Naada: Indian Instrument Sample Library by MNTRA Instruments

Naada's sample sources include the South Indian nadaswaram and the North Indian sarangi and sarod, along with tanpuras, a shruti box, and percussion such as the kanjira and pakhawaj.

The centerpiece is the Anahata, a custom Indian cello built with luthier Alexandre Letellier. The instrument has 23 sympathetic strings and five main playing strings. MNTRA sampled it in long evolving performances, and round robins combined with sample start modulation change the spatial position and expression of each note.

Field recordings from South India and the Auroville community were processed through modular outboard and guitar pedals, adding a textural layer to the collection.

The library applies the 22 shruti system, which gives access to the intonation and tuning of each note in a raga. Developer research by Dr. Vidyadhar Oke informed the 40+ presets that use shruti tuning, which cover several popular ragas.

With 190+ presets in total and 105 instrument sample maps, Naada offers a broad starting point for both traditional-leaning and experimental work. Up to 20 round robins and up to 4 microphone channels are available across the instruments.