Archive for January, 2025

Svara, New Virtual Instrument Brings ‘Bollywood’ Orchestra To Your DAW


Orchestral Tools has introduced Svara, a virtual instrument that brings the sounds of a ‘Bollywood’ style orchestra to your DAW.

What they have to say about it:

“Svara delves into the intricate beauty of traditional Indian instruments while also exploring sounds from modern filmic contexts. This collection is an homage to Indian film music, providing a wealth of textures and nuances for composers writing Bollywood-inspired scores or seeking a unique sound palette for worldbuilding soundscapes.”

The official video intro:

Features:

  • Classic Bollywood string sound
  • Unique percussion sounds and rhythms
  • Extensive articulation options
  • Ornaments and phrases played by local musicians
  • 3 legato styles
  • Short notes, slides and portamentos
  • Expressive percussion sounds with playable rhythmic patterns
  • Wide selection of traditional instruments
  • Tanpura drone instrument
  • Up to 7 mixable mic positions

Svara is available now with an intro price of € 249.00 (normally € 399.00).

Tascam Intros 2 New XP Portable Recorders With 32-Bit Float Resolution


No matter how convenient and omnipresent your smartphone may be, and no matter how powerful and clever the apps upon it become, when it comes to the quality and convenience demanded by audio pros, there are times when only a dedicated hardware recorder can hit the spot.

When true performance matters, market leader Tascam know what’s needed. Whether for field recording, interviews and lectures, or complete gigs in glorious like-you-were-there stereo, it’s been delivering the goods for years.

Tascam has announced two new portable stereo recorders. Building upon the strengths of the previous versions, the DR-05XP and DR-07XP are said to be ideal solutions for capturing pro-quality recording for music, audio-for-video, meetings, dictation and more.

Its new DR-05XP and DR-07XP pack pro features for superior audio wherever you need it.

Both come laden with new features especially tuned for audiophiles, alongside the kind of battery life that will outlive even the most tortuous prog-rock career showcase.

Firstly there are built-in pro-quality condenser microphones capable of recording gig-standard sound pressure levels of 125 dB, far beyond the capabilities of any smartphone. The DR-05XP features these mics in omnidirectional form in a fixed stereo formation for easy recording of sound sources coming from any direction.

And, for those requiring further flexibility, the DR-07XP sports unidirectional mics that are movable and posable in either AB or XY orientations, allowing better, wider, more realistic recordings of stereo sound sources.

The DR-05XP & DR-07XP also feature stereo minijack mic inputs with plug-in power or the provision for direct line level sources should additional audio ins be needed.

In addition, both models share a 32-bit float recording mode with an impressive up-to-96 kHz sample rate for low-noise, distortion-free recordings. Tascam claims that the fidelity of the digital recording is now such that ‘too high’ or ‘too low’ audio recording levels are a thing of the past, with the unit able to invisibly handle whatever you throw at it.

Most interestingly, both models now feature a USB-C connection, enabling them to act as a 2-in/2-out USB audio interface for your computer. Perfect for those impromptu live sessions or simply giving your computer direct access to the best mics in the room. There’s even a built-in reverb effect if you want to add a little extra ambience.

And Tascam hasn’t forgotten all the essentials. Both units now offer support for SDXC cards of up to 512GB in size and will record for more than 17 hours on a single charge. Plus, there’s their famous ease of use, fully-featured screen and level meters and the reliable one-button recording and one handed operation that pros love.

Find out more on the Tascam website.

Tiptop Audio & Buchla Intro Programmable Pulser Model 242t + Quad Sample And Hold Model 264t


Tiptop Audio, in collaboration with Buchla USA, has announced two more modules in its series of Euro-format reissues of classic 200-series modules:

  • Programmable Pulser Model 242t
  • Quad Sample And Hold Model 264t

The official video intro for the Programmable Pulser Model 242t:

The Quad Sample And Hold Model 264t features four sample and hold channels, each with a CV Input & Output, and a Pulse Input & Output.

The Programmable Pulser Model 242t is expected to be available in February 2025, priced at $199, and Quad Sample And Hold Model 264t in March 2025, priced at $260.