Style Guide: Techno - Part 1: History and Sound Design

[@mej6519]

love that saying, "house is a feeling, techno is a landscape"

[@antnycruzr]

YES! I loved this statement.

[@ultrajayme]

m ej awesome statement but I will argue if you ask Juan, Derek, Carl Craig, Kevin Saunderson, Jeff Mills, Stacy pullen, Richie....they will all tell you it's as much a feeling as any House music out there.

[@ThompterSHunson]

and Psytrance is a multiverse.

[@qroqq]

@@ThompterSHunson how would you classify tangerine dream?

[@JaydedWun]

@@ultrajayme I don't think Wiltshire was saying that Techno doesn't have feeling in it, or can't be akin to one. I'd agree it can be super emotional in the context. I think he was using the two terms as an analogy of the design ethic, rather than an explicit statement about how those genres are received.

[@usagihime6478]

perfect video, it arrived exactly at the time that I am studying the creation of techno music, the world must know the power of techno music

[@pointblankmusicschool]

Glad to hear it! Check out our courses over at the Point Blank website. Maybe we can help you further in your studies.

[@tomvice]

Gold bless the algorithm gods for making stumble upon this

[@scorebagmuncher7670]

Couldn’t agree more

[@vishnuvasishtha697]

I swear ❤

[@TangleTwister]

i wish this was a ten part series...ye should do a documentary with this dude as presenter and researcher,about the birth and early stages of electronic music and the early genres that gave way to the electronic music scene we have today.and go into some of the production techniques of these early genres would probably be the best documentary of its type!!!

[@emulus7871]

Have you seen Channel 4's Pump Up The Volume documentary?

[@wizards001]

@@emulus7871 came here to say go watch this. Bbc pump up the volume

[@emulus7871]

@@wizards001 I don't understand. Pump Up The Volume was a Channel 4 documentary

[@wizards001]

@@emulus7871 I'm in America, found it thru the BBC, channel 4 isn't bbc?

[@emulus7871]

@@wizards001 ahh right. No, Channel 4 is a separate channel in the UK. Started back when we only had three other channels: BBC1, BBC2, and ITV

[@dzman1976]

I love watching James' videos so much. He's the best of both worlds. He respects the sounds and hardware of the past but never comes off as elitist about the tools of today like so many purists do. I love his drive to just create something unique for your tracks and make it your own, regardless of where those sounds come from. Inspiring stuff.

[@logiclock9483]

This guy is a true producer on all levels and I do not say that lightly!

[@Midland_Wolf_71]

Gotta say as a HipHop teenager and AcidHouse n beyond devotee of late 80s to present day I LOVE your videos.. (Energy Flash in a 20k attendance 91 rave was POWERFUL AF!!!!). Keep up the good work!! ✊

[@vanhaze2000]

This guy is a true Hero.

[@eXpas04]

*nerd, historian

[@oledahl.]

Rob van Hees yeah, definitely my hero!

[@dc-si1mv]

This guy's really good at presenting! It should be on tele not buried on the internet

[@jnny7182]

James is a legend. Very grateful.

[@KamilKisiel]

Just yesterday after I watched his House videos I was wishing James had also done a video series about techno. Now here it is. I think you guys read my mind.

[@ben-7403]

Perfect explanation of the fundamentals of techno. Thanks for passing on your knowledge.

[@b00i00d]

I've delved in various styles of music and I'm now in the process of making my first techno trax - this is by far the best vid on the subject that I've seen so far!

[@JaydedWun]

So nice to hear an experience musician who is actually well read! So many musicians get to speak like they know shit because they've made a few hits, then people repeat that shit and live by it.

[@JourdanBordes]

so freeking great , the fact we can learn anything at the click of a button is just mind blowing , we can learn anything

[@jsav100]

Genius!!! I'm ready for Part 2! Please release soon!!!!

[@scientificshiv]

Content like these help me break the writer's block. i give it 5 stars *****

[@nector6535]

This man is so knowledgable!

[@b2466-d8x]

This guy knows his stuff and communicates it well.

[@nick3795]

Great video, loved Techno since the early days, now trying to create myself, thanks

[@jasonm2279]

Thank You Mr. James Wiltshire, another excellent educational piece.

[@WillyJunior]

Great teacher. Thank you!

[@thelastaesthete]

The idea of just playing around making sounds and recording them is so simple yet completely mind-blowing to me. I've always felt stuck working in the Arrangement view, clicking notes and dragging automations, and quite frankly it's tedious and boring. Only recently did I learn that many producers from the 90s used the computer as an arranger for prerecorded materials. Some things that seem natural and intuitive in an analog environment, have to be taught to a digital generation

[@inperfectsequence7840]

This video helped me to test my behringer 2600, really great to have everything in one machine, delay and reverb and then the whole box to do these same processes in ableton live. You can't go wrong with a 2600. 😊👍

[@ericwycoff1399]

Sound surfing! I love it gonna tell people when I am doing sound design from now imp going surfing from now on.

