Koto Sample CD Receives Music Tech Magazine Value Award

The Koto Sample DVD received the Music Tech Value Award in the July 2009 issue # 76 of Music Tech Magazine.

The review was kinda a downer to read in some parts of the review, but nevertheless was lucky enough to be featured in MTM issue 76 which actually sold out. I can't find an issue to save my life, but fortunately the kind crew over at MTM was kind enough to send me their "last" copy.

Even if it didn't get the best review I was looking for it still got a good response from the producers and DJs that bought the album to use in their own productions.

Since the magazine was sold out and from the word on the street no reprints coming in the near future I have posted the review here for those of you who want to hear what MTM had to say about Koto sample DVD.

KOTO: Sampling DVD

KOTO-demo
An ancient Japanese musical instrument comes into the spotlight again. The Koto is not only used in traditional music, but also modern day composers have also used the instrument in collaboration with orchestras since the early 1900’s. Koto captures the pure sound of Japan and will flood your ears with various sounds.

Koto was used in old Japanese court music to sooth the body. It has been said that this instrument could purify you mind, body, and soul. There is an opening in the bottom of the Koto which releases the sound that seems to penetrate your body.

The DVD-ROM was recorded with the player facing the Koto using the correct posture and emotional display to achieve the high quality 96 kHz/24bit sound. You can hear many basic play techniques such as types of chalking, finger slides, pizzicato, and arpeggios all inside 1023 files.

The Koto sound is as quite as the moon, cherry blossoms, and the surface of water. It has a lightness of flying butterflies and the sputtering of fish, but has the strength of thunder. Its 13 strings bring elegant and spiritual sounds that mimic stillness and motion as does the 4 seasons of Japan. You will feel as if it is you who is playing these warm, dynamic tones.

The overflowing rich sounds of the Koto were by no means for the enjoyment of music. During a time of ruins and decay of ancient times it may have been known as an intellectual sound source. But with the Koto’s inspirational sounds from its creator resonating with mankind will bring harmony into the new age.

Sound Files

This product contains KONTAKT2 and REASON NN-XT encoded program and sample files. To use these files you need KONTAKT2, REASON NN-XT, or REASON COMBINATOR.　（Ver3.0 or later）

File	Key Switch
KOTO_full.nki	C1	normal middle-finger
	C#1	normal thumb
	D1	staccato
	D#1	pizz Right
	E1	pizz Left
	F1	suritsume-A
	G1	suritsume-B
	A1	arpeggio
	B1	arpeggio-minor
KOTO_normal.nki	C1	normal middle-finger
	D1	normal thumb
KOTO_pizz.nki	C1	pizz Right
	D1	pizz Left
KOTO_suritsume.nki	C1	suritsume-A
	D1	suritsume-B
KOTO_bending.nki	C1	normal middle-finger
	C#1	normal thumb
	D1	ato-oshi_semi tone
	E1	ato-oshi_whole tone
	F1	oshi-hanashi_semi tone
	G1	oshi-hanashi_whole tone
	A1	ato-oshi + oshi-hanashi_semitone
	B1	ato-oshi + oshi-hanashi_semitone_whole tone
KOTO_arpeggio.nki	C1	arpeggio
	D1	arpeggio-minor