Idiopan Domina 12-Inch Tunable Steel Tongue Drum - Ruby Red

This sounds great but for $400 you should get a case and better tuning instructions. I couldn't make heads or tails of the tuning method. Then I figured out they go from left to right from left to right. Uhg... Had to number the tongues on the instructions then write with pencil which ones to tune. I don't know maybe a hint that they are going this route in the instructions would help. You're left to your own devices in that matter. Basically it's a you figure it out method. 4 stars for crummy tuning instructions.

The Idiopan and the Hapi drum are both nice drums. I own both and have bought another cheaper drum that has 11 notes and came with finger picks. There is problem with that one and I would assume it extends across all the cheaper models that have basically the same shape and steel quality. You don't notice it unless you have listened to one of the above. When you sound a note there is resonance throughout the drum. On the cheaper ones that resonance quickly causes the tone to get muddier with every note you add. The cheaper one I own also has 11 notes but you have to silence it with your hand to really enjoy all of them because the more tones you add the muddier the tone.The highest note on that one induces so much resonance it can almost not be heard standing out. Both the Idiopan and the Hapi drum have clear ringing tones that sound more like a good wind chime, while the cheaper drums I've tried and owned sound more like a Jamaican steel drum. I managed to make one of the cheaper ones sound a bit better by adding a row of rubber weather stripping around the middle (similar to the Idiopan) to control at least some of the resonance.I also found the rubber finger picks that came with the cheaper drum to be useless on all the drums. The reason for using them would be speed and the ability to play multiple tones at once. However the effect is deadening. I would imagine with some practice you might be able to "Pop" multiple keys but any moments hesitation on a tongue kills the sound. Most humans aren't that fast. Also striking the same key twice with the finger picks kills the original sound. that does not happen with the mallets. None of these drums really respond to hand playing with the kind of clear tone they are capable of.I didn't get the pickup as I felt that I would need a stereo amp to really enjoy it, so I can't comment on that aspect.

This is a tough rating. These pans are pricy and this 6" one is small. At this size it is not a "hand" drum. You have to use the mallets. But the quality is wonderful and the tunability is fantastic. If you have the money/credit, get the 14 inch. But if you are tight on cash and aren't gonna make a daily play on it. Just a mess around. This one is great. I have both 14 and 6". And really do love them both. I had no problems with either of them. Magnets are strong. They keep in scale.

I bought the Idiopan after playing on a friend's drum and I fell in love with it. I love the magnets that allow you to adjust the tuning as needed and the deep resonating tones that this drum produces are absolutely incredible. I love playing string instruments because you can feel the sounds emanating from them. This is even more true with the Idiopan. I have had the pleasure to play with the 12" Domina and the 14" Dominus, and both are equally versatile and equally beautiful.

Your browser does not support HTML5 video.  Absolutely beautiful. Surpassed my expectations. It's so beautiful. I got the red 12 inch. It plays beautifully. It was set to the key of C and I only had to tweak the tuning a little but very simple to figure out. I love love love this drum. Excellent quality, very sturdy, beautiful color. This is a true review. I paid full price no discounts.

This is a fun little instrument, and it's a bit tricky to play the highest note clearly. But I've been enjoying it and I hope to improve with practice. Note that although it's possible to play with fingertips, the mallets included make life MUCH easier.

This is way cool, tuning instruction pretty straight forward. build quality is great, my only negative is , I didn't read carefully, I thought from videos I watched and being twice the price as similar drums, that this plugged into an Amp, but that cost extra. and it doesn't even come with a storage bag. This is no reflection on the business that sold this to me, they were great.

Your browser does not support HTML5 video.  I absolutely love this drum but unfortunately the seller I received mine from, Andreas, Inc, sent me one with scratches all over. It still sounds amazing and I love to play it but for nearly 300$ I just wish I could have been sent one without any damage. This drum is very reflective which makes it difficult to see the scratches in the pictures so I tried to upload a video as well. I think a brand new one of these drums would definitely deserve 5 stars but I am sadly disappointed in what I received.

Superbe instrument ! Parfait