Native Instruments Yangqin User manual

Table of Contents
1. Disclaimer ................................................................................................................. 1
2. Welcome to YANGQIN ................................................................................................ 2
3. Document Conventions .............................................................................................. 3
4. Installation and Setup ................................................................................................ 4
5. Overview of YANGQIN ................................................................................................ 6
5.1. Navigation .......................................................................................................... 7
5.2. Tremolo and Damping ......................................................................................... 7
5.3. Sound Presets .................................................................................................... 8
5.4. Scale and Ornament ............................................................................................ 9
6. Snapshots ................................................................................................................ 10
6.1. Overview of Snapshots ...................................................................................... 10
6.2. Saving a User Snapshot ..................................................................................... 10
6.3. Deleting a User Snapshot ................................................................................... 12
7. Perform View ............................................................................................................ 13
7.1. Instrument Controls .......................................................................................... 13
7.2. Phrases ............................................................................................................ 13
7.2.1. Phrase Selection ...................................................................................... 14
7.2.2. Phrase Playback ....................................................................................... 15
7.2.3. Intensity .................................................................................................. 15
7.2.4. MIDI Export .............................................................................................. 16
7.2.5. Browsing and Editing Phrases ................................................................... 16
8. Scale View ................................................................................................................ 19
8.1. Scale Preset, Root, and Ornament Controls ......................................................... 19
8.2. Scale Editor ...................................................................................................... 20
8.2.1. Remapping and Ornament Controls ........................................................... 21
8.2.2. Tuning Controls ........................................................................................ 24
8.2.3. Root Note ................................................................................................ 25
8.3. Scale Browser ................................................................................................... 25
8.4. Copy and Paste Scale ........................................................................................ 26
9. Mixer View ................................................................................................................ 28
9.1. Instrument Channel ........................................................................................... 29
9.1.1. Channel Strip ........................................................................................... 29
9.1.2. Channel Effects ........................................................................................ 29
9.2. Reverb ............................................................................................................. 30
9.2.1. Reverb Channel ........................................................................................ 30
9.2.2. Reverb Effect ........................................................................................... 31
9.3. Main Channel .................................................................................................... 31
9.3.1. Main Channel Bus .................................................................................... 31
9.3.2. Main Bus Effects ...................................................................................... 32
10. Mapping ................................................................................................................. 34
11. Options View .......................................................................................................... 36
2

11.1. Controller Options ........................................................................................... 36
11.2. Perform Options .............................................................................................. 37
12. Credits ................................................................................................................... 38
3

1. Disclaimer
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a
commitment on the part of Native Instruments GmbH. The software described by this document
is subject to a License Agreement and may not be copied to other media. No part of this
publication may be copied, reproduced or otherwise transmitted or recorded, for any purpose,
without prior written permission by Native Instruments GmbH, hereinafter referred to as Native
Instruments.
“Native Instruments”, “NI” and associated logos are (registered) trademarks of Native Instruments
GmbH.
Mac, macOS, GarageBand, Logic and iTunes are registered trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in
the U.S. and other countries.
Windows and DirectSound are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States
and/or other countries.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners and use of them does not imply
any afliation with or endorsement by them.
Document authored by Antti Oikarinen
Software version: 1.0 (12/20)
DISCLA I MER 1

2. Welcome to YANGQIN
Thank you for downloading this free holiday gift from Native Instruments.
YANGQIN brings the impressive sound of a traditional Chinese hammered dulcimer to KONTAKT
with its unmistakable sound of bamboo and steel ready for modern productions.
It combines authentic sounds recorded in Shenzhen, China with a range of intuitive parameter
controls, so you can create dynamic melodies that are emotive and rich in character.
This document provides information about the library and a description of all of its functions. We
hope that you enjoy using YANGQIN.
The main view of YANGQIN
WELCOME TO YANGQIN 2

3. Document Conventions
In this document the following formatting is used to highlight useful information:
Italics Indicates paths to locations on your hard disk or other storage devices
Bold Highlights important names, concepts, and software interface elements.
[Brackets] References keys on a computer’s keyboard
The following three icons represent different types of information:
The light bulb icon indicates a useful tip, suggestion, or interesting fact.
The information icon highlights important information that is essential for the given
context.
The warning icon alerts you of serious issues and potential risks that require your full
attention.
DOCUMENT CONVENTIONS 3