[@Phlow]

If you want to dig deeper, I suggest »Techno Rebels: The Renegades of Electronic Funk« by Dan Sicko - Great book, with lots of insights and its culture influences. Best book on Techno I've read.

[@basehead617]

Finally someone knows what they're talking about!

[@danieldavis4120]

raddest thing from Point Black so far; they really take care to nail the history of these genres and the shots are nice, information is on point; the host is great how about DnB next? ;)

[@SicParvisMagna6]

Oh wtf, everything he touched in the end was just perfect! Really inspiring! Great history lesson as well

[@BuRn_FrN]

I’ve Been a Techno addict since 95 .. spent 25 years dancing endlessly in the dark.. I have right now on my lap the Roland Tr8s

[@DallasGreen123]

greatest video on music production I've ever seen

[@kyleog17]

so knowledgable i love this guy

[@Allexxios]

This is so inspiring, though i'm not even really into electronic music. Style guide series is awesome, wish it had more parts. Thanks!

[@InspectorSmeg]

What and utterly amazing explanation and insight to the origins of techno. Thank you!

[@Darksagan]

Awesome video ...I never knew that Derrick May played a huge role in the evolution and breakout of Techno.

[@davydebrycke6106]

Jeff Mills; Kevin Saunderson, Carl Craig, Luke Slater; Juan Atkins were pioneers for techno scene

[@TheGreatAbstracto]

Not sure if anyone else has brought this up - but for my dissertation - Musique Concrete predates the eighties by thirty or forty years... Great vid - thanks for the info.

[@mikotondria]

Very good, sir. I will admit to my chagrin that I was prepared for some nonsense once I saw it was a Techno class, but you nailed the ethos and heritage of it so succinctly. You're right, this video could go on for weeks, but as someone who's dabbled since the late 80s, your intro was properly decent, mate. Techno was the last true genre, the final clash of cultures from when the world wasn't a fingertip wide. Everything since has been a redo, a rehash, or a fad. Techno is still evolving, still growing and isn't going anywhere.

[@gunark]

Hardcore Jungle / Drum n Bass could lay claim to the last 'new' genre. Though it was initially a melting pot of hip hop, techno and electro, it became something of its own quickly. Arguably it was very UK centric but it's repercussions are still being felt nearly 30 years later.

[@MrMarcLaflamme]

7:58 I had never heard this track before; it's awesome!

[@jakayboy]

These are great

[@drkrac]

Subbed. Great description of the origins of Techno. REALLY looking forward to pt 2.

[@azynkron]

A very important aspect in the early days was that sampling wasn't really controlled. Kraftwerk e.g. was sampled numerous times and there wasn't really any copyright controls in place back then when it came to this "art form". No need to clear samples e t c. I claim that techno, electronica etc wouldn't have grown that fast in today's world.

[@aceyage]

Can't wait to hear what he is going to be crafting out of this!

[@dobermanpuncher8636]

Brilliant! Can't wait for pt 2.

[@CaLMCee]

Wow would had never have expected that Radio Rodhad reference but hes damn right. Has that 90s 'energy flash' intensity

[@benfoxmusicofficial]

James W makes amazing music and videos! Thanks for featuring him again!

[@WillisZzz]

Nice one! Some interesting history and some useful insights. Also, sweet stool!

[@tombishop8918]

Love these videos!

[@sugarpuppies]

As awesome as every tutorial by James is

[@hazybrain7]

Super Juicy stuff, James just keeps getting better and better and more inspirational as a teacher.. Much appreciated..

[@micindir4213]

Keep coming back to the this video. James inject a bit of AKAI S series workflow in here. As Atari ST/ Sampler combo was the workstation for electronic producers of the 90ies I can see why he does what he does. Solid workflow, very good idea to focus on source material first (sample sources)

[@gerardmahalak3334]

A big influence on techno was a class at Belleville high school called futuristics, that Juan Atkins took in 1979. I should know because I was also in that class. It's strange, I was playing around with a moog prodigy and computer music back then. I went on to be a biochemist. I gave up on music because I found the tech wasn't ready. During covid lockdown I begin making techno on my laptop.

[@MarkusAudio]

Monotron Delay, my first and most loved Delay ever :-)

[@v0Xx60]

Agreed, I use it in soooo much. I've gotten so used to the sound of my drum machine piped through it that when I'm not using it I keep wondering what's the hell is missing.

[@MartinJovanovic]

Beautiful approach! Just beautiful!!! Abstract thinking, analysis, decomposition of the concepts and ideas beneath (with respect to the history/genesis, without which it's pointless to analyze), and recomposition of those in a practical way. God I wish there were more people approaching things they explain from this angle, whatever the topic... can't express my gratitude enough. A couple of questions though, if you ever get to see this. 1. Why Ableton? It's so popular even Jarre uses it, but I still don't get what's the magic in it... compared to standard horizontal sequencers such as Cubase or an all the more popular Reaper... for example what is it about Ableton you're willing to sacrifice mouse-wheel zoom for? 2. Why that chair? Does it keep you focused?

