Creating a virtual instrument library of tanbur, a traditional Turkish musical instrument

The aim of this research is to create a virtual instrument library of tanbur, a traditional Turkish musical instrument. Examinational model is preferred for this purpose. While all the traditional Turkish music instruments form the universe of the research, tanbur is specified as the focus. Scanning method is used in order to reach the theoretical information on creating the sound library. In light of the related theory the sound samples are recorded in the studio, and edited by using the relevant computer software. By realizing the timbral structure of tanbur and the modal structure of traditional Turkish music, the forms are made which allow the sound library to be played by using a MIDI keyboard. These forms are created by organizing the sound samples into the sampler software. The form to be played is determined by using the key switch technique. A convolution processor is used to emulate the depth effect of resonator strings on tanbur. The vibrato effect created with shaking the arm of tanbur is emulated by taking the capabilities of the sampling software into account. Sound samples taken from the real tanbur and the virtual instrument are compared by using the frequency analysis method.As a result of the research, it?s been found that the convolution method used for creating the virtual instrument is so realistic. The form system, created in order to adapt the modal structure of Turkish music to MIDI keyboard is also suitable for playing different modal scales.