The Electronic Tabla Controller

Abstract

This paper describes the design of an electronic Tabla controller (ETabla). Tabla are a pair of hand drums traditionally used to accompany North Indian vocal and instrumental music. The ETabla controls both sound and graphics simultaneously. It allows for a variety of traditional Tabla strokes and new performance techniques. Graphical feedback allows for artistic display and has potential pedagogical applications. This paper describes the evolution of the technology of the Tabla from its origins until the present day; the traditional playing style of the Tabla, on which the controller is modeled; the creation of a real-time Tabla controller, using force-sensors; the physical modeling of the sound of the Tabla using banded waveguide synthesis; the creation of a real-time graphics feedback system that reacts to the Tabla controller; experiments on measuring the response time of the ETabla sensors; and the description of the ETabla used in a live performance.