MATRIXSYNTH: Radel Saarang


Showing posts with label Radel Saarang. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Radel Saarang. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

1960's-70's Radel Saarang Electronic Tambura Synthesizer Deluxe Model

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.


via this auction

"The Saarang produces the plucked sound of a conventional stringed tambura (tanpura) used for classical Indian music. The sound is produced electronically without the use of any strings. The 'Saarang' plays by itself and does not need a person to play it, you just adjust pitches and speed."

You can find a demo of one previously posted here.

Wednesday, February 02, 2022

Radel 4 String Electronic Drone Machine Digital Tanpura

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by dainryan



via this auction

"Here’s something you don’t see every day. Unless you live in India in which case you might actually see it every day. This is a weird ass shaped drone machine that makes sounds just like you’ve heard on all those Indian classical records you kids listen to. It’s basically a four note sequence (with an option to add a fifth tunable string to the mix) that repeats in different patterns and changes very slowly…Which is AWESOME. It also has four touch sensitive “strings” that you can make your own sequences on. (Basically you make contact with a metal strip on the side with your thumb and then touch the strings) There is also a “speaker out” so you can run it through a Marshal stack or fuzz pedals."

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Vintage Saarang Electronic Tambura Tanpura Drone Synth Synthesizer Radel TBR 8

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.



via this auction

Runs on 6 C batteries and for having such a small speaker can get loud, it also has a 1/8' mono speaker outlet on the side. Radel Saarang Electronic Tanbura

The 'Saarang' produces the plucked sound of a conventional stringed tambura (tanpura) used for classical Indian music. The sound is produced electronically without the use of any strings. The 'Saarang' plays by itself and does not need a person to play it, you just adjust pitches and speed.

Pitch tunable by more than octave and covers the range of male as well as female voices - from lower A to higher C (lower 6 to higher 1, Karnatic system or lower White 6 to higher White 7, Hindustani System).

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Radel Electric Tambura Drone Machine SN 9579

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"'The electric tambura is one of the drone machines we use in writing to establish a foundation for a song. Turn on, tune in, drone out.' - Alex Maas, The Black Angels

Works great but is missing battery cover (as shown in images). Comes with a 1st pressing of Directions to See a Ghost vinyl! Own a piece of psychedelic history!"

Curious if this was actually his or just an "as used by" listing. It's listed as: "Radel Electric Tambura Drone Machine w/ 1st Edition DTSAG LP Owned by Alex Maas of The Black Angels"

Saturday, August 11, 2018

Digital Tambura + Delia's Fave Lampshade!


Published on Aug 11, 2018 100 Things I Do

"Thought I would share an experiment this week.

What would happen if I mixed the ideas behind Terry Riley's 'In C' with the effect of early tape experiments of Steve Reich. Instead of a beat I started with 3 Drones from a Radel Digital Tambura. The lampshade is of the kind Delia Derbyshire once used (check out Blue Veils and Golden Sands). From here I have created 3 basic Patterns with the sampler : Descending, Pulse and Dual pattern Pulse. While obviously not groundbreaking in any new way it does bring a new flavour of hypnotic drone that I have not used before. Some of the emergent patterns work quite well I think."

Saturday, July 21, 2018

Supreme Sonic Systems TS-4 (Indian Electronic Tamboura)


This one is in via Scott Laraway:

"I wanted to share with you my most recent synth acquisition - Supreme Sonic Systems TS-4 (Indian electronic tamboura).

I also have a saarang/radel DZ soft Indian synthesizer/electronic tamboura and I’ve noticed there is a dearth of info on these peculiar and delightful instruments. In fact the only info I’ve ever discovered relating to them was on matrixsynth, hence my contacting you.

Anyways this synth is very similar in sound, design and operation to those analog radel E tambouras. As usual these synths hardly offer realistic emulations of the actual instruments but instead offer delightful analog timbres with controls and design that provide rudimentary Hindustani accompaniment. Of primary interest is the accompanying pamphlet/manual, which offers arguably the most info on these instruments I’ve ever come across. It was this pamphlet that I thought would be of most use to matrixsynth followers. Also of note is that this isn’t made by radel! I’ve never seen or read anything about supreme sonic systems but I will be googling it after I finish playing with my lovely new instrument."


