Pigments
Sound design synthesizer
Pigments is an all-in-one software synthesizer for modern producers, blending 6 cutting-edge synthesis engines, a color-coded interface, effortless drag-and-drop modulation, premium effects and generative sequencing. Shape your sonic vision with boundary-pushing sound design.
Shape your sonic vision
Explore in-depth sound design with every synthesis type you could need and a responsive, color-coded interface that rewards experimentation - from playful discoveries to intricate modulation and patch creation.
Multi-engine versatility
Discover pure sonic possibility with 6 forms of synthesis: Modal, Granular, Wavetable, Sample, Harmonic and Virtual Analog, alongside the Utility engine.
Visual sound design
Streamline your creative process with Pigments’ clean, color-coded interface and drag-and-drop modulation - every step is designed for fast, fluid sound design without breaking your flow.
Modern-sounding aesthetic
Pigments is defined by a boundary-pushing sound and over 1600 instantly-rewarding presets - from hybrid-acoustic tones to sweeping granular textures. Expandable with the sound store.
Harness every shade of synthesis
Craft immense, composite soundscapes like no other synth. With 6 engine types, twin morphing filters, 19 high-quality FX, advanced modulation and creative sequencing - Pigments’ in-depth sonic architecture lets your imagination lead the way.
Engines
Choose between 3 engine slots and 6 methods of sound generation and discover the combined power of Modal, Granular, Wavetable, Sample, Harmonic and Virtual Analog synthesis, alongside a Utility engine which provides additional oscillators and sampled noise. Don’t forget, you can process external audio too!
Close the gap between inspiration and outcome
Transform your ideas into fully realized sounds with Pigments' visual workflow. Whether you’re just experimenting or building complex patches - see what’s happening, modulate with ease and watch your creativity come to life.
Clear, color-coded design
Pigments’ clean, intuitive layout and color-coded modulation sources make it easy to see where you are and what’s connected at a glance - so you can stay focused.
Effortless workflow
From drag-and-drop modulation, quick-edit tools, and streamlined signal routing, every element is crafted to make sound design fluid efficient and enjoyable.
Animation that informs
From engine waveforms to envelope transients and modulation dynamics - Pigments’ real-time animated feedback offers instant visual clarity and aliveness.
A next-gen synth for innovative electronic genres
Pigments is at the forefront of modern sound design, embodying an innovative aesthetic that underpins the world’s most daring music - from phosphorescent tones to thundering basses and sweeping granular expanses.
Modern-sounding aesthetic
Discover a precise, powerful and high-quality sound that goes hand-in-hand with leading electronic genres - from trap to EDM, house, cinematic and beyond.
Extensive factory library
Harness 1500+ meticulously crafted presets that define Pigments’ distinctive sonic identity and push its powers to the limit - basses, leads, pads, sequences and much more.
On-trend expansions
Stay on the cutting edge with contemporary presets and genre-focused packs that capture today’s most innovative musical trends.
A complete solution
to modern synthesis
From braindance to future bass experimentation, experience Pigments’ sonic repertoire in action.
Code Bloom
Popbot
Quest
Victor Morello
Voltage Alley
Gisaza
Soundtrack
Victor Morello
Liquid
Visages
Coberlon
Victor Morello
Artist
Corner
Tim Carmon
Keyboardist
"And for anyone who knows about the ARP 2600 keyboard it will NEVER get any closer than this, forget about it."
Judd Miller
Producer - Composer
"The sound and feel of this virtual instrument is much different than playing a sample... it has a life and aliveness. I don't know of anything else like it."
Philippe Saisse
Jazz composer
"Arturia has taken physical modeling technology to another level with BRASS... A must for anyone in film, commercial or serious orchestration."
Eddie Jobson
Roxy Music - Zappa – UK
"With the CS-80V, Arturia have done a fantastic job of both replicating this classic instrument and adding new features and extensive programmability."
Edwin Birdsong
Keyboardist
"I love the sound of that plug-in, and so does Stevie Wonder... I recommend it to anyone who wants great vintage sounds. (About the CS-80V)"
Eric Persing
Sound Engineer
"It has loads of personality and is capable of amazing sounds which are impossible on my real CS-80."
Franck Serafine
Sound Engineer
"The CS-80V is like a dream come true, with true classic vintage sounds but with all the latest digital control."
George Massenburg
Producer - Composer
"The original CS-80 was in constant need of tuning, which was a profoundly tedious chore. I'll take the plug, thanks. Faithfully and flawlessly modeled and stable! I couldn't live without it now."
