Acid Techno is a subgenre of electronic dance music that emerged in Europe in the late 1980s and early 1990s, evolving from acid house. It is characterized by the distinctive "squelching" sound produced by the Roland TB-303 bass synthesizer, achieved by manipulating the synthesizer's filter resonance and cutoff frequency.

Key features of Acid Techno include:

Fast-paced rhythms, typically 135+ beats per minute

Prominent use of the Roland TB-303 synthesizer

Driving and dynamic sound influenced by

German trance, hardcore, and rave music

Minimal use of melody, focusing instead on texture and repetitive patterns. The genre gained popularity in the UK rave scene and has since influenced various electronic music styles, including trance, hardcore, and psytrance. Acid Techno is known for its energetic and intense sound, often creating a powerful and immersive experience in dance clubs and electronic music events.

Notable artists in the Acid Techno scene include Richie Hawtin (Plastikman), Aphex Twin, Dave Clarke, and Hardfloor. The genre has maintained its popularity over the years, with recent artists like 999999999 bringing the sound to larger audiences.

Acid Techno's enduring appeal is attributed to the versatility of the 303 sound and its futuristic quality, which has allowed it to remain relevant and continually evolve within the electronic music landscape. As of February 2025, Acid Techno continues to attract new fans and inspire artists who use modern synthesizers and software to create complex acid sounds.