Arturia’s Pigments 4 provides new results and a simplified interface | Engadget

At this level it’s simpler to checklist the options that Arturia’s Pigments doesn’t have than ones it does. The firm has been rolling out common updates for a number of years now, and every new model provides one thing value 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 exhibit a few of highlights from its lineup of classic emulation.

At first blush Pigments 4 looks as if a relatively minor replace. There’s some new results, a handful of enhancements to the varied oscillators, however there’s not a lot to achieve out and demand your consideration from a easy headline. This seemingly delicate improve hides a variety of high quality of life enhancements, although.

For one, now you’ll be able to merely drag and drop modulation sources to their goal. Granted, clicking LFO one after which clicking on the filter minimize off wasn’t notably tough. But now you’ll be able to 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 easy methods to navigate the synth. There’s additionally now left and proper arrows on multimode modules, just like the filter, that allows you to rapidly change varieties, the place beforehand you needed to click on and open a drop down menu to pick out a brand new choice.

The most dramatic UI adjustments are fortunately elective. First is the brand new Play tab, which strips away many of the sound design choices and focuses on a core set of tweakable parameters. You can’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 advantageous for reside efficiency or if you happen to choose to stay with the presets, however hides a variety of the depth that makes Pigments so compelling. 

The different main interface change is a little bit of a head scratcher. See, whereas most firms are dashing to implement darkish mode to avoid wasting your eyes, Arturia has determined that Pigments is too darkish and added a light-weight mode. I’m positive there are these on the market who will take pleasure in its shiny grey panels, however I’m personally not a fan. Not solely do I believe the unique theme is less complicated to stare at for extended intervals of time, however it’s additionally simply extra constant. There are many parts of the interface that stay darkish even in gentle mode and it seems to be a bit cobbled collectively.

That’s a reasonably minor nitpick although, contemplating that when 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!

The MS-20 filter may appear pointless contemplating Pigments already had 10 totally different filter choices, many with a number of modes, however it does deliver one thing particular to the desk. Rather than utilizing it as you’d some other lowpass filter, the MS-20 begs to be run at extremes. Crank the resonance and activate keyboard monitoring, and you may remodel easy white noise into a fragile plucky key sound with a delicate crackle. Or simply crank the amount on it and hit it with the most well liked sign you’ll be able to (although be sure that to show down the grasp quantity otherwise you’ll threat blowing out your ears) to get some crunchy saturation.

Ring Mod delivers some good icy timbres. Though, this isn’t one thing that Pigments was precisely missing earlier than. It’s a welcome addition, however undoubtedly not one thing that you simply’d miss too dearly if it quietly disappeared. The extra thrilling adjustments 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 advantageous tune the precise taste of digital destruction you’re on the lookout for.

Oh, then after all there’s the shimmer reverb. It does what it says on the tin. Personally I believe it’s a vital impact, and I’m shocked Arturia hasn’t added one till now. There’s nothing about it that stands out notably, however if you happen to’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 present house owners. New clients have an opportunity to choose it up at an introductory value of $99 till January 4th, after which the worth will return as much as $199.