World in Gourd

Virtual Chinese Hulusi Instrument

Hulusi is a clarinet-like instrument from southern China, especially popular among the Dai, Yi and Miao ethnic minorities. It has a bamboo wind pipe and a gourd resonance chamber, with two additional wind pipes, producing harmonics. Due to the sweet and beautiful sound of the Hulusi, it is often used to express romantic relationships and to accompany lyrical dances.

Features Overview

• Adjustable Sound Field – During the recording of the samples, 5 microphones were used in different positions to capture the room and reverb characteristics. All channels were mixed down to four which you can adjust in the user interface.
• Authentic Performance – By controlling the airflow and fingering, the Hulusi offers a variety of performances such as mordent, finger pole popping, trill, flutter, vibrato, staccato and gliss. All of these performances can be triggered from within the GUI.
• Realistic Expressions – World in Gourd features realistic recorded articulations that can be freely controlled. Using MIDI CC, tone changes can be implemented as in a real hulusi performance.
• Gliss – With three different speeds of real gliss samples and a sample synthesis technique, World in Gourd can perform gliss at any adjustable speed.
• Vibrato Engine – Based on real samples, World in Gourd’s LFO engine allows realistic and adjustable vibrato.
• Sampling Engine – The self-developed sampling engine features the best sound quality, powerful disk buffer streaming/sampling compression technology and sound fusion technology.
• Legato – The sound between legato notes was recorded in two speeds and is applied in the software according to the playing speed. In addition, “regular legato”, “fast legato” and “popping legato” articulations specific to Chinese Hulusi have been recorded.
• Tuning – You can switch between bass, alto and treble hulusi to get a different tuning, with the alto hulusi corresponding to the original samples.
• Harmonics – The sounds of the two harmonic tubes are available as triggerable samples.
• Spectrum Fusion Legato Technology – To improve legato performance, the Spectrum Fusion Legato process has been developed where two samples are blended into each other to improve legato performance.
• Convolution Reverb – World in Gourd contains convolution reverb samples of spectacular locations as well as famous Chinese natural and historical monuments.
• Effects Rack – Compressor, EQ, Chorus and Ping-Pong Delay for shaping the sound of the Hulusi to your liking.
• Pattern Library – World in Gourd provides you with a pattern library that allows you to easily realize your works and ideas. You can also create your own patterns by dragging in MIDI clips.