
The Sound of the Machine
My Life in Kraftwerk and Beyond
Karl Bartos(Author)
Omnibus Press
Will be published approx. on 19. February 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
656 pages
978-1-917274-12-8 (ISBN)
Description
''Incredibly detailed' - The GuardianAs a core member of Kraftwerk, some of
the most beautiful, era-defining music has been co-composed by Karl Bartos.
From 'Computer Love', to 'Autobahn', 'Tour de France' to Kraftwerk's 1982
number one single 'The Model', Bartos's deft musical hand has shaped the
contemporary musical landscape we know today.
In The
Sound of the Machine, Bartos speaks candidly about his life in Kraftwerk
for the first time. He recalls his experiences in the Kling Klang studios
during recording, the process and the joy, passion and synergy of the group.
Cerebral and witty, Bartos's narrative
journeys through his post-war childhood in Germany, his early musical ventures
and his parallel career as a musician and teacher. Offering a fascinating
insight into both a band and a man at the forefront of musical innovation over
the last thirty years, Bartos looks to the future, sharing his hopes and fears
for today's musical culture.
As a core member of Kraftwerk, some of the most beautiful, era-defining music has been co-composed by Karl Bartos. From 'Computer Love' to 'Autobahn', 'Tour de France' to Kraftwerk's 1982 number one single 'The Model', Bartos's deft musical hand has undoubtedly shaped the contemporary musical landscape we know today.
For the first time, in The Sound of the Machine, Bartos speaks candidly with wit and humour about his life in Kraftwerk. Bartos vividly recalls his experiences in the Kling Klang studios during recording, describing the process and perfectly capturing the joy and passion of three people composing and recording.
Now, with a successful solo career of 30 years, Karl Bartos recalls his postwar childhood, the amazement he felt on first hearing The Beatles, his first
bands, his parallel career as a musician and teacher, his years with Kraftwerk, and his hopes and fears for today's musical culture.
the most beautiful, era-defining music has been co-composed by Karl Bartos.
From 'Computer Love', to 'Autobahn', 'Tour de France' to Kraftwerk's 1982
number one single 'The Model', Bartos's deft musical hand has shaped the
contemporary musical landscape we know today.
In The
Sound of the Machine, Bartos speaks candidly about his life in Kraftwerk
for the first time. He recalls his experiences in the Kling Klang studios
during recording, the process and the joy, passion and synergy of the group.
Cerebral and witty, Bartos's narrative
journeys through his post-war childhood in Germany, his early musical ventures
and his parallel career as a musician and teacher. Offering a fascinating
insight into both a band and a man at the forefront of musical innovation over
the last thirty years, Bartos looks to the future, sharing his hopes and fears
for today's musical culture.
As a core member of Kraftwerk, some of the most beautiful, era-defining music has been co-composed by Karl Bartos. From 'Computer Love' to 'Autobahn', 'Tour de France' to Kraftwerk's 1982 number one single 'The Model', Bartos's deft musical hand has undoubtedly shaped the contemporary musical landscape we know today.
For the first time, in The Sound of the Machine, Bartos speaks candidly with wit and humour about his life in Kraftwerk. Bartos vividly recalls his experiences in the Kling Klang studios during recording, describing the process and perfectly capturing the joy and passion of three people composing and recording.
Now, with a successful solo career of 30 years, Karl Bartos recalls his postwar childhood, the amazement he felt on first hearing The Beatles, his first
bands, his parallel career as a musician and teacher, his years with Kraftwerk, and his hopes and fears for today's musical culture.
Reviews / Votes
"Full and frank disclosure of life in the world's most influential electronic band... Karl Bartos' enjoyable tome." Record Collector, 4*"A full-blooded insider's account of life inside the Kling Klang studio. This is a must read for the robots' fans." Prog Magazine
"An enjoyable memoir that tracks the
course of a dual identity" Irish Times
"Funny, cultured, detailed" Classic Rock
More details
Series
Edition
New edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Edition type
New edition
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 199 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 51 mm
Weight
652 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-917274-12-8 (9781917274128)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
02/2026
Omnibus Press
€12.49
Available for download
Person
Born in the German village of Berchtesgaden in 1952, sound, music and culture have been a lifelong fascination for Karl. He studied at the Robert Schumann Conservatory in Dusseldorf, played at the Deutsche Oper am Rhein and was in several experimental bands before he joined Kraftwerk for their American Autobahn tour in 1975. He co-composed tracks and performed with the band until 1990 and is featured on the seminal albums Radio-Activity, Trans-Europe Express, The Man-Machine and Computer World. Later Karl worked on Electric Cafe (now known as Technopop) and The Mix. After leaving
Kraftwerk, he first formed the band Elektric Music, releasing two albums, collaborated with Bernard Sumner (New Order), Johnny Marr (The Smiths)
and Andy McCluskey (OMD), and released two critically acclaimed solo albums,Communication and Off the Record.
In 2021, Karl Bartos was awarded the Early Influence Award/Kraftwerk as a member of the 'classic line-up' and inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame.
Kraftwerk, he first formed the band Elektric Music, releasing two albums, collaborated with Bernard Sumner (New Order), Johnny Marr (The Smiths)
and Andy McCluskey (OMD), and released two critically acclaimed solo albums,Communication and Off the Record.
In 2021, Karl Bartos was awarded the Early Influence Award/Kraftwerk as a member of the 'classic line-up' and inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame.