Inspired by the sound of Indian cinema
BOLLYWOOD GROOVES is a premium sample library on DVD-ROM, inspired by the sound of Bollywood, using the same instruments and styles typically featured in films of the genre.
Produced by Bollywood composer duo Salim-Sulaiman, Bollywood Grooves will give you that extra edge for your music productions.
INSTRUMENTS:
Dhol, Tabla, Dholak, Duff, Ghunghroo-Tabla, Dholak-Tabla
KEY FACTS:
- Freshly recorded loops with performances by top players in the industry.
- Instruments recorded in isolation / with natural room reverb / and in ensembles (e.g. 6 Dhols, 4 Duffs, etc.) - giving you that BIG BOLLYWOOD SOUND. One of the first sample libraries in the world to do so...
- Over 700 Loops in each format (WAV / REX2 / APPLE LOOPS) with tempos ranging from 74bpm to 135bpm
- 4/4, 6/8 and 7/8 patterns
- Carefully recorded, edited and mastered - using state-of-the-art equipment, by experienced sound engineers and musicians
- Loops are in Bollywood song style format, including intros, fills and ends
- Around 2 Gb of data with recordings @ 24 Bit / 48 KHz quality
System requirements
This Multi Format Library does not include any software to play the sounds on your computer. Moving your mouse over * Multi Format Library in the product header will highlight all the included formats. Any compatible software is required to load and play the sounds of this library.
Review SoundOnSound 3/2008Review Music Tech Magazine 11/2007Review Computer Music 10/2007The Bollywood film industry is a substantial and growing presence on the world stage, with productions increasingly crossing over into the mainstream movie marketplace. While there are already several excellent sample libraries that provide loops and instruments from this part of the world, Bollywood Grooves is a first in a number of ways. It represents the first release from Philtre Labs, and I suspect that the company themselves are the first Indian-based sample producers working out of the Bollywood industry and producing software aimed at that industry. The library contains nearly 700MB of sample data in each of the supported formats and all the loops are presented in 24-bit, 48kHz format, this sample rate being the ‘norm’ in the file and TV audio world.
The library is based around performances from various rhythm ensembles and, for the Acidised WAV files I used in testing, these are divided into sub-folders, based upon the instruments used: Dhol, Tabla, Duff (shallow-rimmed tambourine-type drum that comes in various sizes and is very popular in Bollywood music), Dholak, Ghunghroo (tinklebells) plus Tabla, and Dholak plus Tabla. Original tempos range from 4 through to 135 bpm and all the loops seem well recorded, with a nice amount of room ambience. Using groups of musicians gives the majority of the loops quite a big sound, as is typical in a Bollywood song context. There’s also a good selection of intros, fills and endings, which are excellent for song construction. Further flexibility is added by a folder of grooves in 6/8 time, while a few 7/8 loops are also provided.
The Philtre Labs website suggests that all the musicians involved are working in Bollywood, and the high standard of playing throughout supports this claim. I particularly liked the Dholak and Tabla combinations – instant character, and plenty going on across a wide frequency range – but it was also perfectly possible to mix and match grooves from the various drum types, providing a little care (or very subtle groove quantise) was used.
If I had a criticism, it would be one driven by greed: while it’s great that multiple formats are supported, compared with many current loop libraries this collection is a little on the skimpy side in terms of content for the price. That said, the quality is very good indeed, and for media composers needing an instant slice of Bollywood rhythm, it’s just the ticket. I could also imagine many of these loops appealing to songwriters and producers looking for an Indian-flavoured groove to spice up a composition. And if you like Bollywood Grooves, Philtre Labs’ next title, Bollywood Elements, is due for release in early 2008.
Rating: 4 stars
Philtre Labs is a start-up venture run by a group of Indian music industry professionals operating out of Bombay. And Bollywood Grooves is their first samples library, inspired by the sounds of Bollywood and using the same instruments and styles typically featured in films of the genre. Produced by film composers Salim and Sulaman Merchant, this debut set consists entirely of rhythmic material featuring both solo instruments and rhythms sections the dhol, tabla, dholak, duff, ghungroo-tabla and dholak-tabla. In total there are more than 700 loops, all presented in Apple Loops, Rex2 and .WAV formats. This is a classy library indeed, reminiscent of some of the discovery sound world music libraries, it is also very well played and recorded, with just the right amount of natural room reverb, and although we didn’t have time to check every single file, they also appear to have been meticulously edited, with accurate timing and seamless looping. Tempos vary from 74BPM and 135BPM and the content is organised into intros, fills and endings, derived from Bollywood song style format. We doubt, though, that many producers will be using them in a purest fashion (although this is perfectly feasible). But for flavouring mixes with a touch of authentic Indian popular culture, these loops are perfect. Another Philtre Labs collection, is, apparently, underway. As far as were concerned, if it’s up to the standard of Bollywood Grooves, were in for another treat.
Rating: 9/10 and Music Tech Excellence award
This sizable library of ethnic Indian percussion loops covers dhol, tabla, duff, dholak, ghungroo-tabla, and dholak-tabla rhythms. If those names don’t mean anything to you, don’t worry – the sounds are familiar enough, and yes, there’s plenty of material here for creating your own Mundian To Bach Ke tribute. Over 700 loops are on offer, with tempos ranging from 74-135bpm. While the inclusion of REX files is a nice touch, it’s slightly disappointing that no single-hit samples are included. Despite their absence, this is a solid package that will delight those in need of traditional Indian percussion.
Rating: 8/10
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