Hans Zimmer
Score Composer
"I just sold my Yamaha GX1 because I have a great remplacement with Arturia's CS-80V."
James Lumb
Electric Skychurch
"It has a smooth, detailed sound that you would expect from a real analog synthesizer; with filters that make other digital synths sound gritty by comparison. The CS-80V just sounds great!"
Jamie Muhoberac
Keyboardist
"One of the most appealing things about the CS-80V was the unique sound and shape of its amplitude and tremolo modulation."
John Merchant
Sound Engineer
"Arturia has done a remarkable job of capturing the essence of the instrument. It's incredibly authentic. I hear no difference."
Phoenix
"The CS-80V is the cornerstone of our live shows. We use it on stage. We are really impressed by this software by the way as we own a real CS-80 unit and find the similarities with the software pretty amazing."
Randy Cantor
Producer - Composer
"The CS-80 sounded absolutely amazing and unique, and so does the CS-80V!... The sounds you can get from them are endless."
Alexander Adhami
Score Composer
"The Arturia Mini V so accurately re-creates the original. Perfected analog synthesis with the ease of being able to save your sounds as a preset. A must have in the world of synthesis."
Deadmau5
DJ / Producer
"I've been using the Mini V. Vintage hardware is not easy to come by these days, this is just simply the next best thing!"
Ian Pai
Blue Man Group
"I have a collection of vintage synths but the reliability and the infinite ways you can precisely manipulate and control all the parameters in Arturia's products have left them gathering dust."
Jake Wherry
The Herbalizer
"Very useable synths that integrate perfectly into my studio setup. Now I have some very good, instantly accessible sounds right at my fingertips. (About the Mini V)"
Strip Steve
DJ / Producer
"The fact that it is polyphonic is really cool. What I like most about this plugin is the way it is configured; it stays very true to the original, but also provides tasteful new tools which can be very useful indeed."
Chris Pitman
Guns N' Roses
"This is by far the best VST instrument I've ever heard, period! You guys are onto a winner here!"
Darrell Diaz
Producer - Composer
"I played some tracks for a producer for a record I'm working on and he couldn't believe it was a plug-in! I am in heaven with this plug-in!"
Gareth Jones
Music Director
"The sound is amazing and it's the most reliable virtual instrument that I have ever used."
Geoff Downes
Keyboardist (Yes, Asia, Buggles)
"For anyone who his a fan of the great analog giants of the 70's and 80's, the Modular V is the absolute "full ticket". Get one!"
Guy Allison
Producer - Composer
"He sound of this VSTi is nothing less than HUGE. Bravo Arturia!"
Hideki Matsutake
Sound Engineer
"The clipping of waveforms on the oscillator and the filter behaviour especially are perfect."
Press
Clippings
Magnetic Mag
On Pigments
"Something about Pigments unlocked a childlike joy inside of me that I have never felt before (...) I’ve genuinely never felt that way while sound designing."
MusicTech
On Pigments
"Pigments is a veritable chameleon of an instrument – it’s an analogue monster, a digital dream, a sampling powerhouse, and now a physical modelling marvel."
WeRaveYou
On Pigments
"Pigment 6’s versatility and ease of use make it a no-brainer when choosing which new software synth to try out."
Hispasonic
On Pigments
"It is a synthesizer in which Arturia has wanted to concentrate a large number of resources and get out of the most established areas. It is not a synthesizer that intimidates its use, but in spite of offering a very recognizable global structure, it floods with details in each element that go out of the most traveled and allow to accumulate many simultaneous actions."
Future Music
On Pigments
"Pigments is a powerful synth unifying the best of virtual synthesis, it has an amazing sound and modulation options are a delight to design dynamic sounds. An excellent and flexible ally for the creation of new sounds."
Strong Mocha
On Pigments
"Arturia keeps the promises that Pigments can sound like other synths; no other synth can sound like Pigments. New vibes and tones are always helpful to stay unique with the sound you deliver. (...) Pigments is because of its layout and approach an outstanding way to learn how to use a Synth."
Gearspace
On Pigments
"Excellent sound quality, with two powerful oscillators and a diverse set of filters."
KRHome Studio
On Pigments
"Pigments is a success. The interest of this instrument is double: a powerful synthesizer and a real learning tool (...) Pigments reconciles the look and listening."
Gearjunkies
On Pigments
"Fairly easy to use softsynth that uses the best of Arturia has to offer when it comes to softsynths. (...) Very usable for laying down sequence basslines if you combine it with additional FX plugins that can make it sound dirtier."
