Naos universe
Handpan origins
During the year 2000 in the canton of Bern, Switzerland, Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer gave birth to a new musical instrument: The Hang. Until then amateurs and manufacturers of steel drums, an instrument in the shape of a curved metal drum originating from Trinidad and Tobago, the couple creates a percussive and melodic instrument by being inspired by the crossing of a steel drum and a ghatam. Classified as an idiophone, this instrument is causing a stir all over the world. PanArt then conditioned the purchase of new instruments with a letter of motivation to curb the demand. New manufacturers appeared with impetus, pushing back the limits of the art of shaping steel into a harmonious sound sculpture every day. Unable to call these new gems like their predecessor, the handpan became the new generic name for this instrument, which was just waiting to be improved.
Naos Know-how
After several years of hammering and intensive research, the Naos now provide pleasure and emotion to many players around the world. With a passion and an intense motivation for these instruments, i quickly acquired multiple skills through research in all the physical domains that constitute the making of a handpan. Driven by a desire to make these steel plates sound, for years I have been going back and forth between theory and practice, especially on the illustrious experience of the steel drum.
The exploration of multiple ways of making an instrument allowed me to impregnate a defined and mastered process in order to always aim for a top-of-the-line instrument, which corresponds to you.
A passionate manufacturer
The art of transforming a lifeless sheet of steel into in a instrument rich in harmony is for me one of the most beautiful things that exists. With a degree in building design, i have always had an interest in the structures and forces that govern things. Also passionate about music, it is by bringing together these two spheres that the making of handpan was for me an evidence.
I'm Thibault, the only person working in a handcrafted way at Naos instruments.
Innovation and materials
In parallel to the original process, Naos is constantly looking for new ways to improve it. Each research enriches the experience allowing to have an even more global vision of the instrument and to encourage to make the process evolve positively. This includes tedious days of lowering steel plates entirely by hand, searching for a customized heat treatment, knowledge of various materials or different patinas each with their own style.
Fabrication
The birth of a handpan is a dialogue between the maker and the material. This conception is only possible by having a serious knowledge of each step of the process with allows to obtain a clear and singular tone.
The Naos receive a strong attention and listening each stage of their manufacture. Indeed it starts with the placement of the notes so that each scale is the simplest and most ergonomic to play. Then comes the phase of pneumatic hammering which consists in drawing up robust notes, firmly attached to the structure of the instrument. After the first heat treatment, which will partly give character to the Naos, the first phase of tuning can begin. this is when each membrane is put to the test before achieving a stability and an iron accuracy. The timbre and sustain will then be refined through multiple tunings, checks ans firings that will finally give a unique grain to the instrument.
Where Naos come from
Naos is the name of a constellation because the handpan has always reminded me of the link with the stars because of its bewitching sound.
Also, a Naos exists due to a large number of factors, whether acoustic, mechanical or vibratory and which are in themselves elements constituting this instrument so atypical. It is this diversity that reminded me of the universe where each element is part of a whole.