Loscha @ Frostwave Taal Taarang Tabla Hacking

Published on Aug 13, 2019 Edward Jones

Follow-up to Tabla Machine into Bass Synth Pedal

Tabla Machine into Bass Synth Pedal

Published on Aug 12, 2019 Edward Jones

Tabla

YouTube Uploaded by UncertainMusicCorps on Sep 23, 2011

Tabla Triggered DIY Sequencer Drummachine

Internals of my home made analog sequencer

YouTube via joystickmusic — April 11, 2010 — "This sequencer is triggered by a Riyaz "proffessional" (sic) tabla box."

Drummachine: proof of concept. No proper sounds assigned yet.

"joystickmusic — April 11, 2010 — This proves the machine works how I planned it. I can drum a beat, and the sequencer will store the sounds in the 32 positions of the sequencer. Closing the volume knob erases it. It can't do triplets (yet) as you can tell."

Foes dub: Setting up a sequence and a beat

"joystickmusic — April 16, 2010 — This is not the best Jam. It's too sluggish. But I found it nice to show off how easy it is to set up a sequence on a quantized sequencer and how easy it is to tap a beat."

Chins

"joystickmusic — April 22, 2010 — Same features as yesterday, same sequence, different sounds, different music.
BTW: There's no computer involved while playing this music. There's just the tabla machine, the sequencer and tw joysticks. A Miduino is digesting their data and plays a Waldorf Blofeld."

You can find more videos on joystickmusic's YouTube channel.

RIYAZ MASTER PROFESSIONAL DIGITAL TABLA INDIAN DRUM MACHINE SYNTH

via this auction

"NEW RIYAZ MASTER PROFESSIONAL DIGITAL TABLA INDIAN DRUM MACHINE SYNTH WITH CASE AND MANUAL
COOL INDIAN PSYCHEDELIC DRUM MACHINE FOR EXPERIMENTAL MUSICIAN
WITH A LOT OF VARIOUS WEIRD INDIAN DRUM PATTERNS

COMPARE TO: Item number:330419541770

About Riyaz Master
Riyaz Master Professional Holds the Distinction of being the Father of Second Generation Electronic Musical Instrument for Indian Classical Music to have the Technology Rendering Original Tabla Sound. Since its launch in the Mid 90's the Riyaz Tabla has served Thousands of Musicians & today is Synonymous with Electronic Tabla Itself. It has 24 Taals & 12 Variations, with a Dagga & Tabla Balance Emphisis. It Has a Wide Pitch Range & can play in Dhrut, Madhya, Vilimbit & Ati Vilimbit Lay. It Comes in a Compact Size with a Dual Power Supply Mode. This Time Tested & Trusted Electronic Tabla is the Pride of many Musicians.

Riyaz Master Features
Original Tabla Tone: The Riyaz Master Professional is known the world over as the 1st Electronic Percussion Instrument to Produce the Original Tabla Sound. The Superior Quality of Tabla Music has somewhat become a Trade mark associated with the Riyaz Tabla

Pitch Range: Riyaz Master Tabla is very Versatile when it comes to the Pitch Range making it Tune easily with any Instrument.

24 Taals & 12 Variations : Riyaz Master offers in all 24 Taals with 12 Different Variations for your daily practice. Some of the Taals the Electronic Tabla is capable of playing are Rupak, Tilwada, Chachar etc.

Laya - Dhruth, Madhya, Vilambit & Ati Vilambit: This Electronic Percussion Instrument is equipped to play a selected Taal in different Layas with ease. This Laya setting is Independent of the Tempo setting that exist in the Instrument.

Tempo Adjustment: After setting the Laya the Tempo of the Tabla can be set Independently as per the Users Needs.

Compact Size: Riyaz Master Tabla Scores Heavily on its overall Compact Size and Volume.

Dagga & Tabla Balance: The Balance Control Feature of the Riyaz Master helps the User set the Emphasis on the Dagga or the Tabla as per their Requirements.

Feather Touch Keyboard: The State of the Art Feather Touch Keyboard provides Reliability & Neat Looks.

Online Taal Change: The Riyaz Master is Programmed in a manner as to enable the User Switch between Taals without switching the Instrument Off.

Eternal Speaker Socket: The Riyaz Tabla has an External Speaker Socket to Connect it to Bigger External Speakers if Necessary.

Laya & Sum Indicator: LED (Light Emitting Diodes) are Provided for Both Sum & Laya to assist in you in your daily Practice.

