Bridging the gap
between mind and matter
A revolution in modern synthesis, Pigments’ approach to sound design is as intricate as it is accessible. Craft epic, high-resolution, surgically-precise and hard-hitting sounds with an all-encompassing interface, tailor-made for forward-thinking producers.
Limitless sound design
A powerful end-to-end software synthesizer, Pigments makes it easier than ever to explore an infinite spectrum of sound. Four forms of synthesis, 1500 + sounds, one-click modulation & sequencing, immediately expressive macros & FX - all instantly gratifying to use.
Vibrant and intuitive workflow
Visualize and refine your sound in style with an interface that matches your creative flow. Whether honing a composition in the Play View, tuning a color-coded modulation or seeing a patch or preset come alive with dynamic visualization - Pigments invites play and supports process.
On the pulse
Pigments’ sonic powers truly shine at the forefront of contemporary music production. Its vast and clear-cut sounds are no stranger to world’s leading electronic genres - from trap, bass music and EDM to house, electro, lo-fi, electronica, cinematic sounds and beyond.
Make it your own
Personalize Pigments to suit your setup and create your own sounds with custom appearance, play modes, audio routing, preset playlists, external sound sources and more.
What’s new
in Pigments 5?
Reduced CPU consumption
Pigments now utilizes multi-core processing for greater CPU efficiency, allowing more users to explore this powerful softsynth with ease.
Melodize any sound in 1 click
Explore the new generative sequencer, featuring one-click sequence generation and new play modes, as well as saveable presets and sequence browsing. Make use of the sequencer lock to apply your sequence settings to any sound.
Process any audio with Pigments
You can now process external audio in Pigments from the Utility engine, by routing the sound to the instrument through the track sidechain input. Additional FX routing options have also been integrated.
Greater synthesis
Discover a selection of new wavetables and samples in Pigments 5, offering more ways than ever to craft your sound
Compose in style
Pigments' refreshed interface includes an improved play view, with new visualisers and other UX enhancements.
New Factory Library and Expansions
Enjoy a selection of 100 new factory presets alongside 3 new preset expansions, showcasing a range of bold, colorful and expansive sounds that Pigments is renowned for.
No better place
for modern music production
From the most futuristic electronic music to innovative beatmaking, Pigments is a radical solution to modern synthesis able to produce infinite shades of sound, from the impactful to the pearlescent - now with more sounds than ever to get started.
Cartel
Mysterious and slightly menacing cinematic track using only Pigments as the sound source. No additional effects nor plug ins were used.
Geometriae
Deep and ambient dub techno track using only Pigments as the sound source, using presets from Twolegs Toneworks, which can all be found within the synth.
Katalise
Melodic techno track with broken beat track made using only Pigments as the sound source. No additional effects not plug ins were used.
Like a Road Leading To Nowhere
Bewitching melodic track showing the deep and ambient side of the instrument.
Released
Organic bass music track, full of groove and glitches, in which all synthesiser parts were made using presets from Matt Pike, that can be found in the instrument.
Risers
Part of this track can be heard in the teaser announcing the instrument. The “Kicking Risers” preset plays an important role here !
Slop
Punchy glitch hop track showing the versatility of Pigments. No external effect is applied.
The First
All synthesised sounds of this evocative track were made using Pigments. No additional processing as all you can hear on top of the presets are the built-in effects. The drum parts were made by layering a DrumBrute impact with external samples.
Green Calx
The “Cosmos Olie” factory preset is put to good use in this mesmerising ambient track, which shows Pigments’ ability to shine at making larger than life and ethereal sounds.
Copper
Organic and bouncy techno track. Drums and percussions were made using samples from the factory library.
Ice Box
Driving and melodic trap track, making good use of the new sample engine. All the synth parts and melodies come from Pigments 2.0 presets, with the use of external drum samples.
Solar Particles
A deep mysterious sci-fi cue that centres around the Black Hole and Slur of Tines presets.
Boss Pigeon
A high-energy, synth-metal track. All patches were programmed by Diego Tejeida, and can be found on the latest Pigments update. Live drums performed by Simen Sandnes.
Cluster
A techy drum and bass track making heavy use of the new harmonic engine. Presets featured include Cluster WTF, Throttle Pluck, 3rd Harmonic, Weird Ratios, Glasgow 808, Absolute Variance & Bar Gesture.
Epopee
A dreamlike single presets demo that explores different textures, all made possible with the new Engines in Pigments 3.
Harmonic Encounters
With 'Harmonic Encounters' we wanted to create everything with Pigments 3. With this uplifting and dreamy EDM style we think we are showing its real power.
Lets Say Around 3PM
Apart from the drums every sound is created with the new Pigments 3. This track is more in a moody and laid back style, using the harmonic oscillator and sampler generously.
