Virtual Instruments and Sound Libraries
Here’s a quick roundup of virtual guzheng instruments and software for composers and producers. You’ll need a version of Kontakt Player to run these. They range from $60-$120. Impact Soundworks seems to have the best interface, best control set, and a great set of techniques, but I haven’t given it a try.
Evolution Series ranks second. They have a more focused list of techniques with several options for tremolo, a slightly less usable interface, and are the most expensive. Soniccoutoure was most recently updated, so that’s nice.
There are non-Kontakt options out there. Best Service, A company in Germany, Released Yellow River Sound Guzheng in 2009. Price: $129 USD.
Sound Magic / Supreme Piano, an unknown, possibly China-based company released Guzheng in 2019 for $99.
There are various Sample Libraries out there if you don’t want a virtual instrument. One example is the 2009 “Silk’ from Sounds Online. They include guzheng with 22 other sampled instruments in their $299 USD library.
Impact Soundworks Plectra Series 5: Guzheng:
Price: $59 USD
Sound Files: 24bit, references 10GB install size and 50GB uncompressed.
Release Year: 2017.
Articulations/Techniques: 18
Fingers
Picks
Picks w/ Sponge
Harmonics
Bend Down Halftone
Bend Down Whole Tone
Bend Up Halftone
Bend Up Whole Tone
Bow Down
Bow Up
Bow Down-Up
Bow Staccato
Bow Crescendo
Edge Bow Down
Edge Bow Up
Edge Bow Down-Up
Edge Bow Staccato
Edge Bow Crescendo
Kontakt Version: 5.7
WavesFactory Guzheng:
Price: ~$70 USD (€ 59)
Sound Files 24bit, 2.29GB total.
Release Year: 2013, last update unknown.
Articulations / Techniques: 5- “fingers, pick, stick, bow and ebow".
Kontakt Version: Player 4.2.3
Notes: I have no idea what ‘stick’ is supposed to be.
Soniccoutoure Guzheng - Atmospheric Chinese Zither:
Price: $99 USD
Sound Files: 24bit 44khz, 2.25 GB total.
Release Year: 2009, updated 2018.
Articulations/Techniques: 3 articulations: "Left hand, right hand, harmonics (finger picks)".
Kontakt Version: 5.6.8
Evolution Series World Strings Guzheng:
Price: $119 USD
Sound Files: 24 bit 48khz, 18GB lossless, total. References 40 GB uncompressed
Release Year: 2013, possibly updated in 2017.
Articulations/Techniques: 14 "techniques".
Pick/vibrato
Finger/Harmonics
Bend Down
Bend Up
Crescendo
Diminuendo
Tremolo
Tremolo Dim Rel
Tremolo Crescendo
Tremolo Slow Crescendo Dim Rel
Tremolo Fast Cresceno Dim Rel
Tremolo Bend down
Tremolo Bend Up
Various Glissandi
Kontakt Version: 4
No Manual Available.