Kong Audios Free Chinese Instrument Samples Quality Sounds Without Cost

Kong Audio, a developer specializing in Chinese virtual instruments, offers free sample libraries that provide musicians and producers with access to traditional Chinese sounds at no cost. These freebies, while limited in comparison to their commercial counterparts, are recognized for their quality and have been available to the public for several years. This article examines the available free offerings from Kong Audio, the download process, and user experiences with these products.

Available Free Instrument Samples

Kong Audio provides several free Chinese instrument samples through their official website. Among the most notable free offerings is the ChineeGuZheng Classic QIN RV Edition, a virtual instrument based on the Guzheng, a traditional Chinese zither. According to Kong Audio's official information, this free version utilizes the QIN RV 2.0 engine, representing their latest technology at the time of release.

The ChineeGuZheng Classic is distributed as two separate installers that must both be installed to complete the setup. Users are instructed to run the Soundbank installer after installing the program installer. Notably, the free version requires no authorization, making it immediately accessible to interested musicians.

In addition to the Guzheng, Kong Audio offers other free samples including: - Mini ErHu (a simplified version of the ErHu, a two-stringed Chinese bowed instrument) - Mini DiZi (a simplified version of the DiZi, a traditional Chinese bamboo flute) - Chinese percussion loops

These free instruments have been available since at least 2006, according to user reports, indicating a long-standing commitment from Kong Audio to provide accessible Chinese musical sounds.

Quality and Limitations of Free Samples

Kong Audio explicitly states that their freebies contain only "a tiny fraction of the sound of their big brothers" and lack the "live playability" of their commercial counterparts. Despite these limitations, the company maintains that their free samples are "still among the best Chinese sound money can buy."

User experiences appear to support this claim. One forum user reported having used the free mini Erhu and mini DiZi since 2006 and stated they "still think they stack up against even expensive libraries like EastWest." This user noted that while the free versions are cut down, their quality is excellent, particularly when considering their price point of zero dollars.

The free samples are typically smaller in file size and feature reduced sampling compared to the paid versions. For example, the ChineeGuZheng Classic free version would naturally have fewer velocity layers, articulations, or samples compared to the full commercial product. However, for casual use, educational purposes, or experimentation with Chinese sounds, these limitations are generally acceptable.

Download and Installation Process

Obtaining Kong Audio's free samples is a straightforward process that doesn't require purchase or authorization. The official method involves downloading the installers directly from the Kong Audio website's freebies page. According to the company, if users encounter difficulties downloading from the direct links, an alternative download option is available through Behringer.

The installation process requires two separate files: the program installer and the Soundbank installer. Users must install the program first, followed by the Soundbank, to complete the setup. This two-step process ensures that both the virtual instrument engine and its sound samples are properly installed on the user's system.

Commercial Products and Promotions

While this article focuses on Kong Audio's free offerings, it's worth noting that the company also produces commercial Chinese instrument libraries. These include more comprehensive versions of the free instruments, as well as additional instruments like Bian Zhong (ancient Chinese bronze bells).

Kong Audio has occasionally offered promotional deals on their commercial products. For instance, in 2013, they ran a holiday promotion offering ErHu I for $9.99 or both ErHu I+II for $39.80 (50% off). However, this promotion had a specific expiration date (January 11, 2013) and is no longer active.

For users interested in expanding beyond the free options, Kong Audio offers several product packages. The Chinese Orchestra SE, priced at $199, is described as offering good value despite containing only one percussion instrument. A separate percussion pack is available for $88. The company also offers individual instruments for purchase.

User Experiences and Community Feedback

Online discussions about Kong Audio's free samples generally reflect positive experiences. Users frequently commend the quality of the free instruments, especially considering their cost. One user noted that they would have purchased Kong Audio's products if they hadn't already invested in EastWest Silk, which includes many Asian instruments but no percussion libraries.

The Kong Audio community appears to be active, with users sharing demos and compositions created using the free instruments. The official Kong Audio website features demo tracks, including some that were used in Chinese TV, games, or commercials, as well as singles from pop music albums. The company encourages users to share their own demos through their forum.

Technical Considerations

While Kong Audio's free instruments are accessible to users with various setups, there are some technical considerations to keep in mind. Forum discussions have touched upon compatibility issues, particularly regarding 64-bit support. Some users have reported that certain instruments, like the Qin, were still 32-bit at the time of their posts, though the company may have since addressed these limitations.

The free ChineeGuZheng Classic, however, is confirmed to be using the QIN RV 2.0 engine, which suggests it incorporates more recent technology compared to some of the company's older offerings. This engine likely provides improved performance and sound quality compared to earlier versions.

Alternatives and Comparison

For users seeking Chinese or Asian instruments beyond what Kong Audio offers, there are alternative options. EastWest Silk is frequently mentioned as a comprehensive alternative that includes many Asian instruments, though it requires an iLok dongle for authorization, which adds an additional cost (approximately $50) for users who don't already own one.

Other developers like Best Service with their Ethnic Instruments collection and Three Body Tech with their oriental instruments are also mentioned in discussions. However, these alternatives typically come with higher price tags compared to Kong Audio's offerings.

Conclusion

Kong Audio's free Chinese instrument samples represent an excellent opportunity for musicians, composers, and producers to explore traditional Chinese sounds without financial investment. The ChineeGuZheng Classic, along with the mini ErHu, mini DiZi, and percussion loops, provide quality sounds suitable for various applications from experimentation to professional projects.

While these free samples naturally have limitations compared to their commercial counterparts, they are widely regarded as being among the best free Chinese sounds available. The straightforward download and installation process, combined with the lack of authorization requirements, makes these instruments accessible to users with various technical setups.

For those interested in Chinese music production, Kong Audio's free offerings serve as an excellent starting point, with the option to expand into more comprehensive commercial products as needs grow. The company's long-standing presence in this niche and positive user feedback further validate the quality and utility of their free samples.

Sources

1. Kong Audio Freebies Page
2. Forum Discussion on Kong Audio Freebies
3. Kong Audio Demo Tracks
4. Forum Discussion on Kong Audio Instruments
5. Forum Thread on Free ChineeGuZheng
6. Kong Audio ChineeGuZheng Classic Information