its simplest elements, you will be able to better appreciate it as a whole. Try to listen to individual aspects of techno, is there a little hi hat in the background that completes the mix, is that a repeating arpeggiated detuned saw echoing in the background? You can often listen to a techno song in different speakers and each time you will hear a different element you never noticed before. 

        Life in Berlin would be incomplete without techno. It has moved many. Don't underestimate its powers, and give it a chance (if you haven't already) and learn to appreciate it for everything it has and I guarantee you it will change you in one way or another! Underneath are some recent techno tracks I love. All have their unique elements so try to distinguish the differences and tell me if you liked them, if so I'll keep posting more of my favorites of the week. Cheers!

Mi Mujer: Nicholas Jaar (Great laidback vibe!)

November Rain: Matthias Meyer (Mario Basanov Remix)

Stars Under Construction: Firewalker (Oldie But Goodie!)