The Ultimate Guide to Turkish Instruments Vst Plugins for Your DAW
Introduction
Turkey is a country with a rich and diverse musical heritage, influenced by various cultures and civilizations throughout history. From ancient Anatolia to the Ottoman Empire, from the Balkans to the Middle East, Turkey has been a melting pot of musical traditions and styles. Some of the most distinctive features of Turkish music are its complex rhythms, microtonal scales, expressive melodies, and unique instruments.
Turkish Instruments Vst
If you are interested in exploring the fascinating world of Turkish music, you might want to use some VST plugins that can emulate or sample authentic Turkish instruments. VST plugins are software tools that can be used with digital audio workstations (DAWs) to create, edit, and process sounds. They can be either synthesizers that generate sounds from scratch or samplers that play recorded sounds from real instruments.
Using Turkish instruments VST plugins can help you create realistic and expressive Turkish music in your own studio or home. You can use them to compose original songs, remix existing tracks, add ethnic flavor to your productions, or simply have fun playing with exotic sounds. You can also learn more about the history, culture, and theory of Turkish music by using these plugins.
However, choosing the best Turkish instruments VST plugins for your needs can be challenging. There are many factors to consider, such as the quality of the sound, the variety of the instruments, the ease of use, the compatibility with your DAW, the price, and the customer support. You also need to know what kind of Turkish music you want to create or emulate, as there are different genres and styles that require different instruments and techniques.
In this article, we will review some of the best Turkish instruments VST plugins available on the market today. We will compare their features, pros and cons, prices, and examples. We will also give you some tips on how to choose the right plugin for your needs and how to use it effectively. By the end of this article, you will have a better idea of what Turkish instruments VST plugins can do for you and how to get started with them.
Spotlight Collection: Middle East by Native Instruments
One of the most popular and comprehensive Turkish instruments VST plugins is Spotlight Collection: Middle East by Native Instruments. This plugin is part of the Komplete series, which is a collection of high-quality sound libraries and software instruments for various genres and styles. Spotlight Collection: Middle East is designed to give you access to a rich tradition of Arabic, Turkish, and Persian music, with 25 authentic instruments captured in superb quality.
The plugin features both percussive and melodic instruments that can be played individually or as part of well-balanced ensembles. You can choose from customizable percussion patterns, then dial in groove, swing, and feel. You can also play expressive melodies and chords with the melodic instruments, which include strings, winds, and keyboards. You can adjust the tuning, articulation, and modulation of each instrument to suit your preferences and style.
The plugin also comes with a wide range of presets and patterns that can inspire you to create authentic and diverse musical pieces. You can mix and match different instruments and genres, such as classical, folk, pop, rock, and electronic. You can also customize the sound with various effects, such as reverb, delay, distortion, and EQ.
Some of the Turkish instruments that you can find in this plugin are:
Bendir: a frame drum with a snare that produces a buzzing sound
Darabuka: a goblet-shaped drum that is played with the fingers
Davul: a large double-headed drum that is played with sticks
Kudum: a pair of small kettle drums that are used in religious music
Riq: a tambourine-like instrument with jingles
Zil: a pair of small cymbals that are used in dance music
Bağlama: a long-necked lute with three courses of strings
Kanun: a plucked zither with 26 courses of strings
Ney: an end-blown flute with a warm and breathy tone
Oud: a short-necked lute with 11 or 13 strings
Santur: a hammered dulcimer with 72 strings
Tanbur: a long-necked lute with seven strings
Zurna: a double-reed oboe with a loud and piercing sound
Here are some of the features and specifications of Spotlight Collection: Middle East by Native Instruments:
FeatureSpecification
Sound quality24-bit / 44.1 kHz
Sound library size9.8 GB (uncompressed)
Number of instruments25 (16 percussive, 9 melodic)
Number of presets375 (150 ensembles, 225 single instruments)
Number of patterns1,025 (375 ensembles, 650 single instruments)
CompatibilityWindows 10 (64-bit), macOS 10.14 or higher (64-bit), Kontakt 6 or higher (free player or full version)
Price$99 USD (or included in Komplete 13)
AvailabilityOnline (download or physical copy)
Customer supportEmail, phone, chat, forum, FAQ, manuals, tutorials
Here are some of the pros and cons of Spotlight Collection: Middle East by Native Instruments:
Pros Cons ---- ---- High-quality sound and realistic expression Requires Kontakt 6 or higher to run Wide range of instruments and genres Might be too expensive for some users Customizable sound and performance Might be too complex for some users Inspiring presets and patterns Might not cover all the nuances of Turkish music Compatible with most DAWs Here are some examples and reviews of Spotlight Collection: Middle East by Native Instruments:
- [Demo video] by Native Instruments - [Review video] by ADSR Music Production Tutorials - [Review article] by MusicTech - [User review] by Amazon customer Ethno World 6 Complete by Best Service
Another great option for Turkish instruments VST plugins is Ethno World 6 Complete by Best Service. This plugin is one of the most extensive and diverse collections of ethnic instruments and voices from around the world. It contains over 320 instruments and voices from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. It also includes over 800 patches and loops that can be used to create various musical styles and moods.
