The provided source material documents a specific promotional offer from Kong Audio, a developer of virtual instrument libraries focused on Chinese instruments. According to the sources, Kong Audio has made available a free version of its ChineeGuZheng Classic virtual instrument, specifically the QIN RV Edition, which utilizes the brand new QIN RV 2.0 engine. This freebie is intended to provide users with a sample of the company's full product offerings, though the documentation notes that the free versions contain only a small portion of the sounds available in the full commercial libraries and lack the complete live playability of the paid versions.
In addition to the ChineeGuZheng Classic, the sources indicate that Kong Audio offers other free instruments, including a "mini Erhu" and a "mini DiZi," which have been available since at least 2006. User reports suggest that these cut-down versions maintain a high quality that stacks up against more expensive libraries. There are also reports of free Chinese percussion loops available on the freebies page. These free downloads are positioned as some of the best Chinese sounds available for the price, which is zero.
The sources also document a historical promotional offer for the ErHu I instrument, which was available for $9.90 as part of a "time-limited holiday no-brainer promo." This deal also included an option to purchase both ErHu I and II for $39.80, representing a 50% discount. This specific promotion was set to end on January 11, 2013, and is no longer active.
Regarding system requirements and installation, the documentation specifies that the free ChineeGuZheng Classic requires two installers: the program installer and the soundbank installer, which must be run after the program installer is installed. The free version does not require any authorization. However, user discussions from 2019 indicate that some Kong Audio instruments, including the Qin, were still 32-bit and not officially 64-bit compatible, though users suggested using a wrapper as a potential workaround. There were also user inquiries about a 24-bit update for the Qin, but no definitive information was provided in the sources.
The sources also mention a commercial product, the Chinese Orchestra SE, which was priced at $199 and included a selection of instruments but only one percussion instrument, with a separate percussion pack available for $88. User commentary suggests that Kong Audio is a primary developer for Chinese instruments, though other developers exist for different Asian instruments.
Free Instrument Offerings from Kong Audio
Kong Audio provides several free virtual instruments that allow users to access Chinese instrument sounds without cost. These are intended as introductory versions of their full commercial libraries.
ChineeGuZheng Classic (QIN RV Edition)
The primary free offering highlighted in the sources is the ChineeGuZheng Classic. This instrument is a free version of the full GuZheng library and uses the QIN RV 2.0 engine. It is available for download from the Kong Audio website.
- Availability: The instrument is listed as a free download on the freebies page.
- Installation: Installation requires two separate installers. The user must first install the program installer, followed by the soundbank installer.
- Authorization: No authorization is required to use the free version.
- Limitations: The documentation explicitly states that the free version contains only a tiny fraction of the sounds of the full commercial version and lacks the live playability of the bigger library.
Mini Erhu and Mini DiZi
User reports confirm the availability of free "mini" versions of the ErHu (Erhu) and DiZi instruments.
- Longevity: These free instruments have been available since at least 2006.
- Quality: Despite being cut-down versions, user commentary indicates that the quality is high and competitive with more expensive libraries, such as EastWest Silk.
- Usage: Users have reported using these free instruments in their own music productions.
Percussion Loops
Sources mention the availability of "very nice Chinese percussion loops" on the freebies page. These are separate from the instrument libraries.
Historical Promotional Offers
The sources document a specific past promotion for the ErHu I instrument.
- Offer Details: The promotion offered the ErHu I for $9.90. It also included a bundle option to purchase both ErHu I and ErHu II for $39.80, which was a 50% discount off the regular price.
- Expiration: This promotional offer was time-limited and ended on January 11, 2013.
- Current Status: This specific deal is no longer active.
Technical Considerations and User Reports
User discussions within the provided sources highlight several technical points regarding Kong Audio products.
64-Bit Compatibility
User reports from 2019 indicate that some Kong Audio instruments, including the Qin, were still 32-bit and not natively compatible with 64-bit Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs). Users suggested that a wrapper could be used to bridge this compatibility gap. There was no information in the sources indicating that a 64-bit version had been released at the time of the discussion.
Bit Depth Updates
Users expressed interest in a 24-bit update for the Qin instrument. However, the sources do not provide any confirmation or timeline for such an update.
Commercial Product Context
The sources provide some information about Kong Audio's commercial offerings, which provide context for the scale and scope of the free versions.
- Chinese Orchestra SE: This commercial pack was priced at $199 and offered a collection of Chinese instruments. It was noted to include only one percussion instrument, with a separate percussion pack available for an additional $88.
- Pricing Context: The historical ErHu I promotion at $9.90 and the $39.80 bundle offer a reference point for the typical pricing of individual instruments.
Conclusion
The provided source material confirms that Kong Audio offers a free ChineeGuZheng Classic virtual instrument, along with other free "mini" instruments such as the Erhu and DiZi. These freebies are intended to showcase the company's sound quality but are limited in scope compared to their full commercial libraries. A specific historical promotional offer for the ErHu I at a discounted price is documented, but it has expired. Technical discussions from users indicate potential compatibility issues with 64-bit systems and a desire for updated bit depth for certain instruments. The sources do not contain information about current pricing, active promotions, or the release of 64-bit native versions of the instruments.