Where did techno music start?

Techno started in Detroit in the mid-1980s. Juan Atkins, Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson, known as the Belleville Three, blended Kraftwerk's European electronics with funk and Chicago house. Their 12-inch singles on Metroplex, Transmat and KMS remain key records for collectors.

What is the difference between a techno EP and an album?

An EP is a 12-inch record with two to four tracks, designed for club DJs. An album collects more tracks, often across two discs. In techno, many landmark tracks were only ever released as EPs, which is why collectors follow labels as closely as artists.

Are techno records played at 33 or 45 RPM?

Both are common, and the speed is printed on the label or sleeve. 45 RPM gives more room for volume and high frequencies, which is why club-oriented 12-inches often use it. Just make sure your turntable can switch between the two speeds.

Does Vinyles.com sell techno records?

No. Vinyles.com is a price comparison site that lists offers from partner stores for each record. Clicking an offer takes you to the store, which handles the sale, payment and shipping. That way you can compare several prices before choosing.

Techno

This category delves into Techno, a pillar of electronic music characterized by its repetitive rhythms, deep basslines, and hypnotic textures. Born in Detroit, it has established itself on dancefloors worldwide with a raw and immersive energy.

These vinyl records are designed to make both body and soul vibrate.

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2026-11-13

Techno Vinyl Records: Classic 12-Inches, Albums and Labels to Know

Why techno vinyl records still matter

Techno vinyl records are not a retro accessory: vinyl is where the genre was born. In mid-1980s Detroit, Juan Atkins, Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson released their tracks as 12-inch singles made for DJs, on their own labels Metroplex, Transmat and KMS. That format still defines techno today: an EP of two to four tracks, cut with wide grooves for loud levels and solid bass, built to be mixed on turntables. This page gathers 12-inches, artist albums and reissues, with offers from several partner stores to compare.

12-inch, album or repress: how to buy techno on vinyl

Start by telling an EP from an album. Many techno albums come as double LPs, sometimes cut at 45 RPM, to keep the dynamics on every side. Original pressings of Detroit and Berlin classics are sought after and expensive on the used market, while official represses from the original label let you play those tracks without overspending. Watch out for unofficial pressings of cult titles: check the label name, the sleeve credits and the seller's description.

Format: 12-inch single, EP or double LP
Playback speed: 33 or 45 RPM
Official repress or unauthorized pressing
Condition on used copies: DJ records often saw heavy play

Essential techno artists and labels

After the first Detroit wave, techno found a second home in Berlin, where the Tresor club and label released Jeff Mills, Robert Hood and Underground Resistance, under the X-101 name, in the early 1990s. Basic Channel shaped dub techno there, Richie Hawtin pushed a minimal sound with his Minus label, Adam Beyer launched Drumcode in Sweden and Kompakt championed a more melodic approach in Cologne.

The catalog also features newer and more adventurous names, such as Ellen Allien and her BPitch Control label, Chris Liebing, James Holden and Nathan Fake of the Border Community label,