Steve PMHIf you’re looking for a percussion instrument for live performances, a busking hobby, or just plain entertainment, look no further than the Beat Root Multiscale Tongue Drum.
Created by a veteran musician and percussionist, this Multiscale Tongue Drum comes with an array of features.
In addition to playing surfaces, the drum (depending on which version you buy) comes with a tuning system, a built-in microphone, and a carry case.
Whether you choose the Multiscale Tongue Drum, Fulltone Tongue Drum, or Stock B Tongue Drum, you’ll have the perfect percussion instrument for your music career or hobby.
And you can play the drum either solo or with other musicians and instruments.
Company Story
It was during a music festival in 2012 that Julien Puget, the instrument’s inventor, first laid hands on a steel tongue drum.
A percussionist for more than two decades, Julien was impressed by the ease with which he could create melodies on the instrument.
While other drums required hours upon hours of practice, the steel drum required no musical knowledge or background, and it was easy to learn.
Not long after his discovery of the steel drum, Julien attempted to make his own version of tank drums using glass bottles.
Despite his initial failures and hardships, Julien persisted, prioritizing instrument quality and sound precision over everything else.
The Beat Root Drum
About one year and several prototypes later, the Beat Root drum finally came to fruition, thanks to Julien’s tireless efforts and a crowdfunding campaign.
The Beat Root drum made its big foray into the music scene at the 2014 MusikMesse in Frankfurt, Germany.
There, several international distributors were introduced to the instrument, taking the company’s sales and manufacturing to the next level.
But 2015 was when the Beat Root drum made its ultimate breakthrough.
From gaining a large following in France and around the world to partnering with Yamaha in Japan, the instrument was really making its mark.
And music magazine Audiofanzine chose the Beat Root drum for the 2015 Solid Value award in the Drums and Percussion category.
The Multiscale Tongue Drum
In 2018, the Multiscale Tongue Drum, a 6-scale drum with a microphone and an easy-to-use tuning system, was born—and so was the Beat Root Family.
Today, the Beat Root Family shares updates and music on their YouTube channel, and the Multiscale Tongue Drum continues to thrive and impact the music world at large.
Main Features and Benefits
As a result of the company’s efforts to create a high-quality, portable, and precise instrument, the Beat Root Multiscale Tongue Drum came into being.
Now it comes with a host of features and benefits, designed to meet every percussionist’s needs.
From its playing surfaces to its built-in microphone, the Multiscale Tongue Drum’s multiple features ensure a fun, seamless, and memorable musical experience.
Playing Surfaces
Consisting of 8 playable notes, the tongue drum allows you to play with your hands or with the pair of mallets that comes with the set.
When playing with your hands, you can make a wider range of sounds.
Playing with your hands also lets you hit the higher notes that you cannot achieve with the mallets.
The mallets create a significantly different quality of sound.
Their material produces a softer, more muffled timbre when hitting the playing surface.
That being said, the drum’s resonance combined with the strikes of the mallets can result in a substantial amount of volume, which can be ideal for background sounds.
Built-in Microphone
Another noteworthy feature of the tongue drum, the built-in microphone can be hooked up to your computer via an audio interface or connected to an amplifier, creating endless possibilities for your percussion music.
You can enhance your sound with loopers, effects pedals, or any number of plugins for whatever digital audio workstation (DAW) you choose.
Popular DAW options include Cubase, Logic, and Ableton, to name just a few.
To give your music a more electronic sound, you can incorporate some audio processing, such as looping, reverb, delay and echo effects, and beat mashing.
The microphone quality, which is ideal for both live performances and recordings, is of top-notch quality, allowing you to make the most out of your tongue drum experience.
Tuning System
With the drum’s magnet system, it’s very easy to tune your drum. The 3 included magnets allow you to tune your drum in the following scales:
- Happy: G. C. D. E. G. A. B. D. (Major scale)
- Zen: G. C. D. Eb. G. A. Bb. D. (Minor scale)
- Tribal: G. B. D. E. G. A. B. D. (Pentatonic scale)
- Melancholia: G. C. D. Eb. G. A. Bb. C.
- Space: G. B. D. Eb. G. A. B. D.
- Nature: G. C. D. E. G. A. Bb. C
Note that the drum is based on the G scale, so it’s a good idea to follow one of the 6 scales provided.
Each scale provides a distinct type of sound.
If you want to go for a sound that’s peppier and more energetic in tone, try the Happy scale. For something a little darker, Melancholia is a great option.
