EXPLORE A WORLD OF SONIC METAMORPHOSIS
The Augmented Series unites expressive multi-sampled instruments with state-of-the-art synthesis engines in a fluid, hands-on interface. Morph, sculpt, and shape sounds that breathe and evolve — from cinematic pulses to dreamlike ambience.
Now spanning 8 titles, including Augmented PERSIA
ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENTS REINVENTED
Augmented PERSIA fuses the distinctive character of traditional Persian and Middle Eastern instruments with modern synthesis, giving composers, producers, and sound explorers an immediate way to create expressive, cinematic, and boundary-pushing soundscapes.
6 CORE SAMPLED INSTRUMENTS
Oud (Plucked String) A short-necked, fretless lute from Iran and Syria. It provides a deep, pear-shaped body and a distinctively warm, resonant tone.
Tar (Plucked String) A long-necked lute from Iran and Azerbaijan with a figure-eight body covered in skin. It produces a bright, percussive attack with rich sustain.
Saz (Plucked String) Also known as Bağlama, this Turkish long-necked lute features movable frets and produces a bright, metallic tone.
Alto Kamancheh (Bowed String) A vertically held spike fiddle. It offers a warm, mid-range register with a vocal, haunting quality.
Shah Kaman (Bowed String) A modern evolution of the Kamancheh with a fuller body and broader dynamic range, designed for contemporary performance and recording.
Ney (Woodwind) An ancient end-blown reed flute (dating back over 4500 years) significant in Persian, Turkish, Jewish, Arabic, and Egyptian traditions. Known for its breathy, ethereal sound and spiritual depth.
SAMPLING THE INSTRUMENTS
Recorded in exclusive partnership with Evolution Series, the library features six essential instruments meticulously captured to provide a spectrum of timbres from deep, warm plucks to haunting, breathy winds.
To ensure authenticity, Tremolo Swells were recorded at specific dynamic layers: the Oud at a soft dynamic for delicate builds, while the Tar and Saz were recorded at a loud dynamic for maximum percussive impact.
WHAT’S BEHIND AUGMENTED PERSIA?
The technical architecture of Augmented PERSIA utilizes the Augmented V2 dual-engine architecture with flexible modulation routing. The V2 engine utilizes a sampler engine for high-fidelity playback of the Evolution
Series library, layered with:
1. Virtual Analog: Emulating classic subtractive synthesis with Arturia’s renowned modeling technology.
2. Granular: Deconstructing samples into microscopic grains for textured, avant-garde exploration.
3. Wavetable: Providing modern, evolving digital timbres and sharp transitions.
4. Harmonic: An additive synthesis engine for creating complex, metallic harmonic structures.
Processed and Additional Samples:
The “Augmented” layer includes “Processed” sounds—original instrument recordings transformed via boutique guitar pedal chains, heavy digital effects, and vintage tape machines. “Additional” samples provide non-instrumental atmospheres and SFX designed to complement the regional textures, resulting in unrecognizable, “future-ready” sonic artworks.
Cool things to have fun with
Instant Cinematic Underscore Load a “hybrid” preset, hold down a single key, and use the Morph knob to create an evolving, complex, and atmospheric drone perfect for setting a scene. The sound shifts seamlessly from an authentic instrumental texture to a rich, synthetic pad.
Create Your Own Hybrid Instrument Start from a “default” patch. In Layer A, select a raw Saz sample, and in Layer B, choose a Granular synthesis engine. Now, use the macros to blend them into a completely new, unheard-of plucked string texture that is both organic and futuristic.
Rhythmic, Pulsing Textures Use the advanced Arpeggiator on a percussive Tar or Oud sample to instantly generate intricate rhythmic patterns that sync to your project’s tempo, creating a perfect starting point for a track.
Expressive Performance Control Start from a new, ‘Default’ preset, load the Tar’s Sus NV articulation in Layer A, then load the Tar’s Trem Swell Loud articulation in layer B, then map the morph control to your mod wheel to move from single pluck to expressive tremolo.
One-Knob Sound Transformation Use the Color and Time macros to instantly shift the timbre and feel of any preset without menu-diving, making it easy to tailor sounds to your mix on the fly.
Authentic Traditional Melodies Select a pure Kamancheh or Ney preset and play expressive, true-to-life melodic lines. The detailed multi-samples, including subtle articulation nuances, provide a level of realism not found in generic synth patches.
More info: https://www.arturia.com/products/software-instruments/augmented/persia
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