Barrable's Titanium Gongs Serve as Instruments that have Harmonic Resonance with the Times

By Michael C. Gabriele

Each of Ross Barrable’s titanium gongs produce mesmerizing layers of sound with each strike of a mallet. “Layers of sound” are an apt description, as demonstrated on the website https://crystaniumgongs. com . A Crystanium Gong, when struck, shimmers with complex sound textures—low, haunting rumbles; cascading middle tones; topped by hypnotic overtones. The vibrations start softly and gently, and then gradually increasing in volume and in unison, with whispers of sustained echoes.

You are invited to enjoy a discount of $200 off of any order using promo code Gong200 on the website https://crystaniumgongs.com.

Titanium gongs are the latest creation by Barrable, who defines himself as a musician, acoustic sculptor, sonic engineer and luthier, with imagination and creativity. Some in the titanium industry might recall that he was a speaker at TITANIUM USA 2016, when he discussed his titanium wind harps. Barrable, the founder of Soundscapes International Inc., based in Pagosa Springs, CO, installed his first titanium wind harp in 1995 in Denver’s Congress Park.

Interviewed in mid-October 2020, he said there’s a connection between his signature titanium wind harps and the evolution of his new line of titanium gongs. The key element linking the two is the wind harp’s titanium resonator which is a spun titanium “vessel” that generates the

You are invited to enjoy a discount of $200 off of any order using promo code Gong200 on the website https://crystaniumgongs.com (Photo displays the Divine Cosmos Titanium Gong )

https://crystaniumgongs.com

harp’s lyrical sound. About five years ago he began to explore heat treating techniques and new geometric

32" Divine Cosmos Titanium Gong

https://crystaniumgongs.com

26" Holy Trinity Sound Healing Gong

32" Flame of Compassion Titanium Gong

designs to optimize the harmonics, which led to the creation of titanium bells. Eventually, he realized the capability to transform the bells into a gong, and work on the new product was underway. “I said to myself: “Titanium is the substance of the 21st century gong,” recalling his process of inspiration.

To market the product, Barrable trademarked the name “CrysTanium®

Harmony Garden Bells

https://harmonywindharps.com

Gong,” which he said reflects the instrument’s “pure crystalline tone.”

He also described it as a “sonic experience that vibrates your cranium.” As a result of his 30 year, well-established business relationship with the titanium industry, he transitioned to the fabrication of the gongs, which are formed out of 99.5-percent pure titanium and individually tuned and anodized by hand in his gong shop in Pagosa Springs. There are videos of 10 gongs posted on the website https://Crystaniumgongs.com to demonstrate their individual sound qualities. Visual artist Karina Silver creates each gong’s dazzling graphic design, made permanent via the anodizing process. The gongs measure 26 and 32 inches in diameter and carry price tags of $2,400 and $3,200.

While Barrable is an artist at heart, he also maintains a strong sense of the international marketing potential for his gongs. Part of the business opportunity might be fallout from government-mandated lockdowns due to the Covid-19 global pandemic. There’s anecdotal evidence, especially via social media outlets, to suggest that in order to cope with physical and emotional tension from pandemic isolation, many people are turning to meditation, yoga exercises, and contemplative spiritual and religious practices—all within the confines of their living spaces. “There are ‘gong baths’ happening all over the world,” he said. “Almost every yoga studio has a gong nowadays.”

On his website, he states that gong vibrations are “our oldest means of sound therapy, meant to reduce stress, still the conscious mind, and re-focus and ascend our attention currents.” Barrable confessed that he has a personal affinity for titanium’s healing properties—as a medical implant. “I have a piece of titanium in my forehead, due to an auto accident years ago.”

Barrable explained there are practical, down-to-earth benefits from enjoying the sound of his gongs. “Today everyone wants your attention. We’re being bombarded with information. It diffuses our energy and creativity. It takes effort to focus on what you want and what you need to do,” he said, referring to the daily prioritizing of personal choices with family, relationships and business. “If my attention is scattered, then it’s very difficult to make important decisions, and that’s a problem. If you don’t know what you want, then someone else will make those decisions for you. The deeply immersive sound of a gong can be used as a tool to collect and focus our units of attention. It actually gives the mind a temporary vacation, an opportunity to simply “be still and follow the sound.”

Regarding the ancient history of gongs, James Blades, who served as a professor at London’s Royal Academy of Music, in his 1992 book Percussion Instruments and Their History, wrote that “the origin of the gong is uncertain, but there seems little reason to doubt the claim of the Chinese, whose tradition ascribes it to the country Hsi

32" Hummingbird Titanium Gong

32" Solar Logos Titanium Gong

32" Flower of Life Titanium Gong

Ross Barrable states that gong vibrations are "our oldest means of sound therapy, meant to reduce stress, still the conscious mind, and re-focus and ascend our attention currents."

Yu, between Tibet and Burma, where it is mentioned early in the sixth century in the time of Emperor Hsuan Wu. Gongs are the most important metal instruments in the Southeast. All types and sizes are covered by the same definition. They are made of bronze in a circular shape, with the surface flat or bulging and the rim bent down (the vibrations issuing from the center).” Blades wrote there’s also evidence of prehistoric African “rock gongs,” which vibrate due to their internal iron content. Given this history and compared with the traditional use of bronze, Barrable’s titanium instrument represent a significant metallic milestone on the gong time line. Notes on his website address the bronze/ titanium comparison. “One (metal) is not better than the other; they simply resonate with a totally different harmonic signature. We’re no longer in the Bronze Age; we now live in the Space Age. Titanium is not only the primary metal that humanity is using for all reconstructive surgery, but it’s also being used to send people into outer space. As the public becomes more aware of the multiple uses and properties of this amazing metal, it demands its rightful place as the perfect metal to create sound therapy instruments that are as amazing to listen to as they are to look at and have a resonance with the accelerated vibration of the world that we now have to embrace. The CrysTanium Gong is an instrument that anybody can play and enjoy as long as you are willing to truly listen and play with your heart.”

Interviewed in mid-October 2020, he said there’s a connection between his signature titanium wind harps and the evolution of his new line of titanium gongs. The key element linking the two is the wind harp’s titanium resonator which is a spun titanium “vessel” that generates the

Titanium gongs are the latest creation by Barrable, who defines himself as a musician, acoustic sculptor, sonic engineer and luthier, with imagination and creativity. Some in the titanium industry might recall that he was a speaker at TITANIUM USA 2016, when he discussed his titanium wind harps. Barrable, the founder of Soundscapes International Inc., based in Pagosa Springs, CO, installed his first titanium wind harp in 1995 in Denver’s Congress Park.

On his website, he states that gong vibrations are “our oldest means of sound therapy, meant to reduce stress, still the conscious mind, and re-focus and ascend our attention currents.” Barrable confessed that he has a personal affinity for titanium’s healing properties—as a medical implant. “I have a piece of titanium in my forehead, due to an auto accident years ago.”