The Ruler

The Ruler by Soundiron turns everyday measuring tools into an unconventional sampled instrument. Built from two rulers and a pair of self-winding tape measures, it captures the springy tones, wobbling resonances and mechanical noises these objects produce. The recordings include 30 notes from a 6-inch ruler and 38 from a 12-inch ruler, alongside taps, rattles, drops and assorted tape-measure percussion. Changing the length of a ruler hanging over an edge creates different pitches and sustain lengths, giving the collection its distinctive plucked character. Use it to add quirky melodic accents, playful percussion or unusual details to electronic tracks and experimental arrangements. It also offers useful raw material for sound design where familiar instruments feel too predictable. The Ruler suits producers and composers who enjoy found sounds and want something more offbeat than another conventional keyboard or drum instrument.