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What is the RADIX?
The RADIX is my dream handpan. 20" in diameter made from 1mm thick shells with a port that is extremely deep creating a booming F2 helmholtz chamber resonance. It can support 7-8 notes in the tone circle and can have as low as a D3 center note, meaning the best scales from the first 10 years of the instrument will be possible. Bb4 you ask? I'm testing that now but it looks hopeful.
Why the name RADIX?
RADIX - noun - the primary source, the origin; in Latin, the root. The goal of this brand was to get back to the roots of the art form. While I've done that the last 2 years with the 3 Hammer Challenge, that was just for one instrument. I was ready to go all in.
Beyond just my personal feelings I've wondered, have we, the greater handpan community, lost our way? Have I lost my way? Mutants, bottom notes, 6th-octave notes?! Has the original intent of the instrument been overlooked and diluted? I needed to get back in touch with why I fell in love with these instruments in the first place. So why not just DO IT?!
How is the RADIX different than the Æther?
The main difference is the shells aren't hydroformed. A company makes my shells, including the bottom shells with ports. I designed the shells in CAD and they were made to my exact specifications. I picked what metal was used and I approved sample parts before they made the first batch of shells.
They are then heat-treated and sent to my workshop, That all takes place within California.
This is where the RADIX diverges. No air hammers, no pressed notes. The material wanted to be shaped with big hammers. While the inherent goal with the RADIX was to get back to the roots on the playing side of the art form, I found myself reaching that same goal on the making side. A big mallet and a tuning hammer are all that is needed to create warm, organic, stable, clear notes. Thankfully I was somewhat prepared from the 3 Hammer Challenge.
What about the Æther?
The Æther will continue on, for now. If there is a demand for an instrument, one which I make starting from a flat sheet, I will make more Æthers. If not, the RADIX will continue and the Æther will be retired.
Availability of the RADIX?
In the past 9 months, I have been able to drastically reduce the production time of a single instrument. While those improvements were with the Æther they directly translate to the RADIX. I have been able to shave 7 days off production time. Beyond that, while I am making a RADIX more shells are being made at the same time, drastically increasing my time in the tuning room. I expect the RADIX will be drastically more available than the Æther.
Price?
This might be the best part. The RADIX is $2,000USD, soft case and shipping included!. I have worked tirelessly to get the price down. Accessiblility is another goal for the RADIX. Not only is it physically smaller but comes with a much smaller price tag than the Æther.
In 2010 I sold all my personal belongings to afford to buy a handpan for an inflated second-hand price. While it was worth it for me to sell all my stuff 10 years ago, I'd like to think that had a RADIX been available back then I could have kept a few of my most precious belongings.
That's it. Listen to the videos. Take a look at the scales on my Virtual Player. Place an order. Get a RADIX and get back to the roots of the artform. I did, and I haven't had this much fun in years.
CFoulke
P.S. I hope anyone who reads this is safe and healthy. <3
P.S.S. Have an idea for a scale? Great, reply to this email and let me know. Keep in mind, 8 notes max, no B4, maybe Bb4.
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