4. Installation and Setup
Before you can make music with YANGQIN, you must install and setup the necessary software.
Follow these instructions to get started:
Native Access
Native Access is where you will install the software for YANGQIN. If you are new to Native
Instruments, you will rst have to create your Native ID. To learn more about Native Access, visit
our support page here.
1. Download and install Native Access here.
2. Login to Native Access using your Native ID.
3. Click the Not installed tab.
4. Click INSTALL for the following products:
• KONTAKT or KONTAK PLAYER
• YANGQIN
→The software is installed automatically.
If the software is already installed, click the Available updates tab and check for new
updates before proceeding.
YANGQIN via KONTAKT
Once installed, you can start using YANGQIN in KONTAKT. YANGQIN is not an independent plug-in,
so you rst need to open an instance of KONTAKT or KONTAKT PLAYER:
1. Open KONTAKT as a plug-in in your host software (DAW), or as stand-alone application.
2. Locate YANGQIN in the Browser, on the left side of the user interface.
3. Click Instruments to open the product's content.
4. Double-click the Yangqin.nki le to load the instrument.
INSTALLATION AND SETUP 4

If you are new to KONTAKT and want more information, visit KONTAKT PLAYER and
KONTAKT.
INSTALLATION AND SETUP 5

5. Overview of YANGQIN
YANGQIN offers a comprehensive yet intuitive interface suitable for both intricate performances
as well as quick-starting ideas. The instrument’s interface and features are divided into ve views:
Perform, Scale, Mixer, Mapping, and Options, which can be accessed via the Navigation bar visible
in the Main View.
The Main View of YANGQIN
The following controls can be seen in the Main View of YANGQIN:
1. Tremolo and Damping: The Tremolo and Damp controls are used to control the amount of
tremolo of the instrument as well as damping the notes that are currently being played. For
more information, see Tremolo and Damping.
2. Sound Preset: The Sound Preset selector can be used to browse between different preset
sounds included in YANGQIN. For more information, see Sound Presets.
3. Scale Control: The Scale control is used to browse between different scales. For more
information, see Scale.
4. Instrument Controls: Use the Instrument Controls to adjust the dynamic, body, and decay of
the instrument. For more information, see Instrument Controls.
5. Phrases: Use the Phrase controls to browse and edit the musical phrases included in
YANGQIN, as well as adjust the intensity of the played phrase. For more information, see
Phrases.
6. Navigation: The bottom panel is used to navigate between different control pages of the
instrument. For more information, see Navigation.
OVERVIEW OF YANGQIN 6

5.1. Navigation
YANGQIN contains ve control pages, which are accessible from the tabs at the bottom of the
instrument's interface. The controls available on each page can be found in their own chapters in
this manual.
The Navigation controls
The Navigation section contains the following pages:
1. Perform: Displays the main view, which contains the instrument controls and the pattern
controls. For more information, see Perform.
2. Scale: Contains settings relating to the scale, notes, ornaments, and other parameters. For
more information, see Scale.
3. Mix: Contains the mixer controls and effects. For more information, see Mixer.
4. Mapping: Displays the keyboard mapping for the instrument. For more information, see
Mapping
5. Options: Contains a number of performance and MIDI customization options. For more
information, see Options.
▶To open a control page, click on the respective tab.
5.2. Tremolo and Damping
A Yangqin is played by striking the strings with hammers, traditionally made of bamboo wood. As
the sound of a single hammered note dies off rather quickly, the sound can be sustained by
playing multiple notes in succession.
This technique is called Tremolo. YANGQIN includes controls for adjusting the intensity of the
Tremolo, as well as a separate control for damping the sustained notes.
The Tremolo slider controls the loudness of the tremolo articulation.
•Tremolo Slider: Changes the amount of tremolo applied to the instrument. When the slider is
on the left side, no tremolo is added to the performance. Move the slider to the right to
increase the intensity of the tremolo effect. The value can also be adjusted with the mod wheel
(default control: CC1) of your MIDI keyboard.
•Sound Notes Damp: Dampens all notes that are currently playing. Damping can also be
performed by using the keyswitch B1.
OVERVIEW OF YANGQIN 7

•Tremolo Auto Enables you to play all notes as tremolo when the Tremolo slider is slightly
above minimum.
YANGQIN includes four tremolo articulations in total. The Tremolo slider can be used to control the
sustained Tremolo articulation. The Tremolo slider does not affect the remaining three tremolo
articulations (Trem Short, Trem Oct, and Trem Velo), but they can be assigned to specic scale
notes using the Scale Editor. For more information, see Scale Editor.
The tremolo articulation has to be triggered either by using a keyswitch, or
alternatively enabling the Tremolo Auto control. To read more about keyswitches and
their mapping, see Mapping.
5.3. Sound Presets
To the top right of the interface, you will see the Sound Preset menu. From here, you can browse
through presets that affect the mix of the Instrument. The presets are useful for different mix
applications, such as making the instrument play only in mono or using an ambient setting to
push the instrument further back in the mix.
The Sound Preset menu
You can select a Sound Preset in one of two ways:
Menu
To select presets using the Sound Preset menu:
1. Click on the menu to view all available Sound Presets.
2. Click on a Sound Preset.
→The selected Preset is loaded and the sound of the Instrument will change.
Buttons
To select presets using the buttons:
OVERVIEW OF YANGQIN 8

