I'm using a lightweight, 15" rattan mallet rather than a traditional marimba or vibraphone mallet. In my experience with your instrument, a lighter mallet with less mass in the core, has freed up my playing and opened doors to expression that are much harder to open on a set of concert vibes or marimba. I flow with the Xsynth; I make decisions during jazz improvisation, for example, that are achieved with ease. I am able to express every musical thought that comes to me without any regard as to whether it will be physically possible to make it happen. It's straight from my brain into reality! Sorry for the hyperbole, but it's so cool. The quality build of your instrument paired with the properly balanced and weighted mallet makes this happen. It has transformed my performance.- Brad E Howard
Latest News
Special Commission Balasynth
Special Commission for Balafon player Alastair Eilbeck from the UK (left in photo, Will Wernick on the right). We’ve called this the Balasynth…. This 15 note instrument is set up in a pentatonic scale C,D,E,G,A (but being MIDI you can always retune). All the usual Xylosynth features apply such as octave shift etc. The keys are slightly longer (165mm) but the same width as the Xylosynth keys (46mm). So far Alastair says he loves it and is looking forward to travelling with it on his motorbike!
February 17th, 2020
New Premises
We’ve outgrown our beloved workshop on Twycross St and have moved our office and assembly area into new premises which are highly energy efficient and have 3.6kw solar panels on the roof making it carbon neutral. Below is the first instrument to be made here, a 5 Octave Stained Birch Special with internal sounds off to Hong Kong later today!
sdr
May 2nd, 2019
Anthony Kerr and Orphy Robinson with Stickchops
Two of the UK’s most talented percussionists with their 4 Octave Xylosynths perform this evening at the Cockpit Theatre, London.
March 31st, 2015
Anthony Kerr and Orphy Robinson with Stickchops
Two of the UK’s most talented percussionists with their 4 Octave Xylosynths perform this evening at the Cockpit Theatre, London.
March 31st, 2015
ABANDOMAN at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, Australia
Radio interview with Rob and Sam of Abandoman, especially 4.50mins in.
March 4th, 2015
Bon Iver’s new Xylosynth
This is the 2 Octave Stained Birch that was just sent out to April Base Studios in Wisconsin. For studio and touring work with Justin Vernon/Bon Iver/Volcano Choir. I’m sure he’ll put it to good use! Lovely music.
January 22nd, 2015
Joby Burgess at PASIC 2014
Joby is performing today at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis, USA.
November 19th, 2014
Stage Entertainment
Stage Entertainment are buying yet another Xylosynth (they like them so much we’ve lost count!). This one is for a production of Beauty and the Beast in October.
August 26th, 2014
Wernick Musical Instruments
Half Acre, Station Drive
Leicester LE9 2ET
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0)116 238 6091
E: info@wernick.net
