Hello, has anyone here tried or own Tambura and Tabla machines ? Like the ones offered at Buckingham music. How is the sound reproduction and quality ? Are they worth the high price ? Does anyone here use these for practice or performance ? I am very interested in these machines new or used. Any information would be welcomed.Thanks
Jeffrey R King
Hey Jeff;
I bought both the tanpura and Riyaz tabla machines from Buckingham last year. They are both digitally sampled, so their sound is good. I think if you checked around (there are some others that sell these), you'll find the Buckingham's prices are the lowest. I recommend them as I do use them for practice.
Indrajit Banerjee (who I take lessons from) uses the Riyaz tanpura machine. He has his own tabla player (lucky guy).
I just spend some time on the net in search of a tabla machine.They are pretty expensive! I borrowed one from my teacher, but since it's an old one the soundquality is horrible!!!
Right now I work with the following sollution> I have my own studio (with sampler) so I program the patterns in Cubase with some great samples of tabla and tampura and mix the them into a song. The patterns are the patterns my teacher plays during the lessons (which I record on MD). I transfer this song to my Minidisk player.
When I practice, I use some cheap PC-speakers connected to my MD-player. I 've prerecorded some fixed compositions, some exercices (say a teental cicle that gradually increases speed) for 10 minutes. Works great also because I've become very aware of my practicetime this way!!
Howdy. . .
I would also recommend the Raagini Tanpura machine and the Riyaz Tabla like Russ has. I've compared them to the newer ones and they are still better. . .
What about the new hi-bit sur-sanget tabla and tampura machines at Buckingham for $420.00 each !!!!. Anyone get these ones ? I have a vocal tampura, what is the sound difference between a vocal and a instrumental tanpura? The vocal one I have doesnt do much droning, I've read where you stick a silk string under the strings, does this improve the droning effect ? Well I should have the rose petal mangla by Tuesday I hope. see-ya
Hi Jeff,
The Sur-sangat machines are OK but not as good. The tanpura is very clear but 1 sample only and so the 'droning' is not very good. The Raagini has a little aliasing in it and is a little muddier which I find to be better. Also most of the pro's use that one. Use of the silk thread under the tanpura strings will alter the 'buzz' depending on where you place it. Take your sitar thread and unravel it and then use the single strands for your tanpura. . . .
Sitar thread ? Do you mean the thread to tie the frets ? Also if you had someone to play tampura while you practice, would you perfer that over a machine ? Is there much interaction, like between band members where sometimes guitar,bass and drums inspire each other as they play. Or is it like just playing with a drum machine ? kind of sterile and lifeless. I'm just trying to keep this forum active with these questions.Always seems kind of dead.
Jeffrey R King
Yes, the thread for the frets. . . . .I would prefer a live player for Raga practice but the machine for exercises. . . . .hey Jeff, didn't I talk to you on the phone at Buckingham while I was in Texas?
No, I dont think so,well maybe. I've talked to John McDowell and Peters wife Paula ( I think thats her name ) at Buckingham, and Peter about a year ago I guess. Do you work at Buckingham ? What was the conversation about ? do you recall?
Jeff (Aug 24, 2002 11:47 p.m.):
Sitar thread ? Do you mean the thread to tie the frets ? Also if you had someone to play tampura while you practice, would you perfer that over a machine ? Is there much interaction, like between band members where sometimes guitar,bass and drums inspire each other as they play. Or is it like just playing with a drum machine ? kind of sterile and lifeless. I'm just trying to keep this forum active with these questions.Always seems kind of dead.
Interaction between tanpura and sitar player is there, but minimal. But hey, the human touch is always preferred over a machine! Interaction between a tabla player and sitarist is well known.
My first post to this board was about March or so last year. There was a grand total of one post on the sitar board then, the common one about have a sitar and need a teacher. So I responded with the same lament, and then other folks jumped in with the same. After "co-miserating" then we got to talking sitar, and other people jumped in. By the end of last year, a dozen people were posting regularly, and so it continues. Although the tabla board has us beat, this one is doing OK, I think.