Dual Power Mode: Riyaz Master Pro. comes with a both 220v & 110v Power Input selection for an Universal Market.

Package Contains
1 Riyaz Master Professional - Electronic Tabla.
1 Instruction Manual
1 Original Co. Carry Bag.
1 Mains Power Cord. Indian / Euro Style

Note:Colors of the actual product may be different from the displayed images. Buyer from USA/UK has to buy one adaptor plug to operate the unit.

Size

Riyaz Maste: 7 Inches * 4 Inches * 5 Inches.

The size is approximate."

multi-touch the storm - interactive sound visuals - subcycle labs

multi-touch the storm - interactive sound visuals - subcycle labs from christian bannister on Vimeo.

"sound visualization, multi-touch interface, break beat performance engine, sonic navigation, sound storm visualization, time machine, interactive sound, time stretch tabla more at subcycle.org"

Update:

low frequency entity - subcycle labs from christian bannister on Vimeo.

"a real-time multi-touch interface to a visualized low frequency sound. the various touch configurations control different parameters of the synthesized bass including filter modulation rate, bit crush, sample and hold, feedback, oscillator phase and fm synthesis. more info at subcycle.org"

low frequency entity 2 - subcycle labs from christian bannister on Vimeo.

Cyndustries VC Tabla Modcan A

via this auction

KORG Wavedrum - Full Details

"It's back, and better than ever
The original Korg WAVEDRUM amazed the music world back in 1994. This legendary musical instrument was instantly famous for its innovative design, performance possibilities, and unique sounds. Well, hang on tight; the power-packed, affordable next-generation WAVEDRUM is here today and ready to make musical history. Again.

WAVEDRUM – Unprecedented sound, response, and performance
Sonically richer, programmable, and intensely sensitive, this 2nd generation WAVEDRUM is bursting with more than enough power and expression to create its own musical legend. The extreme dynamic range challenges the response of an acoustic instrument. WAVEDRUM responds instantly to any and all playing styles, from subtly-nuanced tapping and stroking to aggressive, rhythmic assaults. From traditional acoustic percussion instruments to unique sounds previously impossible to obtain, WAVEDRUM serves up an enticing treasure trove of sounds. With WAVEDRUM, you're always in control. Instruments that normally require special techniques to play, such as tabla, conga, etc., can be played with ease. Create your own unique performance style, filled with unparalleled levels of expression and originality. Built to travel, the compact and lightweight WAVEDRUM is ideal wherever your musical dreams take you – from casual playing through to a full-on recording session or a live concert performance.

Open the door to new musical journeys
The new Korg WAVEDRUM delivers inspiration and satisfaction to creative performers seeking new realms of expressiveness and sounds. Moving beyond traditional drum and percussion sounds, WAVEDRUM also provides totally new and unique sounds that are not available in the real world, and offers new ways of playing to achieve new levels of musical expression. Imagine changing the pitch randomly with each hit, or playing melodic phrases simply by choosing a musical scale and applying pressure to the head. Imagine no more, WAVEDRUM does it all. While opening new doors, WAVEDRUM is faithful to its roots. Traditional hand-drum techniques, such as adding pitch and tonal changes to a strike by pressing the head, have been previously unobtainable on an electronic instrument. No longer. WAVEDRUM can process and respond to these intimate performance gestures as no other instrument can. These same techniques provide a wealth of performance possibilities. For example, WAVEDRUM can produce sitar and tambura sounds at the same time. You can produce tambura sounds alone by hitting the head, adding the sitar sounds by applying pressure to the head before hitting it. Applying further pressure can change the pitch of the sitar within the selected scale. Only WAVEDRUM is able to offer such astounding versatility.

Multiple sensors deliver previously unimaginable expressiveness
Acoustic percussion instruments produce sound naturally, in direct response to a physical impact, be it gentle or abrupt. WAVEDRUM, although an electronic musical instrument, creates sound exactly the same way. The head and rim pickups are directly used as a sound source to be processed by the DSP (Digital Signal Processing) algorithms, and they also trigger the PCM sound engine. Together with the pressure sensor under the head, the WAVEDRUM responds to each and every subtle finger and hand motion (hitting, rubbing, scratching etc). as well as to the traditional hand drum techniques of open shot, slap shot, heel and toe, mute, etc. Of course, the WAVEDRUM responds not just to your hands, but to other playing materials as well, such as sticks, mallets, and brushes. The rim has two types of notches, small and large, and these can be used to elicit a tremolo-type effect by scratching with sticks, etc. Combining the rim sounds with the head sounds can create an even richer, more original performance.

