surprise me + only idm & experimental + daytime + talks & panels
ADE picks
Here’s a surprise mix of free ADE events—just register first.Sources: Gear Test Lab - Wednesday · Music Hackspace Hub - Wednesday · NEXTSTAGE Hub · NEXTSTAGE Program
Gear Test Lab - Wednesday
Wed 21 · 10:00 · Het Ketelhuis · Cafe & Entresol · Amsterdam
Welcome to the Gear Test Lab! Step into the Gear Test Lab: a no‑barrier playground for sound hunters and button‑pushers. Get your hands on the freshest controllers, synths, DJ rigs and production toys, then grill the teams who actually build them. From first bedroom sketches to full live‑set overhauls, this is where you break in new gear, hack your workflow and leave with ideas you can’t wait to try tonight. Featuring: 1. AlphaTheta 2. Arturia 3. Geeky Punks 4. Hercules 5. Howler Audio 6. KORG 7. Technics 8. Telepathic Instruments 9. Roland 10. Union Audio 11. Yamaha 12. Amptec 13. Audeze 14. ATGR 15. Decksaver 16. NAP Works 17. Vinylify 18. SAE 19. VOLT Music Store 20. Ecler 21. Bjooks 22. AIAIAI 23. Reloop
Free, register first.
Music Hackspace Hub - Wednesday
Wed 21 · 10:00 · De Bakkerswinkel · Amsterdam
To participate rather than simply observe, you must apply in advance via this link . Official ADE Lab Hackathon Over two days of hacking, followed by a public showcase on Friday, you’ll join a creative community, take on a music industry challenge and turn your ideas into working prototypes for music creation, listening or performance. All the while, you’ll enjoy the energy of ADE in the heart of the city. The best projects will win fantastic prizes, including a presentation at ADE Lab Discovery. You can arrive with a project idea or form a team on site. Music Hackspace will help match participants into small groups (typically 3 to 6 people) so teams have a blend of skills across coding, music, and product design. Throughout the days, mentors from Music Hackspace and industry partners will be available to support you in developing your prototypes closer to real-world products. Wednesday 21 October (closed session, participants only) 9:00 - Doors open and badge pickup 10:00 - Welcome, introductions and overview of the hackathon, followed by challenge presentations from artists and sponsors 11:00 - Team formation and idea pitches, then hacking begins with mentor support Evening - check-in and informal demos 22:00 - Doors close Thursday 22 October (participants all day, open to the public from 16:00, registration required) 9:00 - Doors open for participants. Final hacking sprint and polishing 15:00 - Final tech check for all teams 16:00 - Final presentations: each team has 3 minutes to present its work to the jury 17:30 - Jury deliberation 18:00 - Awards announcement, feedback and results Day 3, Friday 23 October (open to the public) 10:00 - Doors open. Mini exhibition where the winning teams demo their hacks at tables across both floors Afternoon - Curated session with the jury (Sam Feldt & Colin Benders) and the winning teams as part of ADE Lab 18:00 - Doors close
Free, register first.
NEXTSTAGE Hub
Wed 21 · 10:00 · Meterhuisje · Amsterdam
Discover the world behind events with NEXTSTAGE NEXTSTAGE connects young people with the event industry and helps them uncover where their talents truly shine. From festivals and concerts to sports and corporate events, participants learn directly from industry professionals, complete online training, and get hands-on experience in the field. In doing so, we match talent with opportunity, help young people build real-world experience and a valuable network, and set them on a clear path toward an internship or job. 11:15 - 11:45 | Q&A: Jobs Nobody Told You About Got questions after the keynote? Join Noor, Laura and Jamy up close in the HUB. Ask them anything, from how they got started to what their working day really looks like. 12:30 - 13:00 | Q&A with Charly Friedrichs Want to know more about filming, editing or starting your own creative business? Bring your questions and talk to Charly directly. 14:00 - 14:30 | Q&A with Ellen Gussinklo The follow-up to Ellen's talk. This is your chance to ask her directly about careers, the international scene and life at Insomniac.
Free, register first.
