MNTRA Instruments Naada is a virtual instrument plugin that offers a unique blend of traditional Indian sounds and modern synthesis techniques. This third installment in MNTRA’s Portals series transports users to India, reimagining classical sounds as expressive, cinematic instruments and textures. Naada seamlessly merges ancient ragas with contemporary aesthetics, providing musicians, producers, and sound designers with unparalleled flexibility to fuse diverse textures and sounds across genres. Naada’s sound library encompasses a wide range of traditional Indian instruments, including strings like the Anahata, Ektar, Tanpura, Sarangi, and Sarod; wind instruments such as the Nadaswaram and Shruti Box; and percussion instruments like the Damaru, Kanjira, and Pakhawaj. Additionally, it features ambient field recordings from South India’s countryside and the vibrant community of Auroville, which have been transformed into new synthesized and hybrid sounds.
Pros:
• Extensive library of high-quality Indian instrument samples and textures
• Powerful MNDALA 2 synthesis engine for creative sound manipulation
• Intuitive performance-oriented interface with custom animations
• Seamless fusion of traditional and modern sound design techniques
• Up to 20 round robins and 4 microphone channels for enhanced realism
Cons:
• Steep learning curve for users unfamiliar with Indian music or advanced synthesis
At its heart, Naada is powered by MNDALA 2’s animistic synthesis engine, which pushes beyond conventional limits by transmuting acoustic sources through extensive dynamic DSP capabilities. This approach unveils new sound dimensions, facilitating genre fusion and promoting the discovery of a broad spectrum of sounds and textures. The plugin’s foundation lies in high-quality samples recorded at 384kHz/32-bit, capturing extended ultrasonic range sources for industry-leading audio quality.
The plugin’s interface strikes a balance between accessibility and depth, allowing users to quickly dial in inspiring sounds while also offering extensive customization options for those who wish to delve deeper. The inclusion of Shruti tuning presets is particularly noteworthy, as it opens up possibilities for microtonal composition that are often overlooked in Western-centric virtual instruments.
Naada boasts an impressive array of features that cater to both traditionalists and experimental sound designers. The plugin includes over 190 presets, with more than 40 of these utilizing Shruti tuning, allowing users to explore authentic Indian scales and microtonal possibilities. The 105 instrument sample maps provide a diverse palette of sounds to work with, ranging from pure acoustic tones to heavily processed textures.
One of Naada’s standout features is its implementation of round-robin sampling, with up to 20 variations per note. This technique ensures that repeated notes sound natural and avoid the “machine-gun effect” often associated with sampled instruments. The inclusion of up to 4 microphone channels per instrument adds depth and dimension to the sounds, allowing users to blend different perspectives for a more immersive experience.
The plugin’s 3-axis universal controls streamline the user experience by allowing musicians to map their favorite controller once for all plugin instances. This feature enhances workflow efficiency and encourages experimentation during live performances or studio sessions. The intuitive performance GUI, complete with custom animations and mouse hover interactions, provides a visually engaging and responsive interface that invites exploration.
Naada’s sound library is meticulously organized into categories that reflect the rich diversity of Indian musical traditions. The strings section includes instruments like the Anahata, with various articulations such as long dynamics, harmonics, and grained textures. The Tanpura, a crucial drone instrument in Indian classical music, is represented with both male and female variations, as well as a combined preset. The Sarod and Sarangi offer a range of expressive techniques, from single notes to glissandos and tremolos.
The wind instrument category is headlined by the Nadaswaram, a South Indian double reed instrument known for its powerful, penetrating tone. Naada captures its essence with long and short samples, as well as various extended techniques like flutter tonguing and glissandos. The Shruti Box, traditionally used for drone accompaniment, is also included with options for driven sub-bass and overtone-rich variations.
Percussion instruments are well-represented, with the Damaru (a small two-headed drum), Kanjira (a South Indian frame drum), and Pakhawaj (a barrel-shaped drum from North India) all making appearances. These instruments are sampled in various playing styles and articulations, providing rhythmic foundations for a wide range of musical contexts.
Perhaps most intriguing is Naada’s FX section, which incorporates ambient field recordings from various locations in India. These soundscapes, ranging from daytime ambience in Auroville to nocturnal insect choruses and monsoon atmospheres, add an immersive layer of authenticity to compositions. These recordings have been further processed and manipulated, offering users unique textural elements to incorporate into their productions.
The MNDALA 2 synthesis engine that powers Naada allows for deep sound manipulation beyond the initial sample content. Users can explore granular synthesis, apply various distortion and modulation effects, and create evolving textures that blur the line between acoustic and electronic sound sources. This flexibility enables composers to craft sounds that are rooted in Indian musical traditions yet push the boundaries of contemporary sound design.
This plugin is best for:
• Film and game composers seeking authentic Indian sounds with a modern twist
• Electronic music producers looking to incorporate exotic textures into their tracks
• Sound designers in need of unique and evocative sonic elements
• World music enthusiasts interested in exploring Indian instruments in a digital format
• Meditation and yoga instructors creating immersive soundscapes for their practices
Naada stands out as a unique and powerful tool for composers, producers, and sound designers looking to incorporate authentic Indian sounds into their work or to push the boundaries of traditional timbres through modern synthesis techniques. Its extensive library of meticulously sampled instruments, combined with the powerful MNDALA 2 synthesis engine, provides an incredibly versatile toolkit for sonic exploration. The attention to detail in capturing the nuances of each instrument, from the subtle overtones of the Tanpura to the complex rhythmic patterns of the Kanjira, demonstrates MNTRA Instruments’ commitment to authenticity. Its ability to seamlessly blend ancient musical traditions with contemporary production aesthetics makes it an invaluable resource for creating evocative, culturally rich soundscapes across a wide range of musical genres and applications.