The plugin features both solo and ensemble instruments that can be played with different articulations and expressions. You can choose from stringed instruments, woodwinds, brass, keyboards, percussion, plucked instruments, bowed instruments, voices, gongs, bells, and more. You can also use the voices to create realistic vocal phrases, chants, choirs, and effects. You can adjust the volume, pan, pitch, filter, envelope, and modulation of each instrument or voice to suit your preferences and style.
The plugin also comes with a powerful sound engine that allows you to edit and manipulate the sounds with various effects, such as reverb, delay, chorus, flanger, phaser, distortion, EQ, and more. You can also use the arpeggiator, the step sequencer, the microtuner, and the LFO to create dynamic and complex patterns and melodies. You can also layer and mix different instruments and voices to create rich and diverse soundscapes.
Some of the Turkish instruments that you can find in this plugin are:
Bendir: a frame drum with a snare that produces a buzzing sound
Darabuka: a goblet-shaped drum that is played with the fingers
Davul: a large double-headed drum that is played with sticks
Kudum: a pair of small kettle drums that are used in religious music
Riq: a tambourine-like instrument with jingles
Zil: a pair of small cymbals that are used in dance music
Bağlama: a long-necked lute with three courses of strings
Kanun: a plucked zither with 26 courses of strings
Ney: an end-blown flute with a warm and breathy tone
Oud: a short-necked lute with 11 or 13 strings
Santur: a hammered dulcimer with 72 strings
Tanbur: a long-necked lute with seven strings
Zurna: a double-reed oboe with a loud and piercing sound
Turkish male voice: a solo vocal performance with various phrases and effects
Turkish female voice: a solo vocal performance with various phrases and effects
Here are some of the features and specifications of Ethno World 6 Complete by Best Service:
FeatureSpecification
Sound quality24-bit / 44.1 kHz
Sound library size21.4 GB (uncompressed)
Number of instruments264 (plus 54 sub-instruments)
Number of voices58 (plus 10 sub-voices)
Number of patches800 (plus 40 multis)
Number of loops500 (plus 100 multis)
CompatibilityWindows 7 or higher (32-bit or 64-bit), macOS 10.8 or higher (32-bit or 64-bit), Kontakt 5 or higher (free player or full version)
Price$449 USD (or included in Ethno World Bundle)
AvailabilityOnline (download or physical copy)
Customer supportEmail, phone, chat, forum, FAQ, manuals, tutorials
Here are some of the pros and cons of Ethno World 6 Complete by Best Service:
Pros Cons ---- ---- Huge and diverse sound library Requires Kontakt 5 or higher to run High-quality sound and realistic expression Might be too expensive for some users Customizable sound and performance Might be too complex for some users Powerful sound engine and effects Might not cover all the nuances of Turkish music Compatible with most DAWs Here are some examples and reviews of Ethno World 6 Complete by Best Service:
- [Demo video] by Best Service - [Review video] by Production Expert - [Review article] by Sound on Sound - [User review] by Amazon customer Volko Baglama by Volko Audio
If you are looking for a simple and affordable Turkish instruments VST plugin that focuses on one specific instrument, you might want to check out Volko Baglama by Volko Audio. This plugin is dedicated to the bağlama, which is one of the most popular and versatile instruments in Turkish music. The bağlama is a long-necked lute with three courses of strings that can be tuned in various ways. The bağlama can produce a wide range of sounds, from soft and melodic to harsh and percussive. It is used in many genres and styles of Turkish music, such as classical, folk, pop, rock, and rap.
Volko Baglama is a realistic and easy-to-use plugin that simulates the sound and behavior of the bağlama. It uses high-quality samples recorded from a real bağlama, with different playing techniques and articulations. You can play the plugin with your MIDI keyboard or controller, or use the built-in keyboard on the interface. You can also use the mouse to pluck or strum the strings.
The plugin allows you to adjust the tuning, volume, pan, reverb, and delay of each string. You can also choose from different modes, such as solo, chord, or pattern. You can also use the transpose and fine-tune functions to change the pitch of the instrument. You can also use the MIDI learn function to assign any parameter to your MIDI controller.
The plugin also comes with 10 presets that can help you get started quickly. You can also create and save your own presets. You can also use the randomize function to generate new sounds and variations.
Here are some of the features and specifications of Volko Baglama by Volko Audio:
FeatureSpecification
Sound quality24-bit / 44.1 kHz
Sound library size300 MB (uncompressed)
Number of instruments1 (bağlama)
Number of presets10 (plus user presets)
Number of patterns0 (manual playing only)
CompatibilityWindows XP or higher (32-bit or 64-bit), macOS 10.6 or higher (32-bit or 64-bit), VST or AU format
Price$32 USD
AvailabilityOnline (download only)
Customer supportEmail, FAQ, manuals
Here are some of the pros and cons of Volko Baglama by Volko Audio:
Pros Cons ---- ---- Realistic and expressive sound No patterns or loops included Simple and intuitive interface No effects other than reverb and delay Affordable price No updates or upgrades available Compatible with most DAWs Might not cover all the nuances of bağlama playing Lightweight and low CPU usage Here are some examples and reviews of Volko Baglama by Volko Audio:
- [Demo video] by Volko Audio - [Review video] by UPROAR 24 - [Review article] by Bedroom Producers Blog - [User review] by KVR Audio user Conclusion
Turkish music is a rich and diverse musical tradition that can inspire and challenge any musician or producer. Whether you want to create authentic Turkish music or add some ethnic flavor to your productions, you can benefit from using some Turkish instruments VST plugins. These plugins can help you emulate or sample realistic and expressive Turkish instruments in your own studio or home.
