Kurt was born on March 10th, 1961, in Mannheim, and is a German sound designer, synthesist, composer, music producer, and a member of the electronic formation „S.A.W.“ (Schmoelling/Ader/Waters).

His musical journey began on the electronic organ, but soon he broke through the boundaries of fixed timbres. The turning point occurred in 1977 when he first heard the Minimoog synthesizer – a sonic universe to which he immediately succumbed and promptly integrated into his own musical world. Kurt’s spirit of experimentation and innovative sound design with his unique sounds soon found its way into various recording studios, where he was booked as a sought-after sound designer and musician.

In 1981, the door to the music industry opened when the company Roland commissioned Kurt to create a European sound set for the legendary polyphonic Jupiter 8. This laid the foundation for further engagements with renowned manufacturers such as Sequential Circuits, E-MU Systems, KORG, Moog, Waldorf, Schmidt, and many others.

Shortly thereafter, sound design and productions for notable artists followed, including Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), Tuomas Holopainen (Nightwish), Francis Rimbert (Jean Michel Jarre), Michael Cretu (Enigma), Victoria Theodore (Beyoncé, Stevie Wonder), Jim Gilmour (Saga), Mike Garson (Nine Inch Nails, David Bowie, The Smashing Pumpkins) … all of whom valued the sounds from Kurt’s sound forge, especially for their live performances.

The pinnacle came in 2015 when Kurt Ader was awarded „Sound Designer of the Year 2014“ at the NAMM Show – a coveted trophy that underscored his uniqueness in the world of sound.

Married and supported by his family, Kurt, along with his son Dominik as a creative partner, increasingly took to the stage. Live performances became another chapter in his musical adventure.

His company, „KApro Kurt Ader Productions,“ is a creative hub for auditory experiences in the music and film world. From creating tailor-made sounds for productions to developing innovative sound programs for synthesizers and samplers, as well as virtual instruments – new dimensions of creativity emerge here.

In 2018, Kurt Ader released his first solo album, „Priority.“ In 2020, the album „Iconic“ was released – a collaboration with Johannes Schmoelling, the former member of the group „Tangerine Dream,“ and Robert Waters – hence the name „S.A.W.“ (Schmoelling/Ader/Waters). In 2020, Johannes Schmoelling celebrated the 20th anniversary of his label „Viktoriapark Records,“ with the release of a special CD release entitled „20.“ Kurt Ader was also part of this album with the joint title „Kaleidoscope.“ In 2020, the CD production „ISOLATION“ with the English composer Mark Jenkins was released. Due to the success of „20,“ another production from „Viktoriapark Records“ titled „21“ was released in 2022. Kurt and Johannes were jointly involved in two tracks on this CD. In early 2023 Andreas Merz joined the S.A.W. trio making it an electronic music quartet. In March 2023, a new CD by S.A.W. + M. (Schmoelling/Ader/Waters/Merz) titled „Hydragate“ was released on the M.I.G. label.