Qanun

Characteristic Oriental Plucked String Instrument

The Qanun is one of those instruments that you don’t just hear - you immediately feel it. Its sound is deeply rooted in the musical traditions of the Orient and has shaped this sonic world for over a thousand years. As a delicate wooden psaltery with 63 to 84 strings, it has been documented since the 10th century and remains a central element of both traditional and modern Middle Eastern music.

The Syrian multi-instrumentalist Bassam Ayoub has given this sound world a virtual life. With his experience recording Middle Eastern instruments and his deep understanding of playing techniques and expression, he has already shaped libraries such as “Arabic Oud” and “Arabic Percussion” - always with the goal of translating authentic instruments into the digital world as realistically and playably as possible.

With the Qanun, this approach reaches a new level: a detail-rich sampled instrument that consistently combines authenticity, expression, and playability. 22 articulations, multiple velocity layers, and up to 16 round robins ensure that every nuance remains alive and the true character of the Qanun is preserved.

The core idea was clear from the beginning: maximum musical expressiveness with intuitive playability. The articulations are divided into performed and freely playable variants, complemented by integrated microtunings, which are essential for the Maqam tradition.

This results in an instrument that deliberately bridges tradition and modern music production. The Qanun not only works in classical Middle Eastern music but also delivers exceptional sonic depth in EDM, hip-hop, pop, and film scoring.

Engine Player

The Qanun runs in the Engine Player - a modern, clean, and intuitive interface that puts you directly in the sound without distraction. You have access to a wide selection of both oriental and historical tunings, each available in two variants with a freely selectable root note.

With keyswitches, you can seamlessly switch between playing styles and create highly realistic performances in real time. The difference between Latch (stays active) and Hold (active only while held) gives you additional expressive control.

Additionally, MIDI song keys in the upper section provide short phrases that demonstrate the sonic versatility of the Qanun.

At a Glance

• Authentically sampled oriental Qanun

• 22 expressive articulations

• Up to 16 round robins for natural repetition behavior

• Multiple velocity layers for dynamic performance feel

• Integrated microtunings, two variants per tuning

• Keyswitch system for fast articulation switching

• Latch & Hold modes for flexible performance control

• Intuitive Engine Player workflow

• Perfect for traditional music, film, pop, hip-hop & EDM

Engine Player 1.5.2 or higher required.

Mac

• macOS 10.15 or newer
• 64 bit: Stand-alone, AU, VST3, AAX (native Apple Silicon or Intel)
• RAM: 4 GB (more recommended)

Windows

• Windows 10 or newer
• 64 bit: Stand-alone, VST3, AAX
• Intel Core Processor
• RAM: 4 GB (more recommended)

The latest Engine Player tutorial video can be viewed here: Engine Audio