At this level it’s simpler to record the options that Arturia’s Pigments doesn’t have than ones it does. The corporate has been rolling out common updates for a couple of years now, and every new model provides one thing price getting enthusiastic about. New synth engines, new results, complete new utility sections – it’s each a spot for Arturia to experiment with new concepts, and showcase a few of highlights from its lineup of classic emulation.
At first blush Pigments 4 looks like a relatively minor replace. There’s some new results, a handful of enhancements to the assorted oscillators, however there’s not a lot to succeed in out and demand your consideration from a easy headline. This seemingly refined improve hides quite a lot of high quality of life enhancements, although.
For one, now you may merely drag and drop modulation sources to their goal. Granted, clicking LFO one after which clicking on the filter reduce off wasn’t notably troublesome. However now you may simply drag the little tab over an LFO to no matter you wish to modulate. It ought to make Pigments rather less intimidating to these simply studying methods to navigate the synth. There’s additionally now left and proper arrows on multimode modules, just like the filter, that permits you to rapidly change varieties, the place beforehand you needed to click on and open a drop down menu to pick a brand new choice.
Arturia
Probably the most dramatic UI modifications are fortunately optionally available. First is the brand new Play tab, which strips away a lot of the sound design choices and focuses on a core set of tweakable parameters. You may’t change results right here, or set modulation preferences. It’s designed to simply get you making noise with out too many distractions. It’s high quality for stay efficiency or in the event you want to stay with the presets, however hides quite a lot of the depth that makes Pigments so compelling.
The opposite main interface change is a little bit of a head scratcher. See, whereas most corporations are dashing to implement darkish mode to avoid wasting your eyes, Arturia has determined that Pigments is too darkish and added a lightweight mode. I’m certain there are these on the market who will take pleasure in its vibrant grey panels, however I’m personally not a fan. Not solely do I feel the unique theme is less complicated to stare at for extended intervals of time, but it surely’s additionally simply extra constant. There are lots of parts of the interface that stay darkish even in gentle mode and it seems a bit cobbled collectively.
That’s a reasonably minor nitpick although, contemplating that after you get previous the UX, there’s a handful of recent toys to play with in Pigments 4. There’s a brand new filter borrowed from the corporate’s MS-20 emulation, ring mod within the wavetable oscillator, tremendous unison within the analog oscillator, a devoted mod oscillator, an improved bit crusher and (look ahead to it) shimmer reverb!
Arturia
The MS-20 filter might sound pointless contemplating Pigments already had 10 completely different filter choices, many with a number of modes, but it surely does carry one thing particular to the desk. Reasonably than utilizing it as you’ll another lowpass filter, the MS-20 begs to be run at extremes. Crank the resonance and activate keyboard monitoring, and you’ll rework easy white noise into a fragile plucky key sound with a refined crackle. Or simply crank the amount on it and hit it with the most well liked sign you may (although make sure that to show down the grasp quantity otherwise you’ll danger blowing out your ears) to get some crunchy saturation.
Ring Mod delivers some good icy timbres. Although, this isn’t one thing that Pigments was precisely missing earlier than. It’s a welcome addition, however positively not one thing that you just’d miss too dearly if it quietly disappeared. The extra thrilling modifications are to the Bit Crusher impact (versus the one constructed into the pattern engine). The addition of jitter, scale and new decimator choices actually allow you to high quality tune the precise taste of digital destruction you’re on the lookout for.
Oh, then in fact there’s the shimmer reverb. It does what it says on the tin. Personally I feel it’s a necessary impact, and I’m shocked Arturia hasn’t added one till now. There’s nothing about it that stands out notably, however in the event you’re utilizing Pigments to create granular soundscapes or ambient plucks, you then’ll be grateful it’s right here.
Arturia additionally added 63 new wavetables, 67 new samples and 36 new noise varieties, plus a pile of recent presets. And, if the brand new library of included patches isn’t sufficient for you, there’s additionally three new sound packs: Wavelengths Lo-fi, Wavelengths Neuro Bass and Wavelengths Cinematic to broaden your sonic palette.
Pigments 4 is obtainable now as a free improve for current house owners. New prospects have an opportunity to select it up at an introductory value of $99 till January 4th, after which the worth will return as much as $199.
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