Arturia Pigments Explained

Arturia's very first original virtual synth Pigments is here! Synth wiz Tyler Coffin takes you on a journey into this cutting edge virtual synth, covering all of its features and functions, as well as how to design Bass, Lead, and Pad sounds from scratch.

Arturia Pigments Explained
Introduction & Overview (02:45) - First, we take a brief look at the broad aspects and nature Arturia's original software synthesizer, Pigments. With the vast experience they've had making awesome models of classic synths and now a flexible Wavetable synthesis engine, Pigments packs a ton of possibilities with an enjoyable workflow!
The User Interface & Basic Operation (04:45) - To start digging into Pigments, we take a tour and get an initial understanding of the basics so that we can then elaborate and expand upon the specifics of each part in detail.
The Analog Engine (09:13) - The first of the two synthesis engines is the Analog Engine. This creates a 3-oscillator analog emulation, which Arturia is well known to be one of the best at achieving. Here, we use customization to create a wide array of classic subtractive-style sounds, which can be shaped further as well.
The Wavetable Engine (15:19) - Wavetable synthesis is more common among modern software synthesizers, and Arturia's take on it is more than capable of synthesizing all kinds of sounds, in all kinds of styles. This engine opens up doors that Arturia hasn't gone through with its classic synths, and by doing so we can now make amazing sounds from a very open ended form of synthesis.
The Filters (10:53) - With many different kinds of filters featuring very solid sound quality, the filter section gives us the flexibility to shape our sounds in a variety of cool ways. Note: The filters and routing options are updated and expanded upon in later Chapters.
Modulations & Routing (07:27) - In this video, we go into detail on how we can quickly and easily set a multitude of different modulation routings for the many parameters of Pigments.
Modulation Sources & Source Groups Pt. 1 (11:09) - Pigments gives us many color-coded groups of mod sources that we can use to modulate numerous parameters throughout the synthesizer. Going through these mod sources in this video, we see the nature of the Keyboard, Envelopes, LFO, and Functions groups.
Modulation Sources & Source Groups Pt. 2 (06:49) - Continuing on from the previous video, we now see and explore the nature of the Random and Combinate groups.
The Sequencer Tab (11:05) - Introducing the Sequencer and Arpeggiator! Watch how we can add rhythmic movement to the sound in several ways, as well as how we can manipulate that movement to evolve and change over time.
The Effects Tab (14:46) - Here we see how to apply additional touches and decorations after the sound has been synthesized, by picking from a selection of different effects added to multiple chains, and even a send bus, to make the final output shimmer in all of its glory. Note: The Effects tab is updated and expanded upon in Chapter 4 with new effects, visuals, and additional routing options.
Preset Management & the Browser (08:15) - Get a closer look at the browser and its collection of awesome pre-made sounds. Those presets also have a handy "Sound Design Tips" learning feature to guide you through using and understanding the preset and overall synthesizer. After exploring a bit, we then learn how to add our own presets and get them organized for future use as well.
Sound Design Example: Bass (11:21) - With Pigments, we can make a massive variety of bass sounds, and here we work through an example that explores a number of possible paths to take in that process.
Sound Design Example: Lead (10:47) - As with bass sounds, Pigments can be hugely flexible in giving plenty of other awesome sounds from retro to cutting-edge. In this video, we explore some examples of lead sounds.
Sound Design Example: Pad (10:32) - Now we work through an example of a pad sound that flexes a lot of muscles within Pigments' sound engines and beyond, when building a very spacious sound full of glorious modulations.
Conclusion (05:05) - To finish things up, we have a quick review of what we've seen and go over a few closing remarks on this awesome synthesizer that combines so many things while maintaining a truly fantastic sound throughout it all!
1.2 Update
Pigments 1.2 Update Features & Additions (07:45) - In this video, we go through all of the new features added to Arturia Pigments by this update, which gives us new options and compatibility to work with as well as more flexibility from functions we already know.
Utilization Examples (10:10) - With the features from this update, we can now do even more with Pigments. In this video, we go through some different ways we can creatively put all of the tools and knowledge we have together to take our sounds to new and exciting places!
Version 2
The Sample Engine: Sample Section (08:56) - Like other Arturia Instruments, Pigments now has the capability of using sample sounds in its sound generation. This adds a lot of possibilities to our toolbox, and we see get a good look at how we can use it here.
The Sample Engine: Granular Synthesis & Shaper Modes (10:04) - The Sample Engine gives us even more possibilities with Granular Synthesis, which takes samples and splits them into grains to be sliced and varied in all kinds of exciting ways!
Effects, Sequencer, & General Updates (06:32) - The update also adds quite a few little additions and tweaks to what we had before to make working with Pigments the best experience possible. Things like new effects, enhanced sequencer functions, and Undo/Redo buttons are just a few examples of what we'll go through here.
Utilization Example (10:59) - Pigments is hugely powerful, and it continues to become even greater with updates like this one. Using the Sample Engine, Granular Synthesis, and other features added to Pigments, we work out another example sound that shows one way we can implement what's new into our workflow.
Version 3
Version 3.0 Introduction (02:41) - The Arturia Pigments Version 3.0 Update gives us two new Engines, a new Filter, four new Effects, and plenty of new content. Here, we get a quick overview of these new additions before we dig into them in detail.
The Harmonic Engine (13:10) - Pigments previously covered subtractive, wavetable, and some frequency modulation synthesis options with its powerful engines. Now with the Harmonic Engine, we also have the ability to use Additive synthesis as well, giving us even more capacity to make any sort of sound.
The Utility Engine (05:20) - In addition to the Harmonic Engine, we also have the new Utility Engine, which gives us noise oscillators and another analog style oscillator that can be used as a sub or for any other purpose.
Filters & Effects Routing (03:55) - The 3.0 update has given us the Jup-8 low pass filter, plus some new options for organizing the routing of filters and busses to effects, which allows greater possiblities for varied signal paths. In this video, we get a feel for this helpful update to Pigments.
The New Effects (08:19) - On top of the new effects routing options, we also have four new effects: the BL-20 Flanger, Jun-6 Chorus, Multiband compressor, and Pitch-Shift Delay. Here, we see these effects in action.
Utilization Example (08:48) - With all of these new tools in our toolbox, we take Pigments out for a spin to create an additive lead sound that makes use of the Version 3.0 updated features.
Version 3.5
Engine Modulation (04:30) - With the power of multiple synth engines working at once, Pigments always had a wide array of options. With this update, we even have the ability to cross modulate from one engine to another or to the filters, allowing even more possibilities for sound design.
Filter & Effect Updates (05:07) - With new Comb filter types and a new Distortion Module, this update further expands the sonic capacity of this synthesizer. Here, we see these features in action.
Sample Browser & Organization (04:02) - Sample browsing in Pigments is now more convenient with new ways to access sample folders, and with additions of new wavetables and these other features, we also have new presets that show them off. In this video, we go through how this can enhance our experience in Pigments.
Utilization Examples (12:30) - Having seen the new features of Pigments introduced in version 3.5, we now employ our new knowledge to create a preset that showcases the new strengths added to this already feature-packed instrument.