Amplifying the Kalimba

[@RaphaellyRaphaelly-KalimbaHike]

It is nice of you to share with us your experience in amplifying the kalimba. However, after playing it for a while, I could say that the kalimba is not meant to be amplified: it is an intimate, magical instrument, and an important part of its sound goes right into you. Sound is vibration, and when playing the kalimba, we go into close contact with both our hands, and that is when an important part of the sound is absorbed by our bodies, through our hands. That is why it cannot be amplified to a point that would matter, it is not made for this, like a guitar. I tried several pickups and amplifiers at a professional music store, and the only amplifier to make a difference, was a huge one. If you would play it , placed on a tabletop, just touching the tines, the sound was amplified better, but it is not the way to play it, right? As a conclusion, the kalimba is a magical, intimate musical instrument, meant as a way of healing, and balancing energies. So, if anyone would try to play it when crossed, or sad, it would sound different, since it not only heals by putting its vibration into you, but also feels your energy. 😊

[@jcortese3300]

This is extremely helpful information -- thank you! If you wanted to run your kalimba through an effects pedal before amplifying it, how would that change the setup? Would you just go straight from the piezo pickup jack to the effects pedal, then on to the amp? Or would you need a preamp between the piezo pickup and the effects pedal?

[@DawnSChampion]

Sorry…I don’t know how that would work

[@yinhsu9278]

I'm so happy that you make this video, I would like to know what kind of glue that you attach with your pickup?

[@DawnSChampion]

I use double sided nano tape. I get it from Amazon. It's a silicon tape that amplifies vibrations, reusable, leaves no residues.

[@yinhsu9278]

@@DawnSChampion Thank you very much ^^!

[@jaovao]

@@DawnSChampion thx for all your great videos. Amazing reviewer you are. Well done. May I ask you a link or a brand name of the nano tape you use? Which width and thickness do you use? 1mm or 2mm thickness, 10,20 or 30mm width? Which lavalier mic do you use? Model, brand...any link would great. Can you give as well the model, brand, any link from this 3 triangle head pickup? Thx a lot 😊

[@FREEZER4000]

maybe place a microphone in the acoustic box you've made . ( one that resists feedback)

[@TicketAirline]

Thanks for sharing. It would help more if you share links for the gadgets you use. Thanks 🙏🏼

[@DbSwEg]

Hi. This was such an informative video as I can be technically challenged. Timing is great as have to go pick up a small table amplifier and a few kalimba from post office after watching your video. All from Amazon. The timbre from your made box is beautiful. Will be interesting to hear the sound produced from 3 pickups. Please share the brand name of that wireless microphone system as not sure what you said. Thinking that I could use that. Thanks again for sharing your awesome ideas and explorations. I like not having to attempt to re-invent the wheel. Beautiful Bolf kalimba and labradorite. Take care.

[@DawnSChampion]

Here is the wireless mic system I got. I don't have others to compare against, but I chose this one because of the variety of ways you can use the mic and then decided that my favorite way to use it was as shown in the video. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08Q3TVQ46/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@deborahpead4060]

Hi Dawn, I just received a NUX amp like yours, but how do you get it to work? I plugged it in, turned it on, and it amplified for about 3 seconds. Is there something I need to be doing that I don't know about?

[@DawnSChampion]

Sorry, I don't have it anymore

[@deborahpead4060]

Thank you for getting back with me. I appreciate it.@@DawnSChampion

[@-deeptisingh-1784]

Please upload video on galoop pov ride

[@Cat-qo3ht]

Hello! Thank you for all your Kalimba videos. I find them very helpful as I'm new to playing the Kalimba. Actually I'm 60 and never really played an instrument. I have a hollow one and now a flat-board. After four weeks of hollow one I was a bit surprised at how quiet the flat board one is! I bought a mic system. The one you linked to on Amazon is not available at the moment so I had to get a different brand. You play so beautifully. I practice every day, though. Some day I'll be able to memorize the keys! 😅

[@tanaleekalimba9286]

Great video! ... Have you tried putting the mic near the sound hole of the acoustic amps?

[@DawnSChampion]

Oh, yea! I forgot to mention that. That gives really great sound too!

[@Cat-qo3ht]

I showed my husband the box you made. Would you mind sharing what wood you used, please?

[@DawnSChampion]

I don't remember...it was small pieces from Home Depot...

[@Cat-qo3ht]

@@DawnSChampion Ha! I hear ya on not remembering! It does look like thin wood, maybe 1/4" thick or 1/2"?

[@fuckbored4724]

Do you think those acoustic amplifying boxes would make the kalimba loud enough to be able to be heard while playing with an acoustic guitar?

[@DawnSChampion]

In a small quiet room. But not for like performance on stage