▶Click on the buttons to the left of the menu to cycle through the Sound Presets one at a time.
→The previous or next preset is loaded immediately, each time the arrow is clicked.
5.4. Scale and Ornament
Scale and Ornament controls
This section contains the following controls:
1. Scale: YANGQIN includes a selection of scales that are typically used with the instrument.
Click the Scale name to display the list of scale presets included in YANGQIN.
2. Root: Selects the root note of the scale. Use the up and down arrows to change the root note
of the scale up or down in one semitone increments.
3. Ornament: Activates the Ornament button to play all notes with their designated ornament
type.
To read more about editing scales and ornaments, see the Scale chapter.
OVERVIEW OF YANGQIN 9

6. Snapshots
Snapshots are an easy way to explore and save variations of any YANGQIN Instrument for quick
recall. Using Snapshots, you can create your own preset sounds, save them in the .nksn le format
and use them in other projects, across computers or even share them with other users.
▶Access the Snapshot view via the camera icon in the Instrument Header and switch back to
the Info View by clicking the i icon.
Accessing the Snapshot view
6.1. Overview of Snapshots
Snapshots contain the following key features:
1. Load Snapshot: Opens the Snapshot menu where you can load a Snapshot from the Factory
and/or User library. For more information, see Loading a Snapshot.
2. Snapshot Name: Displays the name of the currently selected Snapshot.
3. Snapshot Previous/Next (<> icons): Allows you to quickly browse and load Snapshots.
Pressing an arrow icon will load the previous or next Snapshot in the selected category. If no
Snapshot is active, the rst Snapshot on the list will be loaded. For more information, see
Loading a Snapshot.
4. Save Snapshot (floppy disk icon): Allows you to save changes made to a sound. When a User
Snapshot is saved, the setting and parameter controls are stored within it and can be
accessed at any time via the User library. For more information, see Saving a User Snapshot.
5. Delete Snapshot (bin icon): Deletes the currently selected Snapshot from the User library. You
can only delete User Snapshots and not Factory Snapshots. For more information, see
Deleting a User Snapshot.
6. Snapshot View (camera icon): Provides access to the Snapshot features described above;
saving, loading, browsing, and deleting. When Snapshot View is selected, conguration
settings and features relating to the Info View are replaced in the display.
6.2. Saving a User Snapshot
Snapshots can be saved at any time while you are working on them. When a Snapshot is saved,
the parameter controls and macro settings are stored within the preset. By loading a Factory
Snapshot and adjusting some of its parameters, you can then save a User Snapshot.
SNAPSHOTS 10

Save a User Snapshot
To save a Snapshot:
1. Click the Snapshot View button (camera icon) to open Snapshot view.
2. Click the Save button (floppy disk icon).
3. Enter a name for your new Snapshot in the Save dialog box.
4. Click Save to nish the process and close the dialog box.
→Your Snapshot .nksn le is saved to the User Snapshot Library. It appears in the User Snapshot
list.
User Content Folder
All User Snapshots are automatically stored in the default User Content folder:
On Mac OS X: Macintosh HD/Users/<User Name>/Documents/Native
Instruments/User Content/Kontakt Factory Library/
Yangqin/.nksn
On Windows: C:\Users\<User Name>\My Documents\Native Instruments
\User Content\Kontakt Factory Library\Yangqin\.nksn
You can transfer any of your Snapshots to another computer by copying the
respective Snapshot les.
Make sure you include your Documents/My Documents folder in your regular data
backups.
SNAPSHOTS 11

6.3. Deleting a User Snapshot
User Snapshots can be deleted using the bin icon in the Instrument header. To delete a User
Snapshot:
1. Click the Snapshot view (camera icon) to open Snapshot view.
2. Load the User Snapshot you wish to delete, and click the Delete button (bin icon).
3. Conrm deletion of the Snapshot by selecting Yes in the dialog box.
→The User Snapshot .nksn le is deleted from the folder on your hard disk as well as removed
from the Snapshot Menu.
You can only delete User Snapshots. All Factory Snapshots are read-only.
SNAPSHOTS 12

