Ample China Pipa virtual instrument plugin interface by Ample Sound

Ample China Pipa: Sampled Chinese Lute Virtual Instrument

Ample China Pipa is a virtual instrument from Ample Sound that recreates the Chinese pipa lute using two sample libraries, Master for traditional timbres and Expert for a modern tone.

VST3VST2AUAAXStandaloneWindowsmacOS64-bit

AVAILABLE ATPlugin Boutique

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01Overview

Ample China Pipa is built from recordings of a hand-crafted Feng Wei pipa, captured with AB and MS stereo techniques. The Master library focuses on traditional timbres, while the Expert library provides a more performance-forward sound. Together they total 8.6 GB of samples. The instrument covers a range of playing techniques, from tremolo and legato slides to strumming, making it useful for both melodic lines and rhythmic parts.

Best for

Traditional Chinese melodies
Tremolo and legato lines
Strummed chord patterns
Film and game scoring
Crossover pop production

Developer: Ample Sound
Category: Virtual Instruments
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Two sample libraries: Master (traditional) and Expert (modern), 8.6 GB total
Recorded with AB and MS stereo techniques, mic volume adjustable
11 articulations including tremolo types, legato slide and strum
Tremolo control with 90 velocity-based start points and auto-looping
Bend system powered by physical modeling
Strum engine with 26 playing styles and chord detection
Built-in EQ, compressor, echo and IR reverb
Pipa FX samples and natural strum recordings included

03In depth

Sound Libraries and Articulations

The instrument ships with two libraries. Master offers a traditional pipa voice, and Expert offers a modern tone. Both draw on the same recording approach, and the microphone volume is fully adjustable to balance the stereo image.

There are 11 articulations, including several tremolo types, a legato slide, strum, and polyphonic legato. Tremolo control provides 90 velocity-based start points with auto-looping, so repeated notes can follow the dynamics of your performance.

Resonance and fret noise are modeled to add realism to the playing, and Pipa FX samples are included for extra texture.

Strum Engine and Built-in Processing

The strum engine offers 26 playing styles, strum legato, chord detection, and customizable rhythms. This makes it practical for building rhythmic patterns and chord-based parts without manually programming each note.

The bend system is powered by physical modeling, giving expressive pitch control. A built-in EQ, compressor, echo, and IR reverb sit within the instrument and show real-time visual feedback, so you can shape the sound without leaving the plugin.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	Ample Sound
Type	Plugin
Category	Virtual Instruments
Formats	VST3, VST2, AU, AAX, Standalone
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What formats does Ample China Pipa support?

Ample China Pipa is available in VST3, VST2, AU, AAX and Standalone formats.

Which operating systems are supported?

It runs on Windows and macOS. The Windows version supports Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11 in 64-bit only. On Mac, the requirement is OS 10.9 or higher, and an Intel i5 or higher processor is listed.