Ample China Guqin

Name: Ample China Guqin
Price: 126 USD
Author: Ample Sound

by Ample Sound · Instrument · Sampled Chinese guqin (zither)

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Ample China Guqin is a sampled Shennong-shape guqin, the seven-string Chinese zither, in Ample Sound's own plugin.

It has 17 articulations, a 12 GB library and a seven-string Riffer for fingering. It costs $126 on sale (regular $169).

Best for: Acoustic Instruments. Genres: Ambient & Cinematic, Jazz, Acoustic & Classical.

Keywords: sample-based, monophonic, film & game audio, cinematic, intimate, warm.

What it does

The guqin is a seven-string Chinese zither with a quiet, intimate sound. Ample China Guqin samples a Shennong-shape instrument played by Ning Lu; the developer says "its tone is classical and rich".

17 articulations in three groups: Head (sustain, natural harmonic, short tremolo, slides in from below and above), Body (legato slides up and down, slide and return, vibrato, variable vibrato, virtual portamento) and Auxiliary (open plus slide in, glissando, phrase).
Samples and mics: recorded with five mics (left 1, right 1, left 2, right 2 and middle) and five mic modes: AB1, AB2, AB3, MS1 and MS2.
Legato: the Body group articulations give infinite legato between notes.
Tuning system: a guqin tuning system that adjusts the open-string notes to the key.
Play modes: Instrument, Keyboard and Open String modes.
7-string Riffer: a MIDI editor built for the guqin, for designing fingering, articulation, legato and expression.
Effects: 8-band EQ, two-line compressor, 6-tap echo and an IR reverb with room, studio, hall and larger hall spaces.

Source: Ample Sound product page

When to use it

Ample China Guqin is the pick for slow, meditative melodies with the slides, vibrato and harmonics of a real guqin. Compared with BBC Symphony Orchestra Core or Hollywood Orchestra Opus Edition, it offers no Western orchestral sections, but it covers one Chinese instrument in a depth that general orchestral libraries do not attempt. Its Body-group legato slides and tuning system are what make convincing guqin lines possible from a keyboard. It is a specialist tool and pairs well with the rest of the Ample China range.

Best for: slow, expressive melodies, harmonics and sliding phrases for film, games and traditional pieces.
Genres: cinematic, game music, ambient, meditation and traditional Chinese music.
Look elsewhere if: you want a brighter plucked zither; Ample China Zheng is the guzheng version.

What producers say

The one detailed review found it a beautiful, articulation-rich instrument.

VI-Control review (bbrylow, 2023) called the sound "expressive, sonorous and full of warmth and life" and praised the expert playing and sampling.
Same review called it "a great addition to a wonderful and inspiring collection" and pointed to a composing walkthrough by Pete Checkley; it raised no criticisms.

VI-Control review

Where to buy

Ample Sound: $126 (regular $169)
Plugin Boutique: $126 (regular $169)

Tutorials and reviews

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