Having been schlepping large and heavy gongs for over a decade now, it has been our desire to simplify our logistic makeup. While wanting to increase and amplify our sonic impact, overall, this is not a simple task to accomplish.

Hence, in August of 2024 we introduced a new member to our orchestra, a custom made, 38” diameter one-of-a-kind titanium gong. Given the intricate and proprietary creation process, we called it “Sonic Alchemy”. These Titanium gongs are made in Colorado by our dear friend Ross Barrable of Crystanium Gongs. Space-age-metal with superior sound qualities, masterfully and exquisitely expressed as beautiful art…

When visiting with Ross, we reflected on what design would best represent the role of this new gong within the context of our mission. After contemplating several design concepts, that did not quite possess “it”, the magic contained in “Sonic Alchemy” began to reveal itself. The resulting inspired sacred geometric design encompasses the triangle within the circle, featuring the wave running through it. As you can surmise, this has a variety of meanings. To give you the short version, a more expansive entry on sacred geometry is in the making and will be available soon:

The circle with the blue rim represents planet earth, the interconnectedness of all things, as well as continuum and wholeness. The triangle stands for truth, stability, and balance; while the wave signifies movement, energy, vibration, sound and flow. Combined with the intention placed into the gong while we created it over the course of 6 hours, and the energy of the surrounding Rocky Mountains, our “Sonic Alchemy” truly possesses a very benevolent and loving punch.

The acoustic performance of titanium, particularly in comparison to other metals, is influenced by its unique properties. The short of it is that a titanium gong speaks or conveys meaning with a distinctly different language. It behaves very differently from a bronze or other metal gongs. To understand that language, it asks for a different approach when being played. The astute and careful listener can distinguish the tonal qualities of a titanium gong from other materials.

With that, the following is a detailed comparison of titanium's acoustic characteristics relative to other metals:

The Acoustic Properties of Titanium

- Low Internal Damping: Titanium is noted for its low internal damping coefficient, which means it retains acoustic energy longer than many other metals. This property allows titanium to sustain vibrations and sound waves over a longer period, which can be beneficial in applications like musical instruments where prolonged sound is desirable.

- Directional Dependence: The acoustic properties of titanium can vary depending on the direction of the grain structure. This orthotropic nature means that the wave speed and Young's modulus can change based on the direction of vibration relative to the grain, affecting the acoustic performance.

- Specific Stiffness: Titanium exhibits a high specific stiffness, which contributes to faster sound wave propagation compared to metals like steel. This property is particularly advantageous in applications where sound performance is critical.

- Structural Strength and Reflectivity: Titanium alloys possess high structural strength and reflectivity, which can influence their acoustic behavior. For instance, 3D printed titanium panels can reflect a significant portion of sound energy, indicating that they are more reflective than absorptive.

For the application of our “Sonic Alchemy” gong it is noteworthy to mention, that because of the proprietary manufacturing process there are no stress points in the sound plate (surface of the gong), as they are typically found on hammered bronze gongs. This allows for a very even and uniform distribution of vibration and resulting sound.

Overall, while titanium is not primarily used for its acoustic properties, its low internal damping and structural characteristics make it a valuable material in specific acoustic applications, such as gongs or bells, particularly where mechanical strength and durability are also required. To give you an idea, in…

Comparison with Other Metals

- Steel: Steel generally has a higher internal damping compared to titanium, which means it dissipates acoustic energy more quickly. This can result in shorter vibration times and less sustained sound. However, steel is often more affordable and easier to machine than titanium.

- Aluminum: Aluminum is lighter than titanium and has different acoustic properties. It is often used in applications where weight is a critical factor, where it can help reduce the overall weight and improve comfort. However, aluminum does not have the same strength-to-weight ratio as titanium.

- Copper and Brass: These metals, when combined they make bronze, have acoustic properties that are often compared to titanium in musical applications. While titanium's low damping can be advantageous, some studies suggest that the damping coefficients of titanium and brass are quite similar, indicating no significant sonic advantage of titanium over brass. We can only ad that one has to hear it to be able to differentiate it.

Moreover, titanium gongs offer several unique advantages for sound therapy compared to traditional bronze or brass gongs:

Superior Sound Quality

Titanium gongs produce exceptionally clear, pure tones with complex harmonics and an ultra-long sustain. The sound is described as having:

- Deep, warm tones

- Rich, complex frequencies

- Crystal clear tonal quality

- Extremely long resonance and sustain

This superior sound quality allows for a more immersive and impactful sound therapy experience.

