General Information

What is Sonica Japanese Taiko Percussion?

Japanese Taiko Percussion is a download-only expansion pack for BFD3 and BFD2 produced by Sonica containing authentic sounds of Taiko instruments.


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What do I need in order to use Japanese Taiko Percussion?

Japanese Taiko Percussion requires a registered copy of BFD3 or BFD2 (versions 2.1 and later only) and a suitable system on which to run it.


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Can I use this product with BFD 1.x?

No - this expansion can only be used with BFD3 or BFD2 (versions 2.1 or later only). BFD 2.1 is a free update to all registered BFD2 users.


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Why does Japanese Taiko Percussion have these requirements?

The audio data contained within Japanese Taiko Percussion utilizes two major new features introduced in BFD 2.1 and later versions (including BFD3) :

  • Variable mic channel configurations
  • Special articulation support

Since the channels of the audio are in a different configuration to BFD libraries recognised by BFD 2.0.x, you must install BFD 2.1 (or later) or BFD3 in order to use Japanese Taiko Percussion.


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Can Japanese Taiko Percussion be used with BFD Eco?

While JTP can technically be used in BFD Eco, it is not recommended because of the slot/channel and articulation/keymap limitations in BFD Eco. These mean that it is not possible to load many JTP kit-pieces simultaneously.


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Is Japanese Taiko Percussion an FXpansion product?

No - Japanese Taiko Percussion was recorded and produced by Sonica Instruments and distributed in download form on the FXpansion site. The Audio (the sounds themselves) and Grooves must be purchased separately.

  • The Audio pack costs USD 125 / EUR 90 / GBP 70
  • The Groove pack costs USD 25 / EUR 20 / GBP 15

JTP is also available as a boxed product in Japan only - this package contains both audio and Grooves. Please contact Sonica Instruments for further details.

When purchasing online, it is possible to purchase and use the Audio pack without purchasing the Grooves.

However, since the Grooves are specific to the JTP sounds, it is not recommended to purchase them without the Audio pack.


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I can't see my Grooves that I purchased in my Japanese Taiko Percussion download page.

When purchasing Japanese Taiko Percussion online in downloadable form, there are 2 products to purchase:

  1. Audio
  2. Grooves

Each product features a separate download page after purchase - 2 separate products appear on your Support/Downloads page.

Owners of the Japanese boxed version will see the Audio and Grooves downloads on the same download page once they register.


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What types of instruments are included?

Drums:

  • Ohdaiko
  • Chudaiko
  • Shimedaiko1
  • Shimedaiko2

Other instruments:

  • Kane (Atarigane) - a type of hand-cymbal struck with a deer antler-tipped stick
  • Taiko performer voice calls

These are all recorded at high levels of detail with a new mic channel layout. There are no long cymbals included in Japanese Taiko Percussion - the only instrument that resembles a cymbal is the Kane which is a type of hand-cymbal. All other instruments are huge-sounding, intricately detailed taiko drums and powerful voice calls by taiko performers.


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How are the included sounds organized after installation?

All JTP taiko drums are classified as snares. The kane hand cymbal is classified as a hihat, as are the voice calls.

Some instruments require 2 kit-pieces to cover all their articulations. In such cases, these are denoted with A and B suffixes after the name.

A number of preset kits and key maps are provided that represent a taiko ensemble. If you want to roll your own kits, you can do so with the provided keymap or by making your own custom key map.

Because all JTP kit-pieces are classified as snares or hihats, the default BFD2/BFD3 key maps do not have enough articulations mapped to use the sounds alongside conventional drum kit sounds. So if you're loading Japanese Taiko Percussion sounds into kick, tom, cymbal and percussion slots, you must assign the additional articulations for the kit-pieces manually after you load them. It's a good idea to save your custom maps for easy recall in future.


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What do the Japanese Language human vocalizations mean in English?

The "human vocalizations" in the JTP pack are the calls the taiko performers shout back and forth to each other as they perform. The calls are sometimes used to express the tempo of a song or synchronize the performers’ breathing within a song, but generally they are used to build up the tension of a performance.

