'Peking Opera Percussion' is the second virtual instrument from Best Service's Chinese development team, who specialise in reproducing traditional Chinese virtual instruments with a 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. This 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.
Playable MIDI Templates
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"