Sonuscore Moroccan Vocal Phrases is a specialized vocal sample library designed to bring the rich and soulful vocal traditions of Morocco to composers, producers, and sound designers. This library features over 580 authentic Moroccan vocal phrases performed by Nadia Kaawad, a talented singer from Essaouira, Morocco. The phrases cover various traditional Moroccan music styles, including Gnawa, Andalusian, Malhun, Chaabi, and Amazigh (Berber) music. The library is organized into 9 main themes and 2 bonus themes, each offering a unique style and collection of powerful and emotional phrases. Designed to be versatile, Moroccan Vocal Phrases can be used across multiple genres, from film scoring and world music to ambient and electronic productions. The library requires a full version of Native Instruments’ Kontakt (version 6.8.1 or higher) or Steinberg’s free HALion Sonic to operate.
Pros:
• Authentic Moroccan vocal performances by a professional singer
• Over 580 diverse phrases covering multiple traditional styles
• Intuitive interface with Sonuscore’s Phrase Browser for easy navigation and manipulation
• Phrases recorded in four different keys, allowing playability in all chromatic keys
• High-quality 24-bit audio recordings preserving the full dynamic range and tonal richness
Cons:
• Requires full version of Kontakt or HALion Sonic, not compatible with free Kontakt Player
• Limited to pre-recorded phrases, which may restrict some creative flexibility
The Moroccan Vocal Phrases library boasts an impressive array of features designed to provide users with an authentic and versatile tool for incorporating Moroccan vocal elements into their productions. At its core, the library contains over 580 distinct vocal phrases, meticulously organized into 9 main themes and 2 bonus themes. Each theme represents a different style or emotion, allowing composers to easily find the right vocal element for their project. All phrases were captured in a state-of-the-art studio, resulting in pristine 24-bit audio that preserves the full dynamic range and tonal richness of the original performances. This high-quality recording ensures that the emotional depth and nuances of Nadia Kaawad’s vocals are faithfully reproduced in users’ productions.
The library’s versatility is further enhanced by its key-switching capabilities. All themes are recorded in four different keys, which allows for minimal pitch shifting and makes the phrases playable in all chromatic keys. This feature is particularly valuable for composers who need to adapt the vocal phrases to fit various musical contexts without compromising the authenticity of the performance.
Sonuscore has also implemented their intuitive Phrase Browser interface, which allows users to effortlessly navigate, audition, and manipulate phrases to suit their compositions. This user-friendly interface streamlines the workflow, making it easy for composers to find and integrate the perfect vocal phrase into their projects.
The library’s organization into intro, mid, and end phrases provides additional flexibility. Each theme includes 15 unique phrases and 2 brief endings, split into 5 separate starting, middle, and end phrases. This structure allows users to combine phrases in various ways, creating custom vocal arrangements that fit seamlessly into their compositions.
The FX page within the interface gives users complete control over EQ settings, allowing for further sound shaping and integration with other elements in a mix. This level of control ensures that the Moroccan vocal phrases can be tailored to fit a wide range of musical styles and production aesthetics.
Lastly, the library’s diverse vocal styles, including Malhun, Gnawa, Andalusian Music (Al-Ala), Chaabi, Amazigh (Berber) Music, and Aita, provide a broad spectrum of sounds and cultural influences. This diversity allows composers to explore different facets of Moroccan vocal traditions and incorporate them into their work in unique and creative ways.
When comparing Moroccan Vocal Phrases to similar plugins, it stands out for its focus on authentic Moroccan vocal traditions. While there are other world music vocal libraries available, few offer such a comprehensive collection of Moroccan vocal phrases. Libraries like Eduardo Tarilonte’s Desert Winds or Best Service’s Era II Medieval Legends provide Middle Eastern and North African vocal elements, but they often cover a broader geographical and cultural range, lacking the specific focus on Moroccan traditions that Sonuscore’s library offers. In terms of usability and interface design, Moroccan Vocal Phrases is comparable to other Sonuscore products, such as their Ethnic Flute Phrases or Shevannai Voices of the Elves. The intuitive Phrase Browser and key-switching capabilities are consistent across these products, providing a familiar workflow for users of other Sonuscore libraries. However, unlike some more extensive vocal libraries like Eastwest’s Voices of the Empire or Strezov Sampling’s Wotan, Freyja, or Arva, Moroccan Vocal Phrases is focused solely on pre-recorded phrases rather than offering individual syllables or words for custom phrase building. This makes it less flexible for creating entirely original vocal lines but potentially more authentic and easier to use for quick integration of Moroccan vocal elements.
This plugin is best for:
• Film and TV composers seeking authentic Moroccan vocal elements for their scores
• World music producers looking to incorporate genuine Moroccan vocal traditions
• Electronic and ambient music creators wanting to add exotic vocal textures to their tracks
• Sound designers in need of emotive and culturally specific vocal samples for various projects
Sonuscore Moroccan Vocal Phrases offers a unique and valuable tool for composers and producers seeking to incorporate authentic Moroccan vocal elements into their work. The library’s extensive collection of high-quality, diverse phrases performed by a professional Moroccan vocalist provides users with a rich palette of sounds to enhance their productions. Its user-friendly interface, combined with features like key-switching and the ability to combine different phrase sections, allows for flexible and creative use of the samples. While the reliance on pre-recorded phrases may limit some creative possibilities, the authenticity and emotional depth of the performances make this a standout product for those looking to add genuine Moroccan vocal flavors to their music. The library’s versatility across various genres, from film scoring to electronic music, further enhances its value. Despite the requirement for a full version of Kontakt or HALion Sonic, which may be a barrier for some users, the Moroccan Vocal Phrases library represents a significant addition to the world of ethnic vocal sample libraries, offering a focused and high-quality exploration of Moroccan vocal traditions.