Orchestral Tools have released Svara, available at the intro of €249.00, increasing to € 399.00 after the promotion. The offer ends February 11th.
From classical roots to cinematic heights, Svara delves into the intricate beauty of traditional Indian instruments while also exploring sounds from modern filmic contexts. This collection is an homage to Indian film music, providing a wealth of textures and nuances for composers writing Bollywood-inspired scores or seeking a unique sound palette for worldbuilding soundscapes.
Today, Indian film music is widely known for a distinctive fusion of classical Indian music with international influences. The violins and violas from Svara are the perfect encapsulation of this: Western instruments with articulations showcasing the techniques and ornamental phrases that breathe life into Indian film scores. Additionally, Svara contains a selection of drone, flute, and percussion instruments. Svara can be used for everything from composing fast-paced and exuberant raga melodies to underscoring melancholic scenes to creating unique sound worlds—but no matter what, it delivers the sound of Indian cinema.
Svara was recorded at Studio Uno in Chennai, drawing on the knowledge and skill of experienced local musicians. The collection reproduces tonal beauty and rhythmic complexity of famous Bollywood films and also captures the sound of the region. In addition to common sustains and staccatos, many of the instruments feature articulations with a long tradition.
Instruments include:
- Bansuri – Bansuri is a bamboo flute capable of long sustains and lively melodies. Three sizes of Bansuri were recorded.
- Tabla – A set of two drums. The heads are coated with a special tuning paste to enable a range of percussive and bass sounds.
- Tanpura – A stringed drone instrument that creates a foundation for melodies and harmonic instruments.
- Santoor – A trapezoidal hammered dulcimer that generally has 100 strings.
- Kanjira – A frame drum similar in construction to a western tambourine, often used to create very complex rhythms.
- Ghatam – A clay pot percussion instrument held in the lap and played with the fingers and heel of the hand.
- Khol – A hollow ceramic drum with heads at both ends. Played horizontally.
- Shruti Box – A briefcase-shaped drone instrument played via bellows.
- Harmonium – A pump organ that has been a standby in Indian film music since the country’s first talkie, Alam Ara.
Features include:
- Classic Bollywood string sound
- Unique percussion sounds and rhythms
- Extensive articulation options
- Ornaments and phrases played by local musicians
- 3 legato styles
- Short notes, slides and portamentos
- Expressive percussion sounds with playable rhythmic patterns
- Wide selection of traditional instruments
- Tanpura drone instrument
- Up to 7 mixable mic positions
Watch Pt.1 of the walkthrough video HERE.
Watch Pt.2 of the walkthrough video HERE.
Svara requires SINE Player.
For more information on Svara, click here:
NOTE: Some of the links you click on may be affiliated. Clicking and purchasing using these links helps support and fund The Beat Community. Thanks for your support.
