Steel Tones

Steel Tones is a comprehensive metallic tuned percussion instrument library for Kontakt, capturing the unique sound of a Hapi Drum. This instrument, built by Hapi Tones, measures 12 inches wide and 8 inches deep (30cm x 20cm) and belongs to the family of steel tongue drums. The Hapi Drum features 8 tongues tuned to a D-major pentatonic scale, offering a strong fundamental tone with complex overtones and harmonics, and a long, mellow sustain.

We recorded it with a close stereo pair of Neumann studio mics for a dry and very present sound, as well as a second stereo pair captured in a hall at 15 feet for an open, spacious sound. It was sampled deeply with 7 round robins and up to 9 velocity layers per note, using soft rubber mallets and hard metal mallets.

Chromatically solo, combine, or layer different articulations, tongues, and mic positions to create unique sonic blends. Control each layer’s volume with the swell control, adjust attack, sample start offset, release, semi-tone pitch-stepping, and define playable MIDI key range, offering endless creative possibilities. Additionally, dozens of expertly sound-designed ambiences, textures, soundscapes, organic synth pads, and custom presets are included, drawn from the acoustic source to provide excellent accompaniment and underscoring tools.

The robust ARP system provides dynamic arpeggiation and step-sequencing options. The FX Rack page offers chorus, phaser, flanger, compressor, several distortion types, amp and speaker simulation, EQ, resonant filter, delay, and convolution reverb. The reverb includes dozens of custom impulses from cathedrals, churches, halls, bunkers, garages, tunnels, chambers, rooms, and special FX impulses.

Key Features:

• Multi-sampled Hapi Drum: 8 tongues tuned to a D-major pentatonic scale.
• Recording Quality: Close stereo pair of Neumann studio mics and a second stereo pair captured in a hall at 15 feet.
• Deep Sampling: 7 round robins and up to 9 velocity layers per note, using soft rubber and hard metal mallets.
• Flexible Controls: Adjust attack, sample start offset, release, semi-tone pitch-stepping, and define playable MIDI key range.
• FX Rack: Includes chorus, phaser, flanger, compressor, distortion types, amp and speaker simulation, EQ, resonant filter, delay, and convolution reverb.
• Additional Sounds: Dozens of expertly sound-designed ambiences, textures, soundscapes, organic synth pads, and custom presets.