Qanun

Middle Eastern String Instrument

Plucked to perfection

Sonokinetic BV 2013

Qanun
Sonokinetic BV is proud to announce this
library of a multisampled and performance
sampled Qanun. This instrument
complements our other Arabic instruments
such as Ney and Kemence to build an
ethnic ensemble. The Qanun has been
played for centuries and feels right at home
in our collection of deep sampled ethnic
instruments and vocals.
The Qanun (also known as Qanoun and
Kanun) is a dulcimer or zither-like
instrument of 81 strings stretched over a
frame and plucked with the fingers or picks.
Its distinctive tone comes from the grouping
of strings and levers which create the scales.
Our Qanun was recorded in Istanbul by our
long-standing friend, expert engineer and
composer Ceyda Pirali in high fidelity audio
quality. The player is the renowned
performer Gunay Celik who learnt his craft
at the State Turkish Music Conservatory. He
studied the playing styles and techniques
for many years before becoming a master in
1992. He taught Qanun at university level
and has played with the stanbul University
Ensemble and Ayangil Turkish Music
Orchestra. His credits also include many
performances with Turkish radio and
television. Currently, Gunay is working at the State of Turkish Classical Music Ensemble.
He has kindly agreed to allow us to capture his unique playing style with traditional
songs and hundreds of improvisations.
For the multisampled playable instrument we have captured multiple round robins and
velocity layers so that you can play the instrument chromatically. For the improvisations
and songs, Sonokinetic Qanun features tempo-synced performances in root keys. These
samples are wrapped in an intuitive interface which makes playing this instrument a
pleasure. In addition, the convolution reverb creates an unparalleled ambience, evoking
the spirit of Arabia.
Sonokinetic has established a name as one of the best value & quality sample producers
and with this product wed like to underline that statement. We stick with our unbeatable
pricing module and high quality sampling.
We wish you the best inspiration and creativity.
With warm regards,
The Sonokinetic Qanun Production Team

CONTENT
6.6 GB sample pool, 14934 samples
3 playing styles:
Multisampled, Songs and Improvisations
Tempo-synced performances, pitched to root key
ITM (Intelligent Time Machine) function for half and double time tempo-syncing
Kontakt 5 optimized Time machine Pro programming

Mod wheel phrase start control

Full sustains up to 10 seconds long
Multiple round robin samples
1 realistic impulse response
Multiple velocity layers
Automatic RAM loading and purging
Custom designed interface
Open Kontakt format for complete user customisation (Kontakt 4.2.4 or 5 Full version
only, NOT compatible with the free Kontakt Player)
Royalty and copyright free content license
Qanun Reference document (PDF)
Artwork: Qanun DVD cover. Designed by Sonokinetic BV
All files in 44.1 kHz, 24 Bit NCW format.
Programmed for Kontakt 4.2.4 and Kontakt 5

THE INTERFACE

The main UI for Qanun consists of several controls including selection for Songs,
Improvisations and a Multi instrument. The interface also features stereo, reverb, and
Time Machine controls.
Phrases and Playable Multi
Choose either performance-sampled Songs, Improvisations or
playable Multi by clicking the relevant legend in the right-hand
side of the interface.

For Songs, the interface will change to

display a choice of 10 different songs,
their time signature and original BPM.

With Improvs, the interface will display

a choice of 10 improvisations, named
after their respective Makam (eastern
musical mode/scale).

Tempo Sync
Qanun features adaptive tempo-syncing which will lock the phrase playback to tempo,
even if the host tempo is changing during playback.
In the full version of Kontakt 4 and 5 you will have alternative options for increasing the
efficiency and quality of the time stretching. Be aware that this can come at the expense
of system resources. For the best time stretching results we strongly advise using the
Kontakt 5 patch within the full version of Kontakt 5.
Intelligent Time Machine (ITM)
The ITM function syncs samples to half-time or
double-time when extreme tempo values are used.
Click the hourglass icon to enable / disable this
feature. You may prefer to have the ITM function
turned off when using adaptive tempo-syncing
functions previously mentioned, so that the samples
do not suddenly switch to half or double-time when
manipulating large tempo changes.
If the ITM function is disabled and you attempt a large
change in tempo, which results in a significant loss of
audio quality and playback, the hourglass will turn red as
shown. We would strongly suggest that you enable the
ITM function in this case.

Phrase Indicator
When composing, we find it particularly intuitive to see
what length a current phrase would be. Since not all
phrases are cut out with computer science in mind, they
are more focused on musical and artistic expression,
theres a lot of variety in length and duration of a phrase.
Hence the Phrase Indicator that shows you the
remaining length by steadily following the phrase
progression, filling the display with a blue hue from
bottom to top as the phrase plays.

Impulse Response (IR)

Qanun comes preloaded with a convolution reverb
sampled from an actual space to simulate a realistic
playing environment. Adjust the amount of reverb added
to the instrument by click-dragging on the Aladdins Lamp
which will glow green with greater intensity with wetter
reverb levels.

From the Kontakt configuration window you can adjust many aspects of the reverb
including wet/dry levels, pre delay, dampening and width.

Microphone positioning and Stereo Field

The slider to the left of the interface can be used to
mix the ambience of the playback. The bottom
position uses close mono samples and the upper
position uses stereo overhead microphones. Use the
slider to mix between these two positions.

Purging and Disc Usage

To save on system resources and RAM, Qanun loads each set of samples as they are
needed. Depending on your disc speed you may need to allow a few seconds for these
to load once you select a new set of phrases or select a new root pitch.
Sample sets are purged if they are not currently being used.

PLAYING QANUN
Playable Multi instrument

This instrument can be played chromatically just like a

regular piano. The blue keys indicate the playable
range. Use the sustain pedal to hold notes. If you find
that the sustained noise floor of very fast sustained
playing is becoming too loud reduce the Max Voices
number in Kontakt from the default 128. We would
suggest 32 or less.

Songs and Improvisations

The songs and improvisation phrases can be played in different root keys and are all
tempo-synced. Choose the root key of the phrase with the lowest red keys. The blue
keys indicate the playable keys which trigger phrases. The green keys trigger ending
notes for the phrases. When activated each ending note will trigger a single sample or
harmonic ending to a phrase in the corresponding key.

Root key

Playable Range

Ending notes

Please note that the songs have been performed in specific keys so not all songs are
available in all keys. To maintain sound quality we have limited the root keys to 2
semitones above and below the original key of each song.
There are 2 sample sets for each of the 10 different improvisations. One is recorded at
90 BPM and another at 120 BPM. The Qanun scripting will automatically choose the
most appropriate improvisation samples according to your host project tempo.
Be aware that if you change the tempo of your composition then an alternative
improvisation may be played. To remedy this we would suggest using the original .NCW
samples instead and using your DAWs time stretching function.
Mod wheel function
For songs and improvisations the mod wheel position controls the
sample start point or the phrase. Push the mod wheel up to advance
the start point of any triggered sample.

For more information check our website:

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All the creative best,
Sonokinetic BV