Ample Sound has released free version 2.5 updates for all six of its virtual bass instruments.
The updates include a new module, Riffer, a riff generator featuring MIDI edit of stringed instruments, multiple formats conversion, automatic riff creation, etc. The initial update includes 500 classic riffs.
String Roll – Original notation of stringed instrument
Riffer uses the notation invented by Ample Sound – String Roll. Traditional tab can only write quantized MIDI. It only records fingering without directly showing important information such as pitch, velocity and so on. While a Piano Roll can show MIDI in good detail, it cannot avoid using keyswitches and MIDI controller for fingering, articulation, expression of stringed instruments, resulting in messy notation.
String Roll preserves the composing details of MIDI while it can clearly show fingering, articulation, expression, and even noise in string performances. Every note has 8 attributes - pitch, velocity, length, off velocity, articulation, legato, vibrato and bend, with which the user can make a delicate lick.
As shown in the image, these 4 lines represent 4 bass strings. Text on the notes represents pitch, Color represents velocity, and length represents duration. Four independent attributes - articulation, legato, vibrato, bend - are shown as icons above. Additionally, any noise including fret buzz, finger slapping or any other special performing skills could be written on the FX-line, which is below the 4 bass strings.
Information shown on the notes can be switched to various parameters such as pitch, fret, pitch + fret, velocity, duration, off velocity.
The user can easily use the graphic curve above to create a bend. Pitch wheel messages generated can also be used for bend in other virtual instruments.
Swing, Velocity Humanization, Velocity Proportion and other real-time parameters can give controllable humanization for quantized MIDI notes.
Dice - Automatic Composing
Select the number of notes, key, chord or scale, style, range of velocity, click the dice and a main riff will be created. It is not simply a random algorithm, it summarizes the rules of scale and groove of different styles through analyzing a bunch of music scores.
Multiple Formats Conversion:

• Writing and composing in the Riffer, users no longer need to worry about complex fingering, articulation and expression. They can directly drag the riff to a MIDI track of their DAW. Every fingering, articulation, and expression will be automatically converted to MIDI keyswitch and controller. Riffer humanizations can also be included in MIDI.
• The user can also import their own MIDI files and tabs into Riffer without any loss (for tab to riff).

Other news in 2.5 Update:

• Ample Metal Ray5 Bass adds some new samples. Users need to install the full installer to upgrade.
• New Tab Player UI, added Tab to Riff feature.
• User need to install Bass_Riffs_Installer for the presets.

Update Celebration Event
all six Ample Bass are 25% off from March 3rd to April 3rd for both individual and bundle purchase.
Demo Video

This looks intresting. I have been tempted by Ample Sound's products but have never purchased one. Riffer seems to add some intresting capabilities.
 
Presumably in order to get the full range of articulations you need to build the tracks in the instrument rather than the DAW, If these patterns are dragged to MIDI track in the DAW is playback the same as it would be from the "String Roll" system.
 
I wonder how it handles odd time signatures, I have been very frustrated by the song builder in the Music Lab real series not wanting to consider anything beyond 4/4 or 3/4, for this to be a really useful tool for me it would not only have to support a wide range of time signatures but have the ability to change time signatures in a song.
 
I guess I had better drom then an email.

Yes, that Riffer looks to be very interesting and their bass libraries are pretty good as well. That Youtube Demo video wasn't all that helpful though.....would've loved to see it in action.
 
I'd really like to read some actual users thoughts/reviews on this....

Excellent fast response from Ample Sound
 

·         If the data is dragged from the instrument into the host DAW is the full range of articulation control preserved or do I need to keep the whole song in the String Roll mode?
·         Is there a robust implementation for odd and varying time signatures, I get frustrated with one of your competitors guitar VSTis  as It only seems to support 3/4 & 4/4 and does not allow changes in time signature during a song?
 
Thanks for asking, about your questions
 
1. Yes, all of fingering positions, articulations, expressions and humanization can be converted to MIDI. there are 2 modes,
Strman: Exported MIDI will contain keyswitch\Strman information, Available for all DAWs.
Channel: Exported MIDI will contain channel information, this will also toggle on MIDI guitar mode on Setting panel. Make sure the input channel of MIDI track is set to Any, Not available for some DAWs such as Pro Tools, Ableton Live etc
 
2. 2/4, 3/4 4/4 5/4 6/4 6/8 7/4 8/4 and tri.

Ok Glyn, I know you're probably very busy downloading Ample Sound's products right now, but please do give us a review ASAP.

Mesh
Ok Glyn, I know you're probably very busy downloading Ample Sound's products right now, but please do give us a review ASAP.

Not bought it yet - but here is the manual http://www.amplesound.net/en/Ample_Bass_Manual.pdf Section 5 discribes Riffer. At first glance it looks very well thought out, but I need to read it in detail. Then which bass????? I am leaning towards the 5 String at the moment.

Looks the bass player is going the way of the dodo bird.

I wonder if this works with their free bass VST?

Very Cool and Useful update. The wide range of time signatures with added articulations will make this an invaluable creative writing tool.  Probably their best update so far.  Can't wait for the Guitars version....   :)

bapu
I wonder if this works with their free bass VST?

What?  You're Free Bassing?