Augmented YANGTZE
Acoustic instruments reinvented
Augmented YANGTZE is a software instrument that unites the unique essence of traditional Chinese instruments with the raw power of synthesis. Discover a spectrum of Chinese musical motifs and modern textures brought to life with experimental processing.
Sino-futurist soundscapes
An exploration of China's rich musical heritage, seamlessly woven into the fabric of modern sound design. Whether you’re a composer, producer or sound designer, dive into a wellspring of expressive, textural soundscapes.
Bowed, plucked and more
From the earthy tones of the bass Dizi and Xiao to the sparkling overtones of the Yangqin and Erhu to the plucked strings of the Pipa and Guqin - each timbre is presented with unparalleled clarity.
Instantly inspiring
Effortlessly browse and select from 200 expertly crafted presets, perfect for immersive cinematic production and modern composition, instantly adding depth and emotion.
Expressive morphing control
Augment music tradition into otherworldly sonic rendition, for a contemporary take on Chinese classic instruments.
Evocative
instruments
An ancient musical tradition, infused with modern sound design
Augmented YANGTZE harnesses the natural, evolving textures of traditional Chinese instruments, many of which are inspired by elemental features of the landscape.
Wind articulations
The Dizi delivers bright, resonant melodies, while the Xiao offers a more meditative sound — ideal for atmospheric passages.
String articulations
The Erhu and Pipa bring rhythmic flair, the Guqin adds emotional depth, and the Yangqin delivers bright, percussive textures.
Experimental & Processed
These traditional instruments are also reimagined through modern processing and effects — offering new dimensions for cinematic scoring and sound design.
Main features
Augmented YANGTZE blends meticulous sampling with innovative multilayered synthesis for a sound that transcends traditional musical boundaries.
Morph between acoustic & synthetic sounds: Effortlessly blend real instrumental recordings with futuristic synth layers for evolving hybrid sounds.
Hybrid engine combining sampling & synthesis: Enjoy detailed acoustic samples alongside Virtual Analog, Granular, Wavetable, and Harmonic engines.
Intuitive modulation & macro controls: Shape any sound in seconds with assignable macros, drag-and-drop modulation, and a clear, streamlined interface.
MPE support for enhanced expression: Unlock nuanced polyphonic control for more dynamic, lifelike performances and tactile sound design.
Quality, cinematic-ready presets: Instantly access an inspiring library of mix-ready sounds, from classic tones to experimental textures.
Built-in arpeggiator & sequencer: Add rhythmic movement and depth with a versatile arpeggiator and chance-based sequencing.
Capturing
magic
Augmented YANGTZE’s authentic samples were meticulously recorded in dedicated sessions over several days in Sydney, Australia, guided by expert sound designers.
Using prestigious microphones like Neumann U47, KM84s, and KM54s paired with premium API and TG preamps, each instrument was captured with rich clarity, preserving their natural and resonant qualities without heavy processing.
Augmented YANGTZE has been made possible with the expertise and sounds of Evolution Series. A dedicated team of developers who capture the most expressive performances to deliver completely authentic libraries.
Dynamic presets
for every purpose
Instantly unlock evocative and inspiring hybrid sounds
Embark on a sonic journey from echoes of ancient China to groundbreaking hybrid textures. Augmented YANGTZE's library is your gateway to immediate and impactful musical storytelling, suited for any creative challenge.
CLASSIC
Delicate Flutes
Soft sine transient is layered by random Bass Dizi trills that are augmented by some Dizi swells.
Erhu Master
Erhu swells and trills are augmented by wide and soft granulations.
HYBRID
Lost in Time
Guqin and granular reverse morph to a more synth sound. Nice to create slow chord progression and transform it more and more to a reverse granular pad.
Siberian Deserts
This gorgeous atmosphere is abstract in nature, best played as long, minimalistic melodies to hear the entire note tail evolve.
SYNTHS
Deep East
Yangqin transient layered with a synced pulsating analog timbre and is augmented by noises and stereo granulations. Make a soft chord progression with and let the morphing make the sound evolve!
Backyard Whisper
Flam Guqin layered with a rhythmic pad and Xiao. The Morph adds a fifth into the sound.
Hear it
in action
Chinese Duet.mp3
Beautiful Chinese instrument placed in two different states. Like night and day, layer A is more intimate and clean, while layer B is more open and airy.
Otherwordly Breaths.mp3
Bass Dizi harmonized by the pitch shift delay, combined with Xiao and wind textures: the result is an elysian, peaceful soundscape.
