UJAM have updated their virtual acoustic guitar with new sounds and ways to play. We decided to take it for a spin on our production to check out its pastoral vibes. Hear what it can do here…

Where Are All The Virtual Acoustic Guitars?

Regardless of genre, for many the acoustic guitar is the ultimate in portable, immediate music making. In any studio or musical setting, its easy-going pick-up-and-play presence places it in the hands of songwriters and musicians the world over, and the instrument is equally at home as the sole voice in an arrangement, or as a texture to underpin bigger productions. When it comes to getting a decent sound on record the accepted way of getting the sound, up until now, has been to point a mic at a decent one.

Although guitar is the instrument of choice for many acts, other non-players will also need the sound. Many advanced piano-playing composers will need its flavour despite not playing guitar themselves. Session players are available, but for demos or even final mixes virtual instruments have for some time been providing the elements for songs, production music, or whole symphonic masterpieces. Largely absent from productions, however, has been the widespread use of virtual acoustic guitars.

UJAM Virtual Guitarist AMBER 2 In Action

In the video we soak up the excellent realism of UJAM’s reboot of its AMBER virtual acoustic guitar. While the previous instrument offered a Player-only mode with stock MIDI phrases, Virtual Guitarist AMBER 2 adds the company’s Instrument mode. Using its completely new audio engine, we take a walk through its guitar model, and new sounds to put down some authentic strummed textures. We then add a second part to lend an extra personality to the mix.

UJAM Virtual Guitarist AMBER 2 Key Features:

• New Instrument mode, completely new guitar model and phrases

• New Open Chords feature for extra variety & picking on top of strumming

• More than 30 Styles and 350 Phrases

• 30 Stomp box emulations, 60 Finisher FX Modes

Virtual Acoustic Guitar - Can It Ever Be Good?

Based on previous experience, many composers or engineers will know what works for them in terms of gear, audio plugins, or virtual instruments. It must be said that decent acoustic guitar instruments have been fewer and further between compared to their bass, keys, and tub-thumping bandmates. This is entirely understandable, as the guitar throws up even more challenges by way of its highly tactile nature, not to mention its complex polyphony that has held it back compared to the drummer or bassist.

I must say, Using UJAM’s Virtual Guitarist AMBER 2 was a bit of a revelation. My frustrations with VI’s in general before now have been those of over, or under-complexity. Either instruments that let me choose the things I don’t need, like the 2nd violin’s choice of shirt, for example. Or those that refuse to just let me hold down a few triads of my own.

I understand that many will need a full Player experience from their tech, but for anyone who already knows what the music needs, a playable instrument is essential. Even if it is in this composer’s own bargain-basement style…

Virtual Guitarist AMBER 2 gives me exactly what I want. Total playability for me, a guitar case stuffed full of dots for others, and a truly believable sound for anyone that verges on totally authenticity for strummed parts. Fully exploring the many articulations would give leads and fills a realistic edge as well.

In short, if you can hum the tune, Virtual Guitarist AMBER 2 can definitely play it.

Acoustic guitar main image by Brett Sayles