Meinl LUIS CONTE ARTIST SERIES

Historical Context and Positioning in the Range

Chimes (often used to create a "sweep" effect or an airy punctuation) have established themselves as an essential color in modern percussion, both in contemporary music and soundtrack contexts. This "high-frequency" model emphasizes clarity and presence while maintaining a wide enough palette to shift from a simple sparkle to a broader halo, depending on playing dynamics and the area struck.

Who This Drum/Chimes Is For

This chimes is aimed at beginner to advanced percussionists, drummers who want to add a musical texture without complexity, as well as studio musicians and content creators seeking clear effects that are immediately usable. It naturally fits in pop, rock, funk, Latin, jazz, film music, ambient, and worship, wherever one wants to highlight a transition, color an intro, or add a "bright" accent without taking space from melodic instruments.

Features and Innovations

The main advantage of this configuration lies in its 60 bars arranged in a double row : this architecture promotes a fuller stroke with the stick or hand, offering a sense of continuity and a more even sound on fast rolls. The silver anodized aluminum alloy contributes to a clear attack and excellent projection, useful both on stage and in front of microphones, especially when seeking a strong presence without overplaying.

As Luis Conté summarizes: "I wanted a wide spectrum. The short bars produce very beautiful high sounds. I can get a bright and broad sound from the medium and low bars. Their sound is perfect and ideal for recording." This philosophy results in a response that remains musical at low volume while retaining enough substance to stand out in a dense arrangement.

Sound Characteristics

On chimes, the "sound material" strongly depends on the metal and finish. Here, the anodized aluminum provides a clear and bright signature: the attack is precise, with well-defined harmonics, making rolls very readable and particularly effective for transitions. The anodized finish also contributes to a sense of consistency between bars, appreciated when recording multiple takes and seeking timbral coherence.

The double-row configuration favors a richer sweeping effect: it easily produces a "curtain" of sound, with a density that fills the space without becoming overwhelming. The shorter bars highlight fine, sparkling highs, perfect for illuminating a chorus, punctuating a build-up, or emphasizing a breath in a groove. By broadening the gesture and varying the sweep speed, the medium and lower zones provide a broader sound, ideal for intros, breaks, and phrase endings where a wider resonance is desired.

Technical specifications

Instrument size	Large	Accessories included	Sticks
Category	percussion	Frequencies	60 Hz
Type	chimes	Color	Grey
Material	aluminium	Finishing	Silver

Number of bars	60	Finish	silver anodized
Layout	double row