DSP synthesis and PCM samples combine for endless sonic exploration
The WAVEDRUM contains 36 DSP algorithms to conjure an abundance of synthesis methods; analog, additive, non-linear, physical modeling, etc. Using these building blocks, you can create various instrument sounds, natural sounds, or purely synthetic sounds – in addition to WAVEDRUM’s own unique voice. The PCM sound engine – the other important part of WAVEDRUM's sound creation system – contains 200 sampled sounds; 100 for the head, and 100 for the rim, with velocity-switching capabilities. Certain algorithms allow you to combine a specific DSP method and a PCM instrument to the head, and assign a different combination to the rim. This method of controlling multiple sounds within a single program delivers a fantastic playing experience, rich in sound. In other algorithms, the velocity and tone of the strike are used to control the PCM sound, creating a responsive interaction that far surpasses any sample-playback device, one rivaling that of an acoustic instrument.

Planet-wide percussion
WAVEDRUM begins with a foundation of traditional pop/rock drum sounds such as snares, kick drums, tom toms, and more. WAVEDRUM also opens new vistas of sound, delivering a wealth of percussion sounds from many eras and cultures around the globe and throughout time. Ethnic percussion instruments, although seemingly simple in structure and performance, are capable of expressing the complex emotions of a culture. These include popular percussion instruments such as cajons, congas and tablas; metallic instruments such as cowbells, and triangles, along with rare ethnic percussion sounds. With WAVEDRUM, you have instant access to instruments such as the udo, a clay pod percussion instrument; the jegog, a bamboo gamelan marimba from the island of Bali; a talking drum from Africa, gongs, and many other instruments that often require special playing skills. Not strictly limited to percussion sounds, WAVEDRUM includes stringed instruments such as the sitar, koto, and berimbau as well. For every sound, WAVEDRUM adds its own new modes of expression, in addition to faithfully re-creating the original sounds.

Enjoy 100 preset programs; create 100 programs that are all your own
The 100 preset WAVEDRUM programs range from high-fidelity emulative drum and percussion sounds to a world of new and unique sounds. There are a range of parameters available for editing and tweaking to create new sounds to suit your own music or style of playing. In addition to making changes to pitch, decay time, loudness, reverb, delay, and curve (intensity) of the pressure sensor, you can completely alter the sound by, for example, changing the head material parameter from skin to metal. The combination of DSP and sampled sounds can also be changed to create totally new sounds from scratch. These new programs (up to 100) can be stored in the user area. The WAVEDRUM also has a Live Mode, which can store up to 12 favorite programs (from the preset or user programs) for selection instantaneously during performance.

Jam-along functions for added fun
Sure, you can enjoy the WAVEDRUM just by playing the sounds alone, but the dynamic and interactive WAVEDRUM adds some special features that provide jam-along abilities for fun or practice. Practice your paradiddles or simply wail away along to 100 loop phrases from various musical genres. Using the AUX input, you can mix in the signal from any audio source – CD, MP3 player, or even an additional WAVEDRUM. The options are endless.

Ready, Set, Go
Portable, compact, and lightweight, WAVEDRUM is ready for any musical outing. Hold WAVEDRUM on your lap, or play it standing like a hand drum. Place WAVEDRUM on an ordinary snare drum stand, or add WAVEDRUM to any electronic or acoustic drum kit. Use WAVEDRUM as part of a DJ set-up, or add a percussive element to your keyboard rig. With the optional high stand (Percussion Stand ST-WD), WAVEDRUM is the ideal accent for any vocalist or front person. Using the headphone output allows you to practice in private, anytime, anyplace – without fretting about the neighbors!

Synthesis:
DSP + PCM Combination

DSP Algorithms:
36 Total

PCM Instruments:
200 Total; 100 Head, 100 Rim

Programs:
200 Total; 100 Preset, 100 User

Loop Phrases:
100 Total; Various genres and tempos

Effects:
Reverb, Delay

Panel Controls:
Volume, Bank/Mode/Page select,
Program/Parameter select, Value control, Write

Input/Output jacks:
Output: L, R ¼" unbalanced
Phones: Stereo mini phone jack
AUX IN: Stereo mini phone jack

Display:
3-character 7-segment LED

Sampling frequency:
48 kHz

A/D, D/A conversion:
24 bit

Power supply:
DC9V 1.7A

Dimensions:
W x D x H: 13.74" x 13.54" x 2.95"

Weight:
4.41 lbs.

