Handpan
The Handpan is a modal synthesis instrument that recreates the characteristic sound of acoustic handpans using physical modelling.
How It Works
Each tone field is modelled with 6 vibrational modes arranged in beating pairs. The slight frequency offset between paired modes creates the shimmering sustain characteristic of real handpans. A Helmholtz cavity resonator adds the warm body resonance of the instrument's shell.
The synthesis is based on measured handpan acoustics, reproducing the characteristic 1:2:3 harmonic ratio (fundamental, octave, compound fifth).
Parameters
Available across the standalone app, the Handpan instrument plugin, and the Handpan Resonator effect plugin:
| Parameter | Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scale | 8 factory scales | Handpan tuning — see Scales |
| Brightness | 0–100% | Lowpass cutoff from 500 Hz to 20 kHz |
| Reverb | 0–100% | Room ambience wet/dry mix |
| Decay | 0–100% | Sustain length (0.25× to 4× multiplier) |
| Volume | –60 dB to +6 dB | Output level |
Tuning controls — same effect, different UI per surface:
- Standalone / web app — single Master Tuning knob, A4 = 400–480 Hz
- Plugins — split into Transpose (–24 to +24 semitones) and Fine Tune (–50 to +50 cents)
Plugin-only controls:
| Parameter | Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Unmapped Notes | Remap / Silence | What to do with MIDI notes that aren't on the active scale (see Scales) |
| Polyphony | 1–16 voices | Maximum simultaneous voices |
| MIDI Channel | All / 1–16 | Restrict triggered notes to a channel |
Playing
- Tap a tone field to strike it
- Tap the centre (Ding) for the bass note
- Velocity sensitivity responds to how quickly you tap
- Notes ring naturally and decay over time
Resonator Effect
The handpan also ships as Orbiter Handpan Resonator — an audio-effect plugin that drives the same modal resonator bank with audio from your DAW track instead of MIDI notes. See Resonator Effects for routing and controls.