Aklot 10" Steel Tongue Drum vs 9.75" Mini VibeDrum

I recently received an Aklot Steel Tongue Drum to review. I had previously done a similar video about my Mini Vibedrum. After the Aklot review, somebody asked with one I preferred. I decided to let you guys decide. Here's a side-by-side comparison of the two that goes over features, construction, ergonomics, and sounds. Which one do you like better?
Intro @ 0:00
Specs and Overview @ 0:45
Sound Clips @ 6:57
Summary @ 10:20
NOTE: the Aklot drum was sent to me for free but I purchased the Mini Vibedrum with my own money.
You can find the Aklot unboxing & review here: • Aklot 10" Steel Tongue...
My Mini VibeDrum video is here: • My New Mini VibeDrum (...
See more Shootout videos here: • Shootouts & Comparisons
#shootout #steeltonguedrum #vibedrum

[@clonazapem]

Thank you! These kinds of comparisons are hard to find.

[@musicalmiscellany]

You're welcome. I hope it was helpful to you.

[@stevesstrings5243]

Great comparison video! Very thorough!

[@musicalmiscellany]

Thanks Steve. I tried to keep it objective.

[@michaelc3676]

Really good comparisons.....Thank you very much!

[@musicalmiscellany]

You bet. I always hope somebody learns something from my videos so I appreciate your comment. Thanks for checking it out.

[@TexCynRVLife]

Thank you. I put an Aklot in my cart earlier today but haven't checked it out yet. I'm happy that you did this video! I would be at beginning level & having hand issues, it looks like the Aklot would be a bit easier on my hands, although I don't plan on playing with my fingers. (Tendonitis) I just want the sounds to relax & mentally detox by. Thanks again!

[@musicalmiscellany]

I'm glad to help. I do these videos hoping they help somebody so it's always good to hear things like this. Thanks for watching.

[@Kelli85]

Thank you for this really thorough review. It's really helpful.

[@musicalmiscellany]

You're welcome. I'm glad I could help.

[@robertciupak563]

Thank you. Very good comparison. Just might get the Aklot. Take care, Bob

[@musicalmiscellany]

Thanks for watching.

[@artonaut_ganj]

solid comparison video!

[@musicalmiscellany]

Thanks. I hope it was helpful.

[@marleneb9875]

Thank you! Very helpful.

[@musicalmiscellany]

You're welcome. I do these videos hoping to help someone else so it's always good to hear that kind of feedback.

[@edgeofthought]

0:59 .. awesome for that note.

[@lipstick318]

I would Love to hear and See a shoot out between the LP Dharma vs the Akot vs the VibeDrum, using the malets... Also, after hear all three I still prefer the LP Dharma 8"Drum... You are Awesome... Move Videos Please... Thank You...

[@musicalmiscellany]

Thanks for checking it out. I have a playlist of steel tongue drum content here: kzbin.info/aero/PLwIixlr7C6KUld6mzw6aPKdKqo1kCBw1m You might like a few of those videos like Vibedrum vs Feezbee, or Comparing Scales on an Idiopan. I don't have the LP drum but if I did, I would gladly do that comparison for you. Thanks again.

[@Astroboy131]

Please review more of these

[@musicalmiscellany]

Thanks. I'm working with a few different vendors to see if I can get a few more tongue drums. I'd love to do a comparison video of a bunch of them someday.

[@Piargane]

so interesting! I am a classical pianist, just bought my first small steel tongue drum and I have some difficulties tuning it precisely so it really sounds "full" in sound-quality...

[@musicalmiscellany]

Thanks for checking out the video. You'll probably find the higher end steel tongue drums like the VibeDrum or Idiopan sound a bit better with other instruments. The Chinese-made drums on Amazon sound pretty good by themselves, but they don't seem to fit in with other instruments. At least that's what I've found.

[@Piargane]

@@musicalmiscellany yes, I bought a chinese-steel tongue and I think if right tuned, all 8 "keys" (?) can sound nice/full. I will try to find somebody who is experienced in tuning those vehicles :-)

[@musicalmiscellany]

@@Piargane Check out www.vibedrums.com. Vernon, the owner, is a really nice guy and he will do custom scales upon request. I am completely blown away by their customer service.

[@GoGreaterGood]

Excellent info. I noticed the same thing in a drum I bought (Rakumi). That one note resonates nearby notes. I realize I'm not going crazy now. And why this is happening. Need to return this and try another brand. THANKS :)

[@musicalmiscellany]

I'm glad to hear the video was helpful but sorry to hear the drum didn't work out for you. Good luck.

[@MariaCalfaDePaul]

Nice comparison and great points! I think the vibe drum reminds me of my idiopan drums. Also made in the usa in melbourne florida I like both ! And i am thinking about the vibe drum now. They all have so much to offer. If you haven’t heard of a rav vast you have to hear it. I bought one in early 2017 after the idiopan and i was hooked. I was blessed to come 2nd place in a contest they sponsored and I won one. They are made in Russia. I will look for the video I made so you can hear it. I had only had the drum a short time at that point

[@MariaCalfaDePaul]

Here is the video i did with the Rav vast kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWPLh2trjM1khM0

[@musicalmiscellany]

You are really on my frequency (no pun intended). When I bought my first tongue drum, it was between the Idiopan and the VibeDrum. I've always wanted a Rav but they are a bit pricey. So cool that you won one! That cover of Snow Patrol is amazing. Absolutely beautiful. Such a cool idea!

