Arturia V Collection 9 grows to 32 digital devices | Engadget

Arturia’s V Collection is 9 right here, and together with it a number of new devices that make it a worthwhile improve. And, in the event you haven’t jumped on the but, now is likely to be the best time because it’s out there at an intro value of $499. For the cash, you get 32 devices, masking every little thing from sensible pianos, to classic synths and distinctive hybrids beneath the Augmented banner.

All the earlier devices are right here: , , Casio CZ-1, Mellotron M400, Fairlight CMI, , , , Roland Jupiter 8, Minimoog, Moog Modular, Moog Vocoder, Oberheim Matrix 12 and SEM, Sequential Prophet 5 and Prophet VS, , E-MU Emulator II, Solina String, Synclavier, Hohner Clavinet, Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer 200A, Hammond B3, Farfisa Compact, Vox Continental and an acoustic piano.

Several of these plugins have been rebuilt from the bottom up, although, together with the CS-80 and acoustic piano. The UI for the piano plugin has been fully overhauled to position the devices in a room context. Honestly, I’m undecided how I really feel about it. It may aid you discover what you’re on the lookout for with visible cues, however it looks like a little bit of a distraction. The most essential distinction in Piano V and CS-80 V, although, is in how they reply to your taking part in. Both appear to react to refined shifts in velocity higher and have been given a quantity enhance; they at all times appeared a bit quiet when in comparison with different devices within the assortment. The variations may be refined at occasions, however there’s no denying the brand new variations simply sound higher. The superior controls of each additionally bought revamps, with a load of highly effective new modulation instruments being added to CS-80 V particularly.

The Prophet V has additionally gotten a main overhaul. Most notably, it’s now been separated out into two separate plugins: one for the Prophet 5 and one for the Prophet VS. Frankly, it is smart, and it was at all times type of odd that they have been each shoved right into a single VST.

The rebuilt plugins even have a bunch of latest presets that showcase the enhancements to their sound engines. While V Collection has a wealth of sound design instruments so that you can tinker with, the 14,000 presets (together with 9 new banks) truthfully cowl quite a bit of floor. You’d be forgiven for largely sticking with what comes pre-made. That mentioned, in the event you’re largely a preset participant, I like to recommend saving your self some cash and sticking with Analog Lab.

In addition to those updates there are 4 devices which might be new to the V Collection this yr. has already been out there for someday, it’s simply now a part of the bundle. I spilled fairly a couple of phrases fawning over it when it launched in September, and I’m not going to rehash every little thing right here. Just know that it’s a delightfully lo-fi 8-bit wavetable synth. So in the event you’re into that type of factor, try to be excited.

The MS-20 V is an emulation of Korg’s famend MS-20. It is a beast of a bass synth and Arturia has accomplished a commendable job of capturing its thick, brash tones. It even has a straightforward to navigate, drag-and-drop patching interface full with the power to get a suggestions loop going. There’s a drop-down sequencer with three channels of CV modulation out there. After spending 20 minutes with the MS-20 V, I kinda need to go begin an industrial band.

The largest additions to the household, although, are positively the Augmented Voices and . We already bought a style of Strings a couple of weeks in the past when Arturia launched the Intro model totally free. But the one included within the V Collection is much extra strong. The core UI and sounds are all the identical, however the addition of an Advanced tab provide you with full management over the instrument. You can swap in samples or synth engines, dial in separate envelopes for every of the 4 layers, and select no matter results you need. If your complete factor is cinematic sound design, the Augmented sequence will most likely pique your curiosity.

Augmented Voices follows the identical fundamental system as Strings: Combine 4 layers (two pattern and two synth) to create distinctive blends of acoustic and synthetic textures. The twist is that, as an alternative of utilizing string and orchestral sound, Augmented Voices makes use of, properly, voices. Choirs and soloists get processed and smashed up towards numerous synth engines to create every little thing from ‘80s-inflected synthpop arpeggios to guttural wails for your next Hans Zimmer tribute. The results in Augmented Voices are a little less compelling if you ask me, but it’s nonetheless nice to see Arturia strive one thing new and produce one thing aside from emulations of classic synths to the V Collection.

Arturia’s V Collection 9 is out there now via June fifth for $100 off (or extra, in the event you occur to be an current Arturia buyer). After that, although, the value goes again as much as $599, however even then it’s nonetheless a reasonably first rate discount for 32 best-in-class digital devices.