Michael Mayer

Michael Mayer is a German techno producer and DJ from Cologne who co-founded and co-owns the Kompakt label and record store alongside Wolfgang Voigt and Jürgen Paape. Born in 1971, Mayer has operated under the alias Elf (22) and began releasing electronic music in 2010. As one of the key figures behind Kompakt, he has helped establish the label as a cornerstone of the Cologne electronic music scene since its inception in the late 1990s.

Mayer's sound spans melodic house and techno, deep house, tech house, and indie dance, with his productions appearing on Kompakt, !K7 Records, Kompakt Extra, IPSO, and MetaPop. His tracks typically feature the warm, microhouse-influenced aesthetic that defines the Kompakt sound, blending driving techno rhythms with melodic elements and organic textures. With 42 releases tracked since 2010, Mayer maintains a consistent output that ranges from peak-time driving techno to more introspective deep house, reflecting his dual role as both a floor-focused DJ and a studio craftsman working within the minimal techno and microhouse traditions.