About Custom

How To Join In The Waiting List?

How much is Xuansound?

The price of Xuansound is ¥12000(include a special package,a cleaning cloth and a manual).

About Xuansound

How long does it take to learn Handpan?

Xuansound is suitable for all kinds of needs and level of the players, just because of its special way of playing and mode designed. For beginners, the difficulty to get started is much easier than most of the orchestra and keyboard instruments. As a beginner, the first thing is that you must be familiar with its pronunciation, find the feeling of your fingers. Different people need different time. If you have no basis of musical instrument，you may need a week or so to get started. But if you have basis of percussion or other musical instruments, only a few hours to several days you will get the feeling. In general, you need to be familiar with the pronunciation and the way of vibration. Each scale of Handpan is a harmonious system. Whatever you use it for, meditation, the spiritual performance, improvisation, music therapy, etc. You don't have to worry about playing off key, because no matter how to play, every note is in a fixed system. After some period of playing and learning, You can summarize some rhythm , melody, and create more complete phrase. To reach the professional level of playing, it involves more accomplishment and playing experience.

Has Xuansound been nitrided?

Nitridation is a technology of chemical heat treatment. All of the top Handpans are treated with nitride. It will greatly enhance the mechanical properties of the cavity and the quality of Handpans, reduce the interference among tones and the cavity noise, metal sound, enhance the clarity of sound .In the meantime it will make the voice more concentrated. Nitride layer has high hardness, it is able to prevent the surface oxidation rust. It can strengthen the intonation. That means after nitriding Handpan is less likely to be out of tune. Nitrogen is a very professional, cutting-edge technology. The use of nitrogen in Handpan needs a long-term experiment over and over again. It’s an effective guarantee of high quality Handpans. After several rounds of nitride experiment, we have found an ideal nitriding process program, which has been applied in Xuansound making. Nitriding process needs constantly adjusting and improving according to the material properties , tuning mode and the timbre we pursue.

How is the production and the tuning?

The making and the tuning is extremely complex and time consuming, that needs high technology and experience. The special way of vocalization determines its strict requirements for steel. Determine one kind of ideal material need a long seeking process. Its nonlinearity tuning feature determines its tuning must be done by hands. Therefore, the output of Xuansound is very limited. Most of Xuansound Handpans have 9 notes. Certainly some scales have additional 1 to 2 notes in the GU side. The range of Ding notes is C3-E5, side notes range is G3-E5. Each tone is controlled within 0 to 5 cent. Each kind of size Handpan has one or two problem notes which stimulate the cavity resonance. In order to ensure the quality, Handpan makers usually avoid make these problems notes. The problem notes in Xuansound are Bb4 and B4, so all scales must get rid of them.

Dimensions and Weight.

Its diameter is 540 mm, 260 mm high and weighs 4.2 KG.

Dose Xuansound have other size? Can customers customize the size?

Currently, Xuansound has only one size. The development of new size requires long time but we will start the research in the future.

Dose Xuansound have audition?

Videos and audios will be published on:
YouKu / YouTube / XiMaLaYa

Do I need amplification equipments when I play Handpan? How to record?

Handpan is a musical instrument with larger resonance area like cello, so you need a suitable distance to record. In the recording studio, I recommend you to use two directional microphones with wide frequency response, respectively aim the upper right and upper left of Handpan. If you are in a small space you need not use any amplification equipment.

Can I choose the color of Xuansound?

The color of Xuansound is determined by the heat treatment process. It’s natural color produced by heat treatment, without any additional coating. Change the heat treatment technology and process will directly affect the timbre, so you can’t choose color. With the adjustment process, the exterior color may change.

Can I paint other colors on Xuansound?

The surface of Xuansound is treated with multilayer composite structure, it can improve timbre, increase hardness. Prevent rust and corrosion. Paint, electroplated coatings, Teflon, NANO paint membrane will seriously restrain vibration, thus affecting timbre and sound. So please do not do that.

Dose Xuansound have serial numbers?

Each order has an independent number. Your order will be making according to the waiting list numbers. Each Xuansound also has a unique number，numbers only stand for the making order, so it may be different with your actual number.

What’s the kind of edge?

Xuansound equipped with customized rubber ring, it will let the sound of Xuansound more focus and pure.

Will Xuansound rust?

We use nitriding technology, it diffuses nitrogen into the surface of a metal to create a case-hardened surface. Tempering can apply a protective layer to the metal. It prevents oxygen from getting to the metal. If the protective layer flakes away the metal will start to rust and the rust will spread under the protective layer.See “how to protect your Handpan”

Will Xuansound be out of tune?

Like all of other Handpans, Xuansound might be out of tune. It relate to the consolidation of notes ,playing frequency and force, external environmental condition, etc. The cycle stress can bring “metal fatigue”, it can also lead to out of tune. Tuning apply strong stress into metal, frequent retuning will shorten its life. So the retuning cycles should not exceed every one year.

Do you have after sell service here?