[@MariaCalfaDePaul]

poorness studios ha ha i know I kept going from one video to another of yours and felt that we liked to create a similar vibe. Glad i found you and subscribed!

[@musicalmiscellany]

@@MariaCalfaDePaul I totally agree. Love your channel too.

[@MariaCalfaDePaul]

poorness studios thanks so much!!

[@vivianitehawk2458]

From this video, the Aklot seems much better to me, I like how it has feet for flat surfaces and I love the easier to play, thinner titanium that the aklot is made of

[@musicalmiscellany]

Thanks for watching. Personally, I think the Vibedrum sounds much much better but the Aklot is a really good value. Everyone hears things differently though, so if you like the Aklot's tone... go for it.

[@TheNewb187]

haha when he said "is thinner" at 2:24 he sounded flamboyant

[@ernielackner9829]

I like the sound of the Aklot better. It's also very much cheaper. I paid $49 and $12 dollars shipping.

[@musicalmiscellany]

Thanks for watching the video.

[@edgeofthought]

Is there a web forum, facebook group or other web site that is for learners? I'm needing to re-focus some of my creative energy back into music world. I have an ocarina which was plaing today but haven't in a few years, and my guitar hasn't been played in months. But I cannot put the time and cash investment into a physical hand drum right now, but I would like to get some of the rhythm and songs using an ipad app, before maybe buying a drum next year.

[@musicalmiscellany]

There may be but I don't know of one. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

[@eslmaster]

Aklot with fingers. Vibe with mallets.

[@musicalmiscellany]

The VibeDrum does really have a nice ring with mallets. Thanks for watching.

[@lauralbriar]

Good comparison - however, the price point is so incredibly different, I don't know that it's a fair review - although, with the much lower price point and the great sound, the Aklot is the better drum in my opinion. 13 gauge stainless steel may be important to a professional drummer, but for home use the titanium alloy of the Aklot is the way to go for me at least. Being "made in the US" is actually a minus in my opinion as I am not American and like a lot of people here, I usual boycott US products until your next election at least :D

[@musicalmiscellany]

Understood. Glad to help. :-)

[@DoctorRevers]

you can buy the akot drum at walmart. enough said? sometimes (almost always) you do get what you pay for.

[@musicalmiscellany]

The Aklot is definitely more of an entry-level drum. I can't argue with you there. I do think it offers a decent amount of value for a beginner though.

[@Guitarbarella]

Agreed, i was looking at aklot but eeegh...sounds dreadful.

[@DesieASari]

Haha guess the wind & the plants dance with ur tongue drums play

[@musicalmiscellany]

The wind was very vocal I guess. Ha ha.

[@ceeenn3818]

I’m not a musician and the cheap drum sounds better to my ears. Is that weird?

[@musicalmiscellany]

Not at all. Everyone's ears are different. There's nothing to say that one instrument is better or worse, just different.

[@Sourdoughgirl]

If you're weird you're not alone. I like the look and the quality of the expensive one but when it comes to the sound I like the cheap Chinese drum a lot better.

[@musicalmiscellany]

@@Sourdoughgirl Everyone's ears prefer different sounds. Price doesn't necessarily have a bearing on that. You should go with what your ears tell you. One other thing to note (no pun intended), the Aklot is tuned in C Major at 440 Hz. This VibeDrum is tuned to an E minor augmented scale at 432 Hz. The average person's ears prefer C Major (and 440 Hz) because most western music is based on that. Scale could also have a factor in why something may sound more or less natural to you. To truly do an apples to apples comparison, they'd both have to be tuned in similar scales.

[@johnfritz2781]

the real difference is price. the AKLOT is $65 the VIBE is $380. no small difference

[@musicalmiscellany]

The price difference isn’t quite that dramatic but yes… there’s definitely a big difference. Like so many things in audio though… you pay a lot of money for small improvements. A $300 stereo is never three times as good as a $99 one but it is most certainly better. Thanks for watching.

[@johnsuggs7828]

50 dollars vs 220 dollars. ???

[@musicalmiscellany]

At that time that I made the video, the Aklot was around $100 and the Vibedrum was a little over $200. Those prices could've changed, I haven't kept up. Regardless, I was pretty new to steel tongue drums when I made this video (but I was doing it at a viewer request). I later made this video with much more perspective on price and purpose. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXK8fZ-AiLSGhdk I'd invite you to watch that one if you're unsure about the cost differences. I cover it in much more detail. Thanks for watching all the same.

[@johnsuggs7828]

@@musicalmiscellany Was just an observation. The video was actually pretty good. Got a subscriber. Keep it going brutha. Good stuff

[@musicalmiscellany]

@@johnsuggs7828 I appreciate it. Thanks for tuning in.