NEXTSTAGE Program
Wed 21 · 10:00 · Amsterdam in Motion · Amsterdam
Discover the world behind events with NEXTSTAGE NEXTSTAGE connects young people with the event industry and helps them uncover where their talents truly shine. From festivals and concerts to sports and corporate events, participants learn directly from industry professionals, complete online training, and get hands-on experience in the field. In doing so, we match talent with opportunity, help young people build real-world experience and a valuable network, and set them on a clear path toward an internship or job. 10:00 - 11:00 | Opening Keynote: Jobs Nobody Told You About [in Dutch] Q-dance, Flik Flak Agency and SSIXX: behind every great event are careers that never show up on a school career day. In this opening keynote, Noor Veenbrink, Laura van de Veen and Jamy Gallmann share how they found their place in the industry and built careers in roles almost nobody thinks of. Hosted by Freke Reimer (Solid). 11:00 - 11:30 | Amsterdam as Event Location by Chantal Musquetier [in Dutch] Few cities host as many events as Amsterdam. Chantal Musquetier takes you through 50 years of the city as one big event location, with a timeline of the events, festivals and cultural milestones that shaped Amsterdam. Discover how the city became what it is today, and where the next chapter might take it. 13:00 - 14:00 | How to Land Your Dream Job by Ellen Gussinklo (Insomniac Events) [in English] Ellen Gussinklo is a Talent Buyer at Insomniac Events, one of the biggest names in the global festival world. She shares how she got there and what it really takes to break into the industry. Expect practical advice on getting noticed, making connections and turning ambition into your first real job. 14:00 - 15:00 | Superkracht: Talent Beyond the Standard Route [in Dutch] Not every great career follows a straight line. Tim van Reyswoud (Superkracht), Freke Reimer (Solid), Hanna Kernkamp (Johan Cruijff ArenA) and a Superkracht team member talk about talent that takes a different path. They show how different backgrounds, perspectives and skills make the events industry stronger.
Free, register first.
Amptec Hub - Wednesday
Wed 21 · 11:30 · Amsterdam Flavours · Amsterdam
Amptec Hub x Trinnov Audio Takeover Trinnov Audio develops advanced room correction and speaker optimization technologies that empower producers and mixing engineers to work with precision and confidence. Through live demonstrations, immersive listening experiences and insights from industry professionals, discover how Trinnov transforms monitoring environments and opens up new creative possibilities in sound. 11:30 – 12:3 0 | Experience the Optimizer From measurement to calibration: experience the Optimizer in real time and hear the before & after. 13:00 – 14:00 | Why Trinnov? with Carmen Rizzo Join two-time Grammy-nominated producer, mixer and electronic musician Carmen Rizzo, known for his work with artists such as Coldplay, Paul Oakenfold and Ryuichi Sakamoto. Carmen shares his experience, his workflow, and why Trinnov has become part of his life. 14:00 – 15:00 | NOVA Immersive 7.1.4 Discover NOVA Immersive and experience a full 7.1.4 setup. 15:30 – 16:30 | Inside Carmen Rizzo’s Work Q&A A closer look at Carmen’s work and workflow, followed by an open Q&A. 17:00 – 18:00 | Experience the Optimizer One last chance to experience Trinnov, listen, compare, ask questions… and enjoy!
Free, register first.
Get Into: NEXTSTAGE - The Power of Aftermovies
Wed 21 · 11:45 · Het Ketelhuis · Room 3 · Amsterdam
Speaker: Charly Friedrichs (Final Kid) The Power of Aftermovies An aftermovie can make people feel a festival they never went to. Charly Friedrichs, founder of Final Kid, talks about the craft behind festival aftermovies and why they matter so much to how events grow their audience. About NEXTSTAGE NEXTSTAGE connects young people with the event industry and helps them uncover where their talents truly shine. From festivals and concerts to sports and corporate events, participants learn directly from industry professionals, complete online training, and get hands-on experience in the field. In doing so, we match talent with opportunity, help young people build real-world experience and a valuable network, and set them on a clear path toward an internship or job.
Free, register first.
