Kong Audio has announced the release of ChineeGuQin, a new sample-based emulation of a GuQin. It costs $60 and is available for Windows as a VST instrument plug-in. Existing customer can get ChineeGuQin with a time-limited (until January 12th) special discount.

Kong Audio has also announced three Time-limited Holiday Special Promotions (until Jan 12th, 2010):

1. Instant China and Essential China plug-in packs are now 50 percent off the usual price tag.
2. All plug-ins are now $48, except for ChineeKong V2+ and the new ChineeGuQin.
3. Buy 4 plug-ins, pick one more for free. (ChineeKong V2+ not included).

ChineeGuQin

"The Vivacious Vessel of Harmony"
GuQin is among the few most distinctive and representative classical Chinese instruments ever. The written record of it can be traced back to at least 3,000 years ago. It's a zither similar to GuZheng, but since GuQin does not have bridges, it is far more versatile in terms of tones and playing techniques, it is also much harder to master.

GuQin has a special place in the Chinese history as a symbol of the high-culture of the nobles and intellectuals (Junzi, Superior Man). It's also seen as the vessel for pursuing harmony. Even Confucius played and taught GuQin. During the last two tumultuous centuries of China, however, GuQin's tradition was almost extinct. Nowadays the Chinese have resumed the tradition and are trying to revitalize it.

GuQin is usually accompanied with a lower-pitched flute. ChineeNanxiao, or some other xiao in ChineeWinds are good choices of companion. The style is usually more personal and inward.

In 2003 , GuQin music is recognized as Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

ChineeGuQin
With true knowledge of the Chinese instrument, Kong Audio planned GuQin from the ground up. By intertwining the detailed sampling and the tailored Intelligent Legato mode, GuQin is brought back to life in its authenticity. ChineeGuQin captures not only the sound, but also the "silence" (string-sliding), and this "silence" is an integral part to GuQin music.

Also new is the real-time subset browser which greatly helps the user to see which subset is active in the current patch according to the incoming notes. By default ChineeGuQin is in the legato mode. It can be switched to polyphony mode using the Sustain Pedal, giving the musician an easy switch of the playing style. When in the polyphony mode, the playing style is usually played in two sections.

Specs:

• 425 MB sample set.
• All samples recorded in 1-bit / 2.8 MHz.