7. Perform View
The Perform view is displayed when YANGQIN is loaded into KONTAKT or KONTAKT PLAYER. The
view contains Instrument Controls, which can be used to adjust the sound and dynamics of the
instrument, as well as the Phrases feature.
7.1. Instrument Controls
The Instrument Controls are used for adjusting the sound and dynamics of the instrument. The
controls can be used to make the instrument more dynamic and responsive, perfect for expressive
keyboard performances, or less dynamic and responsive, which is useful for special effect and
sound design purposes.
The Instrument Controls
There are three controls in this section:
1. Dynamic: Adjusts the overall dynamic range of the performance. Turn the control left to
compress the dynamic range. Turn the control to the right to compress the dynamic range.
2. Body: Controls the amount of resonance in the body of the sound. Turn the control to the left
to remove the resonance. Turn the control to the right to increase the resonance.
3. Decay: Adjusts the decay of the notes. Turn the control to the left to shorten notes. Turn the
control to the right to play the notes as they were recorded.
7.2. Phrases
YANGQIN includes a selection of phrases. These are MIDI sequences that can be loaded and
manipulated by the phrase engine. The phrases are a great way to showcase and explore
YANGQIN's rhythmic and melodic capabilities in both traditional and contemporary styles. The
phrases can be also used together with the Scale tools, providing a quick way to get inspired by
musical ideas typical for the instrument.
PERFORM VIEW 13

The Phrase controls
YANGQIN's Phrase section contains the following controls:
1. Phrase Playback: Controls the host sync, playback and tempo parameters of the phrase. For
more information, see Phrase Playback.
2. Phrase Selection: Displays the phrase number, keyswitch and the name of the phrase. For
more information, see Phrase Selection.
3. Phrase Editor and Browser: Contains the controls for browsing, loading and editing phrases.
For more information, see Browsing and Editing Phrases.
4. MIDI Export: Contains the controls for exporting phrases in MIDI format. For more information,
see MIDI Export.
5. Intensity: Adjusts the overall dynamic of the played phrase. For more information, see
Intensity.
6. Phrase Selection: The left and right arrows cycle through different phrases. For more
information, see Phrase Selection.
7.2.1. Phrase Selection
The phrase selection is displayed in the central window in the lower section of the interface.
Phrases can be selected by using the mapped octave of MIDI keys (marked in purple on the virtual
keyboard) or using the arrow buttons to the right of the phrase name display.
Phrase selection
To select a phrase:
PERFORM VIEW 14

1. Press a key from the mapped octave of MIDI keys.
→The respective MIDI key note of the active phrase can be seen above the phrase name, next to
the phrase number:
The MIDI keys can only be used to select phrases if the Extend Mapping option is
off. For more information, see Mapping.
2. Alternatively, they can be selected by clicking on the arrow buttons to the right of the phrase
name display.
7.2.2. Phrase Playback
The main settings related to phrase playback are located in the area to the left of the phrase
selection display. These controls include synchronizing the phrase to the host tempo, altering the
playback speed, and playing and stopping the phrase playback.
The Phrase Playback controls.
The Phrase Playback section contains the following controls:
•Sync: Synchronizes the phrase to the host tempo.
•1/2 and x2: Alter the playback speed relative to the selected tempo.
•Play: Can be used to start and stop phrase playback.
•Tempo: The bottom right section, beside the Play button, contains the tempo selector. If Sync
is off, you can click and drag here to set the tempo.
7.2.3. Intensity
The Intensity control adjusts the overall dynamic of the played phrase. In the middle position, the
phrase is played back unaltered.
PERFORM VIEW 15

The Intensity parameter
To control Intensity:
1. Turn the Intensity control to the left to lower the overall velocity of the notes within a phrase.
2. Turn the Intensity control to the right to increase the overall velocity of the phrase.
7.2.4. MIDI Export
It is possible to export the selected phrase as MIDI via drag and drop. The exported MIDI les can
be edited further with your DAW’s MIDI editing tools. They can also be saved for later use with
other instruments and projects.
1. Click on the Export icon to the right of the Edit button.
2. While holding down the mouse button, drag the pattern to your le system or DAW.
3. Release the mouse button to copy the MIDI to the specied location.
→The MIDI le of the selected pattern will appear in your le system or DAW.
Intensity is always stored in the MIDI le, so the dynamics you hear are always
included in the exported pattern.
7.2.5. Browsing and Editing Phrases
The Phrase Editor and Browser view contain the browser for browsing and loading phrases from
YANGQIN’s library, and a Phrase Editor, to create and edit phrases.
To open the Phrase Editor:
PERFORM VIEW 16

▶Click on the Edit button in the Phrase section of the Perform view.
→The Phrase Editor and Phrase Browser view will open over the instrument picture.
The Phrase Editor and Browser view
The Phrase Editor and Browser view are divided into two main sections.
Phrase Editor
The Phrase Editor includes controls for muting parts of the phrase pattern, adjusting the end and
start position of the phrase, choosing whether the phrase is retriggered automatically, adjusting
the velocity of the active phrase, and shifting the phrase notes up or down the scale.
The Phrase Editor
2. Pattern Editor: Represents beats (either quarter note or 8th note) using dots. A lled dot
displays note activity for that beat. Click a dot to mute the note activity of the respective beat
within the phrase.
Phrase Editor Controls: The Phrase Editor also contains controls that dene some general
playback options for the phrase (2–6).
PERFORM VIEW 17