The Function of a resonator
The resonator is the plastic or metal disc on the surface of the saxophone pad. It serves a very important roll in the sound of the saxophone. An instrument with resonators is much louder than one without. As the sound, produced by the reed vibrating on the mouthpiece, travels down the instrument it bounces off the surface of the pads reflecting the sound. A soft pad with no resonator provides a soft surface that actually may even absorb some of the sound.
Resonator material and style
Resonators are made from plastic or several different types of metal. The most popular resonator for the last many years has been the slightly domed plastic one. The famous Selmer MK VI Tenor came with this type of resonator. Players and technicians discovered that they could enhance the sound of the instrument with a metal resonator and it became very popular to set-up your MK VI with Noyak Resonators (today know as the 'Wave' resonator). The resonators simply give the instrument more power in it's sound.
Today there are ever so many different resonators available: domed metal or plastic, wave in aluminum, silver plated or brass, domed metal with silver plating, gold plating and so on. The harder the surface the more sound. Gold has it's own special ability to warm the sound. Think of the possibilities!
Overhaul is resonator decision time
When you get your instrument overhauled is the time to think about what kind of resonators you would like. Do you want more sound, less edge on your sound, MORE edge to your sound... and so on. Once you have chosen your resonator you should discuss with your technician what sort of 'boost' you want. This is the size of each resonator compared to each individual tonehole. A large boost has the resonator filling up most of the tonehole diameter. This will increase the effect of the resonator. You can request a large or small boost on your set-up.
Recycling resonators
It is possible to purchase a set of resonators for your instrument that are reusable. When the pad wears out, the tech unscrews the resonator and removes it from the pad and puts it into the new pad before installing it.
Matching resonators and 'boost'
Some technicians unfortunately are not very careful with what kind or what size of resonator they use when servicing customer horns. Be sure that when you get your horn serviced that the tech uses the same kind and size of resonator that the old pad had. If not you may find that the sound on that particular note may sound different.
Also, by taking notice of the 'boost' of each pad you can often correct notes that somehow stick out and have a slightly different sound than the rest of the notes. For example if your low 'C' does not match the sound of the preceding low 'D', attention to the resonator size could solve this problem.
A good set of resonators is a good investment and can definitely improve your sound.
