Ample Sound Ample Metal Eclipse V3.1.0 -win-osx- May 2026

Ample Sound's Ample Metal Eclipse (AME) Go to product viewer dialog for this item.

is a specialized virtual instrument designed to bring the aggressive, high-gain tones of the ESP Eclipse I guitar to digital productions. Version 3.1.0 builds on this foundation with a refined engine and advanced performance features tailored for modern heavy music genres like Metalcore, Djent, and Progressive Metal. Core Sound & Sampling

At its heart, AME features a 4.6 GB sample library focused on the bridge pickup, meticulously recording every single fret. It is specifically tuned for contemporary heavy music, with a default drop-C tuning (C G C F A D) that can be extended down to C1.

The realism of the instrument is enhanced by several key technologies:

Cycle+ (Round Robin): This feature allows for up to 24 sample cycles for repetitive notes, effectively eliminating the mechanical "machine gun effect" common in virtual guitars.

Automatic Stroke Noise: A subtle metallic harmonic attack is added to notes in solo mode, providing a more authentic "plucked" feel.

Polyphonic Legato: Enables smooth, realistic transitions between notes across any interval and speed, which is critical for complex lead playing. Articulations and Playability

The plugin includes 10 distinct articulations, allowing for a wide range of expressive playing: Sustain, Palm Mute, and Natural Harmonic Hammer-On & Pull-Off Legato Slide, Slide In/Out Pinch Harmonic, Pop, and Tap

One of its most user-friendly features is velocity-sensitive articulation triggering, which automatically switches between sustain, palm mutes, and artificial harmonics based on how hard you play, reducing the need for manual keyswitching. Advanced Performance Modules Ample Sound Ample Metal Eclipse v3.1.0 -WiN-OSX-

AME 3.1.0 integrates several powerful editors to help non-guitarists create convincing performances:

Riffer 4: A dedicated MIDI editor for plucked instruments that features a dual-view system (Piano Roll and Guitar Tab) and a String Visualization System to ensure MIDI writing adheres to authentic guitar techniques.

Strummer: This module is optimized for heavy music, defaulting to power chords and providing a library of metal-oriented riffs that can be dragged and dropped into a DAW.

Tab Player: It can import Guitar Pro files (up to GP8) with full preservation of original fingering, articulations, and performance data. Amps and Effects

While the raw samples are DI (direct input) for maximum flexibility, AME includes a built-in AMP & FX system featuring:

7 Classic Amp Heads (e.g., Lead 800, Metal Double) and 8 Cabinets.

8 Microphone Models per cabinet, plus room microphones for added depth.

An effects rack containing an 8-band EQ, compressor, delay, and convolution reverb. User Perspective: Pros & Cons Ample Sound's Ample Metal Eclipse (AME) Go to

Reviewers from sites like MusicRadar and Producer Spot highlight both the strengths and niche nature of this plugin: AmpleMetal Eclipse Review and Demo (ESP Eclipse I VST)

Ample Sound Ample Metal Eclipse v3.1.0: The Ultimate Virtual ESP for Metal

Ample Metal Eclipse (AME) v3.1.0 is a high-performance virtual instrument designed to bring the aggressive, precision-heavy tone of the ESP Eclipse I guitar to digital audio workstations (DAWs). As the flagship of Ample Sound's Metal series, it is meticulously sampled to handle everything from bone-crushing low-tuned riffs to searing leads with absolute realism. Core Sound and Sampling

The heart of AME lies in its deep sample library, recorded using the bridge pickup of an ESP Eclipse.

Massive Library: It features a 3.5 GB to 4.6 GB sample pool (depending on the specific sub-version and library install) that covers every single fret.

Standard Metal Tuning: The default tuning is set to C G C F A D, the industry standard for modern heavy music.

Expressive Dynamics: It utilizes "Cycle+" technology, which triples the number of sample cycles to eliminate the "machine gun effect" during fast, repeated notes. Advanced Articulations & Performance

Ample Metal Eclipse v3.1.0 includes 10 essential articulations to replicate authentic guitar techniques: Sustain & Palm Mute: The bread and butter of metal rhythm. The bread and butter of metal guitar is

Natural & Pinch Harmonics: For those iconic "squeals" in leads.

Legato Slide, Hammer-On, & Pull-Off: Enabled by a polyphonic legato smoother for realistic transitions at any speed. Pop & Tap: Adding modern technical flair to solos. Key Features of the v3 Engine

The v3.1.0 update brought significant workflow enhancements to the Ample Sound ecosystem: YouTube·In the DAW Ample Sound Metal Eclipse Quick Look

and I just thought I would take a look at this and show you how I actually like to use it because we have a full video going over. YouTube·HIFIMIDI AmpleMetal Eclipse Review and Demo (ESP Eclipse I VST)

The bread and butter of metal guitar is the dichotomy between the open sustain and the palm mute. Ample Metal Eclipse handles this with an automatic detection system that feels incredibly natural.

Ample Sound has long been a dominant force in the world of virtual instruments, bridging the gap between MIDI programming and realistic guitar performance. With the release of Ample Metal Eclipse v3.1.0, they have raised the bar for metal production. This instrument is designed for producers, composers, and musicians who demand high-gain, aggressive guitar tones without the hassle of setting up amps, microphones, and real guitars.

Absolutely. For any metal producer working in-the-box, this virtual guitar is indispensable. While no sample library can fully replace a live guitarist’s soul and nuanced dynamics, the Eclipse v3.1.0 comes closer than ever before. The combination of the LTD EC-1000’s legendary tone, the Riffer’s advanced articulation control, and the new native Apple Silicon support makes this a must-have.

Whether you are writing a demo, a full-length album, or a film score with industrial metal elements, Ample Sound Ample Metal Eclipse v3.1.0 -WiN-OSX- delivers the punch, clarity, and realism that modern music demands.

Final Score: 9.3/10
Lost points only because no virtual instrument can perfectly emulate a great guitarist’s feel—but for 95% of use cases, you’ll never notice.

The update to v3.1.0 brings the Metal Eclipse in line with Ample Sound’s latest "AGM" (Ample Guitar Series) standards. Key improvements often included in this version series are: