Joonas Ylänne has released Buttons From Hell, a free experimental percussion instrument for Decent Sampler users.
What began as an idea to record an instrument through a cassette recorder evolved into a sound design journey focused on the raw clicks, clacks, and mechanical thuds of everyday buttons and switches.
Mechanical Sounds Turned Industrial Percussion
Rather than recording traditional instruments, Joonas became fascinated with the tactile noise of objects like guitar pedal switches, light switches, power strips, and computer keyboards. Microphones were placed so close to the buttons that sometimes his fingers barely fit between the mic and the switch. Once captured, these small mechanical sounds were transformed through saturation and effects into gritty industrial percussion, metallic hits, and thudding impacts.
Visual Interface Reflects the Sound
To match the rugged and mechanical character of the instrument, Joonas avoided stock GUI layouts and instead designed a fully custom interface using vector graphics and photography. The unique visual design enhances the user experience and reflects the industrial aesthetic of the samples.
Requires Decent Sampler
Buttons From Hell runs in Decent Sampler, a free sampler plugin created by David Hilowitz. Decent Sampler is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux in VST, AU, and standalone formats. It offers an easy and accessible way to load custom sample-based instruments.
Free Download
Buttons From Hell percussion instrument for Decent Sampler is available now as a free download (donations welcomed) on the Joonas Ylänne Gumroad.