Past

My name is Sławek Janus. I've been crafting musical instruments for quite some time, at least from my perspective. I'm also a multi-instrumentalist and software developer. As a child, I enjoyed experimenting with the intricate sounds of various metal objects. Growing up next to my grandfather's metal workshop provided me with access to a diverse array of fascinating items. My grandfather, an inventor dedicated to his work, developed numerous types of engines and improvements entirely on his own.

One particular incident stands out in my memory: a toy of mine fell to the ground, causing the plastic cover to break. Inside, I discovered what I would later call a monolithic steel kalimba. Steel rods were attached to a solid metal disc, and a ball inside struck the rods, producing sounds. It was a significant discovery when I intentionally struck the rods with a nail.

The modified toy sounded much better than the original, but after 30 minutes, I began intentionally altering the sounds by bending the rods, hitting the device with a hammer, and exploring new tones. I was fascinated by the level of control over the sound of this little device. It became my favorite musical toy for a long time

Present

After 30 years, when I discovered Richard Waters` waterphone for the very first time it instantly blew my mind and reminded me the excitement of playing around with my first metal kalimba which was quite similiar to the waterphone. I made a decision to take a challenge and build one by myself. With time, I have developed my own unique style of making and tuning these instruments and this results in` cooperation with many great artists, worldwide.

In recent years, I've had the opportunity to create numerous fascinating instruments. Among them are some very innovative waterphone designs:In recent years, I've had the opportunity to create numerous fascinating instruments. Among them are three very innovative waterphone designs: the Sailophone, the Evelyn Glennie Hyperstellar Waterphone co-designed with Evelyn Glennie, and the special Ultra Hyperstellar Waterphone, crafted for Jean-Michel Jarre

Innovation

The Sailophone features uniquely bent rods that resemble sails, contributing to its distinct timbre and character. The journey from concept to reality has been truly inspiring, and I couldn't be happier with the outcome.
The Evelyn Glennie Hyperstellar Waterphone was born from a collaboration with the incredible @dameevelynglennie, who approached me with the concept of a double-chambered waterphone. After careful analysis of her idea and initial sketches, I made a series of decisions regarding its shape and proportions, prioritizing the pursuit of optimal sound quality while considering various factors. The transition from prototype to completion was challenging, as venturing into uncharted territory often is. However, the end result more than justified the effort. Its deep bass frequencies resonate profoundly, and its overall resonance is unmatched. To truly appreciate its enchanting qualities, one must experience it firsthand.
The special Ultra Hyperstellar Waterphone and Interstellar Vibra Waterphone, crafted for Jean-Michel Jarre , are tailored to the specific preferences and artistic vision of one of the most recognizable musicians on earth.
I invite you to explore my instruments and the unique sounds they produce.