Motor Rhythms

Soundiron Motor Rhythms turns a custom drum kit built from automobile parts into a distinctive Kontakt percussion instrument. Created by artist and mechanic Jordan Hill, the kit combines gas tank kicks, flywheel hi-hats, a coolant tank snare, brake drums, pulley bells and other salvaged components. Close and distant microphone recordings capture its metallic strikes, hollow thumps and ringing textures, while velocity layers and round-robin variations add expressive detail. Shape individual pieces with pitch, envelope and sample-start controls, customize MIDI mappings, or build rhythmic patterns with the onboard arpeggiator and step sequencer. Kontakt effects and convolution reverbs help place the kit in realistic or experimental spaces. Additional atmospheres, pads, grooves and synth tones expand the palette beyond percussion. It’s a strong fit for beatmakers, experimental producers and composers seeking unconventional acoustic character. Requires Kontakt Player or full Kontakt 5.6.8 or later.