Whatever scale you use, you can rest assured that the sound you get will add a lot of flair to your music.
Carry Case
The carry case that comes with the set is durable and easy to carry around.
Padded on all sides to protect your drum from wear and tear, the case comes with a comfortable shoulder strap and a rubber handle, making walks to the stage easy.
Whether you’re a touring musician or someone who wants to safely store their tongue drum, you can rely on the carry case to keep your tongue drum in excellent condition.
Different Designs
At 11 pounds (5 kilograms), the Multiscale Tongue Drum is quite a sturdy, durable instrument.
Its slick and futuristic-looking appearance, perfect for the modern musician, stands in stark contrast to the more traditional-looking percussion drums out there.
You can choose from multiple black-and-white variations for the drum’s design: Black (contains some white), White (contains some black), All Black, and All White.
Different Beat Root Drums
As of now, there are 3 different versions of Beat Root tongue drums:
- Multiscale Tongue Drum – The version we’ve been talking about in this article, the Multiscale Tongue Drum is the most comprehensive version on the market. It includes a tuning system, a built-in microphone, and much more.
- Fulltone Tongue Drum – This version offers the 8 notes of the C scale (C Major, C Minor Natural, C Minor Harmonic, and C Minor Melodic). It can perfectly complement the multiscale tongue drum since they consist of the same notes, minus the F. Together, they can produce a natural-sounding “chorus.”
- Stock B Tongue Drum – Brand new tongue drums with minor defects in appearance, Stock B Tongue Drums are a viable alternative for those on a tighter budget. Each Stock B Drum has a different aesthetic defect, so when you order one, the company will send you a photo to ensure you get the best one for you.
Although all these versions are strong choices, you’d probably be best served by purchasing the Multiscale Tongue Drum, since it comes with the most features.
How Does It Work?
You can purchase a Multiscale Tongue Drum on the company’s website.
The website accepts payment in four different currencies: USD, GBP, EUR, and CAD.
Delivery of the product takes an average of 4 business days, and shipping is free all over Europe.
Once you’ve received your drum set, you’ll be ready to produce percussion music!
Pros and Cons
The Multiscale Tongue Drum, like any other product out there, has its own set of pros and cons that need to be considered.
After you’ve weighed the advantages and disadvantages of this product, you can decide whether this product is right for you.
Pros
- Features – The high-tech amplification system lets you connect the drum with effects, sound cards, an amp, etc. But best of all, the state-of-the-art tuning system allows you to switch between scales quickly and seamlessly.
- Therapy – The relaxing sounds of the tongue drum make it a go-to instrument for relaxology, meditation, and music therapy. If you’re looking to create a meditative atmosphere, you can easily do so by opting for the Zen scale, one of the 6 scales available on the drum.
- Community – Being a part of the Beat Root community doesn’t just mean owning one of their products. It also means being connected with them through their Facebook, YouTube, and even SoundCloud pages. Plus, the company allows you to stay in touch with members of their team in case you have questions or need assistance with your product.
Cons
- Cost – If you’re on a tight budget, the Multiscale Tongue Drum may not be for you. With its many features and accessories, this tongue drum is a premium product, making it a bit too expensive for some. However, there are less expensive options available, such as the Stock B Tongue Drum, which has many of the same features as the Multiscale Tongue Drum.
- Weight – 11 pounds (5 kilograms) may not sound that heavy, but if you’re a traveling musician who walks fairly long distances (e.g., across airports, through music venues), the drum may start to feel a bit cumbersome over time. The good news is that the drum’s carry case has a comfortable shoulder strap and rubber handle, making your walks a lot easier.
- Headphones – You cannot plug headphones into the jack of a Multiscale Tongue Drum. If you want to listen to your drum while wearing headphones, you need to hook them up with a 3.5 mm jack on an amp or a mixer that’s connected to your tongue drum.
Verdict
Now that you know about the Multiscale Tongue Drum, its history, its main features and benefits, how it works, and its pros and cons, it’s time for you to make your decision.
As you well know, this tongue drum is ideal for professional musicians and hobbyists alike, so investing in this product might be the wisest decision you can make.
Although it’s a bit weighty and on the expensive side, the tongue drum has advanced features, not to mention a pleasing aesthetic, making it a top-of-the-line product.
If these things are what you’re looking for in a percussion instrument, visit the Beat Root website and make a Multiscale Tongue Drum yours today.