The overall term for all the calls is "ainote" in Japanese, which means to bring all the performers' focus/concentration together. The performers on JTP are from the Osaka region and use more rowdy calls than performers in other parts of the country, but I guarantee they are all clean:) The calls show the passion the performers have for the music.

Here are the specific calls in the library.

Taiko Voice A (male)

  • Sourya!: This call starts a song. In Japanese, this call determines the tempo of a song.
  • Yoisa! (fast): This call builds up tension during a song. It is also used to start a song.
  • Yoisa! (slow): This call builds up tension during a song. It is also used to start a song.
  • Ha!: This call frequently occurs during a song. It can also be used for breaks in a song or to start a song.
  • Aho!: This call is used to build tension during a song. It means "fool" or "schmuch" (or worse) in other contexts, but here it simply expresses how psyched up the performers are.
  • Boke!: This call is used to build tension during a song. It means "moron" or "idiot" (or worse) in other contexts, but here it simply expresses how psyched up the performers are.
  • Sei!: This is another call used to build tension within a song. It has no meaning as a word.
  • Nani yatton ja boke!: This longer phrase is used to build tension during a song. Roughly translated, it means "What are you doing, you moron?" but it is intended to motivate the other performers.
  • Ahhhhh!: This is another call used to build tension within a song.

Taiko Voice B (male and female)

  • Sourya!: This call starts a song. In Japanese, this call determines the tempo of a song.
  • Yooo!: This call starts a song. In Japanese, this call determines the tempo of a song.
  • Yoisa! (four tempos, from slow to very fast): This call builds up tension during a song. It is also used to start a song.
  • Aho!: This call is used to build tension during a song. It means "fool" or "schmuch" (or worse) in other contexts, but here it simply expresses how psyched up the performers are.
  • Boke!: This call is used to build tension during a song. It means "moron" or "idiot" (or worse) in other contexts, but here it simply expresses how psyched up the performers are.
  • Itemauzo, aho!: Roughly translated, this means "You messed up, moron!" but it doesn't have this meaning here. It simply expresses how psyched up the performers are.
  • Ha!: This call frequently occurs during a song. It is often used on the second and fourth beat, for breaks, and to start a song.

Taiko Voice C (female)

  • Yoisa!: This call builds up tension during a song. It is also used to start a song.
  • Sourya!: This call starts a song. In Japanese, this call determines the tempo of a song.
  • Ha!: This call frequently occurs during a song. It can also be used for breaks in a song or to start a song.
  • Hai!: This call frequently occurs during a song. It can also be used for breaks in a song or to start a song. Think of "yeah" in terms of a rock song.
  • Aho!: This call is used to build tension during a song. It means "fool" or "schmuch" (or worse) in other contexts, but here it simply expresses how psyched up the performers are.
  • Ahhhhh!: This is another call used to build tension within a song. The call has no specific meaning.

-Tomohiro Harada, Sonica Instruments


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How were the instruments mic'd up for the recordings?
  • Taiko drums: 4 direct mics and 3 ambience mic sets (overhead, room and PZM).
  • Kane: 1 direct mic and 3 ambience mic sets.
  • Taiko performer voice calls: 1 direct mic and 2 ambience mic sets (room and PZM).

For full details, please consult the Japanese Taiko Percussion manual.


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How big is the download?

4 files totalling approximately 2.4GB.


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Do you allow license transfers?

Yes, however:

  • If you're the seller, you must contact us in advance of the sale. If you're the prospective second-hand buyer, you must check that the seller is cleared to sell. If in doubt, contact us.
  • There is a flat $50 fee per product for a license transfer, which can be purchased from our online shop.
  • Review copies, NFRs (Not For Resale copies, sometimes used for in-store demos), etc., cannot be transferred under any circumstances.
  • We reserve the right to refuse a license transfer request.

Once a transfer is authorised and the fee has been paid, the new owner is entitled to exactly the same upgrade paths and technical support resources as if they had bought the product new.


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