The steelpan is a percussive musical instrument that originated in Trinidad and Tobago in the 1930s. The advancement and influence of digital technology has impacted the design of many new musical instruments including the traditional steel pan, with digital versions of the instrument now available such as the E-Pan and the P.H.I. The Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing and Entrepreneurship (MME) Unit at The University of Trinidad and Tobago is expanding this lineup via a new low-cost roll-up digital version of the steel pan. This research is being led by Dr. Umesh Persad and Dr. Jorrel Bisnath in the Design and Innovation Group, in collaboration with UTT’s Academy for the Performing Arts (APA) and the support of industry partner Indigisounds (https://www.indigisounds.com/). 

The aim of the project is to develop a portable, low-cost digital steelpan instrument. The design of the digital roll-up steel pan encompasses the unique feature of folding or rolling into a small compact size. This is possible due to the rigid notes being mounted on a flexible base-layer similar to roll-up pianos and roll-up drum kits. The design takes a flat circular shape with the overall diameter similar to a traditional steel pan. The note layout mirrors the High C tenor pan with three (3) octaves and twenty-nine (29) notes as the traditional circle of fifths steelpan layout. 

A basic functional prototype of the final design concept was constructed to test the viability of the roll-up digital steelpan. The prototype testing phase was executed to evaluate the performance of the device along the dimensions of functionality, response, size, weight, appearance and cost. Preliminary results from user-testing show that there is great potential for the roll-up steelpan to be a viable new addition to the steelpan family. 

This new product would be suitable for students and musicians who are constantly on the move seeking an instrument for practice that is portable and easily stored, as well as individuals who cannot afford a traditional steelpan or digital steelpan instruments. Finally, the roll-up steel pan can be used as an item for tourism, allowing tourists to purchase a version of the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago that is easily transportable and affordable. Further work is being carried out in improving the design of the instrument with more expansive testing with pan players at The Academy for the Performing Arts. 

The MME Unit is hopeful that the introduction of the roll-up steel pan on the market would contribute greatly towards the availability of cost effective, portable digital musical instruments within the Caribbean. In addition, it will help build local industries around the design and manufacture of musical instruments. This effort speaks to the impact that UTT is having in fulfilling its mission to improve the quality of life in Trinidad and Tobago via innovation, research and entrepreneurship. 

Publication:
The Roll-Up Digital Steelpan (June 2020)
Umesh Persad, Keivi Howard, Jorrel Bisnath
International Conference on Emerging Trends in Engineering & Technology (IConETech-2020) 
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339721646_The_Roll-Up_Digital_Steelpan