Immersive Tanpura Recording | Behind Immersed: Episode 19

This video explores the immersive tanpura recording session for the IMMERSED album.

Listen to IMMERSED: https://justingray.lnk.to/immersed

In Indian classical music, the Tanpura is the primary drone. Its role is to establish the tonal center and provide a continuous melodic base for the raga. The instrument features four long strings, typically tuned to the tonic and fifth, and played in a repeating pattern that emphasizes the overtone series.

The characteristic resonance of the tanpura stems from a bone bridge setup that allows the strings to vibrate lightly (this is known as jawari), and it’s central to the instrument’s sonic identity. The result is a dense, immersive sound rich in harmonics.

For the IMMERSED album, three tanpuras were recorded using a multi-microphone setup designed to capture the immersive quality and translate it into the ‪@Dolby‬ Atmos mix. This array was inspired by the incredible Leslie Ann Jones.

Close Mics - ‪@SchoepsMikrofone‬ MK4

Immersive Mic Array (5.0.4)

5-Channel Array: LCR Nuemann M149 (omni) + Rear pair of M150s.

Quad Height Array: DPA 4006

In the mix, one tanpura sits in the center channel while the other two are placed in the rear surrounds, offering the listener a hyper-realistic performer perspective. The close mics provide focus and articulation, while the room mics glue the image into the immersive field.

The tanpuras appear in Pendulum and at the opening of Beyond.

IMMERSED drops August 22nd on ‪@ianrecords5412‬

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