TABLE OF CONTENTS
- What is Kabuki & Noh Percussion?
- What are the system requirements?
- What types of instruments are included?
- Any more details about these instruments?
- Can you explain more about the recording environment and techniques used?
- What's the full list of kit-pieces included in the pack?
- Do you allow license transfers?
What is Kabuki & Noh Percussion?
Kabuki & Noh Percussion is an expansion pack for BFD3 featuring authentic sounds of Japanese Kabuki & Noh theatre performances.
What are the system requirements?
| Windows | MAC |
|---|---|
| BFD 3 License Required | BFD 3 License Required |
| Windows 10 version 1909 and above | MacOS 12 Monterey and above |
| 6.85GB free disk space required | 6.85GB free disk space required |
| 8GB DDR3 RAM and above | 8GB DDR3 RAM and above |
| Intel Core i5 3.0 ghz and above or | Intel Core i5 3.0 ghz and above or |
| AMD Ryzen 3 (2017) and above | Apple Silicon M1 and above |
| This software requires an internet connection to authorize | This software requires an internet connection to authorize |
| Supported formats: VST2, VST3, AAX | Supported formats: VST2, VST3, AAX, AU (Intel and ARM - Rosetta is not required) |
What types of instruments are included?
From the Kabuki and Noh hayashi flute-and-drums ensemble:
- kotsuzumi (an hourglass-shaped hand drum)
- otsuzumi (a large hand drum)
- shimedaiko (a pitched drum)
- Noh flute
- various kakegoe calls (yo and ho calls)
Percussive “noisemakers” found in Kabuki performance:
- odaiko (a large drum)
- daibyoshi (a short-bodied drum)
- okedoh (a barrel drum)
- mamedaiko (the “imperial” drum)
- uchiwadaiko (a “fan” drum)
- atarigane (a saucer-shaped gong)
- chanchiki (another round bell)
- soban (a smaller gong)
- ekiro (a doughnut-shaped horse bell)
- music boxes
- hontsurigane (a large bell)
- dora (a gong)
- mokugyo (an ornate wooden gong)
- matsumushi (a small flat gong)
- fusegane (an altar gong)
These have been paired with ashibyoshi foot beats and tsukeuchi sound-effect clappers that add drama to a powerful Kabuki performance.
All performances are by renowned Japanese percussionist Takinojo Mochizuki. His precise mastery of these instruments and his vibrant, lively playing style is crucial to Kabuki & Noh Percussion's authenticity and diverse expressiveness.
See below for a comprehensive list of all kit-pieces supplied.
Any more details about these instruments?
Kabuki & Noh Percussion is the first sample collection to capture the many voices of the kotsuzumi in such an authentic manner. While best known for its gentle tapping sound, the kotsuzumi is in fact capable of myriad expressions, from crisp hand taps to detailed portamento slides controlled by grasping the drum’s cords.
The collection features odaiko performances played with nagabachi (long, tapered sticks for sound effects) and yukibai (a special stick to imitate the sound of snow), giving the scope to recreate virtually every odaiko nuance.
There are numerous Noh flute phrases, such as hishigi and ashirai, and the “iyoh” and “ho” kakegoe calls (27 types and 148 variations) of the ensemble players, which are essential to the nagauta (long epic songs) that form the basis of Noh and Kabuki performances.
Can you explain more about the recording environment and techniques used?
Most of the recordings were conducted in an anechoic room similar to the bamboo-curtained orchestra room where the instruments are played in a Kabuki theater. The ambient channels feature delay and a stereo effect but very little reflection or natural reverberation. Artificial reverb can be added as needed by the user.
Some instruments that require a reverberant hall sound, such as the tsukeuchi, ashibyoshi, hyoushigi were recorded in a suitable small hall environment.
To record the true essence of the instruments’ sound, very well-preserved vintage Neumann U47 and U67, Korby KAT67 condenser microphones and RCA 44BX and 77DX ribbon microphones were used. The preamps used were vintage Neve 5315 units.
What's the full list of kit-pieces included in the pack?
Taiko drums
- Odaiko - nagabachi
- Odaiko - yukibai
- Shimedaiko 1 - futobachi
- Shimedaiko 2 - hosobachi
- Otsuzumi 1
- Otsuzumi 2
- Kotsuzumi 1
- Kotsuzumi 2
- Daibyoushi 1 - bamboo stick
- Daibyoushi 2 - hosobachi
- Okedou
- Mamedaiko
- Uchiwadaiko 1
- Uchiwadaiko 2
- Uchiwadaiko 3
- Uchiwadaiko 4
Stage sound effects
- Ashibyoushi
- Tsukeuchi 1 - hall
- Tsukeuchi 2 - studio
Kakegoe and flute sounds
- Kakegoe A - 108 calls
- Kakegoe B - 40 calls
- Nohkan - 61 phrases
Bells, gongs, and cymbals
- Matsumushi - low
- Matsumushi - high
- Atarigane - held
- Atarigane - hanging
- Konchiki
- Fusegane
- Souban
- Chappa
- Myouhachi
Metallic percussion instruments
- Hontsurigane 1A
- Hontsurigane 1B
- Hontsurigane 2A
- Hontsurigane 2A
- Dora 1
- Dora 2
- Kin 1
- Kin 2
- Kin 3
- Ekiro
- Rei
- Orgol
Other percussion effects
- Hyoushigi - hall
- Hyoushigi - studio
- Kinushou
- Mokugyo 1
- Mokugyo 2
- Mokugyo 3
- Mokushou 1
- Mokushou 2
- Mokushou 3
- Hariougi
- Takenaruko
- Binzasara 1
- Binzasara 2 - kokiriko
- Bouzasara
Do you allow license transfers?
Yes, however:
- If you're the seller, you must contact us in advance of the sale. If you're a prospective second-hand buyer, you must check that the seller is cleared to sell. If in doubt, contact us.
- Review copies, NFRs (Not For Resale copies, sometimes used for in-store demos), etc., cannot be transferred under any circumstances.
- We reserve the right to refuse a license transfer request.
Once a transfer is authorized the new owner is entitled to exactly the same upgrade paths and technical support resources as if they had bought the product new. Please see our guide on License Transfers for more information.