MNTRA Pyramids is a sample-based virtual instrument for experimental music, drones, and sound healing, featuring quartz pyramid recordings shaped through the MNDALA 2 engine.
Ancient Geometry in Sound
Pyramids captures pure quartz pyramids inspired by the Great Pyramids of Egypt, with precise ratios producing transparent, crystalline tones. The instrument goes beyond static samples, using ultrasonic recording techniques to reveal hidden frequencies and extended octave ranges. The result is a rich, polyvalent source for harmonic drones and ethereal atmospheres.
Physical actions like spinning or bowing create natural vibrato and beating, which MNDALA 2 expands beyond real-world limits. This makes Pyramids suitable for crafting experimental music, sound healing journeys, and immersive ambient textures, with a wide palette of effects and flexible modulation.
Key Capabilities and Content
The instrument includes 94 presets, 22 sample maps, and 50 Atelier presets, with a 5.20 GB library. Recorded at 384 kHz/32-bit in .mntra format, the samples use Extended Resolution Audio (E.R.A.) to stretch and reveal slow fluctuations. Round Robins add realism, while Sample Start Modulation (SSM) allows dynamic performances by scanning sample start points via velocity or random modulation.
Multi-mic support provides up to two microphone channels per sample. The proprietary engine works as a VST/AU plugin, requiring no additional software. The 3-Axis Universal Controls let you map your favorite controller once across all plugin instances, and the performance GUI offers custom animations and mouse hover interactions.
Recording and Craftsmanship
Pyramids was recorded with meticulous care in both reverberant and dead rooms, capturing perspectives from inside and outside the pyramids. The challenging onset and subtle tail required an extremely low-noise environment and a custom signal chain. Recordings include various mallets—acrylic, suede, nails—and resonant jingles, yielding everything from gentle healing ambiances to intense electroacoustic textures.
Guest artists shaped the sound palette. Christopher LaRosa, a composer for film and games, contributed creative ideas on altering the pyramids’ sound, while sound healer Steffen Ki helped craft custom presets for healing applications. Their insights expanded the instrument’s expressive and versatile range.
Practical Workflows and Applications
The included patches demonstrate diverse uses. Bowed pyramids produce long sustained sounds for drones, while mallet hits create resonant or muted articulations. Cracked pyramid pieces offer percussive multi-attack textures, and jingles add metallic shimmer. These patches suit sound design, ambient music, and healing sessions.
For sound healers, the gentle resonance of suede-beater patches provides calming textures. Experimental musicians can use SSM and modulation to create dynamic, evolving performances. The 4-octave range (C1-C5) allows for both low, deep drones and high, crystalline tones, making Pyramids a flexible tool for cinematic scoring and electroacoustic composition.
Key features
- 94 presets, 50 Atelier presets, and 22 sample maps
- Recorded at 384 kHz/32-bit with Extended Resolution Audio
- Sample Start Modulation for dynamic performance variations
- Multi-mic support with up to two channels
- 3-Axis Universal Controls for controller mapping
- Includes 17 round robins for realistic repetition
- VST/AU plugin with no additional software required
Best for
Best for experimental musicians, sound healers, and sound designers seeking a versatile quartz percussion instrument with deep modulation capabilities for creating harmonic drones, ethereal atmospheres, and healing soundscapes.