Tech House Music Guide

Tech House is one of the most popular House music subgenres, and that’s no surprise to us. A fusion of Techno & House, this subgenre originated in the early 1990s and never looked back. From pioneers like Eddie Richards & Green Velvets) to modern-day Technicians like Noizu & Odd Mob, this is your full guide to all things Tech House. We’ll dive deep into the origins, defining sounds & production techniques of the genre, and its impact on the EDM scene as a whole. We’ll also see how it stacks up against other subgenres like Deep House, Progressive House, and Electro House. There’s a lot of confusion around these – we hope to clear that up.

Origins of Tech House Music

Tech House music can be traced back to the 1990s when it emerged as a fusion of Techno and House music. As Techno & House steamrolled their way through night clubs across the US & UK, a few artists decided to toe the line between the two. Their goal was to combine the driving rhythms and minimalistic elements of Techno with the soulful and uplifting vibes of House. And arguably, above all, they wanted to showcase just how talented their production skills were, a common trait among modern Tech House DJs & producers.

When House music first began, the tools weren’t in place for Tech House to thrive. But with advancements in synthesizers, drum machines, and digital audio workstations (DAWs) throughout the 1980s, artists finally had the tools to experiment with new sounds.

The city of Detroit was the birthplace of Techno, and played a significant role in nurturing the growth of Tech House. Artists like Carl Craig and Derrick May were pioneers in the genre, serving as an inspiration for dozens of artists to follow.

Across the Atlantic, in the UK, the underground dance music scene was also transforming rapidly. London & Manchester-based DJs and producers started to blend the genres (Techno & House) too, adding their signature UK style to the mixes. This led to the creation of the “bleep and bass” sound, a mix of short, sharp, and high-pitched synthesized sounds (“bleeps”) low-frequency rhythms (“bass”).

Tech House quickly spread to other parts of the US & Europe, including one of the most iconic club cities in the world – Ibiza, Spain. The vibrant & influential scene became a hub for Tech House, with DJs and fans flocking from all over the world to dance & party all night. Ibiza is full of dance music clubs, but Amnesia and DC-10 are the prominent Tech House venues. For reference, Carl Cox currently has a summer residency at DC-10.

Defining Features of Tech House Music

Just like other House subgenres, it has its own defining characteristics that set it apart. For starters, the tempo of Tech House typically ranges between 120-130 BPM. Though it’s a blend of Techno & House, the BPM is closer in speed to House than Techno. Let’s take a look at what else goes into a Tech House track.

Musical Components

• Pulsating Basslines – These basslines are the foundation of the track, usually deep and groovy in nature, creating a strong rhythmic presence across the entire dancefloor.
• Hypnotic Percussion – The percussion typically includes crisp and tight drum patterns like shakers, hi-hats, and snappy claps, incorporating elements from both techno and house genres.
• Intricate Melodies – No Tech House track is complete without a melody. These melodies can range from subtle and atmospheric to catchy and memorable, complementing the rhythmic elements.
• Repetitive Patterns – Tech House thrives on repetition, utilizing looped patterns that build and release tension throughout the track.

Production Techniques

• Sample Manipulation – Tech House producers often manipulate samples, taking snippets of vocals, instruments, or other sounds and transforming them into unique elements within the track.
• Layering and Texturing – Tech House tracks are intricately layered and textured with dozens of elements like drum samples, synth lines, and other effects. Most people on the dancefloor may not hear the complexity, but if you listen closely, you can hear just how talented these artists are.
• Use of Modern Technology – Tech House heavily relies on software synthesizers, drum machines, DAWs, and effects plugins to produce tracks and push the boundaries of the genre.
• Mixing and Mastering – The mixing and mastering process is time-consuming, considering producers have to layer so many elements together. Oftentimes, they’ll spend hours making seemingly minor changes to the mix before releasing it or playing it for a live audience. This is a testament to their craft – they strive for perfection in every detail.

Think you’re on your way to produce the next Tech House track? We hope so, there’s no such thing as too much House music.

Complex production aside, Tech House has had a major impact on the EDM industry, both around the time of its inception and today. Here’s how.

Cultural Significance of Tech House Music

Tech House music is still on the come-up, even 30 years after the first beat was produced. It’s taken over the club & festival scene and a select few Tech House tracks have even made their way into mainstream audiences. It’s infectious & energetic to say the least, making it a guaranteed good time at late-night parties and warehouse raves.