I asked Scott when he thinks these were produced and he believes they are from the 80s.

Saturday, January 14, 2017

Vintage Radel Electronic Automatic DX-Soft Saarang Tambura

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"LISTED FOE SALE Vintage Radel Electronic Automatic DX-Soft Saarang Tambura Synth Synthesizer Made in India, THIS UNIT IS GENTLY USED, TESTED AND APPEARED TO BE IN GOOD WORKING AND PHYSICAL CONDITION, 110 & 230V, COMES WITH POWER ADAPTER AND ALSO OPERATES ON 6 X C TYPE BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED, MEASURES: 10" X 7" X 3 3/4", PLEASE REFER TO ALL PROVIDED PICTURES, GOOD LUCK"

Monday, January 19, 2015

Saarang Electronic Tanpura Indian Synthesizer - Deluxe Raj Musical TBR8 by Diaperwolf

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

Video of this unit posted here.

Friday, December 19, 2014

Saarang Electronic Tanpura Indian Synthesizer - Deluxe Raj Musical TBR8 by Diaperwolf


Published on Dec 18, 2014 DiaperWolf

"This rare Indian synthesizer was purchased from a thrift store.
It was in very good condition, though the power chord seems to be worn some and exposed where it splits under the back panel.
Little information is known of it other than what's listed on a few scarce websites.
This is a demo of some of the sounds from this TBR8 deluxe oscillator."

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Inside Radel Tambura


Published on Dec 11, 2014 Edward Jones

"Me having a bit of a hack around inside my Indian Tabla Drum Machine."

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Vintage Rare Radel Electronic Dx-soft Saarang Tambura Synth 1970s W/ Case

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"This auction is for an extremely rare Radel electronics DX-soft saarang tambura synth sound generator made in Banglore, India. Has a slow tempo for the notes sequence LFO. Each knob adds a note, a 7th chord and bass notes. The knob with all the notes and quarter tones controls the pitch. Very unusual but sounds great ! Has a on board speaker and an 1/8" output. The power had been changed for voltage in the US. Works great , had batterie compartment. Has a cool wood grain finish..."

Update: You can find an mp3 demo in via Loscha here.

"This involves real time performance across many knobs and switches. The pitches remain stable when set up. There are 6 steps on the sequencer, and the tones (of a specific tuning range) are immovable from that sequencer. The pcb image links still work."

Monday, July 19, 2010

The Star Spangled Banner


YouTube via EA78751 | July 19, 2010

"National anthem of the USA played on an experimental analog synth. I claim this ribbon controller for America! Accompanied by Radel Saarang Maestro electronic tambura. July 19 2010."

Thursday, November 01, 2007

RAJ MUSICALS SAARANG

images via this auction
"VINTAGE Electronic Tanpura Synthesizer DELUXE SAARANG RAJ Musicals
- Made by: Radel Systems , Bangalore
- Type No. TBR6
-SI. No. 266

Runs on 6 C batteries and for having such a small speaker can get painfully LOUD! Radel Saarang Electronic Tanbura

The 'Saarang' produces the plucked sound of a conventional stringed tambura (tanpura) used for classical Indian music. The sound is produced electronically without the use of any strings. The 'Saarang' plays by itself and does not need a person to play it.

Pitch tunable by more than octave and covers the range of male as well as female voices - from lower A to higher C (lower 6 to higher 1, Karnatic system or lower White 6 to higher White 7, Hindustani System).

The Tanpura
The Tanpura is a four to six stringed fretless instrument made of wood, and usually combined with gourd. It provides the performing artist(s) with a tonic reference and enriches the background with its unique harmonic drone. The strings are tuned in a manner that emphasizes the tonic and the dominant notes of the raag. The bridge is slightly curved to not only provide a buzzing sound (as the strings are plucked), but also to generate various harmonics that enhance the tonal quality of the instrument. The size (gourd and neck) of the instrument may vary depending on whether the artist is an instrumentalist, male vocalist, or a female vocalist. Tanpura was most probably included as a part of a classical music ensemble since the seventeenth century.

