Close enough for jazz is what we're after - not a replacement of the original instrument.
Exactly! Close enough for jazz...
Roland Jupiter (maybe others) has been including erhu in the standard set. The articulations shown here can be duplicated with Montage's AWM2 based XA.
XA would definitely be key. I can see how the SuperKnob (or via a foot pedal) could be used for various expressiveness as well.
... expect some of these libraries to have incompatibilities (hit and miss).
Yeah, it may be difficult to find this in a library for the Montage (or via a Motif, etc.)
This is a programming challenge. Especially if there are no waveforms of an actual erhu!
If there are no erhu waveforms/library, then getting the base sounds(without bends or vibrato) may be possible using violin waveforms. My thinking is to find various erhu base sounds (soft, medium, louder/expressive) without any bend or vibrato, and capture them via a spectrum analyzer. Then use an EQ to shape the frequencing of a violin to be as close to the erhu as possible.
Then work on the expressiveness, maybe starting with the vibrato. Using the [Triangle +] wave type with the right speed and depth might work. Also, possibly change the timbre using resonance or an effect linked to the SuperKnob, the Mod Wheel or something. Can the Mod Wheel control more than one parameter?
Using a combination of XA buttons and various waveform elements at different velocities would give depth and expressiveness. As a starting point, a softer sound/lower volume could be used that has a slower attack, as an element in the lower velocity range, with Aftertouch set to increase the volume (& possibly the timbre or resonance...if it's even possible to have Aftertouch control multiple parameters).
Another element in a higher velocity range could have more attack of the bow sound to it.
Using either portamento, pitch bend, the ribbon, or a combination of them, while using Aftertouch for the volume, might emulate the slides closely, as well as the expressiveness in volume..!?
I am not familiar yet with motion sequencing & arps, but they may come in handy for some things as well.
It is definitely a programming challenge, but the best/most experienced programmer would likely be able to emulate much of this instrument & it's expressiveness quite closely.