Naada

Reimagined resonances from India

Naada is the Sanskrit term for “sound” or “tone”. Rooted in the ancient wisdom of Nada yoga, practitioners believe that sound vibrations, or nadas, act as the invisible thread that connects the outer and inner cosmos. According to this philosophy, the universe itself resonates with the vibrations of nadas, hidden energies that connect all existence. With Naada, we present a modern instrument rooted in millennia-old practices and instruments from both Northern and Southern India.

Ten years ago, MNTRA founder Brian D’Oliveira’s first trip to India sparked a profound transformation, rekindling a connection to his Indian roots and a childhood spent in an Ashram, and igniting a lifelong passion for the boundless world of Indian classical music. A decade later, guided by his teacher, the renowned violinist Sangeeta Shankar, daughter of the legendary N. Rajam, we embarked on a collaborative journey to create a playable sonic world that highlights India’s rich musical tradition.

Our journey took us to some of India’s finest musicians in Chennai, where we carefully recorded instruments such as the South India Nadaswaram, North India Sarangi and Sarod. Back in our studio in the peaceful winter forests of Québec, we enriched this collection with instruments gathered during our extensive travels around India—the male and female Tanpuras and Shruti box (both available in our free instrument Sur!), as well as percussion instruments such as Kanjira and Pakhawaj.

From the very beginning of this project, we also wanted to highlight the 22 shruti system, which provides precise access to the specific intonation and tuning of each note in a Raga. Inspired by the research of Dr. Vidyadhar Oke, we incorporated presets that make use of this system and offer a glimpse into the distinct characters of some of the most popular Ragas.

Unique to Naada is Anahata—an original, custom-built Indian cello created in collaboration with the brilliant luthier Alexandre Letellier at Nouvelle Luthier Labs. With the resonance of 23 sympathetic strings and the deep warmth of its five main playing strings, we sampled Anahata in long, evolving performances that, through round robins and sample start modulation (SSM), endlessly shift spatial position and expression on every note, highlighting its magical qualities.

To further expand the creative possibilities, we incorporated ambient field recordings from deep within the South Indian landscape and the vibrant community of Auroville, and then spent several weeks creatively processing and re-amping our recorded sources through a myriad of modular outboard gear and guitar pedals. This collection of sources creates a harmonious blend of past and present that is multifaceted and can be reinterpreted across a range of genres and rhythms. Designed to inspire creativity across musical styles, Naada invites you to embark on your musical journey. Whether you’re exploring ancient ragas or creating new sonic landscapes, may Naada be your gateway to the universal vibrations that connect us all.