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About Tech House
A fusion of techno and house music, combining the rhythmic elements of techno with the groovy, soulful aspects of house. Dominates modern club music.
- Blend of techno minimalism and house groove
- Funky basslines with tech percussion
- Tempo typically 125-130 BPM
- Club-focused sound
History and Origins
Tech house emerged in the mid-1990s in the UK, as DJs and producers like Mr. C, Eddie Richards, and the Wiggle collective began blending the minimal, percussive elements of techno with the warmth and groove of house music. Labels like Poker Flat, Ibadan, and Crosstown Rebels helped define the sound. By the 2010s, tech house had become the dominant sound in Ibiza and mainstream club culture, with a more accessible, vocal-driven form championed by artists like Fisher and Chris Lake.
Subgenres
Common Chord Progressions
Producer Tips for Tech House
- Build grooves using the minor pentatonic scale (1 b3 4 5 b7) for bass riffs — the five-note simplicity keeps lines catchy and rhythmically focused without cluttering the mix
- Use the Phrygian b2 interval as a passing tone in basslines to add a dark, exotic edge — resolve quickly to the root or b3 to maintain groove rather than tension
- Create vocal chops by pitching spoken-word samples to notes in the Dorian scale — the natural 6th keeps the vibe funky rather than melancholy
- Layer Mixolydian mode (1 2 3 4 5 6 b7) stabs over minor basslines for harmonic contrast — the major 3rd over a minor context creates tension that drives the track
- Program percussion with polyrhythmic patterns — offset conga or bongo hits by a 16th note against the hi-hat grid for the trippy groove tech house is known for
Sound Design Tips
- Design punchy tech house bass by combining a sub sine (root note) with a mid-range saw processed through a short envelope on a band-pass filter — sidechain both to the kick for tight pumping
- Create signature vocal stabs by time-stretching short vocal phrases to fit exactly one bar, then applying rhythmic gating, pitch shifting to your key, and heavy sidechain compression
- Build crispy percussion layers using FM synthesis with high ratios (7:1, 11:1) for metallic timbres, shaped with tight amplitude envelopes and subtle room reverb
- Process claps and snares through parallel saturation with a mid-frequency focus (1-4kHz) to cut through the mix without adding low-end mud
Essential Tech House Tracks
Related Genres
Frequently Asked Questions
What is tech house music?
Tech house is a fusion genre that combines the minimal, repetitive percussion and sound design of techno with the groove, warmth, and soulful elements of house music. It typically runs at 125-130 BPM and features funky basslines, processed vocal samples, and layered percussion. It is one of the most popular genres in modern club culture and Ibiza.
What scale for tech house?
Tech house commonly uses the Dorian mode (1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7) for funky, warm basslines and the minor pentatonic (1 b3 4 5 b7) for simple, catchy riffs. Phrygian mode adds a darker, more exotic edge for harder tracks. Mixolydian (1 2 3 4 5 6 b7) is used for chord stabs and melodic hooks that need a brighter, funkier feel.
How to make tech house bass?
Layer a clean sub sine wave with a mid-range saw or square wave processed through a tight band-pass filter with short envelope modulation. Keep patterns in the minor pentatonic or Dorian scale with strong rhythmic variation — use 16th-note syncopation and ghost notes. Apply sidechain compression from the kick to create the pumping effect. Add subtle saturation for harmonic warmth.
What is the difference between tech house and house?
Tech house borrows techno's minimal, percussion-heavy approach and combines it with house's groove and warmth. Compared to house, tech house has more complex percussion programming, less focus on vocals and soulful chords, and a slightly harder, more driving energy. House tends to be more melodic and song-structured, while tech house is more loop-based and DJ-tool oriented.