Unlike Ample’s other instruments, where strings can be detuned individually, with this uke the tuning control affects all four at once. The instrument sampled here is a tenor uke, which is usually tuned GCEA – sort of like the top four strings of a guitar but a fourth higher, and with the G string tuned another octave higher in what is technically called “reentrant tuning.” There are two additional tuning controls – the G string is also sampled in a “low” version, and all the strings can be detuned by a half-step or whole-step. The close and room mics, as well as the automatic double-tracking option, are additional “luxuries” that take the sound further away from the plunk of the common cheap uke. The sound is what you’d expect to hear from high-end ukuleles on professional recordings. It sounds quite different than most of the inexpensive instruments my uke-playing friends own – much warmer and less brittle. In keeping with Ample Sound’s high standards for the instrument they sample, this is a high-end handmade Hawaiian uke made of koa wood – specifically a Kamaka HF-3.

Now, a ukulele is not far removed from a guitar, so this is not exactly a far leap. Like A Smaller Guitar?Īfter releasing several guitars, which I’ve described as being “good for thinking like a guitarist when playing,” Ample Sound has branched out somewhat with an upright bass and now this ukulele.

Ample Ethno Ukulele is a detailed virtual ukulele from Ample Sound, with 32-bit and 64-bit plugin support for both Windows and Mac, as well as a standalone version.

Wavesfactory ukulele