Ample Guitar RB

Ample Guitar RB is a meticulously sampled virtual Rickenbacker 330 that prioritizes playability alongside sonic authenticity. The instrument captures the characteristic jangle and harmonic complexity of its hardware counterpart through 11 distinct articulations, polyphonic legato, and a respectable built-in amp and cabinet simulation. For producers working within British Invasion aesthetics or retro-influenced pop and rock, the tonal palette is immediately compelling - bright, chimey fundamentals with natural bell-like decay that sits well in dense arrangements without requiring aggressive EQ intervention.

The standout feature differentiating RB from competing guitar plugins is Riffer 4, a string instrument-specific MIDI editor that treats guitar playing as a legitimate performance challenge rather than a piano roll afterthought. The dual view system switching between tablature and piano roll proves genuinely useful when writing convincing parts, while the string visualization prevents impossible fingering patterns and enforces authentic note sequencing constraints. The revamped strum system, which treats chords as unified objects with controllable timing and velocity gradients, yields rhythmic results substantially more human than traditional step sequencing.

Ample Sound has engineered a thoughtful workflow here. Rather than forcing guitarists into workarounds or relying on sample layering to achieve realism, the software addresses the mechanical realities of plucked string instruments. The intuitive technique editing and simultaneous multi-lane CC automation support expressive playing without excessive automation lane clutter.

RB suits producers seeking hands-on control over guitar parts without deep sampling knowledge or those accustomed to writing live guitar arrangements. While the amp simulator remains serviceable rather than exceptional, the core instrument justifies its position as a serious option for period-appropriate production work.