Echo, Atmosphere, and Deconstruction is a 2.5-hour introduction to dub techno as a practice of shaping sound through space, time, and restraint. Emerging from Jamaican dub traditions that treated the studio and mixing desk as creative instruments, dub techno carries this approach into electronic music by emphasizing space, texture, impermanence, and time-based processing as core compositional elements. The workshop explores how minimal source material can evolve through sound design, noise, repetition, and subtle change over time, focusing on atmosphere, chord stabs, drums, and bass, as well as the construction of flexible, dub-style effect chains. Using Ableton Live alongside an analog mixer and external effects, participants will see how tracks can be built, deconstructed, and arranged in real time through muting, sends, and spatial depth. Time permitting, those who are interested will have the opportunity to try a hands-on dub mix and experience dub techno as a live, performative process.

Taught by Bryan Gibbs

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Saturday, March 7th 2026
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM

1256 Lloyd Center
2nd Floor, near Dicepool
All ages (10+ recommended - This is an intermediate level class but beginners are absolutely welcome)
$20 general admission
$10-19 sliding scale
Tickets are required to attend. No one is turned away for lack of funds, so email info@synthlibraryportland.org for lower/no-cost tickets.