New melodic steel percussion
The Zenko is an instrument of the steel tongue drums family (also called tank drum or hank drum), very intuitive and easy to play thanks to its harmonized scales. It is the “little brother” of the Spacedrum® handpan which makes the reputation of Metal Sounds worldwide.
Its shape is inspired by it and the material used is identical to that of the Spacedrum Evolution (stainless steel alloy). However, its manufacturing and tuning method classifies it in the family of steel tongue drums because its blades are cut. Metal Sounds designed and created this new percussion in 2014.
The Zenko offers an alternative and/or an extension to the handpan Spacedrum. It can be played by hand or with mallets and has a full rich variety of sounds. Thanks to a perfect fine tuning it plays fascinating melodies. This percussion suits perfectly to relaxation purposes, music-therapy practice and music workshops for the youngests. It’s available in 10 tunings, we can tune it on the diapason 440 Hz or 432 Hz. It’s up to you to find out which tuning will fit with your own sensitivity.
The Zenko® Trademark and the designs are protected by a patent application → Download the PDF file
Models and patterns
Depending on the Zenko model you choose, the number of notes and their layout may vary. But almost all models have 9 notes with the layout shown below:
We also have made the Zenko COMBO with 8 notes as a chromatic complement of the Zenko IONIEN. The Zenko COMBO has a note layout identical to the above models, but it has no central note (bass). This scale consists of the altered notes and can be played intuitively:
One model stands out particularly from the others with a note layout similar to the handpan percussion. The Celtic Mineur model allows the scale to be raised and lowered by simply alternating the right and left hands:
10 different tunings
ZENKO IONIAN
The ionian scale is a C Major diatonic scale. This scales very versatile and can be played by beginners or experienced musicians. It fits particularly well for educational purposes so it is a good choice for schools.
Listen to the sound of the Zenko Ionian
→ Order your Zenko Ionian now!
Scale played with mallets
Scale played with hands
ZENKO PENTA C
The Penta C is a C Major pentatonic scale. This scale is a pentatonic mode (5 notes that are repeated), it can be played by beginners or experimented musicians. Perfect to play with other instruments in a C major harmony, this is a highly energetic range.
Listen to the sound of the Zenko Penta C
→ Order your Zenko Penta C now!
Scale played with mallets
Scale played with hands
ZENKO AKEBONO
The Akebono scale is a C minor pentatonic scale. This scale is a pentatonic mode (5 notes that are repeated) that comes from Japan. This is one of the best scales for relaxation and music-therapy. A unique mood!
Listen to the sound of the Zenko Akebono
→ Order your Zenko Akebono now!
Scale played with mallets
Scale played with hands
ZENKO EQUINOX
The Equinox scale is a B minor (and C major) original scale. This scale is unique, including a major mode in the key of C (with a 3rd in E), so it’s very versatile and ca be used in any creative composition and/or jam session. For “open-minded” artists!
Listen to the sound of the Zenko Equinox
→ Order your Zenko Equinox now!
Scale played with mallets
Scale played with hands
ZENKO HARMONY
The Harmony is a very versatile scale that combines a C minor and a C# major scales. It offers a large range of different chords, bringing inspiration to the musician. This scale is a Metal Sounds creation, just try it!
Listen to the sound of the Zenko Harmony
→ Order your Zenko Harmony now!
Scale played with mallets
Scale played with hands
ZENKO SOLSTICE
The Solstice scale is based upon a G open tune chord (D G B D) and can be played in a major or minor mode (with the Bb). The sharp and flat notes that are around this basic chord gives this model all its richness. For musicians of all level.
Listen to the sound of the Zenko Solstice
→ Order your Zenko Solstice now!
Scale played with mallets
Scale played with hands
ZENKO PYGMY
The Pygmy scale is a C minor pentatonic scale. This scale is a pentatonic mode (5 notes that are repeated) that comes from Africa. It will fit perfectly with many ethnic instruments like balafon or sanza/kalimba. A beloved scaled by world music musicians.
Listen to the sound of the Zenko Pygmy
Scale played with mallets
Scale played with hands
ZENKO OMEGA
The Omega scale is a G major scale mainly composed with natural notes. The spirit of this scale is close to the Middle-East harmonies, using many half-tones that offer several interesting combinations. Surprising and mysterious, this scale is a Metal Sounds creation.
Listen to the sound of the Zenko Omega
Scale played with mallets
Scale played with hands
ZENKO CELTIC minor
The Celtic minor scale is an original scale in A minor (minor third in C). An A3 is placed in the center to have a bass to lean on. This Celtic minor scale is close to a diatonic scale in C major which would not have a 7th, which creates a very interesting and musical harmonic originality.
Découvrez le son du Zenko Celtic minor
Commandez votre Zenko Celtic minor dès maintenant !
Montée et descente de gamme, jouée avec les baguettes
Montée et descente de gamme, jouée à la main
ZENKO COMBO
La gamme Combo est un complément chromatique au modèle Zenko IONIEN. Il peut être joué seul, de façon très intuitive, ou accompagné du Zenko IONIEN et offrir ainsi toutes les possibilités de jeu, dans toutes les tonalités, de Sib3 à Do#5 (notes altérées : dièses et bémols).
Listen to the sound of the Zenko Combo
Commandez votre Zenko Combo dès maintenant !
Montée et descente de gamme, jouée avec les baguettes
Montée et descente de gamme, jouée à la main
ZENKO PACK CHROMATIQUE (Ionien + Combo)
Zenko chromatic set notes layout Playing position
The Chromatic Pack allows you to play in all tones. With 16 different notes you have all the notes of the scale between A3 and C#5 (excepted B3).
Thanks to these two instruments, which can also be played independently and completely intuitively, there are no limits to your musical compositions!
Listen to the sound of the Zenko Combo
Commandez votre Pack Chromatique dès maintenant !
Choose your options!
For your Zenko you may choose between 2 options:
– The diapason choice between 440 Hz or 432 Hz.
– The colour choice (“copper-like” or “brushed steel”).
Tuning frequency
Standard 440 Hz or “Natural” 432 Hz?
The “diapason” is the reference frequency to tune musical instruments. The standard diapason that we use today is set to 440 Hertz (Hz), it matches with a A4 (the number 4 is the octave where the note is).
The main part of the musical instruments are tuned on the diapason A440 and the Zenko is also tuned on this frequency, by default. Nethertheless, we can, on demand, tune our instruments on the diapason 432 Hz (“natural diapason”).
The natural diapason is generally used for relaxing and therapy purposes, for ones well-being. Be careful, both diapasons are not compatible one with the other, and the Zenko tuned on 432 Hz should be played in solo.
Zenko’s colour
“Copper-like” (by default): This brown colour of the stainless steel is given by the heat treatment which is one stage of our manufacturing process. We call it “calamina”. This surface tint can fade along the years, becoming a patina that could be brighten up some times to times with a special wax.
“Brushed-Steel” (on request): We can polish the Zenko steel tongue drum surface to get the original silver steel colour back. For a raw aspect of the stainless steel, sustainable for life.
Ionien – Penta C – Akebono – Equinox – Harmony – Solstice – Pygmy – Omega