Handpan by Loot Audio Kontakt handpan instrument artwork

Handpan: Kontakt Handpan Instrument by Loot Audio

Rated 3.6/5 on Plugin Boutique (11 ratings)

Handpan is a Kontakt instrument from Loot Audio that samples a 22-inch, hand-hammered handpan recorded at 192kHz stereo, playable in D-minor and in an extended chromatic scale.

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01Overview

Handpan is a sample-based instrument from Loot Audio for Kontakt. It is built from high-resolution stereo recordings of a 22-inch (56 cm) hand-hammered handpan, also known as a Hang or Pan Drum. The developer describes the instrument as a softer, moody and cinematic take on the handpan. The library offers both a D-minor layout and a chromatic layout, plus a range of playing articulations and percussive elements.

Best for

Meditative pad playing
Rhythmic handpan patterns
Cinematic underscore textures
Chromatic melody writing
Percussion and texture layers

Developer: Loot Audio
Category: Kontakt Instruments
Requires: Kontakt
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

22-inch hand-hammered handpan recorded at 192kHz stereo
D-minor presets with natural pan resonances
Chromatic presets covering a full keyboard range
Nine core playing articulations including finger, thumb and nail
Mallet 1 and mallet 2 articulations
Inside-the-pan sound not recorded in earlier releases
Percussion, noise samples and textures for rhythm
29 snapshots and 780 samples in a 7.3GB library
Kontakt engine that blends four sources per tone

03In depth

Sound, Scales and Articulations

The recordings were made at 192kHz stereo with the aim of capturing the instrument as it sounds when played on the lap. Loot Audio describes the instrument as having a tail suited to slow, meditative playing as well as a resonance that works for rhythmic patterns.

The D-minor presets stay closest to the natural resonances of the pan's body, since tuning would shift the small resonances between notes. The chromatic presets extend the instrument to a full keyboard so you can play any scale.

Articulations include finger, multi-finger, air vibration, thumb, nail, mute, two mallet types and an inside-the-pan sound. Percussion and noise samples, textures and bonus rhythms recorded during the sessions are also included.

Contents and Requirements

The library includes 29 snapshots and 780 samples, extracting to about 7.3GB. It is downloaded with the Pulse Downloader app. The instrument's Kontakt engine lets you blend four sources to build layered tones.

Handpan requires the full version of Kontakt 7.1 or later. In the free Kontakt Player it runs in demo mode, so the full version is needed for use. No trial version is listed for this product.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	Loot Audio
Type	Plugin
Category	Kontakt Instrument
Requires	Kontakt
Formats	Kontakt

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What do I need to use Handpan?

Handpan requires the full version of Kontakt 7.1 or later. It will run in demo mode in the free Kontakt Player.

What format is Handpan available in?

Handpan is available as a Kontakt instrument.

What is the difference between the D-minor and chromatic presets?

The D-minor presets keep the natural resonances of the pan's body, while the chromatic presets extend the instrument to a full keyboard so you can play any scale.