Impact Soundworks Koto Nation: Classical Instruments of Japan - Virtual Instrument, Download

Find an unparalleled collection of traditional Japanese instruments with the Koto Nation: Classical Instruments of Japan - Virtual Instrument, Download. This comprehensive library, brought to you by the reputable brand Impact Soundworks, offers the deepest sampling of koto, bass koto, and shamisen instruments ever released, performed by world-class artist Masayo Ishigure.

With Koto Nation, you'll have access to two mic positions, extensive dynamics, round robins, and FX patches, as well as a wide array of traditional and contemporary articulations. This product was born out of a desire to give traditional Japanese instruments a thorough sampling treatment, akin to our highly acclaimed North Indian sample library, Sitar Nation.

Unlike other libraries that offer only basic articulations and limited velocities or round robins, Koto Nation provides a massive number of samples that cover all crucial playing techniques. These include sustained picks with a plectrum, pizzicato, octaves, multiple types and speeds of glissandi, vibrato, tremolo, mordents (pitch bends), and mutes, as well as extended techniques such as atonal glissandi, finger scrapes, string hits, and hard plucks.

The library includes a total of 25 main patches spread among the three instruments. Each articulation is recorded with multiple dynamic and round robin layers, as well as variations in speed or tonality where appropriate. This depth of sampling allows for unparalleled realism, making these instruments capable of standing alone in a solo context as well as in a larger composition.

The Koto Nation library also includes a set of 9 "FX" patches, which apply online and offline processing to the core audio to take it in new, musically interesting directions. These sounds range from granular pad textures to warm sustains, drones, airy resonances, percussive hits, distorted synths, and eerie ambiances.

Whether you're a film composer, hobbyist producer, ethnomusicologist, anime fan, or simply someone looking to explore the rich sounds of traditional Japanese music, Koto Nation offers a complete repertoire of authentic, high-quality samples. Dive into nearly 4,000 detailed samples of koto, bass koto, and shamisen instruments, each with close and room mic positions, traditional and extended techniques, bonus FX patches, bends, mordents, and beautiful menus of glissandos.