In this article, we have reviewed some of the best Turkish instruments VST plugins available on the market today. We have compared their features, pros and cons, prices, and examples. We have also given you some tips on how to choose the right plugin for your needs and how to use it effectively.
To summarize, here are our recommendations:
- If you want a comprehensive and high-quality plugin that covers a wide range of Turkish instruments and genres, you might want to try Spotlight Collection: Middle East by Native Instruments. - If you want a huge and diverse plugin that covers a wide range of ethnic instruments and voices from around the world, you might want to try Ethno World 6 Complete by Best Service. - If you want a simple and affordable plugin that focuses on one specific Turkish instrument, you might want to try Volko Baglama by Volko Audio. Of course, these are not the only Turkish instruments VST plugins available. There are many other options that you can explore and experiment with. The best way to find the perfect plugin for you is to try them out yourself and see what works for you.
We hope that this article has helped you learn more about Turkish music and Turkish instruments VST plugins. We hope that you have found this article useful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact us. We would love to hear from you.
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Turkish music and Turkish instruments VST plugins:
What is the difference between Turkish classical music and Turkish folk music?
Turkish classical music and Turkish folk music are two of the main genres of Turkish music, but they have different origins, characteristics, and influences. Turkish classical music is also known as Ottoman classical music or Turkish art music, and it developed from the musical traditions of the Ottoman Empire, which spanned from the 13th to the 20th century. Turkish classical music is based on a system of modes called makams, which are similar to scales but with more complex rules and variations. Turkish classical music is usually performed by small ensembles of instruments and singers, and it follows a formal structure of compositions and improvisations.
Turkish folk music, on the other hand, is also known as Anatolian folk music or Turkish regional music, and it reflects the diverse cultures and regions of Turkey. Turkish folk music is based on a system of modes called ahenks, which are simpler and more flexible than makams. Turkish folk music is usually performed by soloists or large groups of instruments and singers, and it follows a more spontaneous and informal structure of songs and dances.
What are some of the most popular Turkish instruments?
Some of the most popular Turkish instruments are:
Bağlama: a long-necked lute with three courses of strings
Kanun: a plucked zither with 26 courses of strings
Ney: an end-blown flute with a warm and breathy tone
Oud: a short-necked lute with 11 or 13 strings
Santur: a hammered dulcimer with 72 strings
Tanbur: a long-necked lute with seven strings
Zurna: a double-reed oboe with a loud and piercing sound
Bendir: a frame drum with a snare that produces a buzzing sound
Darabuka: a goblet-shaped drum that is played with the fingers
Davul: a large double-headed drum that is played with sticks
Kudum: a pair of small kettle drums that are used in religious music
Riq: a tambourine-like instrument with jingles
Zil: a pair of small cymbals that are used in dance music
How can I learn to play Turkish instruments?
If you want to learn to play Turkish instruments, you have several options. You can:
Find a local teacher or tutor who can teach you the basics and advanced techniques of playing Turkish instruments.
Enroll in an online course or program that can teach you how to play Turkish instruments through videos, exercises, quizzes, and feedback.
Watch YouTube videos or tutorials that can show you how to play Turkish instruments step by step.
Read books or articles that can explain the theory and practice of playing Turkish instruments.
Listen to recordings or performances of Turkish music and try to imitate or emulate the sounds and styles of the musicians.
Practice regularly and consistently with your instrument until you master it.
Where can I find more Turkish instruments VST plugins?
If you want to find more Turkish instruments VST plugins, you can:
Browse online directories or databases that list various VST plugins by category, genre, or instrument.
Search online forums or communities that discuss VST plugins and ask for recommendations or suggestions.
Read online reviews or articles that compare and contrast different VST plugins and their features.
Watch online videos or demos that showcase different VST plugins and their sounds.
Download free trials or demos of different VST plugins and test them out yourself.
Buy full versions or bundles of different VST plugins and enjoy them fully.
How can I mix and master Turkish music?
If you want to mix and master Turkish music, you need to consider some factors, such as:
The genre and style of your Turkish music. Different genres and styles may require different mixing and mastering techniques and settings.
The balance and blend of your instruments and voices. You need to make sure that your instruments and voices are well balanced and blended in terms of volume, pan, EQ, compression, and reverb. You need to avoid clipping, distortion, or masking of your sounds.
The dynamics and expression of your Turkish music. You need to preserve and enhance the dynamics and expression of your Turkish music, such as the microtonal scales, the complex