Musician and YouTuber Hainbach on ‘Breath of the Wild’ and Swiss Army Knives

The Verge profiles Stefan Paul Goetsch, better known as Hainbach, a German experimental composer and YouTuber known for creating music with laboratory and scientific equipment. Despite describing his process as the “Dark Souls of synthesis,” he remains highly prolific, releasing six albums in 2025 including Gentle Hum, a collaboration with Ah! Kosmos.

Hainbach’s work reflects a growing niche where creators turn obsolete industrial and scientific tools into expressive instruments, blending experimental art with online creator culture. His productivity shows how specialized creativity can build a dedicated audience even when the tools and techniques are deliberately difficult or unconventional.