# Real Tanpura

> High-fidelity stereo recordings of a real acoustic tanpura for Indian classical music. (iPhone/iPad app by Haathi Software.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/real-tanpura/id515734094 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Haathi Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/515734097)
- Category: Music, Health & Fitness
- Price: $4.99
- Rating: 4.00/5 from 64 App Store ratings · 57 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 8.0 · 83 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2012-04-02
- Data updated: 2026-08-30
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/real-tanpura/id515734094/reviews.md

## What is Real Tanpura?

RealTanpura is a simple and easy to use app that brings you high fidelity full-stereo recordings of a real acoustic Tanpura (a drone instrument used in Indian Classical music) recorded in a professional studio environment. Once you get used to the full and rich natural overtones produced by a real acoustic Tanpura, you will no longer prefer to use your electronic tanpura or app that produces sounds of the tanpura using synthetic or mathematical algorithms.  RealTanpura has been designed as an intuitive app that children, adults, and professionals alike will find easy to use.

Key features:
* Professionally recorded tanpuras in studio environment
* High fidelity recordings in stereo
* Tanpura tuned individually per shruthi / pitch
* 100% natural recordings (no mathematical manipulation to change pitch)
* Rich resonance of a real tanpura
* Ma, Pa, Ni modes
* Five and six beat pluck patterns
* [New in v2.0] Completely redesigned as a 64 bit application
* [New in v2.0] Background play - use other apps while using Real Tanpura
* [New in v2.5] Support for portrait and landscape orientations
* [New in v2.5] In-app volume control
* Simple, clean, elegant easy-to-use interface
* For music students, teachers, and performers
* Use also for bhajan, kirtan, meditation, and yoga
* Use on stage with Bluetooth speaker

## Key features

- Professionally recorded acoustic tanpura
- High fidelity stereo recordings
- Natural overtones and rich resonance
- Intuitive and easy-to-use interface
- Background play functionality
- Support for Ma, Pa, Ni modes
- Five and six beat pluck patterns

## Recent user reviews (10 of 57)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/real-tanpura/id515734094/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Do not get

*2025-09-03, version 2.5*

Never works properly. I have to unlock my iPad every time I want to pause. Always lags. Do not get this app.

### 2/5 — 440 tuned

*2021-01-21, version 2.5*

I wish it had the ability to master tune it so it is not fixed on 440 I would live to aet this to 444 and 432

### 2/5 — My Tanpura Real is crashing within 2 months

*2019-02-05*

I purchased the Tanpura real app about 2 months ago for rs 399/
All of a sudden, it does not start, and on clicking on it, flashes on the screen & disappears.

It would be good to know if others using it have had a similar experience & how to rectify it.

Thanks,

### 1/5 — Pitch D is not in tune

*2018-11-17*

The Sarini and Anusarini at pitch D is out of tune, making it impossible to sing along. The makers should have made a free trial version available so that we can check the quality of the Tanpura before doling out 5 dollars. Now, I am unable to use this app because of the imperfect tuning and worse, I can’t seem to get a refund. 
I hope the app developers reply to the feedback email I sent a few days ago. I would appreciate a refund ASAP. Thank you.

### 5/5 — Class Supporting software

*2018-09-20*

My son is enjoying this software which is providing amazing support and option for his flute practice.

### 3/5 — Decent, but needs some work

*2018-07-14*

Great overall sound, more interesting than iTabla, as upper harmonics are actually present. 

My top concern is that there is a noticeable cut-off sound, presumably at the point where the audio loops. Unfortunately this makes it too distracting for practice, let alone to use in performance. 

I hope this is fixed in the future, because the sound quality is encouraging. Also would be nice to have a slider for speed, rather than three settings. 

I will certainly keep this app and look forward to see what updates may come. Thank you.

### 5/5 — A must-have App for all Carnatic musicians

*2018-04-23*

Our family has been a regular user of this app since its first release. We have it installed on our phones and tablets, and use it for routine home practice sessions or on the go during long drives, etc. Its ease of use is remarkable, and has a great sound quality. My wife, Aparna Sunder, is a Carnatic music guru in Chicago. She has recommended this App to many of her students as she is extremely satisfied with it. It is very reasonably priced, and is definitely a worthy app to have.

### 5/5 — Crazy Quality Recordings

*2018-04-17*

The recordings are of an actual tanpura, a difference you can tell when you use it.

### 2/5 — There's a problem

*2018-01-24, version 2.0.2*

After listening for a while I noticed the overtones are not tuned correctly. This can be fixed. Needs to be recorded again with someone who knows how to fine tune and listen for the overtones. I too can not use this app as it is.

### 3/5 — Not exactly what I was looking for

*2017-12-14, version 2.0.2*

I am sure many will enjoy this app but I am looking for more flexibility.

## Frequently asked questions about Real Tanpura

### What does the Real Tanpura app do?

The Real Tanpura app provides high-fidelity, full-stereo recordings of a real acoustic tanpura, a drone instrument used in Indian Classical music. It aims to offer a natural and rich sound experience, unlike apps that use synthetic or mathematical algorithms.

### What are the key features of this tanpura app?

Key features include professionally recorded tanpuras in a studio environment, high-fidelity stereo recordings, individually tuned tanpuras per shruthi/pitch, 100% natural recordings with rich resonance, support for Ma, Pa, Ni modes, and five and six beat pluck patterns. It also offers background play and an intuitive interface.

### Is this app free to use?

Based on the provided information, this app is a paid application. It does not appear to have in-app purchases or advertisements, suggesting a one-time purchase model for full access to its features.

### Who is the target audience for the Real Tanpura app?

The app is designed for a broad audience including children, adults, and professionals. It is particularly beneficial for music students, teachers, and performers of Indian Classical music. It can also be used for practices like bhajan, kirtan, meditation, and yoga.

### Can I use this app while using other applications?

Yes, a key feature updated in version 2.0 is background play. This allows you to use other applications on your device while the Real Tanpura continues to play its authentic tanpura sounds.

## Version history (last 3 releases)

### 2.5 — 2018-04-17

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

* Use Real Tanpura in both landscape & portrait orientations
* Settings to control tanpura volume in-app
* Ability to reset all tanpura settings to defaults
* Updated graphics in the user interface
* Option to signup to be notified of updates to Haathi Software music applications

### 2.0.2 — 2017-10-16

RealTanpura 2.0.2
* Completely redesigned 64 bit application that will work on all recent iOS versions including iOS 11!
* New High Fidelity Stereo Tanpura recordings!
* Brand new graphics and simplified user interface!
* Support for background play!  RealTanpura will now continue to play in the background while you're using other apps!

### 1.1 — 2012-04-02

No release notes.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-30.*