The techno template shares house's four-on-the-floor kick but drives with dense low-velocity 16th hats

The techno drum template at 130 BPM keeps house’s four-on-the-floor kick (steps 1, 5, 9, 13) but differs in the upper layers. The hi-hat typically runs on every 16th note at low velocity with accents on the off-beats, giving a driving, hypnotic pulse rather than house’s swung off-beat hats. A ride cymbal on 8th notes and rim shots or tom hits on beats 2 and 4 often replace the clap. Processing is kept dry — minimal reverb on anything except possibly the clap. Swing is minimal to none; mechanical precision is the aesthetic. The pattern’s identity comes from hi-hat density and dryness, not from kick placement.

Examples

Program a four-on-the-floor kick, then lay 16 hi-hats at velocity ~50 with steps 3, 7, 11, 15 boosted. Add a ride on steps 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15. Keep reverb off. Play at 130 BPM.

Assessment

Name two things that distinguish a techno pattern from a house pattern given that they share the same kick. Explain why the hi-hats run on every 16th rather than only off-beats.