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Instruments

Characteristics and sound models

The instruments I build can be made with different materials, thicknesses, or Hertz frequencies.

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Materials

Nitrided Carbon Steel: The material from which handpans were born. Ideal for players with a percussive style and those performing on the street.

 

Stainless Steel: It produces a longer and wider sound compared to nitrided carbon steel instruments. Nowadays, it is the most commonly used material for building handpans, suitable for players with a melodic or meditative style.

 

Ember Steel: Very similar to stainless steel but with a warmer sound.

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Thickness

1 mm: Most handpans worldwide have this thickness. It provides more blooming overtones and a more ceramic sound. Perfect for higher-range instruments.

 

1.2 mm: Offers a deeper tone and warmer sound, but it allows for a smaller number of notes as they need to be drawn a bit bigger than in 1 mm. I usually recommend 1.0 mm for higher-range scales and 1.25 mm for lower ones.

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Hertz

440 Hz: The tuning for most music we hear every day, and the majority of handpans are generally tuned to this frequency.

 

432 Hz: Instruments tuned to this frequency usually have a darker and less "pop" sound than those tuned to 440 Hz. Typically used for sound baths or music therapy.

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Scales

Any scale from F2 to D6 can be done. Higher or lower notes should be discussed with the client. Custom layouts are also possible.

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