Liquid Drum
Rolling liquid D&B showing a mixture of pads, lofi and cold keys and modern sub & mid bass sounds. All Pigments except drums, a little Arturia Plate-140 on the chopped snare.
Lovecity
Bass music track, in which all sounds, except cymbals, were made using presets from Yuli Yolo, that can be found in Pigments 3.
Minimal Ambiance
Single preset demo showing mainly some choral, organ and keys sounds plus a couple of the experimental glitchy metallic patches. Automation of MW & Macro 3 on “Ashen”. Pigments only, no other FX/VST.
Plucked
A moody & dub inspired beat driven track focused around the Wave Vox Triangles & Additive Koto presets. Also featuring 3rd Harmonic and Cheap FX EP.
Cobald
Cobald contains only sounds from Pigments 3. The main presets I wanted to use for this track were “Parision” and “Brighton Gatekeeper”, both very dynamic sounds. I used macro modulation and aftertouch to play creatively with the presets.
Arrival
Cinematic and powerful track, using only presets coming from the preset pack Wavelengths Cinematic.
Broken Hope
Cinematic and powerful track, using only presets coming from the preset pack Wavelengths Cinematic.
Endless
A lofi track from 2 artists on the world-renowned label Lofi Girls. All presets come from the Pigments' bank Wavelengths Lofi.
Advanced synthesis
made easy
Discover uncharted depths and melodic heights with more ways than ever to design, sculpt, modulate and arpeggiate your sound. With an intuitive, color-coded design, Pigments takes the intricate details of sound creation and makes them instantly accessible, enjoyable, and yours to explore.
Multiple synthesis types
Pigments puts you in control of 4 powerful sound engine types: Sample & Granular, Wavetable, Harmonic and Virtual analog. Combine any pairing of these engines with an additional Utility oscillator, sampled noise and your own sounds for a near-infinite synthesis palette.
Color-coded design
Never lose track of your changes and modulation with Pigments’ intelligent color-coding - designed to support your workflow and make patch alteration both memorable and effortless.
Generative sequencing & arpeggiator
Pigments doesn’t just make amazing synth sounds - it makes music. Weave beautiful melodies, create evolving stepped modulations, and animate your whole sound with a simple yet powerful sequencing and arpeggiation engine that keeps your sound moving.
Advanced effect processing
Add the finishing touches or send your patches into sonic orbit with a vast yet accessible array of filtering and FX options. Combine or collide dual filters with a selection of classic & modern modes, and sprinkle endless color into any sound with studio-grade FX, from shimmering reverbs to wild distortions.
Drag & drop modulation
Unleash, mutate, and elevate your sound until it’s entirely your own with instant drag-and-drop modulation. Create novel pathways between engines, filters and FX for uniquely experimental audio manipulation.
Midi Polyphonic Expression
Pigments’ pairs seamlessly with MPE controllers that allow for more expressive and nuanced control over multiple parameters as you play. Discover new realms of expressivity with Pigments MPE-compatible library.
Your blank
sonic canvas
Pigments versatile sound making capabilities mean that only your imagination is the limit - from bright nylon-like plucks and epic leads, to dark and denatured bass and deep cinematic soundscapes.
Bass
Neuralinked
Huge neuro bass with a DnB drum loop.
Folding Kick
Create sledgehammer kicks and basslines with Pigments' latest wavetables and some heavy wavefolding.
Leads
Super
A dense pluck lead sound with extra long reverb, using the Shimmer Reverb's feedback.
Xmod Round Robin Hood
A cute chord sequence, with a subtly detuned keys sound that moves from glitchy to trance-like.
Pads & Strings
Ultrasaw String
A classic ultrasaw patch, fattened up with a touch of the Super Unison effect.
Hold And Rise Up
A deep, slow pad using a combination of analog warmth and rich wavetable harmonics for a chill texture.
Sequences
Babebidadou
A psytrance sequence that dances with randomized control over frequency modulation.
Introspective Mantra
Auto-generated meditation mantra uses stock Tanpura and Harpsichord samples with the Sample Engine's granular and pitch quantization features, a modulated Comb filter, and Shimmer Reverb.
Keys
Starting Chord
A stab sample played with rhythmically sequenced granular processing, accompanied by a soft pad.
Krog Keys
Sad, rusty keys made with the resonant MS-20 filter, perfect for trap beatmaking.
SFX
Valkyrie
Massive cinematic atmosphere with the Comb Filter, using macro controls for extra tension and expression.
Golem Spell
Video game voices transformed with granular, with mysterious pad atmosphere in the background.
Marc Houle
Electronic Dance Perfection
I think it’s a great step in a new direction that can really fill some holes and make sound editing really fun for the beginner through to the experts.
