Berlin-based composer and sound artist Hainbach creates immersive audio landscapes using tape, test equipment, and rare electronics, turning the unmusical into music. Known for his acclaimed YouTube channel, he shares experimental techniques with a global audience. An award-winning film composer and educator, Hainbach’s work spans festivals, academia, and stages worldwide.
In this conversation with music artist Nadia Struiwigh, he shares early inspirations, creative evolution, rare gear, and advice for artists seeking their path in music and sound design.
"I wanted to make music for the rest of my life – not for fame, just for the love of it."
Early Musical Influences
How did you get into music at all?
"It’s a long story! As a kid, I had to take piano lessons, along with tennis. I didn’t enjoy either. I tried to make them more interesting – tennis mostly involved playing for half an hour and then just sitting in the clubhouse drinking Coke. With piano, I recorded game music from my Amiga and C64 onto cassette tapes and gave them to my piano teacher to transcribe. That way, I could play music from games like Leisure Suit Larry. Eventually, my teacher told me, “I’m not transcribing that for you – it’s just an A minor arpeggio!” That, along with the music of Béla Bartók, kept me playing piano longer than I otherwise would have.