The Tanpura player plucks the strings one at a time, in a steady, repetitive, almost orderly manner, using the index and middle fingers.

These days "electronic" tanpuras <../elect/elect.html> have become commonplace, since they do not require a human player, are less expensive, simpler to tune, require minimal maintenance, and are easily portable. Many Indian professional musicians (including world renowned artistes like Pandit Debu Chaudhuri and Pandit Aashish Khan) are now touring without a tanpura player and are using the Riyaz Raagini <../elect/elect.html> sampled electronic tanpura machine as it sounds so very realistic. However, some artists prefer a natural instrument to an electronic one when available, and sometimes combine the two types. Electronic Tanpuras are, naturally, used by many students for practice as in this way the student can practice for long periods of time as and when needed without the need for a person to sit and play tanpura for them.

Electronic musical instruments are defined as instruments that synthesize sound from an electronic source. The origins of electronic music can be traced back to the work of Hermann Ludwig Ferdinand Von Helmholtz the German physicist, mathematician and the year 1860. While many instruments were developed in years to follow it was not till The Vacuum Tube Era (1915-1960) and Integrated Circuits time, that real muscle made it to world of electronic musical instruments. With travelling Indian musicians, good electronic instruments have been of great help both in performances as well as in Riaz (practice sessions).

David Courtney, musician, music theorist, divides these instruments into 3 classes, Shruti Generation, interments that replaced drone instruments like the Surpeti. Electronic "Surpetis" have been in use for about 20 years. In recent times the more refined Electronic Tamburas have become very popular. The 2nd generation are the Lahara Machines that provide repeating melodies to accompany drum solos. The 3rd category is the Theka Generation, or the Drum Machines, devices that provide sound comparable to the Tabla."

Udpate via Loscha in the comments:
"I have one of these, and it sounds like this:
http://www.loscha.com/music/Loscha-Tambura_Test.mp3
Well, almost the same. Mine is the "base" model.
The pcb look like this;
http://www.loscha.com/music/saraang-pcb.jpg
http://www.loscha.com/music/saraang-pcb-marked.jpg

I am adjusting an modulating the notes pitches in real time with this track.

The unit arpeggiates the tones in a 6 note sequence, and the notes are fixed, the root note on my unit has no fine tuning, only coarse.
You have notes on steps 1, 3 4 and 5 of the pattern. You can only turn on and off notes, and each note has a certain range, constrained by traditional patterns.
I think the Deluxe unit has 5 notes in the sequence, my base unit has only 4.

I corresponded with the creator a while ago, and this is the main section of what he wrote

'At the outset, please accept our apologies for this delayed response. For some unknown reason, we were unable to connect to the site referred to in your mail and we were not in a position to figure out which model you possessed. We were able to connect today and now know that you possess an obsolete version of the Saarang that went out of production seven years ago. We seem to have destroyed all the data connected with this model and are not in a position to furnish them to you. Considering that you are an electronics engineer, the following explanation should help you in trying out whatever modifications you may want to perform.

The four strings are synthesized through four oscillators based on 555 Timers. These signals are amplitude modulated through a capacitive charging and discharging circuit comprising two transistors, BC547 (NPN) and BC 557(PNP). Each of the four PNP transistors is triggered on by a
zero going pulse applied to its base, which results in an electrolytic capacitor getting charged to a peak value. This voltage acts as the amplitude modulating voltage for the square wave input. The triggering of the PNP transistors is controlled by a control circuit comprising another 555 timer, a counter and a demultiplexer.

We hope that this explanation is of use to you. With regards,

G. Raj Narayan'

My Tambura is one of my favourite things in the whole world, and it is in my top 5 musical things I'd never part with if I had to sell up everything I owned. "

Update: mp3 sample demo from Loscha here.
NEXT PAGE HOME


Patch n Tweak
Switched On Make Synthesizer Evolution Vintage Synthesizers Creating Sound Fundlementals of Synthesizer Programming Kraftwerk

© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
MATRIXSYNTH is supported by affiliate links that use cookies to track clickthroughs and sales. See the privacy policy for details.
MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH