General Information

What is Kabuki & Noh Percussion?

Kabuki & Noh Percussion is an expansion pack for BFD3 and BFD2 featuring authentic sounds of Japanese Kabuki & Noh theatre performances.


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What do I need in order to use Kabuki & Noh Percussion?

Kabuki & Noh Percussion requires a registered copy of BFD3 or BFD2 (versions 2.1 and later only) and a suitable system on which to run it.


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Can Kabuki & Noh Percussion be used with BFD Eco?

While Kabuki & Noh Percussion can technically be used in BFD Eco, it is not recommended because of the slot/channel and articulation/keymap limitations in BFD Eco. These mean that it is not possible to load many Kabuki kit-pieces simultaneously.


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What types of instruments are included?

From the Kabuki and Noh hayashi flute-and-drums ensemble:

  • kotsuzumi (an hourglass-shaped hand drum)
  • otsuzumi (a large hand drum)
  • shimedaiko (a pitched drum)
  • Noh flute
  • various kakegoe calls (yo and ho calls)

Percussive “noisemakers” found in Kabuki performance:

  • odaiko (a large drum)
  • daibyoshi (a short-bodied drum)
  • okedoh (a barrel drum)
  • mamedaiko (the “imperial” drum)
  • uchiwadaiko (a “fan” drum)
  • atarigane (a saucer-shaped gong)
  • chanchiki (another round bell)
  • soban (a smaller gong)
  • ekiro (a doughnut-shaped horse bell)
  • music boxes
  • hontsurigane (a large bell)
  • dora (a gong)
  • mokugyo (an ornate wooden gong)
  • matsumushi (a small flat gong)
  • fusegane (an altar gong)

These have been paired with ashibyoshi foot beats and tsukeuchi sound-effect clappers that add drama to a powerful Kabuki performance.

All performances are by renowned Japanese percussionist Takinojo Mochizuki. His precise mastery of these instruments and his vibrant, lively playing style is crucial to Kabuki & Noh Percussion's authenticity and diverse expressiveness.

See below for a comprehensive list of all kit-pieces supplied.


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Any more details about these instruments?

Kabuki & Noh Percussion is the first sample collection to capture the many voices of the kotsuzumi in such an authentic manner. While best known for its gentle tapping sound, the kotsuzumi is in fact capable of myriad expressions, from crisp hand taps to detailed portamento slides controlled by grasping the drum’s cords.

The collection features odaiko performances played with nagabachi (long, tapered sticks for sound effects) and yukibai (a special stick to imitate the sound of snow), giving the scope to recreate virtually every odaiko nuance.

There are numerous Noh flute phrases, such as hishigi and ashirai, and the “iyoh” and “ho” kakegoe calls (27 types and 148 variations) of the ensemble players, which are essential to the nagauta (long epic songs) that form the basis of Noh and Kabuki performances.


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Can you explain more about the recording environment and techniques used?

Most of the recordings were conducted in an anechoic room similar to the bamboo-curtained orchestra room where the instruments are played in a Kabuki theater. The ambient channels feature delay and a stereo effect but very little reflection or natural reverberation. Artificial reverb can be added as needed by the user.

Some instruments that require a reverberant hall sound, such as the tsukeuchi, ashibyoshi, hyoushigi were recorded in a suitable small hall environment.

To record the true essence of the instruments’ sound, very well-preserved vintage Neumann U47 and U67, Korby KAT67 condenser microphones and RCA 44BX and 77DX ribbon microphones were used. The preamps used were vintage Neve 5315 units.


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What's the full list of kit-pieces included in the pack?

Taiko drums

  • Odaiko - nagabachi
  • Odaiko - yukibai
  • Shimedaiko 1 - futobachi
  • Shimedaiko 2 - hosobachi
  • Otsuzumi 1
  • Otsuzumi 2
  • Kotsuzumi 1
  • Kotsuzumi 2
  • Daibyoushi 1 - bamboo stick
  • Daibyoushi 2 - hosobachi
  • Okedou
  • Mamedaiko
  • Uchiwadaiko 1
  • Uchiwadaiko 2
  • Uchiwadaiko 3
  • Uchiwadaiko 4

Stage sound effects

  • Ashibyoushi
  • Tsukeuchi 1 - hall
  • Tsukeuchi 2 - studio

Kakegoe and flute sounds

  • Kakegoe A - 108 calls
  • Kakegoe B - 40 calls
  • Nohkan - 61 phrases

Bells, gongs, and cymbals

  • Matsumushi - low
  • Matsumushi - high
  • Atarigane - held
  • Atarigane - hanging
  • Konchiki
  • Fusegane
  • Souban
  • Chappa
  • Myouhachi

Metallic percussion instruments

  • Hontsurigane 1A
  • Hontsurigane 1B
  • Hontsurigane 2A
  • Hontsurigane 2A
  • Dora 1
  • Dora 2
  • Kin 1
  • Kin 2
  • Kin 3
  • Ekiro
  • Rei
  • Orgol

Other percussion effects

  • Hyoushigi - hall
  • Hyoushigi - studio
  • Kinushou
  • Mokugyo 1
  • Mokugyo 2
  • Mokugyo 3
  • Mokushou 1
  • Mokushou 2
  • Mokushou 3
  • Hariougi
  • Takenaruko
  • Binzasara 1
  • Binzasara 2 - kokiriko
  • Bouzasara

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How big is the download?

There are 4 files totalling 5.2GB on each platform.


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Do you allow license transfers?

Yes, however:

  • If you're the seller, you must contact us in advance of the sale. If you're the prospective second-hand buyer, you must check that the seller is cleared to sell. If in doubt, contact us.
  • There is a flat $50 fee per product for a license transfer, which can be purchased from our online shop.
  • Review copies, NFRs (Not For Resale copies, sometimes used for in-store demos), etc., cannot be transferred under any circumstances.
  • We reserve the right to refuse a license transfer request.

Once a transfer is authorised and the fee has been paid, the new owner is entitled to exactly the same upgrade paths and technical support resources as if they had bought the product new.


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