Included items:
AC Adapter, Tuning key, Allen wrench

Options:
Replacement Head HD-WD
Percussion Stand ST-WD

* Specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice for improvement."

Details and specs for the archives.

electrotablajam 1

YouTube via behanger. via Ernst van der Loo.

electrotablajam 2

"My electronic tabla (it says "proffessional") controls my home built 32 step sequencer, of which 20 positions are used for this rhythm. The Sool rhythm has 10 beats per cycle.

The sequencer not only plays these voltages up or down, but it can also derive other patterns. I worked these out and implemented these in hardware. I would have to look up how I did this. I do not think of it anymore, as each of the patters is useful. So in a live situation, I just choose a different one at random.

The output of the sequencer is analog, and sends out 0-10 volt. This is then converted to midi by my new miduino, a circuit by Tom Scarff. The software was partley rewritten by me. to make it play in the key of my choice. Using a very secrative math trick called rounding, I made the sequencer play in a minor key, rather than in the 12 tone system. This allows for live tweaking of the knobs without ever being out of key. Freedom!

Then there's my Arcade joystick, which has an home baked circuit that converts the 4 switches and the fire button to 15 different notes, and connects right onto the keyboard matrix of an old casio childrens keyboard which cooks midi note messages. I would do this in the miduino too if I needed to do it again. A series of if/else statements is much easier and more flexible than soldering and debugging a circuit with 8 logic IC's and a over a meter of wire.

Then there's the large joystick. It has a doepfer midiconvertor on board. The miduino has enough pins to do it all together, but I like the fact that it is a funtional unit on it's own. It controls all the effects of the Arcade channel.

The pitch of the tabla can be controlled by the sequencer as well as by the Atari paddle. I made this input on the tabla when I replaced the tuning pot with a precise ten-turn pot. It works with two vactrols.

Sound sources are: cymbals, a Raagini shruti box, the tabla box, a Waldorf Blofeld running 2 patches amplified by a 40 year old Italian tube amp.

I recorded it with my photocamera, which has a rediculously low audio sampling rate. They all have. It's just not a number the camera's are sold by. I should have checked weather I was in the image myself. Now I am a pair of hands on youtube too, looking like the Lorax of Dr. Seuss. A well. It's just a test drive to check if my work is getting somewhere."

Serge M-Class

Serge M-Class from HexEnduction on Vimeo.

"Serge M-Class modular system: Quadslope, Creature, SQP and Gator M-odules. Delay provided by 2 Malekko 600 Bright pedals. Shot on Kodak Zi6 in macro."

Matti playing the Yamaha GS 2 with tabla drummachine

YouTube via RothHandle

"Me and Matti Bye have recently emabarked on a new project together...We are working on music for a production of Bröderna lejonhjärta at Stadsteatern in Stockholm. As always it is a pleasure to work with Matti and we have had three incredibly intense days and we have so far recorded five pieces for the show.

This little snippet was recorded with my cellphone at roth händle studios in stockholm.
If you are curious to find out more about the studio please visit www.roth-handle.nu for blogs, news and information."

Matti playing the Walton jami


"This film shows Matti recording a new piece on the finnish organ...the walton Jami. I picked this one up in Helsinki at a fleamarket."

JOHN MCLAUGHLIN'S GUITAR SYNTHESIZER 360 CONTROLLER

via this auction
Be sure to see this post as well
"JOHN USED THIS WITH A HEX PICKUP TO CONTROL A MINI-MOOG PER STRING!
I CONFIRMED THAT THIS IS THE ONE WITH BOB EASTON OF 360 SYSTEMS BACK IN THE LATE 70'S.
HE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT 7 OF THESE WERE MADE AND THE LIST OF OWNERS WAS JUST AS IMPRESSIVE
THIS IS A IMPORTANT PIECE OF ROCK MEMORABILIA FROM ONE OF THE GUITAR GREATS.
THIS APPARENTLY COSTS $10,000 WHEN HE PURCHASED IT WITHOUT THE MINI-MOOGS.HERE IS AN INTERVIEW WHERE HE MENTIONS IT http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=26772
GO TO THIS LINK THIS IS HOW I FOUND THIS PRICE http://cdbaby.com/cd/timolaine4

