Traditional string libraries fall short when attempting to capture the distinctive character of Middle Eastern music. The ornamentation, microtonal inflections, and specific phrasing patterns simply can't be convincingly recreated by sequencing standard sustained notes. This is precisely where Sultan Strings excels.
Instead of painstakingly programming every ornament, glissando, and run, you can quickly assemble arrangements using the library’s , which automatically lock to your DAW’s tempo. The reference manual confirms that “tempo syncing and a wide availability in all keys has been top priority in this production”.
: It features Middle Eastern performance techniques like distinctive portamentos and traditional melodic runs that are rarely found in general-purpose string libraries. Vi-Control Is It "Better" for You? sonokinetic sultan strings kontakt library better
is often cited as "better" than traditional string libraries specifically because it prioritizes the raw, unpolished energy of Middle Eastern performances over the sterile flexibility of multi-sampled instruments. While most orchestral libraries struggle to replicate the nuanced slides, microtonal inflections, and specific ornamentation of Arabic and Turkish string sections, Sultan Strings uses a phrase-based approach to capture these performances exactly as they were played by a live ensemble. Why It Stands Out
For alternative Arabic string sounds, reviewers also mention Aviram Dayan Arabic Strings as a notable option. Pros and Cons Sultan Strings by Sonokinetic BV - Ethnic Strings Traditional string libraries fall short when attempting to
In the vast landscape of digital music production, the orchestral library market is saturated with pristine, Western-centric sounds. Developers have perfected the sound of the symphonic string section, modeled after the great concert halls of London, Berlin, and Vienna. However, for composers seeking to break free from the temperaments and phrasing of Western classical music, these libraries often fall short. When the score calls for the distinct, microtonal flourishes of the Middle East, the Balkans, or the Orient, standard libraries require tedious workarounds. It is in this specific niche that Sonokinetic’s Sultan Strings asserts its dominance. While newer libraries have attempted to bridge the gap, Sultan Strings remains a superior choice for ethnic orchestral writing due to its authentic phrasing, intuitive phrase-based architecture, and unparalleled character.
If you are scoring a film, video game, or TV show with a tight deadline and need an instant, convincing Middle Eastern string hook, Sultan Strings is vastly superior to traditional libraries. Instead of spending hours drawing pitch-bend curves and switching articulation keyswitches to simulate an authentic Arabic slide, you can trigger a pre-recorded phrase that sounds flawless out of the box. 2. True Microtonal and Tuning Capabilities Vi-Control Is It "Better" for You
Look at the articulation list:
Standard Western string libraries are locked into twelve-tone equal temperament. While some modern libraries offer microtonal tuning scripts, Sultan Strings is natively built to handle traditional Eastern scales (Maqams). It includes built-in interface options to easily alter the tuning of specific steps in a scale, making it much easier to write authentic regional melodies. 3. Phrase Manipulation and Host Sync
A common limitation of phrase-based libraries is rigidity – they lock you into specific tempos and keys. Sultan Strings breaks this barrier with . Whether your project runs at 80 BPM or 140 BPM, the phrases adapt seamlessly without artifacts.
The single most compelling reason Sultan Strings is than conventional string libraries is its sheer uniqueness. As Sonokinetic themselves state, these are “string ensemble samples like you’ve never heard before”—and for once, marketing hyperbole actually holds up.