Amplified/Processed Tongue Drum

Using this setup, effective and engaging rhythmic games/activities can be led using delays, and texture/layering can be explored with a looper.

A very simple, yet effective setup, with two contact microphones mounted inside a tongue drum, being ran through Ableton effects, allowing for spacey and other-worldly soundscapes.

Unlike an unamplified percussion instrument, this setup can be played by participants with very limited movement.

The incorporation of contact microphones means that volume can be pushed high without feedback. This means that hitting the tongue drum isn't necessary, and it can still be played loud with small taps, strokes, and scrapes.

Click here... --->

...to see the amplified tongue drum in action.

This short clip shows composers Max Knight, Phoenix Archbold and Mikhail Rohzin experimenting with the setup, running it through spectral resonators and distortion effect chains.

Tom Culling processing the tongue drum live at a gig in Victoria Hall, Ulverston.

Here, he is controlling the feedback of the delay which is processing the tongue drum.

A photo from the making process.