Record label • Peak Time Techno

Transmat

  • 1986Founded
  • DetroitUnited States
  • 5Artists

Transmat was founded in Detroit in 1986 by Derrick May. It was one of the first labels to release Detroit techno and carried his Rhythim Is Rhythim records, including Strings of Life.The catalogue also includes Joey Beltram, Carl Craig and James Pennington, along with later material from Robert Hood, Stacey Pullen and Octave One according to Wikipedia. The most recent release found in public databases dates from 2018, and Wikipedia lists the label as inactive. Transmat remains known in the scene as an early outlet for the Detroit sound and for helping carry it to European clubs.

Official site

About Transmat

Label facts
Founded1986
Based inDetroit, United States
FoundersDerrick May
SoundPeak Time Techno
StatusDormant

Transmat was founded in Detroit in 1986 by Derrick May. It was one of the first labels to release Detroit techno and carried his Rhythim Is Rhythim records, including Strings of Life.

The catalogue also includes Joey Beltram, Carl Craig and James Pennington, along with later material from Robert Hood, Stacey Pullen and Octave One according to Wikipedia. The most recent release found in public databases dates from 2018, and Wikipedia lists the label as inactive. Transmat remains known in the scene as an early outlet for the Detroit sound and for helping carry it to European clubs.

Artists on Transmat

Roster and regulars
Derrick MayDerrick May Joey BeltramJoey Beltram Carl CraigCarl Craig
  • Rhythim Is Rhythim
  • James Pennington

Latest from the Transmat roster

Stories on its artists
20 Ideas for ADE 2026, From Joseph Capriati at BRET to Anatolian Disco20 Ideas for ADE 2026, From Joseph Capriati at BRET to Anatolian Disco4 Oct 2026Scarper Opens His Archive With Off-Cuts (2014-2021) on Plexus RecordsScarper Opens His Archive With Off-Cuts (2014-2021) on Plexus Records29 Sep 2026The Best Techno Live Sets of All Time: 12 Landmark PerformancesThe Best Techno Live Sets of All Time: 12 Landmark Performances23 Sep 2026ADE 2026 Events: The Shows Worth Planning a Week AroundADE 2026 Events: The Shows Worth Planning a Week Around17 Sep 2026Amsterdam’s Sky-High Event: A’DAM Tower ADE 2025Amsterdam’s Sky-High Event: A’DAM Tower ADE 202519 Jul 2025Top 10 Techno Quotes From Legendary DJsTop 10 Techno Quotes From Legendary DJs24 Apr 2025The Best Techno DJ Sets of All Time: 10 Sets That Made HistoryThe Best Techno DJ Sets of All Time: 10 Sets That Made History23 Jan 2025The History and Impact of Detroit TechnoThe History and Impact of Detroit Techno21 Dec 2024EDM vs Techno: Key Differences in Sound and CultureEDM vs Techno: Key Differences in Sound and Culture22 Oct 2024Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) 2024: Second Wave of Artists AnnouncedAmsterdam Dance Event (ADE) 2024: Second Wave of Artists Announced4 Sep 2024Techno Tourism Guide: Iconic Cities and Countries to Experience Electronic MusicTechno Tourism Guide: Iconic Cities and Countries to Experience Electronic Music24 Aug 2024Must-See Electronic Dance Music (EDM) Movies and DocumentariesMust-See Electronic Dance Music (EDM) Movies and Documentaries12 Jul 2024

Festivals with Transmat artists

All festivals
EDC Colombia (Medellin, Colombia) 2026EDC Colombia10 - 11 Oct 2026 • Medellin, ColombiaWith Carl Craig Kappa FuturFestival Mexico (Monterrey, Mexico) 2026Kappa FuturFestival Mexico13 - 14 Nov 2026 • Monterrey, MexicoWith Carl Craig Polaris Festival (Verbier, Switzerland) 2026Polaris Festival20 - 28 Nov 2026 • Verbier, SwitzerlandWith Carl Craig

Playlists for the Transmat sound

All playlists
M-3 Avenueby Derrick May • 30 tracks This Is Derrick Mayby Spotify • 25 tracks This Is Carl Craigby Spotify • 50 tracks Movement At Homeby Movement Detroit • 65 tracks Movement 2026 Official Playlistby Movement Detroit • 100 tracks This Is Dubfireby Spotify • 50 tracks This Is Green Velvetby Spotify • 50 tracks Green Velvet Radioby Green Velvet • 100 tracks Dekmantel Festival 2026by Dekmantel • 100 tracks KFF23 | Official Playlistby FuturFestival • 94 tracks Awakenings Festival 20 Yearsby AWAKENINGS • 100 tracks Awakenings Top 20 Techno Tracks of All Timesby AWAKENINGS • 20 tracks

Similar labels

All labels
Planet E CommunicationsPeak Time Techno • Since 1991 • DetroitDrumcode Records#1 Peak Time TechnoArcane Music#2 Peak Time TechnoTAKEOFF#3 Peak Time TechnoAnimarum Recordings#4 Peak Time TechnoKNTXT Music#6 Peak Time TechnoVolta Records#5 Peak Time TechnoEXTATIC#12 Peak Time Techno

Questions about Transmat

What genre is Transmat?

Transmat is best known for Peak Time Techno releases. The label has been releasing music since 1986.

Who founded Transmat?

Transmat was founded in 1986 by Derrick May and is based in Detroit, United States.

Who releases on Transmat?

Artists closely tied to Transmat include Derrick May, Rhythim Is Rhythim, Joey Beltram, Carl Craig and James Pennington.

Where can I buy Transmat releases?

Releases are available through the label's own site.

Who are the biggest artists on Transmat?

Ranked by chart points over the last 12 months, the top artists on Transmat are Derrick May (0 tracks), Rhythim Is Rhythim (0 tracks), Joey Beltram (0 tracks), Carl Craig (0 tracks) and James Pennington (0 tracks).

Where can I hear Transmat artists live?

Artists from the Transmat roster are booked at upcoming festivals including EDC Colombia, Kappa FuturFestival Mexico and Polaris Festival. See the festival list on this page for dates and lineups.

Label information from the label's official channels (en.wikipedia.org, musicbrainz.org, musicbrainz.org). Last checked 8 Oct 2026.