The Club & Festival Scene

Tech House is a staple in night clubs around the world, regardless of whether they’re electronic-focused venues or not. If you go “clubbing” with your non-EDM friends, there’s a good chance that the resident DJ will sprinkle in a Fisher or Chris Lake track amongst the onslaught of Top 20 Hits.

Outside of the club & nightlife scene, Tech House has made a name for itself at festivals around the world like Tomorrowland, Ultra Music Festival, and Electric Daisy Carnival. The top Tech House artists in the world often headline the main stage while up & comers dominate the dedicated House side stages. And arguably more so on the side stages than the main stage, the crowd energy is unmatched.

Fashion & Lifestyle

If you’ve ever been to Club Space in Miami, you should have a good idea of what the Tech House fashion scene looks like. Bold & colorful outfits with futuristic & chromatic elements, plus any other unique accessories that DJs & fans can squeeze into. On the guys’ side of things, short sleeve button-ups are a popular choice, though they’re often unbuttoned. This isn’t surprising, as the other most common choice of festival/concert clothing for men is a basketball jersey. But Fisher & John Summit have leaned into the unbuttoned shirt trend, wearing it at practically every live show they play. Fisher even launched his own line of Party Shirts.

Tech House, like every genre of EDM is big on celebration, joy, liberation, community, and connection. With that being said, there are occasionally clashes between “veteran” concert & festival goers and first-time “ravers.” Alas, we’re all there to have fun – that’s what it’s about.

Comparison with Other House Sub-Genres

Tech House is just one of many sub-genres within the broader category of house music. For a full list, check out our Guide to House Music. But it often gets confused with a handful of subgenres; we’re going to set the record straight here so there’s no more confusion.

• Deep House – Deep House is generally slower & more laid-back, with an emphasis on melodic elements & vocals. Tech House has a faster tempo, (usually) more energetic groove, and focuses more on rhythmic elements and driving basslines. In most cases, Tech House shows are more high-energy than Deep House shows.

• Progressive House – Progressive House is faster than Tech House and features gradual build-ups, evolving structures, and complex melodies. Tech House relies on repetitive patterns and minimalistic melodies to appeal to intimate club settings. For Progressive House, think “storytelling.” For Tech House, think “groovy.”

• Electro House – Electro House is known for its high energy, intense basslines, and drop-based structure that leads to climactic moments, often suited for both clubs and mainstage festival settings. There are clear ups & downs with Electro, whereas Tech House is more of a constant groove with subtle progressions. Tech is generally more intimate than Electro House and associated with clubs rather than festivals, though it has its moments at popular festivals.

Top Tech House Artists & Tracks

Top Tech House Artists

• Solardo – The UK duo consistently puts out Tech House bangers like “Move Your Body” and “XTC.” And despite being around for a few decades, they’re not showing any signs of slowing down – we think they have a few more chart-topping hits in them.
• Chris Lake – This British duo has made waves in the Tech House scene with their melodic and atmospheric productions. Their tracks often feature hypnotic synth lines, emotive melodies, and powerful drops, solidifying their status as one of the top acts in the genre.
• Fisher – Australian DJ/producer Fisher burst onto the Tech House scene with his smash hit “Losing It,” which quickly became a global anthem (it still is btw). His sets are nothing but high-energy and his tracks are mixed into practically every Tech House set on the planet.
• Patrick Topping – Another UK legend, Patrick Topping made a name for himself with his unique blend of Tech House and underground sounds. I haven’t had a chance to catch him live, but it’s on my bucket list.
• Green Velvet – A veteran in the electronic music scene, and a Chicago native, Green Velvet has been a driving force in Tech House since the release of his first mix in 1991. He went on to found Cajual Records and is best known for his distinct voice and eccentric on-stage presence.

This list is not fully representative of the top Tech House artists in the industry; it was impossible to pick just five. Without a doubt, Dom Dolla, John Summit, CamelPhat, Carl Cox, Biscits, Lucati, and literally dozens of other producers/DJs are worth checking out and deserve to be in the “best” conversation.

Top Tech House Songs

• “Operator (Ring Ring)” by Chris Lake & Dances With White Girls
• “Be Sharp Say Nowt” by Patrick Topping
• “I Feel Love” by Green Velvet
• “Losing It” by Fisher
• “Move Your Body (The House Music Anthem)” – Marshall Jefferson

These artists and songs represent just a fraction of the Tech House scene. The subgenre is evolving every day, with new talent pushing the limits of sound – the future looks to be in good hands.

If you want to check out these top Tech House artists and their tracks, check out our Official Tech House Music Playlist, full of our favorites: