Garritan and Swarsystems

I am having been a user of Garritan Personal Orchestra (GPO 3). Now Garritan has released GPO4.

Earlier version uses Kontakt player where in newer version ARIA player is used and let us not discuss much of those technologies as they are already abundantly available in web. Give a Google or visit KVR audio

When I purchased the pack, it was $200 that is the GPO 3. Now, GPO 4 is $150 for new purchase and for me it took $50 to upgrade it. One of my friends had asked whether the upgrade is worth of $50 when it comes for some additional string and brass samples. But it was not the question which bothered me. I do have my own problems.
I was an active participant of Garritan community some time back. Garry has assured there would be an option is newer version to control “tremolo” of strings which was not available that time.

Now, I understand there is neither a provision nor I did understand what a ‘tremolo’ was.I often can not distinguish and fail to get a scientific definition for tremolo and vibrato. What I understand is, tremolo is subsequent pitch bend created by fingering and Vibrato is kind of producing the same effect by varying intensity of sound in blowing instruments, a layman understanding.

"Vibrato is a periodic variation in the frequencies of a musical note, whereas tremolo usually refers to periodic variations in amplitude"

In Hindustani and Carnatic, a tremolo or vibrato does not exist. In Indian music, we can generally call them as pitch bends. If you need more idea, there are 15 prominent such pitch-bending styles in Carnatic, and still you want details, we have to meet.
These pitch bends are precisely defined, not an arbitrary thing. One can not produce these things by varying pitch or intensity of sound as we do with a tremolo or vibrato. Intricate they are.

When I think of these things, it becomes irresistible that I have to mention swarsystems, with the products of which company, I am really happy with. Check http://www.swarsystems.com/ if your are a musician, I promise you will not disappointed.

Swarsystems develops products exclusive for Indian music. World music lovers would love a product Swarplug, check their site for various flavor of products. All are Indian and Asian.
If you compare this to western notation programs like Finale or Sibelius, it is wrong. Because, there is a great difference that exists between Indian and Western convention of musical notes and this is only my own opinion.

Whenever I think of Western notation, say a score sheet, a note book having four likes that is used by kids in schools to practice handwriting comes to my mind. Again, in my own opinion, Western notation when compares to Carnatic, seem to a pictorial representation, and a primitive form. If somebody wishes to say “You fool! It is not so, learn this!” I would be happy to listen to that sweet, sweet words.

So Mariano, CEO of Swarsystem and Ranjan Sharma his Indian counterpart have more challenges to deal with. Let us not go much into that distinct area. It was memorable when I had a collaborative work with them, during the development of their recent edition of a product SwarShala Pro.

Kindly note that this product SwarShala is only useful to Hindustani/Carnatic musicians, those who know how to write and read Indian musical score.
One fine morning, I saw my name in “About” window of the product under ‘Development Team’. I thanked Mariano. He said “Glad you like it”, no more no less. He had not even told me earlier. Typical Indian attitude of humbleness. I would like to share an audio and video that I would like to dedicate and to show my love for Swarsystem products. Yes it is one of the popular myth people always love listening songs in videos, so I created one with slides.

I would like to register three things that are not too ugly.
1. Mariano, a Westerner, runs Swarsystems and develops products for Indian music; my Indian friends who were in University with me are with American companies and would say “A dollar worth nearly forty rupees not otherwise”. Let us not speak socio-politico-economics.
2. Our artists believe if a product is not being sold for $500, then it must not be good, huh.
My friend said“Use Cubase man! It gives great sound”“What is a great sound? Define in terms of acoustics”“………………….”“That is an illusion” I said

3. India and China are known for piracy, if not entire world is. Let us forget this. Musicians, they dump their computers with minimum of five DAWs they do not require. (Consider purchase if you it professionally at the least) They do this for the reason that they could easily steal. Sorry, I am a software engineer, and entrepreneur too, I prefer calling piracy as stealing.
Audio (Uses both Garritan and Swarsystem)http://www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/1730425

Videohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Hd4eg8ZTyU

Disclaimer: All opinions expressed are of my own and not intend to harm anything or anybody personally; I have no direct or/and indirect association with the companies discussed in this blog, till the time of writing this article, if you decide to buy or decide not to buy any such product, take your own decision