Sonica and FXpansion have released Kabuki & Noh Percussion, a collection of authentically played Japanese percussion instruments and noise-makers for BFD.

Evoking the emotions and grandeur of the Kabuki stage, the mysteriously profound aesthetic world of Noh theater, and the reverberations of tapped hand drums, Kabuki & Noh Percussion features 56 percussion instruments used in Kabuki and Noh performances. The collection includes a variety of traditional hand drums, pitched drums, bells, gongs and music boxes alongside Noh flute and authentic vocal motifs. Also included are the ashibyoshi foot beats and tsukeuchi sound-effect clappers crucial to Kabuki performance.

Played by master traditional Japanese percussionist Takinojo Mochizuki with alternating left/right hits at up to 99 velocity layers, Kabuki & Noh Percussion's detail was captured using well-preserved vintage mics and Neve preamps. The recording sessions were conducted in an anechoic room similar to the bamboo-curtained orchestra room in a Kabuki theater. Reverb can be added as needed - the recordings preserve the true character of the instruments' sound.

Kabuki & Noh Percussion comes complete with 156 grooves that give you instant access to real nagauta and Noh performance rhythm patterns.

Availability & Pricing

Kabuki & Noh Percussion is available as a download from the FXpansion web shop, and as a boxed product in all good music retailers in Japan.

Pricing is $149.00 / €109.00 / £95.00 (inc VAT) for all registered BFD2, BFD Eco and BFD Eco DV owners.

Watch the official video on YouTube

Watch the Introduction to Kabuki & Noh Percussion video on YouTube