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MNTRA's new series of location-based playable sound journeys. Delve into these detailed musical soundscapes from around the world and ignite your music with new textures and inspiration.
Transmuted Ceremonial Instruments from Mexico
Nagual invites you into a sonic realm where Pre-Hispanic ceremonial instruments transform into playable polyphonic sound sculptures. Collaborating with their dear friend Ramiro Ramírez, MNTRA Instruments captured instruments whose purpose was shifting consciousness through ceremony, not just musical performance—then transmuted them into something built for intuitive expression.
Ramírez is one of Mexico's most revered pre-Hispanic musicians, a master whose decades of ceremonial knowledge and research form a living bridge to these ancient traditions. His profound understanding—demonstrated through his session work on Shadow of the Tomb Raider's Mesoamerican soundscapes, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever's ceremonial sequences, and prolific collaborations with prolific artists such as Jean-Michel Jarre—enabled us to capture the authentic spirit of these sacred instruments. From flutter-tonguing on clay vessels to precise striking patterns on wooden drums, Ramiro's mastery provided the foundation that MNDALA 2 transforms into responsive playable sound sculptures, honoring tradition while venturing into entirely new creative territories.
Panoram Studio's live room in Mexico City provided the ideal environment—alive enough to resonate these unique sounds, yet controlled enough to enable extreme sound sculpting. We deployed our ultrasonic microphones in a newly developed array with multiple configurations that mix together seamlessly: mid-side close-miking, omnidirectional ambience capture, back-facing room microphones, and Eigenmike ambisonics for spatial representation blended into the final signals as sonic glue. Recording at 384 kHz/32-bit in Extended Resolution Audio format captured frequencies and resonances from these rare instruments beyond normal hearing, revealing hidden harmonic content that surprised us with how malleable the polyphonic transformations became. Sample Start Modulation ensures every note feels alive—no mechanical repetition, just expressive ceremonial character made infinitely variable.
Clay water flutes whose warbling tones shifted perception into trance states. Conch shell trumpets (Atekokolli) calling to ancestral forces from the four cardinal directions. Sacred Huehuetl and Teponaztli drums whose rhythmic intervals facilitated sonic shapeshifting between ordinary and non-ordinary reality. Haunting ocarinas connecting earthly and spiritual realms.
Within MNDALA 2, MNTRA's vision was to honor these ceremonial sources while transmuting them into something musicians worldwide could access and create with. The result is a living sound sculpture that retains its ceremonial essence while venturing into sonic dimensions these physical instruments could never reach. With Nagual, you're performing with responsive sonic entities that breathe, morph, and evolve under your hands—almost like a synthesizer, but one born entirely from ancient sources, transmuted through countless hours of sound design by a dedicated team into unique reactive presets.
While creating Nagual, the MNTRA Instruments team drew inspiration from Carlos Castaneda's concept of the Tonal and Nagual—the known world and the unknowable realm beyond. Nagual embodies both realities: authentic recordings captured with pristine fidelity meet polyphonic transformations, blended sources, and hidden frequencies revealed through our recording approach. Presets are designed as passages between dimensions: "First Attention" grounds you in ceremonial tradition, "Second Attention" begins the transformation, "The Void" dissolves boundaries, "Between Worlds" exists where ancient and future collapse into each other.
Nagual is perfect for creators seeking sounds that transcend ordinary boundaries: sound designers crafting otherworldly sequences, experimental musicians exploring consciousness shifts through performance, composers needing authentic yet transformable ceremonial voices, and sound healers channeling ancient frequencies. Ideal for ceremonial soundscapes, psychoacoustic experiences, experimental music, ritual atmospheres, cinematic underworld sequences, and sound healing work.
Inside Nagual
- Presets: 134 (Elements, Atelier, Artist)
- Atelier Presets: 64
- Artist Presets: 13
- Sample Maps: 44
- Size: 1.41 GB
- Round Robins: Up to 10 RR
- SSM™ powered samples: 44 (all sample maps)
- Range: C1 - C5
- Recording format: 384 kHz / 32 bit
- Sample Format: .mntra Format / E.R.A (Extended Resolution Audio)
- Multimic: Up to stereo 4 stereo streams
Features
- 44 sample maps featuring Pre-Hispanic wind and percussion instruments
- All sample maps enabled with SSM™ (Sample Start Modulation)
- 1.41 GB installed
- Recorded at 384 kHz/32-bit in E.R.A. (Extended Resolution Audio) format
Learn more about Nagual.
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 waves, or nadas, serve as the invisible thread linking 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, MNTRA Instruments present a contemporary instrument rooted in millenary practices and instruments from both the north and south of 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 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 esteemed violinist Sangeeta Shankar, daughter of the legendary N. Rajam, MNTRA Instruments embarked on a collaborative journey to create a playable sound world highlighting India's rich musical tradition.
