Sonokinetic Sultan Strings Kontakt Library Better ^hot^ -
Unlocking the Majesty of Middle Eastern Music: A Review of Sonokinetic Sultan Strings Kontakt Library
Where it falls short (less “better” than competitors)
- No true legato – You will find sustains and phrases, but not the smooth, connected legato of Cinematic Studio Strings or Tokyo Scoring Strings.
- Limited dynamic layers – Compared to flagship libraries (Spitfire Symphonic, Berlin Strings), the soft-to-loud range is narrower.
- Not for standard orchestral writing – Trying to play Beethoven or Hollywood film score triads will sound out of tune (intentionally microtonal).
- Phrase‑based limitations – You cannot easily edit individual notes inside a phrase; it’s more “perform the phrase” than “compose every note.”
But is it actually better than the competition? Let's dive into why this library remains a staple for cinematic composers. The Core Sound: Beyond Standard Legato
It is NOT better if:
Price: €149–199 (often on sale for ~€99)
Value: High – because no other library in this price range gives you truly playable, ornamented Middle Eastern strings out of the box.
: Recorded with one of the world's best Middle Eastern string ensembles, the library focuses on royalty-free, custom-composed Arabian-styled phrases that are near-impossible to recreate with ordinary samples. Organic Nuance sonokinetic sultan strings kontakt library better
Intelligent Layering: Every phrase includes a separately recorded octaved overdub mapped an octave higher. This allows you to instantly "fatten" the sound or build tension without the phasing issues common in digital transposing.
Vienna Strings: While Vienna Strings excels in offering detailed samples and a comprehensive range of articulations, it may require more manipulation and layering to achieve a desired sound, making it slightly less intuitive for some users. Unlocking the Majesty of Middle Eastern Music: A
Multi-Sampled Instruments: Beyond phrases, it offers playable sustains (with dynamic crossfading to vibrato), tremolos, trills, and glissandi.