The RAV Vast (also known as the RAV Drum) is a revolutionary steel percussion instrument that combines the best qualities of a traditional tongue drum with the rich, complex sound of a handpan. It was invented by Russian engineer Andrey Remyannikov in 2013.

What is a RAV Vast?

The RAV Vast is a contemporary melodic steel drum designed for both professional musicians and beginners. It features a circular arrangement of perfectly cut steel tongues that are precisely tuned to a specific musical scale. Unlike traditional wooden tongue drums or early steel drums, the RAV Vast uses advanced engineering and patented technology to achieve a sound quality and sustain previously found only in much more fragile and expensive instruments.

Its sound is often described as deep, tranquil, hypnotic, and ethereal, making it an extremely popular tool for meditation, sound healing, yoga, and relaxation.

Key Features

Unmatched Sound Quality and Sustain

• Rich Harmonics: The most defining feature of the RAV Vast is its unique tongue design, which allows each note (tongue) to produce 4 to 7 harmoniously tuned overtones from a single strike. This creates a natural « chorus effect » that makes the sound deeper, richer, and more complex than most standard tongue drums.
• Extended Sustain: It has a profound reverb and sweet sustain, meaning the notes ring out for a significantly longer time than a traditional handpan. This allows for slower, more meditative playing and gives the music a lot of « space. »

Playability and Durability

• Easy to Play: Because all the notes on the drum are tuned to the same musical scale, there are no wrong notes to hit, making it incredibly intuitive for beginners to create beautiful, harmonious melodies immediately.
• Low Maintenance: The instrument is made from thick, durable steel that is set to its pitch during manufacturing. It is very sturdy and is almost impossible to knock out of tune, requiring virtually no re-tuning even after years of use (unlike handpans, which can require frequent re-tuning).
• Playing Style: It can be played effectively with just the fingertips due to its sensitive tongues, or with special mallets (sticks).

Construction and Scales

• Material: Constructed from high-quality steel with a specialized coating.
• Scale Variety: RAV Vast drums are available in a wide range of musical scales (minor, major, Pygmy, Celtic, etc.), allowing musicians to choose an emotional character (e.g., peaceful, moody, cheerful) that suits their preferences.
• Models: There are multiple models, including the original RAV Vast and the slightly more compact and travel-friendly RAV Moon.