Kompakt: Total 3 or Total 3 was released on 31 July 2001. The album is the third installment of the influential Cologne-based microhouse label's annual compilation of vinyl releases and exclusives from its biggest artists and most promising newcomers. Vinyl and CD editions are quite different since only six songs are included on both formats. All tracks on the vinyl format were previously unreleased when the compilation came out. "Departures" was since included on Closer Musik's album After Love, "So Weit Wie Noch Nie" was since released on 12 inch, both on Kompakt in 2002. It was this album that introduced the worldwide electronic music scene to the Cologneminimal sound which was to be dominated by Kompakt releases.
Six of the tracks on the CD are taken from previously released 12 inch vinyl on Kompakt (catalogue number in parentheses): #1 (KOM29); #2(KOM32); #5 (KOM37); #7 (KOM41); #9 (KOM35); #10 (KOM31).