Soundiron Laundronium is a unique virtual instrument that transforms the humble washing machine into a versatile sound design tool. This Kontakt library captures a wide array of percussive sounds, ambient textures, and special effects derived from a single washing machine. The instrument offers composers and sound designers an unconventional palette of tones and textures suitable for various genres, particularly experimental, industrial, and cinematic music. Laundronium features over 1,000 stereo samples recorded at 24-bit/48kHz quality, providing users with a rich selection of sounds ranging from soft, gong-like tones to harsh, metallic screeches. The library includes bowed and plucked articulations, finger and mallet percussion, and a collection of custom-designed FX and ambient presets. With its intuitive user interface and advanced sound-shaping capabilities, Laundronium allows for extensive customization and creative exploration of these unconventional sounds.
Pros:
• Unique and diverse sound palette derived from a single, everyday object
• High-quality 24-bit/48kHz stereo samples for professional-grade sound
• Extensive sound-shaping capabilities with LFO, filter, and arpeggiator controls
Cons:
• Requires full version of Kontakt 5.5 or later, not compatible with free Kontakt Player
Laundronium offers a comprehensive set of features designed to maximize the creative potential of its unconventional sound source. The library is built around a master NKI instrument bank containing 1,051 stereo samples, occupying 1.42 GB of disk space when installed. These samples capture a broad spectrum of sounds produced by the washing machine, including soft and gong-like tones, harsh and warbly textures, as well as bassy and warm resonances.
The instrument’s user interface provides intuitive control over various sound-shaping parameters. A flexible LFO system allows users to modulate different aspects of the sound, with options for LFO shape selection, modulation target parameter, speed, intensity, tempo-syncing, and fade-in time. This feature enables the creation of evolving, dynamic textures and rhythmic effects.
Laundronium also incorporates a versatile filter section with 12 different filter types, including lowpass, highpass, and various effect filters. These filters can be assigned to different modulation sources such as velocity, mod-wheel, expression, aftertouch, key position, and a step-sequencer table, providing extensive tonal control and sound design possibilities.
The library’s arpeggiator function adds another layer of rhythmic and melodic potential. It includes a velocity table and offers control over arpeggio direction, timing, swing, randomization, and duration. This feature is particularly useful for creating pulsating textures and evolving patterns from the washing machine samples.
Laundronium also includes a key and scale lock system, which constrains notes to common scales and keys. This feature facilitates easier melodic composition and live performance, especially when working with unconventional tonal material.
The instrument comes with 20 custom sound-designed FX and ambient presets, showcasing the library’s potential for creating atmospheric and textural sounds. These presets serve as starting points for further sound design or can be used as-is for instant atmospheric elements in compositions.
A full FX rack is included, featuring a convolution reverb with custom rooms, halls, chambers, and FX environments. This allows users to place the washing machine sounds in various acoustic spaces or apply creative reverb effects for further sound design.
Laundronium’s samples are provided in an unlocked format, allowing users to access and customize the raw audio files if desired. This open approach gives advanced users the flexibility to create their own instruments or modify existing ones to suit their specific needs.
While Laundronium occupies a unique niche in the world of virtual instruments, it can be compared to other experimental and found-sound libraries. In terms of its focus on everyday objects as sound sources, it shares similarities with libraries like Spitfire Audio’s “Found Keys” or “Scraped Percussion.” However, Laundronium’s dedication to a single source (the washing machine) sets it apart, offering a more focused and cohesive sound palette. Compared to more traditional percussion libraries, Laundronium offers a much more experimental and unconventional set of sounds. While it may not replace standard drum kits or orchestral percussion, it excels in providing unique textures and effects that can complement or contrast with more conventional sound sources. In terms of its sound design capabilities, Laundronium can be likened to some of the more experimental offerings from developers like Output or Native Instruments. However, its specific focus on washing machine sounds gives it a distinct character that sets it apart from broader sound design tools.
This plugin is best for:
• Composers working in experimental, industrial, or avant-garde genres
• Sound designers seeking unique textures for film, TV, or game audio
• Electronic music producers looking to incorporate unconventional sounds into their tracks
• Foley artists needing a diverse palette of mechanical and household sounds
Soundiron Laundronium is a testament to the creative potential hidden in everyday objects. By meticulously sampling a washing machine and providing powerful sound-shaping tools, the developers have created an instrument that pushes the boundaries of conventional sound design. The library’s strength lies in its ability to transform familiar household sounds into rich, expressive musical elements. While it may not be a go-to tool for traditional compositions, Laundronium excels in creating unique atmospheres, textures, and percussive elements that can add depth and intrigue to a wide range of musical and sound design projects. Its intuitive interface and extensive modulation options make it accessible to both beginners and experienced sound designers, encouraging experimentation and creative exploration. Despite its niche focus, Laundronium demonstrates remarkable versatility, capable of producing everything from subtle ambient textures to aggressive industrial rhythms. For those willing to think outside the box and embrace unconventional sound sources, Laundronium offers a wealth of creative possibilities.