Trashcan VST / AU / AAX plugin

The SwarPlug synth plugin includes Trashcan and over 100 other perfectly sampled virtual Indian instruments. It can be loaded in most VST, Audio Units and AAX compatible DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) like Cubase, Logic, Ableton Live, Protools, FL Studio etc... It also comes with lots of ready-made MIDI loops for each instrument.

About Trashcan:

In Pune’s festival processions and street drumming ensembles, metal trashcans have been transformed into improvised percussion instruments that add a raw, energetic edge to the rhythm. Typically standard garbage cans made of steel or aluminum, these cans are turned upside down and struck with sticks, mallets, or even hands, producing a loud, metallic, and resonant sound. Their hollow bodies allow for a surprisingly deep, booming tone, while their rigid metal construction gives sharp, cutting overtones that pierce through the collective din of a festival. Though unconventional, they perfectly complement traditional instruments like the Puneri Dhol and Tasha, creating a rich, multi-layered rhythmic texture that drives processions forward.

Trashcan percussion has become particularly popular during Ganesh Chaturthi and other street festivals, where large groups of musicians often march together. The cans provide both volume and variety, bridging the tonal gap between the deep bass of the Puneri Dhol and the high-pitched staccato of the Tasha. Performers often use different-sized cans or combine them with lids and other metallic objects to create polyrhythms and dynamic accents. This improvisational approach turns everyday objects into musical instruments, reflecting the creativity and resourcefulness of Pune’s street drumming culture.

Playing trashcans as percussion requires both strength and coordination. Drummers wield wooden sticks or mallets to strike the metal surfaces in rapid sequences, producing rhythms that range from simple beats to complex syncopated patterns. The instrument’s metallic resonance responds differently depending on where and how it is struck, allowing skilled players to experiment with tone, pitch, and volume. The physicality of playing—often while marching—adds a performative flair, making trashcan drumming visually as well as sonically compelling.

Beyond their festival role, trashcans have come to symbolize street-level musical ingenuity. They embody the spirit of adaptation, turning ordinary urban objects into instruments capable of generating collective energy and excitement. Though unorthodox, they have been embraced by percussion groups and community bands across Pune, both for their practicality and their ability to produce a bold, unmistakable sound. In this way, the trashcan percussion ensemble forms a bridge between tradition and street creativity, amplifying the rhythm, spirit, and communal energy of Pune’s vibrant festival culture.