John McLaughlin (born 4 January, 1942 in Doncaster), also known as Mahavishnu John McLaughlin, is an English jazz fusion guitarist and composer. He played with Tony Williams's group Lifetime and then with Miles Davis on his landmark electric jazz-fusion albums In A Silent Way and Bitches Brew. His 1970s electric band, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, performed a technically virtuosic and complex style of music that fused eclectic jazz and rock with eastern and Indian influences. His guitar playing includes a range of styles and genres, including jazz, Indian classical music, fusion, and Western Classical music, and has influenced many other guitarists. He has also incorporated Flamenco music in some of his acoustic recordings. The Indian Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain refers to John McLaughlin as being "one of the greatest and most important musicians of our times". In 2003, McLaughlin was ranked 49th in Rolling Stone magazine list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" [1]"

Cynthia VC Tabla + Serge SQP

YouTube via hexenduction
"This is the VC Tabla module by Cynthia and the Serge SQP by Sound Transform Systems. The sequencer is controlling various parts of the Creature and Gator M-odules. The LAYA output from the VC Tabla is clocking the SQP and stage inputs are being selected from the PDIV and Boolean Logic gates from the Gator. 2 of the Malekko Echo Bright 600 pedals are being used for delay."

Cynthia Photon

YouTube via hexenduction
"This is the Photon Interface module by Cynthia. The positive CV output from the Photon is controlling the filter frequency of the Serge Creature and later the tempo of the Cynthia VC Tabla. The lower half of the module features a highly sensitive photocell with its own dedicated voltage processor which makes for a great performance controller when your hand passes between photocell and lamp. The gate out from the VC Tabla is triggering the Pulse Divider on the Serge Gator. These divisions are doing various tone changes in the Creature. 2 of the Malekko Echo Bright 600 pedals are being used for delay."

Adding the Sequential Circuits Pro 1/moogerfooger/Motm-440 combo to Antkowiaks 3.

YouTube via RothHandle. Pro-One audio comes in at 2:00
"When I had recorded the acoustic drums for Antkowiak I realized I wanted to redo the bass so I took out a real Bass warrior...The sequiential Circuits Pro-1. This was treated through the Moogerfooger Phaser and the MOTM-440

This video was recorded at Roth Händle studios, in Stockholm, Sweden. This is where I spend my days and occasional nights recording and producing albums for artists from all over the world. After buying my first Mellotron in 1998 a spark lit in me to try to find interesting and different instruments to use in my music and productions. Now the studio is more less filled with old and new sonic weirdness ranging from tabla drum machines to pipe organs.

If you are curious about the studio please visit www.roth-handle.nu for more information, booking and blogs. If you are curious to hear some music that was recorded at the studio please visit www.myspace.com/Molesome

Thank for watching !

// Mattias"

Loopstation vs the Rupture the Ringtone and the Moogerfooger 12 stage phaser

YouTube via RothHandle. Audio demo comes in at 1:27.
"A couple of weeks back I did a couple of pedal tryouts. I am using a Boss loopstation where I have recorded 4 different sounds. Yesterday while doing back ups I recorded three more.

This example is of a combination of pedals the audible disease rupture, the ringtone and the Moogerfooger phaser.

This video was recorded at Roth Händle studios, in Stockholm, Sweden. This is where I spend my days and occasional nights recording and producing albums for artists from all over the world. After buying my first Mellotron in 1998 a spark lit in me to try to find interesting and different instruments to use in my music and productions. Now the studio is more less filled with old and new sonic weirdness ranging from tabla drum machines to pipe organs.

If you are curious about the studio please visit www.roth-handle.nu for more information, booking and blogs. If you are curious to hear some music that was recorded at the studio please visit www.myspace.com/Molesome

Thank for watching !

// Mattias"

Loopstation vs the Midfi Electronics Pitch Pirate

"A couple of weeks back I did a couple of pedal tryouts. I am using a Boss loopstation where I have recorded 4 different sounds. Yesterday while doing back ups I recorded three more.

This first example is the Midfi Electronics Pitch Pirate. A wonderful little boutique pedal."

Loopstation vs the Vcoo3

"This example is of rock and roll workshops vcoo3"

You can find more RothHandle vids here.

Tamboura Drone Machine

Not the best images via this CL post, but I thought it would be worth capturing for the description as well.

"Raagini Digital today is the preferred electronic tanpura of hindustani & carnatic musicians young & old, artists & students alike. Raagini Digital Tanpura delivers a real unmatched tanpura sound which has become a bench mark in the music world. It has a stable digitally tuned pitch covering more than an octave. It comes with a dual power mode, battery mode & an inbuilt battery charger. Capable of playing in both hindustani & carnatic style, this electronic tanpura is light weight & compact. Its an acknowledged fact the Raagini Digital helps improve the mood & scope of practice & performance of music vastly." via Roberto. Also see these Tabla posts.

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.