Dating from the 14th century B.C., the sheng is the most technically developed instrument, with metal keys and a fully chromatic tuning.  Modern Sheng come in various sizes including some very large bass instruments, but for this library we sampled a standard alto instrument with 30 pipes. 

The Khaen has the longest pipes in our collection, but is also the most “rustic” of the three and lacks the finesse and sensitivity of the other two. A  typical Khaen performance uses breathing to create a quick rhythmic pulsing effect.

The Sho is the smallest of the three and has a the highest pitch register.  The instrument was introduced to Japan from China in the 8th century AD and became a primary woodwind in the court Gagaku ensembles of the Heian period. There has been a rediscovery of the instrument in modern times with new pieces being written for the instrument by such composers as John Cage, Toru Takemitsu, and Alan Hovhanness.  Björk used Sho as a primary instrument in the music to her film Drawing Restraint 9.

Sheng keys and mouthpiece.

The performer blows into the central chamber to provide pressure to the instrument. Covering a hole in a pipe allows air to pass and vibrate that reed so the pipe will sound.  Each pipe makes a single pitch, but as many pipes can sound at once these instruments are polyphonic.

Sho mouthpiece and close up of pipes

Sho pipes from above

• INHALE / EXHALE CONTROL
• KEY NOISE CONTROL
• DYNAMIC VIBRATO CONTROL
• PRESSURE CONTROL

The Sheng instrument page features comprehensive control over the instrument behaviour, with user configurable breath control, including inhale /exhale switching, pitch offset and instability. A full set of envelopes, LFOs and filters add creative possibilites.
 

• BREATH CONTROL
• DRONE NOTE
• KEY NOISE CONTROL

The Khaen features a 'drone' key in addition to the inhale /exhale controls, as well as the envelope, LFO and filter setup.

• INHALE / EXHALE CONTROL
• DYNAMIC VIBRATO CONTROL
• PRESSURE CONTROL

The Sho instrument page also features user configurable breath control, with inhale /exhale switching, pitch offset and instability. A full set of envelopes, LFOs and filters add creative possibilites.

• 50 PRESET SCALES
• PER NOTE + OCTAVE CUSTOM TUNING
• SAVE + LOAD USER PRESETS

The Tuning panel offers powerful control over scales and individual notes. Choose from over 50 preset scales including pentatonics, African, Chinese & Mesopotamian setups, or create your own unique micro-tuning.

• MODULAR INSERT FX CHAIN
• 16 EFFECT TYPES
• CONVOLUTION REVERB PROCESSOR

A completely user configurable FX chain: choose from 16 different effects in 6 insert slots - in any order you like. The Space processor offers everything from straight rooms and halls to ambient convolution effects.