Peking Opera Percussion MAGNETRiXX

Peking Opera Percussion

TEAM MAGNETRiXX | 10 September 2013 | 1.68 GB

‘Peking Opera Percussion’ is the second virtual instrument from Best Service’s Chinese development team, who specialised in virtually reproducing traditional Chinese instruments with great passion. This is a collection of high quality drum and percussion instruments used in traditional Chinese opera.

This pack is modelled on the Peking opera, one of the cultural treasures of China, and Kunqu opera, known as the “teacher” or “mother” of a hundred operas.

The library also includes other percussion instruments commonly used in contemporary Chinese music, such as a four feet high drum, played in solo and ensemble performances, various gongs and cymbals and the unique Bianzhong that was found in the tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng.

This is an ancient Chinese instrument dated 433 BC and consisting of a set of bronze bells that were hung in a wooden frame and struck with a mallet.

‘Peking Opera Percussion’ is produced with top-notch sampling, editing and programming, by local Chinese producers, who have a natural understanding of their culture and a sole passion to express the true quality of Chinese instruments.

To help you find your way into the rhythm patterns of Chinese opera they have included many playable MIDI templates.

Concept:

‘Peking Opera Percussion’ includes layers in four categories – Jingda, Drum, Bell, and Cymbal/Gong. Best Service sampled the most often-used sounds in Chinese percussion, with some layers sampled with up to 16 velocity layers, allowing absolutely detailed and dynamic performing.

Screen Layouts:

Most of the layers have their own unique screen layout. You will learn how the real instruments look, while listening to their sound. On some layers, the individual instrument that is actually playing will be highlighted, this will help you to familiarise yourself with the Chinese percussion.

Roll Crossfade:

Drum layers are mapped with roll crossfade, which can be controlled via CC1. This is a helpful feature to reproduce a realistic crescendo.

Close Mic & Room Mic:

All layers have close mic and room mic samples, you can use the dry/wet control to adjust the balance between them.

Jingda:

This folder contains two sets of ‘Peking Opera Percussion’ which include Bangu, Ban, Muyu, Gong, Cymbal, and MIDI files.

The lower sections are new grooves made by composer Zhang Jian, the higher sections are traditional grooves, including various intros and endings, which can be used to reproduce the Peking Opera scene.

Jingda Wen:

This percussion set is lower in pitch, which is commonly used in non-action on type scenes.

Jingda Wu:

This percussion set is higher in pitch, this set mainly used for action, fight or such kind of scenes.

Weifeng Kit:

Popular Chinese drum set for local people’s amusement, such as ceremonies, holidays, or just entertainment after work, you may hear the grooves on the street in the evening, while old or middle aged people are dancing to them!

Drum Set:

Full drum set including all the samples in this folder, solo and ensemble.

Jiangu Solo:

A big Chinese drum about four feet high. This single drum played by one player has three hit positions on the drum skin, plus stick (left and right), rim (left and right), double/triple hits, and mute.

Jiangu 5P:

Big drum ensemble, played by five players. It has two hit positions on the drum skin, plus stick, rim (fast and slow), double/triple hits, and mute.

Huapengu Solo:

Smaller Chinese drum with a flowerpot shape, single drum played by one player. It has three hit positions on the drum skin, plus stick, rim, double/triple hits, and mute (left & right).

Huapengu 5P:

Huapen drum ensemble, played by five players. It has two hit positions on the drum skin, plus stick, rim (fast & slow), double/ triple hits, and mute.

Paigu:

One set of small drums, a total of 12 pieces, including one-shots and their roll crossfade.

Bianzhong Bell:

This is an important instrument in ancient China‘s ritual and court music. What Best Service sampled is a replica of the original Bianzhong, Marquis Yi of Zeng, which was excavated in 1970s and has a history of more than 2000 years. Bianzhong has three rows and some bells have the same pitch on different rows, so they have a different tone.

Qing:

One set of small bell type percussion.

Luo Gong:

Includes four gongs with various sizes and pitches

Cymbal Cha:

Includes two cymbals with different sizes.

Cymbal Naobo:

Includes two cymbals with different sizes.

Gongs Other:

Various gongs from different Chinese regions.

Yunluo:

Small gong set, each of has a fixed pitch and could be used to play melody line. Sampled with two kinds of drum sticks.

Shimianluo:

Gong set placed on a wood rack, with 10 different gongs at varying pitches, they are mainly used to produce exciting atmospheres.

Credits:

• Producer: Zhang Jian
• Executive Producer: Ma Jing
• Drum/Perucssion Player: Wang Yi Dong/Wang Jun and team
• Recording Engineer: Cao Meng/Jiang Song Song
• Editing: Zhang Jian, Ma Jing
• MIDI Demo: Zhang Jian
• Graphic Design: Ding Jing

Key Features:

• 3 GB sample library at 44.1kHz/24-Bit
• Most Chinese percussion instruments included
• MIDI grooves included
• 2 microphone positions with dry/wet control
• Powered by the Best Service “Engine”