Unless you strike the sound hole, you might as well be playing a rock. It has no tone, no resonance at all. I was shocked because I am a big fan of LP products, including their cajon which I am ecstatic about. I returned this udu and bought a Meinl which I love.

My biggest problem with this drum was that Amazon decided to send me a cajon first. After a replacement was shipped, I can say I'm thoroughly impressed. Sure, I wish it was a little louder, but that's asking too much of a clay jug. And yes, if you buy the LP Udu Drum Udongo Ii, it has a larger air cavity, which will make it louder. But what I got was juicy, rich, and hypnotic. Hand slaps have a nice ring, and the designs around the main sound hole make it a very comfortable drum. 10 outta 10, would buy again. (psst... totally the same drum as this video [...]

OK to see if one likes the udu, or for a very ENTRY instrument,
but very cheaply made and if you like UDU, you're going to want a better one.

There is a YouTube video of Renato Martins supposedly playing this very drum. He says so about 5 times in the video comments. In the video, the drum is only mic'ed at the top, and does not appear to have a transducer or internal microphone.

The video starts with brushing sounds just from rubbing the side of the drum, and escalates to an amazing variety of sounds made with light taps, knocks, beating, etc, all over the instrument. It's quite amazing, and it motivated me to buy this drum.

I am not Renato Martins, but I assure you that the drum I received cannot make anywhere *near* the range of sounds I heard in the video. I think mine is considerably thicker and less resonant. You really need to beat the stuffing out of the thing.

Brushing sounds with fingertips? -- even in a silent room -- forget about it! I can't make brushing sounds with my fingernails! Finger tapping is *very* quiet. There are a some spots on the drum that are more resonant than others, but on the whole, I definitely have a different instrument. The bottom of the drum, for example, is completely sonically dead, I assure you. Better off beating the table.

The drum was inexpensive, and I can't claim that it's outright defective. It's bulky and very fragile, so I will not try to send it back. But I will think twice before buying something like this again without trying the very item that I am buying. Disappointed in LP on this one.

Better than expected sound...For the price, this is great...I bought this as a gift, and now that I have seen in it, I will probably buy one for myself.