Neotone Digital Handpans

The Neotone digital handpan is one of the few game-changing instruments I've run across in my decades in this business. This is a fully sampled digital handpan that sounds so much like an acoustic handpan, you may just forget which instrument you're playing.

Just as the electric guitar complements the acoustic, so does the Neotone complement acoustic handpans. It has no native means of producing sound—no built-in speakers (a sublime design decision, if you ask me)—but, all you have to do is plug in some speakers or headphones, and you get the full auditory experience. Just as an electric guitar opens up new musical possibilities with effects, so, too, the Neotone. With built-in programmable MIDI triggers, or even just the regular handpan sound, you can expand your sonic vocabulary exponentially.

None of this touches on my favorite part of the Neotone:  Every model includes six fully-sampled scales — 1300 samples per tuning! You know how—just like with a harmonica—if you want to play a different handpan tuning, you need to purchase another handpan? Now you get six in a single instrument, easily swappable. And beyond these six, you can use their app to mix and match and create your own custom tunings.  

Obviously, nothing can replace the soothing feeling of an acoustic handpan on your lap. Neotone—thankfully—is not trying to do this. But this thing is so packed with awesomeness,  I don't care if you're an absolute handpan beginner or a seasoned stage pro—this instrument belongs in your stable.