This journey led to some of India's finest musicians in Chennai, where MNTRA meticulously recorded instruments such as the South India Nadaswaram, and North India Sarangi, and Sarod. Back in their studio in the serene wintery woods of Québec, they enriched this collection with instruments gathered during extensive travels across India -Tanpuras and Shruti box, and percussion instruments like the Kanjira and Pakhawaj.
From the outset of this project, MNTRA also wanted to highlight the 22 shruti system, which gives precise access to the specific intonation and tuning of each note in a Raga. Informed by the research of Dr. Vidyadhar Oke, they incorporated presets that harness this system, offering a glimpse into the distinct characters of some of the most popular Ragas.
Unique to Naada is the Anahata-a custom-built one-of-a-kind Indian cello crafted in collaboration with genius luthier Alexandre Letellier at Nouvelle Luthier Labs. With the resonance of 23 sympathetic strings and the deep warmth of its five main playing strings, MNTRA sampled the Anahata in long evolving performances that through round robins and sample start modulation (SSi.l), infinitely change spatial position and expression on every note highlighting its magical qualities.
To further extend the creative possibilities, MNTRA incorporated ambient field recordings from deep within South India's countryside 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 and guitar pedals. This collection of sources creates a harmonious blend of past and present that are multifaceted and can be reinterpreted in a myriad 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 crafting new sonic landscapes, may Naada be your gateway to the universal vibrations that connect us all.
Features
- 190+ Presets
- 40+ Presets with Shruti tuning
- 105 Instrument Sample Maps
- Up to 20 Round Robins
- Up to 4 Microphone Channels
Learn more about Naada
Unlock a portal into creative potential with Oro, an alchemical journey through the transformation of metal instruments in Colombia. As the second chapter in MNTRA's location-based Portals series, Oro embodies the creative exploration of the place that half of the MNTRA Team calls home, Bogotá, Colombia. This inspirational instrument boasts a rich collection of modern valved brass instruments, an architecturally acclaimed pipe organ, and an array of metal percussion, accompanied by analog and digitally transformed versions of those sources and immersive natural ambiences.
With over 170 meticulously crafted presets, 84 individual instruments, and 7 captivating natural soundscapes, Oro provides an expansive palette of possibilities drawn directly from Bogotá’s rich musical tapestry. Oro reimagines the legendary El Dorado, not as a mythical kingdom of riches to be exploited, but as a dynamic hub of creativity and diversity. It empowers you to shape a new generation of musical transformation and immerse yourself in Colombia’s spirited musical traditions, where music transcends boundaries.
Features
- 170+ Presets
- 84 Instrument Sample Maps
- 7 Soundscapes Sample maps
- Up to 11 Round Robins
- Up to 4 Microphone Channels
Learn more about Oro.
Sound of Northern Vietnam
Introducing Ha Noi, an ode to the magic of Vietnam’s capital city. This project is the outcome of an immersive creative residency in Vietnam, undertaken by MNTRA Instruments' gifted in-house sound and visual designer, Noah Sherrin.
Born from the sound world of Hanoi, a city renowned for its dramatic contrasts, vibrant music, and rich history, Ha Noi is a look into the heart and soul of the city's unique musical heritage. The MNTRA team were graced by the talents of top-tier, local musicians who contributed characteristic sounds and expressive performances, drawing from time-honored traditions and innovative contemporary techniques.
The Perform View artwork flow’s from the story of Hoan Kiem Lake, or The Lake of the Restored Sword, in the center of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The story says a fisherman once came across a large shiny blade while casting his net in the lake and gifted it to a rebel leader named Lê Lợi. The sword gave Lê Lợi and his army immense strength, enabling them to defeat their enemies. After the war was won, Lê Lợi, now emperor, was taking a boat ride on the lake when the Golden Turtle God, Kim Qui came up and asked him to return it to his master the Dragon Lord Long Quân. Grateful for the strength the sword had given him, Lê Lợi returned the sword to the Golden Turtle who took it in his mouth and swam down into the lake. Some say you can still see the shiny reflection of the sword at the bottom of the lake. Depicted in the style of a Đông Sơn drum, massive ornamental bronze drums crafted by people of the Đông Sơn culture, the story is told through abstract drawings and geometric patterns in concentric circles.
Leveraging the transformative power of MNTRA Instruments' MNDALA 2 engine, these already-vivid sounds have been artistically reinterpreted and reshaped into a multitude of new forms. This creative endeavor presents a dynamic palette brimming with a myriad of sonic-colors that reflect Hanoi, including not only instruments but also soundscapes captured throughout Northern Vietnam.
With Ha Noi, you are invited into the soundworld of this special city. Ha Noi tells a rich tale of heritage and innovation that resonates with the heartbeat of a city in motion.
Learn more about Ha Noi.
- Minimum 8GB of RAM and an i5 or better CPU required, SSD drive recommended
- Supported by all popular VST/AU compatible DAWs
- MacOS 10.11+ (64-bit only) (Silicon processor supported)
- Windows 10+ (64-bit)
Please note: Mixcraft is not supported.
