V-Metal 2 is a deeply sampled virtual electric guitar instrument built for realistic metal rhythm and lead performance, featuring over 47,000 samples from an ESP Alexi Blacky with EMG humbucker and a redesigned interface.
Purpose and Core Sound
V-Metal 2 is a virtual instrument designed to deliver convincing heavy guitar tones for metal and rock music production. It is sampled from an ESP Alexi Blacky guitar equipped with an EMG humbucker pickup, capturing a dark and aggressive character. The instrument includes over 47,000 samples across 22GB of content, aiming for high realism in both sound and playability.
The core sample set includes a range of articulations such as palm mutes with multiple intensity levels, moving harmonics, rakes, and tempo-synced tremolo picking. Pre Noise adds subtle picking nuances at the start of notes to enhance realism. This focus on detail supports expressive, performance-oriented writing.
Key Capabilities
The instrument introduces advanced polyphonic features to facilitate chording and rhythm playing. Strum Key and Arpeggio Key allow for realistic strumming and arpeggiated patterns, while String Skip Key Switch and forced hammer-on/pull-off provide additional control. Intelligent key switching with chord recognition helps streamline performance.
Built-in amp simulators and effects come with over 250 presets, enabling users to shape their tone without external processing. The redesigned interface focuses on usability and visual clarity, making navigation more intuitive. A chord library and user-defined chord editor expand harmonic options.
Workflow and Performance
In a digital audio workstation, V-Metal 2 can be played via MIDI keyboard. Users can employ key switches to jump between articulations, use strum keys to trigger realistic chord strums, and use the arpeggio key to play patterns. The chord recognition system simplifies complex harmonic playing by mapping chords to single keys.
For rhythm tracks, palm muting intensity can be varied to build dynamics. Lead playing benefits from forced hammer-ons and pull-offs for legato phrases. The built-in effects allow quick tone shaping within the instrument, and preset browsing helps find suitable sounds for different sections of a song.
Practical Applications
V-Metal 2 is suited for music production in metal, hard rock, and other genres requiring aggressive guitar tones. It can be used for composing rhythm guitar parts, lead solos, and harmonic layers. The polyphonic capabilities also support creating realistic guitar backing tracks for songwriting or demos.
Given its extensive articulations, it is also useful for detailed sound design in film or game scoring where guitar-based textures are needed. The built-in effects and presets enable quick mockups without additional plugins, making it a flexible tool for both producers and composers.
Key features
- Over 47,000 samples and 22GB of content from an ESP Alexi Blacky with EMG humbucker
- Completely redesigned interface for improved usability and visual clarity
- Built-in amp simulators and effects with over 250 presets
- Polyphonic capabilities: Strum Key, Arpeggio Key, String Skip Key Switch, forced hammer-on/pull-off
- Intelligent key switching with chord recognition
- New articulations: moving harmonics, rake, tempo-synced tremolo picking
- Palm mute with multiple intensity levels and Pre Noise for realism
- Expanded chord library and user-defined chord editor
Best for
Producers and composers working on metal, hard rock, or aggressive guitar-based music, who need a realistic virtual guitar for rhythm and lead parts, chord work, and detailed performance nuances directly within their DAW.