Signal 002
MaKabre The Power of the Room
Pure electronic sound, three-deck performance and why techno still needs soul.
Signal 002
For MaKabre, techno begins with physical impact but cannot end there. His earliest understanding of the music was shaped by The Orbit, where he experienced how electronic sound, without vocals or conventional songwriting, could take complete control of a room.
That principle still runs through everything he does. In the studio, he starts from the low end and drums, then builds darker, hypnotic and increasingly sci-fi atmospheres around them. Behind the decks, he uses three channels not simply to add more sound, but to reshape the energy and identity of the tracks in real time.
- Sound
- Dark / hypnotic / sci-fi
- Roots
- The Orbit, 1990s
- Performance
- Three-deck mixing
- Focus
- Low end, drums, atmosphere
01
Where sound takes over the room.
The Orbit was a defining place for a generation of techno listeners. What did it teach you that has stayed with you?
The Orbit taught me the real power of techno and how powerful electronic music can be, even without vocals. It showed me how pure electronic sound can completely control a room.
Pure electronic sound can completely control a room.
02
Drums first, atmosphere around them.
Your music is dark and raw, but the groove is always central. Where does a track usually begin for you?
I always start by creating the low end, then move on to the hi-hats. I basically like to begin with the drums and then build an atmosphere around them. Once I have created that hypnotic atmosphere, I can decide where to take the rest of the track. At the moment, I am very interested in dark, atmospheric techno with a sci-fi sound.
03
The third channel as an instrument.
You often perform with three decks. What does the third deck add to the way you build a set?
I love playing on three decks because it allows for much more creativity. Blending three tracks gives you more possibilities. The third deck also lets you shape each track through EQ, volume and layering, creating a different energy and a sound of its own.
04
Producing for the mix.
Has producing changed the way you DJ, or has DJing shaped the way you produce?
Producing has taught me a lot about DJing, especially how to create a track that is DJ-friendly and blends naturally into a mix within the style of techno I aim to make. I think DJs appreciate that, and this thought process goes into every intro and every track I produce.
05
The story the sound has to tell.
You have experienced several different eras of techno. What do you feel the scene is missing today?
I think there is too much techno around at the moment that has no soul. Techno has to be more than a distorted kick, bass and hi-hat. It needs a story, emotion, purpose and soul. For me, every track has to have its own identity and tell a story through sound.
Techno has to be more than a distorted kick, bass and hi-hat.
Signal 002
Functional, but never disposable.
MaKabre's view of techno is fundamentally functional, but never disposable. The kick and low end may control the room, but atmosphere, identity and emotion are what give the music a reason to remain after the set is over.
