Sonokinetic Sultan Strings Kontakt Library Better [top] -
: Unlike standard libraries that struggle to emulate the slides and quarter-tone "soul" of Arabic music, Sultan Strings provides over 50 tempo-synced phrases . These are live performances that preserve the genuine character and "vulnerable" intimate sound of a Middle Eastern ensemble.
In the evolving world of cinematic composing, the demand for authentic, emotive ethnic instrumentation has never been higher. While many composers rely on broad world instrument libraries, specialized libraries are often needed to capture the true soul of specific musical traditions.
Despite being phrase-heavy, the library is built with the "digital composer" in mind, offering tools to integrate these performances into modern DAW workflows.
One Sonokinetic user recommends: “If you really learn the muting and unmuting only of certain phrases, use the mod wheel and the harmonic shift features, you can really make these phrases feel like your own”. sonokinetic sultan strings kontakt library better
No amount of EQ, reverb, or clever programming can turn Western orchestral samples into authentic Middle Eastern string performances. The playing style involves different ornamentation, phrasing, and microtonal inflections that standard sampling simply doesn’t capture. Sultan Strings was recorded by actual Middle Eastern musicians playing in the appropriate style—an advantage no “versatile” library can replicate.
Sultan Strings feels more focused. Ra covers the whole world, but Sultan Strings masters one specific region.
Standard string libraries sound out of tune when writing Middle Eastern or Ottoman music. That is a fact. Western 12-tone equal temperament lacks the (or 50-cent intervals) that define Maqam music. : Unlike standard libraries that struggle to emulate
The library covers a vast array of traditional Eastern scales and modes (Maqams). Because these performances were captured by musicians natively trained in these styles, the tuning of the intervals is culturally accurate, avoiding the sterile, mathematically perfect tuning of Western virtual instruments. 3. Harmonic and Melodic Content The library is divided into distinct categories, including:
Like many Sonokinetic products, it focuses heavily on pre-recorded loops/phrases, which may limit users wanting to perform their own complex arrangements note-by-note.
: It features a dedicated ensemble of violins, viola, and cello recorded specifically for the Turkish/Arabic style. Users from forums like VI-CONTROL highlight that it sounds "amazingly good" because it bypasses the "stuck-on" sound of simple single-note samples. While many composers rely on broad world instrument
Native Instruments offers excellent spotlight collections. While NI libraries tend to provide a broader overview of regional instruments with a mix of multisamples and phrases, Sultan Strings focuses entirely on the hyper-specific sound of a unified, lush string section. For raw emotional weight and section size, Sonokinetic takes the edge.
When producers ask if Sultan Strings is "better," they are usually comparing it to newer, more expensive "playable" solo libraries. Here is where Sonokinetic takes the lead: 1. Speed of Workflow
: The library uses a "one-finger" triggering system where complex, tempo-synced phrases are mapped to the keyboard. This allows you to build authentic soundtracks or pop backdrops rapidly without needing deep knowledge of Middle Eastern scales.