Explore the plaintive, voice-like tones and unique push-pull bowing of a distinctive Chinese instrument with ILIO Naada Erhu, a virtual instrument for the GeoShred Studio platform that offers real-time bow intensity and lateral movement control of vibrato and pitch bend via GeoShred Studio's multi-row continuous pitch surface. With advanced AccelMatrix Naada physical modeling, each note is generated as a continuous acoustic event.
By pressing into the grid you can shape the bow intensity, with more pressure increasing said intensity. You can also engage in fully polyphonic playing, supporting line harmonization, sustained chords, or multivoice erhu ensemble textures. Use GeoShred Studio's integrated FX rack for sweetening your performance with reverb, amp simulation, echo, and more. Naada Erhu requires GeoShred Studio (sold separately) to function, which is available in AU, AU3, VST3, or standalone formats for macOS only.
Combined with a small resonating chamber covered in python skin, this produces a nasal, intensely vocal timbre with a weeping quality that has made the erhu one of the most emotionally recognizable instruments in Chinese music. The model captures this confined resonance and the continuous vibrato produced by the player’s rocking left hand.
GeoShred Control connects an iPhone or iPad via USB to serve as a dedicated multitouch performance surface alongside GeoShred Studio. MPE-compatible hardware and wind or breath controllers also connect directly for hands-on expressive control.