Enhanced Therapeutic Effects

The unique vibrational qualities of titanium are thought to have enhanced therapeutic benefits:

- Titanium has a "synergistic and harmonious" relationship with the human body

- The vibrations help collect and refocus scattered attention while expanding awareness

- The pure, unalloyed vibrations may penetrate more deeply into the body and energy field

Stress Reduction and Relaxation

Like other gongs, titanium gongs are highly effective for reducing stress and promoting relaxation:

- Help quiet and still the conscious mind

- Create a "tunnel of serenity and relaxation"

- Reduce effects of chronic stress

Improved Focus and Meditation

The unique tones of titanium gongs are particularly conducive to meditation and focusing the mind:

- Help clear the mind and refocus attention

- Allow for effortless focus and immersion in the sound

- Support daily meditation and contemplation practices

Durability and Longevity

As a space-age metal, titanium offers excellent durability and longevity compared to softer traditional gong materials. This makes titanium gongs a high cost, yet long-lasting investment.

The exceptional sound quality, enhanced therapeutic effects, and durability of a titanium gong, coupled with the LOW weight, makes it a premium choice for our sound therapy applications. Its’ ability to produce pure, penetrating tones that promote deep relaxation and focused awareness offers unique benefits our clients as well as ourselves in our sound healing settings.

Overall, titanium's unique combination of low internal damping, high specific stiffness, and excellent strength-to-weight ratio make it a valuable material for specific acoustic applications. However, its high cost and machining challenges mean that it is often used in specialized applications where its properties offer distinct advantages over other metals.

Furthermore, aside from its notable acoustic properties, several others make titanium suitable for various applications. In case you wonder, and for those who want to learn more about other key properties of titanium, here you go:

Physical Properties

- Density: Titanium has a low density of approximately 4.51 g/cm³, making it about 60% denser than aluminum but significantly lighter than steel.

- Color: It has a lustrous, silvery-white appearance.

- Melting and Boiling Points: Titanium has a high melting point of 1668 °C (3034 °F) and a boiling point of 3287 °C (5949 °F), which contributes to its use in high-temperature applications.

- Crystal Structure: It exhibits a hexagonal close-packed (hcp) structure at room temperature, transitioning to a body-centered cubic (bcc) structure at higher temperatures.

Mechanical Properties

- Strength: Titanium is known for its high strength, with commercially pure grades having a tensile strength ranging from 240 MPa to 434 MPa. Certain titanium alloys can achieve tensile strengths exceeding 1400 MPa.

- Strength-to-Weight Ratio: It has the highest strength-to-density ratio of any metallic element, making it ideal for applications where weight reduction is critical, such as in aerospace.

- Ductility: Titanium is ductile, especially in oxygen-free environments, and its ductility improves with increased temperatures.

- Fatigue Resistance: It exhibits excellent fatigue resistance, which is crucial for applications involving cyclic loading, such as in aircraft structures.

Chemical Properties

- Corrosion Resistance: Titanium is highly resistant to corrosion, particularly in marine environments and in the presence of chlorine and other corrosive agents. This property makes it suitable for chemical processing and marine applications.

- Reactivity: While titanium is reactive with acids and halogens at high temperatures, it is non-reactive with bases. Its surface forms a protective oxide layer that enhances its corrosion resistance.

Thermal and Electrical Properties

- Thermal Conductivity: Titanium has relatively low thermal conductivity compared to other metals, making it suitable for high-temperature applications.

- Electrical Resistivity: It has high electrical resistivity, which limits its use as a conductor.

Due to these manyfold exceptional properties, aside from musical instruments, titanium is used in various applications, including:

- Aerospace: For aircraft components and engines due to its strength, light weight, and heat resistance.

- Medical: In implants and surgical devices because of its biocompatibility and corrosion resistance.

- Marine: For ship components and offshore structures due to its excellent resistance to seawater corrosion.

- Industrial: In chemical processing equipment and heat exchangers.

It is easy to recognize that titanium's unique properties make it an indispensable material in industries that require materials that are strong, lightweight, and resistant to extreme conditions.

We invite you to attend one of our events to experience and feel the difference.

Titanium is wonderfully LIGHT WEIGHT, hence less schlepping… ;)))