Ask Audio
On Pigments
"Incredible sounding oscillators and filters, beautifully designed, amazing modulators, powerful and flexible effects, great sequencer and arpeggiator section."
Sonic State
On Pigments
"At the heart of Pigments is the deep, deep modulation routing system, with a highly visual approach each source can have multiple destinations and can also be modified by the same sources. Its deeply powerful and results in some highly complex and compelling sounds."
Estrada Studio
On Pigments
"Pigments sounds excellent. It is because of both perfectly built synth engines and great filters, as well as the availability of a wide range of perfectly designed wavetables (...) In terms of sound, Pigments represents the highest league, while workflow, GUI, and unbelievable possibilities of modulation and effects section can appeal to many musicians."
Music Radar
On Pigments
"5/5 Pigments easily earns a place at the top table of synthesis. (...) the whole thing impresses from end to end. It’s hard to imagine how Arturia could have made it any easier to use - the work it has done in that regard is hugely commendable. With its voluminous, expressive sound and inspiring interface and architecture, Arturia’s first homegrown synth is a marvel."
Sound Bytes Mag
On Pigments
"Pigments is yet another winner in their lineup of synth plugins. I really can’t think of anything I’d like added to it. (...) It is very easy to use, the layout of controls in the display seem well thought out, and best of all it just sounds great."
Electronic Musician
On Pigments
"There's a lot going on in this latest synth powerhouse. (...) a surprisingly adept emulation machine (...) excellent controllable randomization tools."
Recording
On Pigments
"It’s an entirely original virtual synthesizer with an unusual and compelling sound, a wonderful slate of great features, and a user interface that’s as easy to navigate as it is, well, colorful"
Tape Op
On Pigments
"Pigments is a great synth for complex evolving sounds (...) And, this is a very fun instrument to play (...) If you’re into synths, you’ll really want to check this one out for sure. Hats off to Arturia for successfully expanding into a new instrument category (...) Pigments takes Wavetable synths to a new, more refined and mature level than any other implementation I’ve seen to date."
Interface
On Pigments
"Impressive capabilities!"
DJMag
On Pigments
"Pigments is a very powerful and unique soft synth created by Arturia who, we have to say, are masters of their game."
Audio Technology
On Pigments
"This instrument is paradise for those who love geeking out in the process of crafting unique sound."
MusicTech
On Pigments
"Pigments 4 update enhances nearly every aspect of the soft synth"
RouteNote
On Pigments
"Pigments is one of the most versatile software syntheiszers out there"
Happy Mag
On Pigments
"A highly creative and intuitive polychrome software synthesizer"
DJMag
On Pigments
"Pigments has established itself as a must-have plugin in the audio world."
Matrixsynth
On Pigments
"Pigments 4 is going to change the way you make music."
Gallery
Main Features
Two engines in parallel
Modal physcial-modeling engine
Complex Wavetable engine
Sample and Granular engine
Harmonic Oscillator additive engine
Virtual Analog triple-osc engine
Includes Engine Cross-modulation
Utility Engine
5-shape Virtual Analog Oscillator
2 Sample-based Noise Engines
External audio input
Two filters
13 modern filter types and 49 filter modes
Classic filter types from V Collection instruments
Continuous series/parallel routing
Powerful FX section
2 Insert buses, 1 Send bus, 3 FX per bus
Modulable parameters
18 algorithms including Shimmer Reverb, MultiBand Compressor, Chorus JUN-6, and more.
Advanced modulation system
Color-coded workflow
Drag-and-drop assignation
Hover quick-edit adjustment
Modulation side-chain
Envelopes, Morphing LFOs, Function generators, Random generators, Combinators and more
4 dynamic, assignable Macro controls
Generative Sequencer and Arpeggiator
Create complex, evolving and polymetric sequences/arps
Advanced random sequence generator
Sequencer lock & browser
Visual interface
4k resizeable interface
Interactive animated interface
Simplified Play View
Dark or Light themes
Extensive library of 1600 presets
MPE compatibility
NKS controller compatible
MTS-ESP microtuning compatibility
Platform Specifications
Windows
Win 10+ (64bit)
4 GB RAM
4 cores CPU, 3.4 GHz (4.0 GHz Turbo-boost)
3GB free hard disk space
OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU
ARM processors not supported on Windows
Required configuration
Works in Standalone, VST, AAX, Audio Unit, NKS.
Apple
Mac OS 11+
4 GB RAM
4 cores CPU, 3.4 GHz (4.0 GHz Turbo-boost) or M1 CPU
3GB free hard disk space
OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU
Work with ASC
An elegant and simple solution to help you install, activate, and update your Arturia software instruments.