ChineeNanXiao v1.45 VSTi WiN

Team ASSiGN | 11 APRiL 2010 | 183.42 MB

The Melancholic Sound from China

Nanxiao (Southern Xiao) is a bamboo flute of the Xiao family. Unlike Dizi, Xiao has no membrane. Nanxiao is mostly popular in the Fujian area of southern China. Like the Japanese Shakuhachi, NanXiao is the offspring of ChiBa and DongXiao from the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907 AD).

MaTouQin v1.2 VSTi x86 WiN

Team: ASSiGN | 05 APRiL 2010 | 371 MB

The Mongolian Vibe from the Steppes MaTouQin (horse-headed fiddle, aka morin khuur), as one of the precious legacies of the Mongolian people, has been heartily embraced by Chinese musicians today as a vital musical element. Its unique sound character complements other classical Chinese instruments in a way like no others. MaTouQin is believed to be originated from the nomadic people during the Tang Dynasty (7th – 10th centuries), and became widely known circa Genghis Khan’s reign. Nowadays, like many other Mongolian legacies, Matouqin has become a valuable part of Chinese culture. Besides the horse-headed pegbox, MaTouQin is very recognizable for its unusual playing techniques and styles. Our production approached MaTouQin in pursuit of the indigenous flavour instead of the more Westernized style, and by delivering that flavour, all the composers and musicians now have a chance to explore and express in the most authentic and original Mongolian flavour easily.

ChineeYangQin v1.0.2 x86 VSTi WiN

Team: ASSiGN | 15 FEBRUARY 2010 | 103 MB

YangQin (Chinese Dulcimer) is a relatively new member of the Chinese instrument family. It was not until the late Ming Dynasty (mid-17th century) that YangQin started to show up in China. It is well-known that dulcimer was originated from the Persian civilization, but since YangQin’s sound character fitted so well to the taste of Chinese mentalite, it soon spread widely, especially in the southern China. Kong Audio faithfully captured and recreated YangQin for modern Chinese composers’ unfulfilled needs.

ChineeGuanZi v1.31 VSTi WiN

Team ASSiGN | 16 February 2010 | 238.22 MB

Characterized by the triste tone, GuanZi (literally means Pipe) is a one-of-a-kind double-reed instrument from China. Originated in Central Asia, like many other existing Chinese instruments, GuanZi was embraced dearly and became an integral part of Chinese instruments ever since the great Tang Dynasty (7th -10th centuries). GuanZi was once one of the standard instruments of court music. It was also used in military and festival events, as well as monumental, burial ceremonies. It is, sometimes, considered to be too distinctive to be a team instrument though, hence it tending to being overlooked today.

Kong Audio ChineeGuQin v1.1.0 VSTi WiN

Team ASSiGN | 18 FEBRUARY 2010 | 193.75 MB

The Vivacious Vessel of Harmony

GuQin is among the few most distinctive and representative classical Chinese instruments ever. The written record of it can be traced back to at least 3,000 years ago. It’s a zither similar to GuZheng, but since GuQin does not have bridges, it is far more versatile in terms of tones and playing techniques, it is also much harder to master. GuQin has a special place in the Chinese history as a symbol of the high-culture of the nobles and intellectuals (Junzi, Superior Man). It’s also seen as the vessel for pursuing harmony. Even Confucius played and taught GuQin. During the last two tumultuous centuries of China, however, GuQin’s tradition was almost extinct. Nowadays the Chinese have resumed the tradition and are trying to revitalize it. GuQin is usually accompanied with a lower-pitched flute. ChineeNanxiao, or some other xiao in ChineeWinds are good choices of companion. The style is usually more personal and inward. In 2003 , GuQin music is recognized as Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

ChineeHuLuSi v1.0.1 VSTi WiN

TEAM ASSiGN | 2010 | 267 MB

ChineeHuluSi: The Riveting Bottle Gourds from the South of Clouds. HuluSi is a free-reed wind instrument from China. “Hulu” is the Chinese name for bottle gourd; “Si”, silk, is used here to describe the unrelenting characteristic of HuluSi’s vibrating tail tone. The history of HuluSi is not well documented other than that it may have been used by the ethnic minorities in the nowadays Yunnan (literally means “South of Clouds”) province for a very, very long time, maybe as long as a thousand years. Today, HuluSi is the most representative instrument of Yunnan and in recent years it has been improved, spread and promoted, both at the domestic and international levels, and received good recognition. HuluSi is especially known for its unrelenting, yet soft, tone.

Kong Audio ChineeSheng VSTi 1.2

Team: ASSiGN | 08 MARCH 2010 | 247 MB

The Mouth Organ of Concord. As one of the earliest and most commonly recognized Chinese instruments, Sheng, a free-reed, mouth-blown instrument, which can be traced back to at least 3,000 years ago, has withstood against time and still is a vital key piece in today’s Chinese music. Sheng is also said to have inspired the creation of Accordion and Harmonica. Sheng is extremely versatile and expressive in its own right, with a wide note range, as well as much the broad tonal textures. Due to its portability and the polyphony nature, Sheng is also one of the few common accompanying instruments in Chinese music. It’s a must-have piece for scoring a more comprehensive Chinese-theme music.