The Engine Beat Generator provides a new and exciting way to perform and achieve a wide range of industrial sounds. Firstly to produce what could be described as techno music with such a minimal amount of electronics is very interesting. The sounds produced by the triggers are all raw, course and gritty, yet have considerable differences when compared with one another. The result is a wide range of sounds which work well together.

All pulses and rhythms are linked due to the various parts of the engine working synchronously. These rhythms can be intermittent like the flywheel trigger, steady like the piston triggers or help to create a overall sonic aesthetic like the chain trigger. The rate at which these rhythms and patterns play is dependent on the speed at which the engine is being hand cranked. The noise produced by 7 out of 8 triggers can be adjusted using tools associated with working on engines.

All 8 triggers are engaged by the movement of the handle on the flywheel. This acts as a master clock and it is interesting to see what overall sounds are produced depending on how fast the engine is turning. At slow speeds, atmospheric tones can be produced with the chain trigger and cam trigger. At high speeds the crankshaft begins to make knocking noises due to the sleeves being removed and this knocking can be heard through all triggers.

Interestingly the length of playing the Engine Beat Generator varies depending on how long the player is able to keep cranking. Throughout the year one point of discussion, amongst fellow students, through various pieces of work has been how long should a piece be played for. With this it is dependant on how long you can keeping it turning. Currently I can play for 4-5 minutes. 

There seems to be a great satisfaction in producing these sounds by the physical movement required to produce them. Similar tones produced by a computer do not seem as genuine. To a certain extent this is a form of pure or true techno.