[@Mr.Oblivian]

I'd love it if he would do one on the birth of trance. Obviously there are some shared roots and history.

[@joneswebs]

Energy flash is a classic.

[@roido6614]

I first discovered Kraftwerk from the Movie Breakin.' Song is Tour de France. Such an Awesome Dreamy Electronic Song.

[@MattGreerMusic]

Interesting video. Appreciating that he's using budget friendly stuff for sound sources.

[@latergarside-244]

James is the fuggin man! so sick

[@stefanslater8342]

hundred percent sampling this guy, wonder who else has

[@cyberspaceturbobass]

please hurry and post part 2!

[@dxtrs_mnpltr]

Oh yes oh yes

[@pointblankmusicschool]

👌🏼

[@Bunjamin27]

I'm hoping in Part 2 they talk about the dub mix technique and Rick Smith/Underworld...

[@ShannonMcDowell71]

Excellent video - I am looking forward to the next part! :-D Best, Shan

[@influxxmedia]

Absolutely loved this video/lesson. Refreshing approach to music/sound design

[@remotegod255]

This is SO GOOD, I've just been watching James Wiltshire teach electronic music history and production for several hours now. Incredibly good teacher!!!

[@laurencecousins7727]

You cannot forget the Detroit dj Charles Johnson aka The Electrifying Mojo, who eclectic taste of music influenced the Bellville Three.

[@Spoonman455]

THIS GUYS GETS IT

[@yashrachelkar1]

Love rodhad!

[@DoctorJRx]

James you a bad man !!!

[@EskildTrulsen]

Fantastic and so nostalgic! Thanx!

[@yebot]

Kind of dying for part 2. Post it now please.

[@pointblankmusicschool]

Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoKZqoVqqJmmr6M

[@ringsystemmusic]

The little musical note beside your name is a perfect bookend to this comment, at least in my head.

[@reddenstudio]

Terrific! More more more ...

[@xlukatsx]

This guy knows his shit. Sick video.

[@antnycruzr]

Woah. Fascinating.

[@YT-zq8nv]

One of the best! Thank you so much!

[@artiearboleda01]

Finally someone says it as it is

[@MrCraigieBoi]

Great video, can't wait for part 2 :D

[@pointblankmusicschool]

You don't need to now... kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoKZqoVqqJmmr6M

[@mylesms48]

very interesting and well informed doc....didn't know energy flash started life on transmit I thought it was an R and S track....thanks..

[@FraktalPriest]

Shared, Liked, Subscribed, Bell rung, hmm... What else can I do? ;D I love how Techno is part of modern history and can be studied in detail!

[@unownnnn]

James could narrate an audiobook. he's got the passion and knowledge for it!

[@Catandbeats]

Good job guys, very interesting story

[@JacksonSwaby]

Great video guys!

[@Pastafield]

4:47 Thought that console to the left of Juant Atkins' head was an ableton session on first glance hehe. So ahead of his time

[@trevorb4949]

In a word, Awesome! Thanks,

[@MattLadner]

THIS IS AMAZING.

[@IdoSchacham]

Wonderful explanations

[@will_silvano]

Thank you. You know why.

[@CHOCHAMIMAS2]

yeeeeesss please keep these style guides coming. incredible series so far!

[@samc1455]

Really good video combining history lesson with sound design. One thing I wonder about is how can he be such a fan of the underground but make such unashamedly commercial music as Freemasons.

[@TheTrancemaster90]

because he hasn't the pretentious narrow mindset of "underground lovers" so that he knows that all the stupid fake problems and unnecessary invisible barriers in which the "underground purists" are trapped are in fact non existent and you can't pretend that he have to feel ashamed for what most of the "underground lovers" believe to see in their hallucinatory delirium

[@pavle988]

Great video! Ty alot!

[@WereGlidingWithStyle]

Love this!

[@wirezts]

The third Mitchell brother was incredibly good at teaching me technos

[@RodneyWheelerFilms]

love this video.. what i would give be student or intern for point blank

[@carlosvazquez185]

Seria genial en español,siento no saber inglés.gracias por esta serie de vídeos.

[@meinfs]

Great content! I subscribed!

[@tcotco1085]

Excellent

[@KazmaHD]

8:10 need that video one day

[@MythicalVigilante]

Great job... Joey Beltram in da hoooouuussse, yeah.

[@mick384561]

As you know original sounds with synthesis and sampling experimentation Is the catchy magic. :@) wow, great Detroit chord stab 13min 10sec

[@Alesistx2023]

Great video! Although I lold when he talked about “unique studio sounds” and then brought out a Jupiter 🤣