PIGMENTS 7 Update
Arturia have updated Pigments yet again to version 7, this time with new filters, a new effect, cpu and audio improvements, This one is a smaller update, which I personally feel should be a +.5 version number rather than the whole digit increase that new oscillator engines warrant, but I’m always happy Arturia manages to keep adding to Pigments. The UI is mostly the same this time, just with new macro dials that fill in a circle rather than rotate a control, it’s a weird look, I’m hoping they switch back next time around, but I think they want to visually distinguish each version
In addition to the new filters is the ability to apply FM to the classic filter, so even a previous filter received a bit of love. The “rage” filters seem to be non-linear style filters with distortion built into the filter allowing for some new texture and grit. The “ripple” filter is a disperser style all pass filter sort of thing, nice for getting those bubbly dispersed harmonics. And my favorite addition is the new “reverb” filter which seems to be inspired by the Serum filter of the same name. The reverb filter is incredible for adding soft fuzzy texture.
The new “corroder” effect is a sort of noise amplitude modulation similar to Live’s Erosion effect that is popular with bass design. It can receive input from either oscillator, noise, FX, or even external audio in. I’ve always found this effect to be useful for adding targeted grit and texture so I’m glad to see it here in Pigments.
I can’t speak on the “improved cpu”, but I will say that the wavetable engine does seem to sound better than it used to. It’s hard for me to tell as I didn’t prepare a side by side, but I recall the tables being a bit scratchier before. Testing my own tables, they seem closer to what I expect with less top end distortion that I used to notice in Pigments. This could very well be my imagination though, so I apologize for not having a more definite assessment.
It seems this update is really focussed around bass design, FM on the classic filter, non-linear filter, dispersion, and “reverb” filter, on top of the erosion style effect. I think this update really rounds out a lot of subtle bass enhancements that open the door to some more aggressive musical styles. To add to this, they’ve also updated the envelopes to be capable of snappier attacks, This updated really fills in some gaps with Pigments, it’s nothing crazy, but always a welcome change.
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