Handpan Sound Post-Production: How to Make Your Recordings Shine

Antonio Miscellaneo
4 days ago
3 min read

Recording a handpan is just the first step. Once you’ve captured the sound, the next challenge is post-production — shaping the recording so it sounds natural, balanced, and pleasing on speakers, headphones, or online platforms. Without post-production, even the best handpan can sound dull or unpolished when played back.

Here’s what you need to know.

Recommended Software for Editing Handpan Recordings

Cakewalk by BandLab (Windows, Free)A professional-grade Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) that’s completely free. It allows you to edit, mix, and apply high-quality plugins. Great for handpan players starting out with post-production.
Logic Pro (Mac)A full-featured DAW with strong built-in plugins. Excellent if you’re using a Mac and want a smooth workflow from recording to final master.
Ableton Live / FL StudioMore often used for electronic music, but powerful tools for editing and creative effects if you want to blend handpan with ambient or rhythmic elements.
Reaper (Windows/Mac)Affordable, lightweight, and extremely customizable. A good option if you want a professional DAW with a smaller footprint.
iZotope Ozone (Plugin Suite)While not a DAW itself, this plugin suite is a favorite for mastering. It includes EQ, dynamics, and spatial controls that can polish your handpan recordings beautifully (and integrates well with Cakewalk).

Common Post-Production Steps for Handpan

1. Equalization (EQ)

Handpans produce a wide range of frequencies, from deep bass to sparkling overtones. A simple EQ can help:

Reduce muddiness: Slightly cut around 200–400 Hz if the sound feels “boxy.”
Add clarity: Boost gently around 2–5 kHz to bring out the attack of the notes.
Air and shimmer: A light lift above 10 kHz can highlight the overtones.

2. Compression

Light compression evens out dynamics without crushing the natural feel.

Aim for gentle settings (2:1 ratio, slow attack, fast release).
This helps quiet notes remain audible while keeping louder hits under control.

3. Reverb

Reverb recreates the natural space around the instrument.

Short room reverb makes the handpan feel intimate.
Longer hall reverb gives it a meditative, spacious quality.
Avoid overdoing it — too much reverb can wash out the clarity.

4. Stereo Imaging

If recorded in stereo, check the balance. Pan slightly left/right to create a natural width that reflects how the handpan resonates in a room.

5. Mastering (Final Touch)

At the end, normalize levels so your track is consistent in volume with other recordings. Tools like iZotope Ozone (inside Cakewalk or another DAW) are perfect for this.

A Practical Workflow Example (Cakewalk)

Import your handpan recording into Cakewalk.
Apply a gentle EQ: cut 300 Hz slightly, boost 4 kHz for clarity.
Add light compression (2:1, -20 dB threshold).
Insert a reverb plugin — start with a “small hall” preset, then tweak to taste.
Export and listen on headphones, speakers, and even your phone to check how it translates.
If needed, add iZotope Ozone on the master channel for a polished finish.

Post-production doesn’t mean changing the handpan’s voice — it’s about presenting it as beautifully as it sounds in real life. With the right tools and a few careful adjustments, you can make your recordings shine and do justice to the depth, warmth, and harmony of the instrument.

At Harmonic Circle, we encourage our students not just to learn to play, but also to record and refine their sound. With today’s tools, anyone can take their first steps into music production — and share the magic of the handpan with the world.