Read the StoryEnd-to-end
sound design
There can be a lot to take-in when learning a new instrument, therefore Pigments has been designed to make your sound design effortless and intuitive, whether you are a synthesis pro or just starting out. Explore the all-encompassing sonic capabilities of pigments, step-by-step.
Learn more about the signal chain and hear each engine, filter and FX in action over at the Details page.
Choose between 3 engine slots and 4 methods of sound generation to suit your every need: Pigments harnesses the combinatory power of Sample & Granular, Wavetable, 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.
Attenuate and shape your sound with 2 filter slots and 11 filter types, from legendary analog self-oscillating ladders to bleeding-edge modern options like surgeon, formant, and comb.
Adjust expressivity settings and more with the keyboard panel: providing an accessible on-screen MIDI keyboard to audition your sounds, as well as giving visual feedback on what Pigments is receiving from your controller or DAW.
Infinitely calibrate and customize your sound in any direction with the colorful modulation bar which shows your modulations in action, alongside 6 corresponding tabs for each source. Tweak and link practically any parameter, with no limit on the number of connections.
Make big tonal tweaks with minimal effort with 4 intuitive macros, each one affecting multiple parameters. Assign your own parameters, rename your macros, and get hands-on with your expressive sound design.
Add those finishing touches with studio-grade FX. Pigments’ offers 18 FX types with twin insert buses and a send bus - each one letting you choose and combine any 3 of the premium effects to create a truly refined, mix-ready sound.
Pigments features a fully-fledged generative sequencer. Create evolving stepped modulations in one click, browse and save sequencer presets, and animate your whole sound with a simple yet powerful sequencing and arpeggiation engine.
Take a step back and enjoy a simplified overview of your entire sound, with stripped-back modules and hands-on macros. Or, illuminate Pigments entire GUI with a higher-contrast look, great for lighter DAW workflows or keeping your eyes focused during those late night sessions.
The sound
store
Curate your own library of sounds to suit your style with hundreds of sound banks, updated monthly, crafted by world-renowned producers, artists, and sound designers. Explore sounds directly in Pigments’ preset browser or the online store and create a sound library that works for you.
Explorations is the latest addition, comprising 3 new soul-stirring sound banks to inspire your creativity. Push the boundaries of keyboard expressivity with Expressive Explorations, which has been designed with MIDI Polyphonic Expression in-mind.
Iconic Vibration
US$9.99
The building blocks of the legend
32 Presets
Deep Ambient
US$4.99
Deeper and deeper down to the core
36 Presets
Tangerine Tribute
US$7.99
Travelling between dimensions
48 Presets
Kraft Tribute
US$7.99
Early Robot-Driven Experiment
56 Presets
Synthwave
US$4.99
The Future In The 80s
32 Presets
JMJ Tribute
US$7.99
Welcome to the New Age
49 Presets
Neo Soul Hip Hop
US$4.99
From the street to the rooftops
32 Presets
Vangelis Tribute
US$7.99
Conducting the electronica breakthrough
59 Presets
Floyd Tribute
US$7.99
Psychedelic by definition, progressive by necessity
32 Presets
Trap Sequence
US$4.99
The producer’s cheat sheet
34 Presets
Innate Funk
US$8.99
Get your groove on
64 Presets
Sensual Piano
US$7.99
Smooth jazzy tones
62 Presets
Air Tribute
US$7.99
Going on a Moon Safari
32 Presets
Depeche Speak Tribute
US$7.99
Relive the debut masterpiece.
32 Presets
Dreamscape
US$4.99
Unreal sounds from deep within.
32 Presets
ELP Tribute
US$7.99
Tone secrets of the synth mastermind
38 Presets
Depeche Wave Tribute
US$7.99
The New Wave Backbone
32 Presets
Canada Board Tribute
US$7.99
Strange worlds of sound
32 Presets
Art Of Horn Tribute
US$7.99
Celebrating the Art of Noise and Trevor Horn
32 Presets
Genesis Tribute
US$7.99
I know what I like (in a preset)
39 Presets
Artistscorner
PressClippings
Music Radar
On Pigments
“Pigments is still the synth that crams in the power and flexibility, but presents it to you in a very easy to use way. One of the best sound design tools around”
Gearspace
On Pigments
“Pigments could be my ‘desert island’ virtual instrument, with about every kind of sampler and synth mode one could ask for, extensive modulation routing, excellent FX, and a sequencer/arpeggiator to boot.”
Gearnews
On Pigments
“Pigments 4 is an absolutely essential tool in any sound designers box.”
Audio Fanzine
On Pigments
“The ultimate plugin”
Synth Anatomy
On Pigments
“Pigments 4 : a very impressive update offering some great new features, but also overall tweaks that makes the entire engine even more capable and workflow at the same time easier. Big like for this update.”
