Sonica Instruments – Sho

Sonica Instruments SHO: The Ultimate Virtual Sho Experience 🎶✨

Discover the rich heritage and ethereal tones of the sho, a revered free-reed instrument central to gagaku court orchestra music. 🌸 The sho’s iconic design, resembling a resting phoenix, and its heavenly tonal quality are now meticulously captured in the world’s first comprehensive SHO sample library from Sonica Instruments, part of the Virtuoso Japanese Series.

🎵 Key Features at a Glance

• Authentic Sho Sound: Precision-captured tones from 17 slender bamboo pipes, played by master musician Ko Ishikawa.
• Versatile Articulations: Straight, Flutter, Sforzando, Crescendo, Tremolo (Slow & Fast), and more!
• Innovative Articulation Mechanism: Perform aitake tone clusters or itchiku single tones with unparalleled authenticity.
• Realistic Pipe Indicator: Visualize pipe arrangements, traditional note names, and chord clusters with ease.

🎛️ Revolutionary Features for Maximum Creativity

1. Two Key Modes
   • Chromatic Mode: Traditional chromatic scale mapping for all-around versatility.
   • Trad. Fingering Mode: Authentic sho finger placements for a true-to-life experience.
2. Tuning Precision
   • Choose from Pythagorean tuning (used in gagaku) or equal temperament, with full custom tuning options.
3. Dynamic Breath Control
   • Effortlessly emulate the sho’s fluid breath articulations using Key Trigger Connections for natural transitions.
4. Polyphonic Legato
   • Seamlessly blend tones across multiple pipes, replicating the sho’s distinct tonal behavior.
5. Solo & Ensemble Modes
   • Perform solo or layer sounds with two- or three-performer ensembles for that rich, ceremonial unison.

🎚️ Unmatched Sound Design

• Multi-Microphone Recording: Includes Direct, Overhead, Room, and Stereo Mix positions for ultimate flexibility.
• Advanced Mixing Tools: Control Volume, Pan, Stereo Width, Reverb, and EQ for each channel.
• Quality Convolution Reverb: Create lush in-instrument soundscapes effortlessly.

🎵 MIDI Groove Browser

Quickly explore 18 preloaded MIDI grooves showcasing traditional sho techniques. Drag and drop directly into your DAW, and tweak playback velocity, swing, and tempo for perfect customization.

🎛️ Seamless Integration

• NKS & Native Access Ready: Compatible with Kontakt Player, Kontakt Full (6.6+), and Komplete Kontrol.
• Effortless Workflow: Instantly preview tones and control parameters with NKS-compatible hardware.

🎶 Why Choose SHO?

From its ancient origins to its modern versatility, SHO bridges the gap between tradition and innovation. Whether crafting traditional gagaku compositions or creating avant-garde soundscapes, this library empowers you to unleash the sho’s celestial tones in ways never before possible. 🌟