Mini African Xylophone (MAX)
Colourful percussion sounds from an African Xylophone
ByMax McGuire
The story
In 2019 I was working with Stephen Barton on a nature series called Mysterious Planet for Discovery Channel. I was after some more colourful percussion sounds for a couple of cues so I decided to pick up this instrument that had been gathering dust in the corner of my studio for years and sample it. I believe it’s an African Xylophone of some sort so I’ve named it Mini African Xylophone, or MAX as an acronym.
I picked it up from a gift shop in Norfolk years ago whilst holidaying down there and I’d always thought it had a pleasantly playful tone so I ended up using it a few times across several episodes.
The normal beater hits range from C3-C5 and then there’s a handful of performed phrases from C1-G1
Hope it can be of some use to you too!
Reviews
Simple but great sounding.
This instrument is very simply programmed, but brilliantly recorded nonetheless. Whilst I'm not a fan of the additional glissandos programmed to the low keys, the main Xylophone itself has a lovely round sound that isn't harsh like some libraries can be. This gives it a very Mark Mothersbaugh sort of flavour. Send this library through some FX and it sounds even better! Nice one Max!
Muted sounding xylophone
This xylophone is different from ones we more regularly hear because they are not bells that have distinct resonance, rather they are wooden which creates a more muted plucky sound. I would tend to go for the metallic option but this could be perfect in certain situations. The sound is simple, well balenced and clear. Well done
Fun, Ethnic-sounding Xylo!
This xylophone is mellow sounding, useful, and highly playable. Its pleasant tone makes it work in a wide variety of situations.