Technics Hub
Wed 21 · 11:45 · Pacific Amsterdam · Amsterdam
For 55 years, the Technics SL-1200 Series has been at the heart of DJ culture. Since 1972, it has powered generations of artists, influenced the evolution of club culture and become a symbol of craftsmanship, creativity and authenticity. In 2026, Technics celebrates this milestone by honouring the legacy of the SL-1200 while looking to the future of DJing. Through innovation, artist collaborations and experiences that bring people together, Technics continues to support the culture that has grown around the turntable for more than five decades. At ADE, experience the world of Technics up close and explore the culture and innovation shaping the future of vinyl DJing. 11:45 – Doors open 12:00 – 55th Anniversary: Announcement Moment Some moments mark an anniversary. Others mark the beginning of something new. For 55 years, Technics has been part of a culture defined by sound, craft, creativity and an enduring connection between DJ and music. But heritage is not only about looking back. It is about carrying forward what matters, refining it, challenging it and allowing it to evolve for another generation. At 12:00, past and future meet for one special moment. A legacy continues. A new chapter begins. Learn, share and play: the afternoon programme Join Technics for an afternoon dedicated to learning, sharing and experiencing the art of vinyl DJing. Together with Ladies Love Vinyl by Tia Turntable and Vinyl Bitch by MADDØG, the programme creates an open space around vinyl culture, bringing together hands-on discovery, workshops and open decks. Whether you’re touching vinyl for the first time, making the move from digital, or simply want more time behind the turntables, this is a place to learn, connect, exchange and play. 12:10 – Test Stations Open Get hands-on with Technics DJ equipment. 12:30–14:00 – Open Stations: Come and Try Get behind the Technics decks, explore vinyl DJing and ask questions in an informal, hands-on setting. Facilitated by MADDØG, MARY GEHNYEI, Tia Turntable, DJ Preacher and the Technics team. Supported by Union Audio, Jico, Algoriddim Djay Pro and Yoyaku Records. 14:00–15:30 – Technics Vinyl DJ Workshop For beginners and digital DJs looking to make the move to vinyl. Learn the fundamentals of vinyl DJing and experience the feel, technique and craft of mixing with records. Hosted by MADDØG (Vinyl Bitch) and Tia Turntable. 15:30–17:00 – Technics x Ladies Love Vinyl: FLINTA DJ Workshop A dedicated FLINTA workshop focused on learning, practising and connecting through vinyl DJing. Hosted by MADDØG (Vinyl Bitch) and Tia Turntable. 17:00–17:45 – ADE Panel: 55 Years of the SL-1200 Series and Its Future – Japanese Engineering Q&A For 55 years, the SL-1200 Series has existed at the intersection of engineering, music and DJ culture. What began as a turntable became part of the language of clubs, record stores, studios and DJ booths around the world, continually shaped by the people who play on it and the engineers behind it. At ADE, Technics opens that conversation. This special session goes behind the design with Yui Takenaka from Technics Engineering, exploring the thinking, details and engineering philosophy that continue to shape professional vinyl performance. The conversation moves beyond words with a live sound session, bringing engineering and listening together in the room, followed by an open Q&A and perspectives from special guests. It is not simply a look back at 55 years. It is a conversation about how an icon continues to evolve, how heritage and progress can coexist, and what the next chapter of the SL-1200 story could sound and feel like. Hosted by Stefanie Baron, with Yui Takenaka (Technics Engineering) and special guests. 18:00–19:00 – Open Decks Time to play. Step behind the decks, put your records on and be part of the session. Hosted by Ladies Love Vinyl by Tia Turntable. Programmed with Ladies Love Vinyl by Tia Turntable and Vinyl Bitch by MADDØG. Supported by Ortofon. ADE x Technics Celebration Event At the heart of DJ culture is the connection between the artist, the turntables and the records. For this special ADE celebration, Technics brings together MADDØG, MARY GEHNYEI and MATISA for three vinyl-only sets, celebrating the creativity, individuality and craft that make playing records such a unique art form. Rooted in Technics’ turntable heritage and driven by today’s DJ culture, the night is simply about what happens when great artists get behind the decks. Line-up | Vinyl Only 20:00–21:00 – MADDØG 21:00–22:00 – MARY GEHNYEI 22:00–23:00 – MATISA
Free, register first.
Get Into: SAE Institute’s Courses
Wed 21 · 12:00 · Het Ketelhuis · Room 2 · Amsterdam
Speakers: Giacomo Piscitelli (SAE) Creative Sampling for Beginners: Field Recording and Foley Discover how everyday sounds can become unique musical material. This beginner-friendly masterclass explores how field recordings and Foley sounds can be captured, edited and transformed into rhythms, textures and instruments. Through expert insights and creative demonstrations, attendees will learn to hear their surroundings differently and find inspiration beyond conventional sound libraries.
Free, register first.