Yes, we offer after-sales service to our customers to ensure each Handpan reach its ideal state. We collect customer feedback information to improve the next generation. We offer 18 months retuning for free. You just need bear the cost of the mail. Retuning fee is 1000(RMB) Over 18 months. You should provide a recording more than 128KB and sent to our email. We will provide you a reasonable solution.

Scales and modes

What is Scale?

A "scale" is an ordered series of pitches that, with the key or tonic (first tone) as a reference point, defines that scale's intervals, or steps. The concept of "mode" in Western music theory has three successive stages: in Gregorian chant theory, in Renaissance polyphonic theory, and in tonal harmonic music of the common practice period. In all three contexts, "mode" incorporates the idea of the diatonic scale, but differs from it by also involving an element of melody type. This concerns particular repertories of short musical figures or groups of tones within a certain scale so that, depending on the point of view, mode takes on the meaning of either a "particularized scale" or a "generalized tune".

The characteristics of Handpan.

According to the acoustic characteristics of Handpan, each scale must adapt to its features. Hence, some new scales need increase or delete certain note to avoid problem notes or improve harmonic vibration. Therefore, Handpan can only be written in a certain particular range.

How to choose scales?

Each scale has its own melody and system. You can choose one scale according to your favorite music style or your performance needs with other instruments. Sometimes, following intuition and curiosity turned out to be your priceless. The scales of Xuansound with videos and audios links in the table will help you to feel its characteristics of each scale intuitively.

What if I’m not sure about the scale?

To tentative one first if you’re not sure about the scale when fill in customized information. You can tell us a different decision by email within one month after receipt a waiting list number.

Can I change a scale when my order has been finished?

No, you can’t change a scale when your order has been finished.

Can I write my own scale?

Each scale of Xuansound will be conformed finally through a long time of experiment and feedback. So your own scale also needs extra experiment. You can sent it to me, I’ll notice you if it is workable.

Delivery and transport

How long is the production cycle?

Each Handpan will be made by the waiting list number. We need balance the custom order with the new research and, in a timely manner, keep the production on schedule.

Will my order be overdue?

Handpan making has a complex working procedure and long period .Different scales and the time are also different. This would result in some degree of uncontrollability and unpredictability in the production period. Therefore, to guarantee the quality of each Handpan, we would rather slow down the production speed .Please understand that.

Can I choose pick up by self?

Yes, we recommend customer come to pick up. The live experience will be a more intuitive understanding for a Handpan.

Any Handpan cases for sale?

Yes, we also sale handpan case HandPan Carbon-Armor（CArmor）.

Can I choose express delivery?

Yes, you can choose mail or delivery service. Please tell us your address, so that we can calculate shipping charges for you.

What about the package?

The packing size is 640×640×440MM,weighing around 13KG.

Payment

Do I need to pay the deposit?

No, don’t need any deposit. When it finished we will notice you by email.

How to pay ?

We accept Alipay, Paypal or Bank transfer .If you choose customer come to pick up you can pay face to face.

Technical support

Performance

● Please avoid playing Handpan with your fists and palm on the notes. A strong stroke would lead to out of tune. Play Handpan with your fingers can fully stimulate the notes vibrations. This may take some practice and the “touch” training.
● Each brand of Handpan has a different characteristic of hand feeling. Remember the point is communicating with your Handpan . Your fingers would have a comfortable feeling on it. Then the strength is proper.
● Frequent pressing notes would cause out of tunes be easier to occur.
● Handpan is generally played with the hands and fingers, do not use drumsticks or mallets.
● Removing rubber ring, the resonance of the sound would be stronger, and the sound would be brighter , notes will sustain longer, corresponding, the noise could be amplified. With rubber ring, the sound would be more focused, more refined. Whether to remove the rubber ring should base on the acoustic environment.
● Handpan is typically played resting on the player's lap. Or still, put it on a support.

Rust prevention

● Avoid coming into contact sharp objects or shocks such that scratches are produced. If the oxide coat is removed rust could occur.
● Handpan should be put in dry and ventilated place. You should not put the Handpan in case or under coverings when you do not play.
● Don’t use protective agents containing toxic chemicals or water. Please choose the professional protection fluid such as Pan Parton, or Froglube. Don’t use fluid contains plating such as Nano paint protect nor hard mater.
● Cleaning your Handpan after each playing to remove hand perspiration. Use Handpan protective agent every time you played to prevent rust and restore the best feel.
● Don’t let your Handpan contact with acid or alkali , water, perspiration. Dry it with wipe cloth and protective agent.
● Don’t use sand paper or microfiber cloth grinding rusty spot.

Protection

Handpan cases
● We suggest you choose professional Handpan case HandPan Carbon-Armor（CArmor）.
● 23 inch cymbal bag is an alternative.
● Put your Handpan on a cushion. Don’t put it on the floor directly.

Temperature

● The best playing temperature is normal room temperature. Too high or too low temperature is unsuitable.
● Don’t play in sun exposure or rain and fog day. Direct sunlight could cause temporary out of tune. If your Handpan temperature is above your body temperature. Please take your Handpan away from the current surrounding. Don’t play until it return to normal.
● Don’t leave your Handpan in your cars in the sun exposure.