Techno duo Hardfloor’s acid sound is credited to their virtuoso skill at manipulating Roland TB-303 bass synthesisers. They reputedly use up to six of these machines at once, some of which are highly modified.
Forming in 1991 as the German acid and techno scenes were just beginning to solidify, the pair released the eleven-minute “Acperience” single to inject a bit of bombast into the German scene. Utilizing since-standard compositional tools like long, melody-driven buildups and elaborate percussion breaks, the track became an instant dancefloor anthem and made Hardfloor a sought-after name for remix and production work. Although the pair recorded briefly for the Eye Q label, most of the group’s work has come out through Sven Vath’s influential Harthouse imprint, including a number of full-length releases and a consistent schedule of 12-inches and EPs.
Although the pair have since evolved from the more simplistic floor-movers of their earlier work, incorporating elements of hip-hop, electro, breakbeat techno, and post-acid house styles like trip-hop and intelligent dance, the group remains committed to the smoldering edge of acid, with 909 and 303 sounds comprising the lion’s share of their recognizable sound.
