The Sound of the Machine

My Life in Kraftwerk and Beyond

Karl Bartos author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Omnibus Press

Publishing:19th Feb '26

£16.99

This title is due to be published on 19th February, and will be despatched as soon as possible.

The Sound of the Machine cover


'Incredibly detailed' - The Guardian

As a core member of Kraftwerk, some of the most beautiful, era-defining music has been co-composed by Karl Bartos. From ‘The Robots’ to ‘Computer Love’ and ‘Tour De France’ to Kraftwerk’s 1982 number-one single ‘The Model’, Bartos’s deft hand has shaped the contemporary musical landscape we know today.

In The Sound of the Machine, Bartos speaks candidly about his life in Kraftwerk. He recalls his experiences in the Kling Klang studios during the recording 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 teacher. Offering a fascinating insight into both a band and a man at the forefront of musical innovation over the last 55 years, Bartos looks to the future, sharing his hopes and fears for today’s musical culture.


"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

ISBN: 9781917274128

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

656 pages

New edition