Engadget
On Pigments
“Shimmer reverb, drag and drop UI elements and 'light mode' are the latest free updates to the super synth.”
Matrixsynth
On Pigments
“Pigments 4 is going to change the way you make music.”
MusicTech
On Pigments
“Pigments 4 update enhances nearly every aspect of the soft synth”
Audio Technology
On Pigments
“This instrument is paradise for those who love geeking out in the process of crafting unique sound.”
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.”
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”
Sound On Sound
On Pigments
“Pigments is an absolute pleasure to use and never feels confusing or intimidating thanks to its excellent interface. Yet there is still enough depth and thoughtful, musical features to keep the most demanding sound designer happy. Hatts off to Arturia - I hope they will continue to develop software of their own design. (...) A pleasure to use thanks to its excellent design and graphical interface.”
WeRaveYou
On Pigments
“Pigments 5 continues to set the standard for sonic excellence, opening doors to limitless possibilities in music production and sound design.”
Create Digital Music
On Pigments
“What I do like about Pigments is that for all its depth, it has some real character.”
Synth Anatomy
On Pigments
“This update takes the plugin to another level”
MusicTech
On Pigments
“Controls are laid out logically and sensibly, visualisations are intuitive and clear, and interactions are obvious and consistent.”
Create Digital Music
On Pigments
“The polysynth to beat”
Noisegate
On Pigments
“Pigments is a deep instrument perfect for sound designers and producers alike.”
Hispasonic
On Pigments
“Arturia's most personal and comprehensive software synthesiser.”
DJMag
On Pigments
“Pigments has established itself as a must-have plugin in the audio world.”
Happy Mag
On Pigments
“A highly creative and intuitive polychrome software synthesizer”
RouteNote
On Pigments
“Pigments is one of the most versatile software syntheiszers out there”
Interface
On Pigments
“Impressive capabilities!”
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.”
Electronic Musician
On Pigments
“There's a lot going on in this latest synth powerhouse. (...) a surprisingly adept emulation machine (...) excellent controllable randomization tools.”
The features
you need
Integrated in-app tutorials guide you through every aspect of the instrument, from individual parameters to tips from our sound designers, so you can focus on the creative stuff. It shouldn't be this easy, but it is!
Arturia Software Center lets you download, organize, and update all of your Arturia software titles in one place, as well as manage all of your licenses across multiple devices. Keep it simple.
Our virtual instruments and plugins are designed to fit right into your setup without hassle. Whatever your style, you can explore sound while enjoying full compatibility with major DAWS, on both Windows and MacOS.
Instantly find the sound that’s in your head with intelligent & streamlined preset browsing. Search with keywords, explore by instrument type, musical style, and more - you can even save your favorites to quickly recall later.
Whether you want the full visual immersion of our classic instrument emulations, or to save precious screen real estate, the interfaces for all of your Arturia virtual instruments can be resized to a scale that suits you.
Instruments come seamlessly mapped for the Arturia KeyLab range - but they’ll place nice with other MIDI controllers too. Instant sound tweaking macros, easy DAW integration, and standalone operation.
Gallery
Main Features
Two engines in parallel
- Virtual Analog triple-osc engine
- Complex Wavetable engine
- Sample and Granular engine
- Harmonic Oscillator additive engine
- Includes Engine Crossmod
Utility Engine
- 5-shape Virtual Analog Oscillator
- 2 Sample-based Noise Engines
- External audio input
Two filters
- Classic filter types from V Collection instruments
- Modern filter types
- 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 assign, hover-over adjustment
- Envelopes, LFOs, Function generators, Random src, and more
- 4 dynamic, assignable Macro controls
Visual interface
- Graphical representation of the most important modules
- Simplified Play Mode
- Dark or Light themes
Polyrhythmic Sequencer and Arpeggiator
- Create complex, custom and evolving sequences/arps
- Advanced random sequence generator
- Sequencer lock & browser
Extensive library of 1500 presets
MTS-ESP microtuning compatibility
MPE compatibility
NKS controller compatible
Platform specifications
Windows
- Win 10+ (64bit)
- 4 GB RAM
- 4 cores CPU, 3.4 GHz (4.0 GHz Turbo-boost)
- 32GB 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 (64-bit DAWs only).
Apple
- Mac OS 11+
- 4 GB RAM
- 4 cores CPU, 3.4 GHz (4.0 GHz Turbo-boost) or M1 CPU
- 32GB 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.
All manufacturer and product names mentioned on this page are trademarks of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Arturia. The trademarks of other manufacturers are used solely to identify the products of those manufacturers whose features and sound were studied during the development. All names of equipment, inventors, and manufacturers have been included for illustrative and educational purposes only, and do not suggest any affiliation or endorsement by any equipment inventor or manufacturer.
*NKS ready