Siberian Deserts
This gorgeous atmosphere is abstract in nature, best played as long, minimalistic melodies to hear the entire note tail evolve.
Backyard Whisper
Flam Guqin layered with a rhythmic pad and Xiao. The Morph adds a fifth into the sound.
Deep East
Yangqin transient layered with a synced pulsating analog timbre and is augmented by noises and stereo granulations. Make a soft chord progression with and let the morphing make the sound evolve!
Lotus Forest.mp3
An ethereal forest vibe, where all layers melt together, with a formant filter for extra harmonics.
Morph.mp3
Showcasing the main macro called Morph. Transform the sound from static and real to more synthetic sound.
Layers.mp3
Showcasing each different synths and samples engine in progressive layering.
Modulation.mp3
Showcasing the modulators with LFO, Functions and the Motion macro.
Macros.mp3
Showcasing how you can make the sound evolve with the macros.
Sunrise Over Taihu
Konstantin Klem
For my demo track, I used four presets: Sunrise Over Taihu, Chinese Duet, Tianxia, and Tea Ceremony. These sounds are based on three Chinese instruments: Guqin, Pipa, and Yangqin. I think these instruments capture the spirit of Chinese culture perfectly.
Erhu Tapes
Hybrid, singing erhu strings that can be played as an ensemble or modern evolving keys. The lo-fi, warm quality of Layer B evokes a nostalgic tape effect.
Artist
Corner
Paul Haslinger
Composer
"Augmented YANGTZE is a beautiful new addition to one of my favorite series of virtual instruments. In a musical world without borders, this eclectic collection of sounds truly transcends its Asian origin. Minimal learning curve, maximal inspiration!"
Press
Clippings
Music Radar
On Augmented YANGTZE
"A unique world of evocative and dramatic voices for your compositions."
Included in
V Collection 11 Pro
This instrument is part of V Collection Pro - a premium suite of software instruments designed for unparalleled sonic exploration.
From authentically modeled keyboards to hybrid synth engines and beautifully captured acoustic sounds, every instrument is enhanced for today’s production workflow - V Collection delivers the greatest keys of all time.
The features
you need
In-App Tutorials
Integrated in-app tutorials guide you through every aspect of the instrument, from individual parameters to tips from our sound designers, so you can focus on the creative stuff. It shouldn't be this easy, but it is!
Gallery
Main Features
Virtual Instruments playable in a DAW (Live, FL Studio, Logic,...) or standalone with a MIDI keyboard.
2 Layers within each preset; each layer contains 2 customizable sound sources
Detailed Chinese instrument sample library with processed and multisample articulations
Winds: Bass Dizi / Xiao
Plucked Strings: Pipa / Guqin
Hit Strings: Yangqin
Bowed Strings: Erhu
38 instrument articulations
15 Processed Multisample/articulations
15 additional Multisample/articulations
Flexible synth engines
Virtual analog with our award winning TAE® technology
Granular engine producing Warp, glitch and stretch sounds
Harmonic engine based on additive synthesis
Wavetable engine with look up table for more abrasive digital sounds
Simpler (impacts, noise, and more)
Morph control blends between Layers A and B, with endless modulation possibilities
7 macros: Time, Color, Motion, FX A, FX B, Reverb, Delay.
2 LFOs, 2 Function Generators, 2 Random sources, 4 Keyboard mod sources, plus vibrato and tremolo with synced tempo.
Intuitive modulation system with drag-and-drop assignment, and unified multi-tab UI.
2 FX slots per layer with 16 FX including ParamEQ, Bitcrusher, BL-20 Flanger, and more
Built-in 16-step arpeggiator with Chance lane and Auto Regen for evolving patterns
MPE compatibility
MTS-ESP ODDSOUND microtuning compatibility
200 factory presets included
Platform Specifications
Windows
Win 10+ (64bit)
4 GB RAM
4 cores CPU, 3.4 GHz (4.0 GHz Turbo-boost)
6 GB free hard disk space
OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU
ARM processors not supported on Windows
Required configuration
Works in Standalone, VST, AAX, Audio Unit, NKS (64-bit DAWs only).
Apple
Mac OS 11+
4 GB RAM
4 cores CPU, 3.4 GHz (4.0 GHz Turbo-boost) or M1 CPU
6 GB free hard disk space
OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU
Work with ASC
An elegant and simple solution to help you install, activate, and update your Arturia software instruments.