If you’re considering buying a steel tongue drum, you might have come across the brand Idiopan. But can you trust them? Are their products worth your hard-earned cash?
Sure, the Idiopan steel tongue drum looks and sounds great, but can you really believe the hype? The company claims that anyone can play their instrument with ease, but can you really become a master musician without years of practice? And let’s not forget about the price – why shell out thousands for a hang drum when you can get an Idiopan for a fraction of the cost?
As someone who’s interested in instruments, I’m here to give you the truth about Idiopan. I’m not affiliated with the company, so you can trust me to give you an honest review. And if you’re still not convinced, don’t worry – I’ll also tell you where to find a better alternative to Idiopan.
Table of Contents
What is Idiopan About?
In 2010, musician Bret Hutchinson came up with the Idiopan – a steel tongue drum that he claimed was inspired by Dennis Havlena’s tank drum. But was it really just inspiration that led Bret to create a tunable percussion instrument? Or was there more to the story?
Apparently, Bret wanted to incorporate a pure, clear tone into his music projects without any “tankiness.” But after a lot of experimentation, he magically developed the first and only steel tongue drum that could tune to hundreds of scales – all thanks to its unique magnet tuning system. Suspicious, isn’t it?
Later, Bret teamed up with Max Kundrat of EnSoul Music Designs to develop a full line of high-quality, tunable steel tongue drums. And the best part? You can tune your Idiopan to suit your mood – whether you want to relax or energize yourself.
But wait, there’s more. All Idiopan steel tongue drums come with a pair of mallets, a standard set of preinstalled tuning magnets, and a silicone display ring. And they’re all handcrafted in the USA at EnSoul’s facilities in Palm Bay, Florida.
So, what do you think? Is there more to the story behind the Idiopan than meets the eye?
Idiopan Reviews
6-INCH BELLA
Looking for a drum that conveniently fits in your pocket and provides a “pure sine-wave frequency” for all your yoga and meditation needs? Look no further than the Idiopan Bella. But that’s not all – with our pickup, you can record, loop, sample effects, and more.
How professional is that? And if you’re feeling adventurous, go ahead and create your own scales. With the Bella, the possibilities are endless.
8-INCH LUNABELL
Described as “cheerful and uplifting”, this model achieves notes in the 4th thru 6th octaves, providing you with even more of those good vibes. And don’t forget about the pickup, available in both acoustic and electric options. Plus, you can still create your own scales and choose your preferred color.
12-INCH DOMINA
Described as a “female voice”, this middle-ranged drum produces soothing mellow tones that are incomparable to any other instrument on the market.
Each strike of the tongues brings an overwhelming sense of endless tranquility to the player and those around them. And as if that weren’t enough, a free songbook is included with music sheets and play along videos for 10 songs. It’s almost too good to be true.
14-INCH DOMINUS
The Idiopan Dominus claims to be the largest tunable drum collection offered, but is it really worth the hype? With a “low male voice” and “profound trait,” the Dominus may seem impressive, but is it really all that special?
Sure, it has a note range within the 3rd-5th octaves, but what’s the big deal? It arrives already tuned to G Major pentatonic, so what’s the point of even creating your own scales? And don’t even get me started on the color options – as if that really matters.
Sure, you can plug in, record, loop, and sample effects with the pickup, but is that really something to write home about? And what exactly makes it a “professional instrument” – the fact that it’s expensive?
They claim it’s perfect for travel and on-the-go jams, but who even has time for that? And while it may be tunable in A=440 Hz and A=432 Hz, does anyone really care about non-Western pitches?
Overall, while the Dominus may be handcrafted in the USA by skilled artisans, it seems like just another overhyped instrument with nothing particularly noteworthy to offer.
Benefits
Experience the Organic Way of Meditation with Idiopans
Are you tired of traditional meditation practices that just don’t seem to do the trick? Look no further than Idiopans, the latest trend in sound healing. These steel tongue drums offer a unique form of meditation that is organic and personable.
Sound Healing
Sound healing has been used for centuries in group ceremonies, and now, it’s gaining popularity in many other forms of healing practices such as yoga, music therapy, and meditation.
You can even use Idiopans alone or in combination with other instruments like tablas, singing bowls, and chimes.
Improve Your Brain Patterns with Idiopans
Studies suggest that playing an instrument, such as Idiopans, can help your brain work in patterns, leading to increased ability to deal with high-anxiety situations.
Plus, Idiopans are easy to learn, so you can adapt to your skill level and improve as you wish.
Express Yourself and Relax with Idiopans
Idiopans offer a wonderful way to express yourself and find the perfect way to relax. Whether you want an easy or more complex activity, Idiopans can elevate your meditation or yoga practice to another level, becoming more intimate and personal. But before you jump on the Idiopan bandwagon, make sure to do your research and consult with a professional.
Where to Get the Best Alternative?
If you’re on the hunt for a replacement for Idiopan, Amazon might just have the solution for you. I stumbled upon a product on Amazon that does the trick just as well, if not better! And guess what? It won’t break the bank either!
I highly recommend checking it out so you don’t end up regretting your purchase later.
FAQ
Do You Offer Free Shipping?
Yes! They offer free shipping on orders of a minimum amount.
What Accessories Come With My Drum?
Each Idiopan comes with mallets, a display ring, and a user guide. If you’re purchasing a six-inch Bella, you’ll also receive a drawstring gig bag.
Does My Idiopan Come In Tune?
Absolutely! They ship all Idiopans in tune and ready to play straight out of the box.
Do You Make Customized Idiopans?
Unfortunately, they don’t offer customized Idiopans at this time.
Where Are You Located?
The Idiopans are hand-crafted in Palm Bay, Florida.
Can I Take The Band Off?
It’s not recommended to take the band off, as it not only protects your Idiopan but is also important to the sound quality of your drum.
Can I Push The Tongues Down?
They advise against tampering with the bend or shape of the tongues, as they’re essential to the sound of your Idiopan. Doing so could make your drum unplayable, and it will also void your return policy.
Is It In Tune Without The Magnets?
No, your Idiopan won’t be tuned to any formal scales or frequencies without magnets.
Do You Ship Internationally?
Yes, they ship internationally!
How Can I Get More Scales From My Idiopan?
Advanced magnet packs are available for the Lunabell, Domina, and Dominus models. They’ll help you achieve more range and can be found on the accessories page.
How Long Will It Take To Receive My Idiopan?
If your order is available, they will normally ship it within 1-2 business days from the facility in Palm Bay, Florida. Delivery times will depend on your location.