Gu Zheng

Gu Zheng, recorded by local Chinese music producers

Gu Zheng is one of the most beautiful, traditional Chinese instruments with a history of more than 2000 years. The modern Gu Zheng is a Chinese plucked zither equipped with 21 strings and movable bridges. Basic playing styles include plucking at the right portion and pressing at the left portion to produce pitch ornamentations as well as tremolo. Yellow River Sound´s Gu Zheng is produced by Zhang Jian (China Conservatory of Music) & Ma Jing (ADSH) in cooperation with Best Service. For the first time, a Chinese instrument was sampled with great care by local Chinese music producers, who have a natural understanding of their culture and a sole passion to express the true quality of Chinese instruments.

Using the Best Service ENGINE sample player technology, this virtual instrument offers more detailed articulations than ever. Its freshness and elegance reflects the preserved spirit in Chinese culture. While many virtual instruments are involved in the loudness war, YRS Gu Zheng’s low velocity samples allow you to experience the sound of silence, nevertheless, its wide dynamic range also provides punchy impact. With the release of YRS Gu Zheng and more instruments to follow, Chinese instruments will no longer be a sub-category in your ethno library. Long hidden treasures will be rediscovered. Just listen to the demos. These are pure MIDI arrangements and experience the virtual Gu Zheng you have always dreamed of!

Features

• 1.6GB sample library, multi samples on every single velocity layer
• Most detailed articulations, never before available, up to 5 velocity layers, 3 different tempos of bend up/down etc.
• Sampled from a famous, custom design Gu Zheng
• Recorded at the China Conservatory of Music using Direct Stream Digital Technology and 5 microphone positions
• 24bit / 44.1kHz sample playback
• One shot single notes of most layers, emulate the real performance

abridgment: I give this library 4.5 out of 5 I really enjoy playing it, I love the tone and feel of it.

You can definitely get some realistic Chinese phrases out of this instrument and it can fit into almost any genre of music or scoring that requires some realistic ethnic spice.

With an instrument this detailed I was surprised they priced it as low as they did, but I won’t complain! I’m glad they went to the source to get such a traditional instrument sampled correctly, I will definitely be keeping my eyes open for more from these producers.
 

SoundsAndGear review GuZheng