I started learning the Tabla from the age of 3. Working with array of world class artists which has shaped my life and my style of playing. I performed Tabla with Take That in 2017 on their Wonderland Arena and Stadium UK and Ireland Tour, playing to over half a million people. One of the shows from the O2 arena was broadcasted live in 600 cinemas
Hi, my name is Mendi Mohinder Singh. My professional career has span over 3 decades, working with local and high calibre artists from the East and West, naming a few - Gary Barlow, Peter Gabriel, Anand Shankar, Shalil Shankar, Darius Brubeck, Courtney Pine, Malkit Singh MBE, Luis Salinas, Nitin Sawhney and many more.
Primarily l am a performing artist, which led me into studio recording sessions. In 2015 I recorded Indian percussion on the album Walking On, by Anada Shankar, at Real World Studios, this is where l met Peter Gabriel and recorded the Tabla on a song he was working on. Most recently I have been working with Grammy nominated producer, Simon Duggal on remote recording sessions. I am currently working on a EP with my duo, Tala Tarang (Harp & Tabla). I work with my own recorded Tabla sound library, which consists of my custom made 16 different pitched Tabla set (Tabla Tarang) I have 2 ways of working, programming my Tabla's digitally or recording them live.
I would like to start by having a good chat with you to know what you have in mind. All I will need is a sample mix of your song (if you have one) & the BPM. After I have done the recording, I will email you an MP3 of your track. We can talk and work together about any changes that may be needed. Once you are completely happy, I will send you the WAV Tabla files.
I really look forward to working with you.
I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.
Credits
7 Reviews
Endorse Mendi Singh
check_circleVerifiedWhat a great table player! And a time human being! Mendi did an excellent job on my track!
check_circleVerifiedim very happy of my work with Mendi, he is a great musician, he did the best to understand my vision for the song and was very kind. He is very professional. it was very pleasant to work with him, I recommend him !
check_circleVerifiedWonderful Tabla work by Mendi. He's very communicative, and cares a lot about bringing your music to the next level. I highly recommend him for your Tabla needs!
check_circleVerifiedExcellent quality tabla recording. Just what the track needed. highly recommend! Very quick in turnaround, excellent communication and quality.
check_circleVerifiedMendi is amazing. A world-class tabla player and a real pleasure to work with. He brought that magic ingredient to my song and I couldn't be happier. Beautiful sounding files and incredibly quick turnaround -- and a real gentleman to boot. Thank you so much, Mendi. 🙏
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Mendi is an exceptional professional. The end product is above delightful. Thank you Mendi.
check_circleVerifiedMendi just recorded four unique tabla grooves for my latest project. The quality of Mendi's tuned tablas is amazing, plus the recording is so clean it's a joy to work with. I was amazed at the variety of dynamic range and how the sound of the tabla has completely made my tracks come to life. Highly recommended.
Interview with Mendi Singh
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I was the Tabla player & percussionist on a album called Waking On by Ananda Shankar, recoded at Real World Studios Ananda, was one of the early pioneer of fusing Western and Eastern musical styles. at this session Peter Gabriel came into the studio and asked if l could record on a song he was working on at that time. It was such a magical moment in my life and career, as l was so much into world music after touring with bands around the globe.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I am working on my solo EP and working on a new production with my duo, Tala Tarang ( Tabla & Harp)
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Eleonor Turner a fantastic versatile Harpist and a wonderful soul to work with
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: A great mix of both is the best way.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I will deliver my best work
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: The Creativity of working with other artists, and discovering something new about your playing every day.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Are you available to play on this song? It'll be my pleasure!
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: I don't know
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Usually the clients, send me the music and leave me to record my Tabla parts and feel the arrangement of their music. After sending the client back my first take, I ask if their was any part of the playing they liked or would you like me try a different styles of grooves Then we discuss. Then l do my best work until they are completely happy,
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: You always get what you pay for! If it looks too good to be true, it probably is! Do the best job you can, and finish it, before playing your songs to any industry people. Do not expect them to imagine what you hear. Spend a little & do it right!
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: My Tabla & Tanpora and bottles of water which l can use as percussion after drinking them.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started learning the Tabla at the age of 3 years old, l come from a family of musicians, so music was heard and played all the time, me being the youngest of a large family, l feel l was born into it.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I want people to feel something when they hear the music The goal is to work across styles effortlessly.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I'm humbled to have worked with so many great artists, l really enjoyed working with Peter Gabriel & Gary Barlow I would love to record Tabla on one of Stuart Price mixes, l think he is a master at he's craft and very versatile.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: You have to trust your instincts and make decisions with each step. Listen with a open creative mind, It usually sounds right when it feels right
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Melodic and groove oriented music. Online / Remote Live Tabla & Percussion. Also programming Beats.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: My strongest skill is that I really care, about what l record. I care about the artist progressing, reaching the next level with their music and coming away from the experience of working together joyfully.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Experience, passion & dedication.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: My process is different every time because every project is unique. The most important thing is to listen. First I listen, then we discuss, and then we move forward. This happens constantly throughout the process. I try very hard to understand the artist's vision, and then do everything I can to make sure that vision communicates though my playing. If there are any revisions required, I will discuss them with the clients. Then do my best to make sure they're very happy, & come back again & again! Communication is very important to me!
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have created a high quality sample library of my 16 tuned custom made Tabla Trang instrument. My Tabla library, The session was recorded at 96k 24bit in ProTools Ultimate on an iZ Radar Studio with Nyquist AD/DA mic pre that was used API 500 seriesmics were AKG 414 and TLM 103 and U87. I also use these Tabla's to record live on a track, In my studio l have a live room and a control room, the acoustics were carefully treated for my Tabla sound.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Ravi Shankar, Zakir Husain, Micky Hart, Dave Holland, Needham, Steve Gadd, Will Kennedy, Pink Floyd, Tommy Sims, Ringo Starr, Stewart Copeland, Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins,
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Live Tabla recordings
- PercussionAverage price - $250 per song
I will deliver my first Tabla recordings within 3 days and full productions within 5 days I stand behind my work with a 100 % guarantee. When you're happy my job is done. I have no additional costs.
- My Tabla library
- The session was recorded at 96k 24bit in ProTools Ultimate on an iZ Radar Studio with Nyquist AD/DA mic pre that was used API 500 series
- mics were AKG 414 and TLM 103 and U87.
Discount on three or more tracks & repeat client discount
