As a long-time Arturia Pigments user, I’m thrilled by the new features and capabilities unlocked with the major update to version 5. Arturia has taken their flagship software synthesizer to the next level for professional sound designers and electronic musicians. Let’s find out more…
Overview
Pigments 5 represents a significant overhaul rather than just incremental improvements. The sequencer gets a complete redesign with advanced generative features. You can now use Pigments to directly process external audio sources with its high-quality effects and engines for creative sound sculpting. Optimization for multi-core systems allows it to run efficiently on a wider range of computers. The UI has been improved and refined. And of course, Pigments 5 comes packed with new presets, samples, and wavetables to spark ideas.
Sequencer and Generative Upgrades
The sequencer sees the most dramatic changes. Building patterns is easier with predefined scale, rhythm, and motif tools which can be randomized at the click of a button for experimentation. You can create evolving polyrhythmic sequences, then lock modes for improvisational jamming. It’s a versatile environment for sketching track elements or manipulating sounds in real-time.
At its core, the sequencer allows you to create and edit multiple lanes of sequencer patterns using Pigments’ sounds. New generative features include:
- Predefined scale, rhythm, and motif patterns that can be used as starting points and then customized
- Tools to randomize pitch, timing, and velocity based on the selected scale to spark new ideas
- Polymetric and polyrhythmic sequencing for creating evolving, non-aligned patterns between lanes
- A “regeneration cycle” setting that introduces controlled randomness over time to patterns
Additional sequencer capabilities include:
- Step sequencing for programming detailed pattern grids
- Ability to modulate sequencer parameters like gate length using Pigments’ modulation sources
- Sequencer lock mode which captures a “snapshot” of the current state of all sequencer lanes and settings that can then be applied to any preset
- Browsing and categorization tools for organizing sequencer patterns
How to Use the Generative Features in Pigments 5
Here is a step-by-step walkthrough to utilize the generative sequencing capabilities:
- Select one of the predefined patterns like a scale or rhythm under the “Pattern” section
- Customize the pattern if desired, like changing the scale or notes
- Enable generative features like the “Regeneration Cycle” and set the rate
- Click the “Randomize” buttons under Pitch, Time or Velocity to introduce variation
- Create additional sequencer lanes with complementary or contrasting patterns
- Offset the “Pattern Start” positions to create polyrhythms between lanes
- Tweak settings like probability, gate length etc for more diversity
- Save your generative sequence as a preset to reuse or further manipulate
With these new tools, it is fast and easy to create evolving sequences with controlled randomness. By combining the predefined patterns with generative features, you can quickly sketch out compelling musical ideas to form the foundation for a track using Pigments 5.
External Audio Processing
Pigments 5 unlocks new sonic territory by routing external instruments or recordings directly through its complex routing architecture. Combine Pigments’ high-quality filters, effects, and wavetable oscillators with a guitar, virtual instrument, or sampled loop to radically transform sounds. This opens the door for all kinds of creative abuse.
How To Use The Audio Input Feature in Pigments 5
Pigments 5 allows users to route external audio sources directly into the synth to process them using Pigments’ sound engines and effects. This is done by connecting an external audio source like a guitar, virtual instrument, or even an audio track to the sidechain input in Pigments.The external audio is then routed into Pigments’ “Utility” engine, which is an additional sound engine that can be combined with the other synth engines. From there, the incoming audio can be shaped and transformed by Pigments’ filters, effects, wavetable oscillators, and full modulation architecture.So in summary:
- Connect an external audio source to the sidechain input in Pigments
- The audio is routed into the Utility engine
- Use Pigments’ sound engines, filters, effects etc. to process the incoming audio
- This allows creative sound design by combining external sounds with Pigments’ synthesis tools
Kudos to the Arturia team for opening up endless creative possibilities to mangle and transform external sounds using the complex routing and high-quality effects available in Pigments. It expands Pigments from just a software synth into a more flexible audio manipulation environment.
More Good News
CPU Optimization
Arturia optimized Pigments 5 to utilize multi-core CPUs more efficiently. This allows the complex synth to run smoothly on a wider range of systems.
New Factory Content
The update includes 100 new presets covering modern genres, plus additional wavetables and samples. With the new wavetables and presets spanning electronic to acoustic timbres, there is a huge amount of sonic territory for users to explore.
In detail:
Wavetables:
- 63 new wavetables have been added
- The new wavetables provide a range of unique and specific timbres to utilize in sound design
Presets:
- 100 new factory presets have been added
- Over 1500 total preset sounds are now included
- The presets cover modern genres like electronic, trap, bass, cinematic, and more
Additional Sound Banks:
- 3 new “Explorations” sound banks with 150 presets each are available
- These showcase Pigments’ signature big, bold, colorful sounds
- Each bank has a specific artistic direction tailored to different musical styles
Introductory Pricing
Arturia is offering introductory pricing on Pigments 5 at $99, reduced from $199. Existing Pigments owners can update for free. Three new Explorations sound banks are also available at a discount.
Arturia Pigments 5 – Closing Thoughts
With version 5, Arturia Pigments can rightly claim its spot as one of the most deep and versatile software synthesizers available. The new features expand Pigments from an impressive soft synth into a more open-ended sound design environment. It enables musicians to realize intricate electronic compositions or design wildly modulated sound effects with ease. Learn more about Pigments 5 from the Arturia web page.
I’m excited to incorporate the new features into my music and look forward to seeing how other artists push this powerhouse synth to its limits.
