Arturia V Collection X is its biggest upgrade in years

Augmented Woodwinds, Brass and Grand Piano

Like the remainder of the Augmented sequence, Woodwinds, Brass and Grand Piano really feel constructed particularly with scoring in thoughts. That’s to not say you possibly can’t discover a use for them in a pop music or jazz association, however these are all about ambiance and texture, and there’s a wholesome dose of sounds that might solely be applicable within the tensest moments of a cosmic horror movie.

All of them have a collection of superior controls the place you possibly can construct nearly any sound you need from its 4 layer engine (two samples and two synths). You’ll be able to even fully disable the pattern layers and go woodwind-less, although, you may as effectively use one of many different plugins at that time.

CP-70 V

The opposite fully new instrument, CP-70 V, is much more easy. It’s an electrical piano. A really particular one which hasn’t loved the identical stage of reverence because the Rhodes or Wurlitzer, however isn’t with out its deserves. The CP-70 used strings like an actual piano, as a substitute of the metallic reeds and tines present in Rhodes in Wurlitzers. It additionally used piezo pickups as a substitute of magnetic ones, leading to a sound that’s considerably nearer to an precise acoustic piano. That was positively an enormous promoting level for touring acts within the ‘70s and ‘80s that needed the sound of a grand piano, however didn’t wish to lug one on the street. 

The outcome although, is much less characterful than these different electrical pianos. It’s brighter and there’s much less room for shaping the sound with out including results. Arturia appears to do an admirable job of capturing the spirit of the CP-70, but it surely comes shut sufficient to sounding like an actual piano, I’d be way more prone to attain for the common ol’ Piano V plugin usually.

MiniFreak V

Mini V4

This was the one greatest shock of the lot, truthfully. Mini V was additionally an honest sufficient Minimoog Mannequin D emulation, however the world is stuffed with these. It was by no means the explanation to hunt out V Assortment particularly, but it surely was ok that you just didn’t have to go discover another. Mini V4, nonetheless, is unbelievable. The distinction is refined, however positively noticeable if you happen to load up the default template in each Mini V3 and V4 and play them facet by facet. For one, the V4 is a contact louder, but it surely’s additionally fuller. A part of that, I feel, is there’s extra inherent instability within the new oscillator mannequin. As you begin taking part in on the decrease reaches of the keyboard you possibly can hear it extra clearly.

You can even play decrease notes. The place V3 merely doesn’t work under A-1, V4 will allow you to get all the best way right down to C-2, although, there’s little or no musical cause so that you can go down that far.

The variations grow to be extra obvious if you begin messing with the filter. Extra bass is retained as you begin turning up the resonance within the new model, and it stays usable even with it pinned. The frequency cutoff can be smoother with a bit extra of a guttural growl as you begin isolating these decrease frequencies.

Whereas the Minimoog clearly excels at bass, and Arturia makes positive to showcase that, there are additionally numerous presets that push the sound in numerous instructions. The advantage of a plugin over the precise classic synth is you can have eight notes of polyphony right here. That provides this digital Mannequin D the liberty to play unstable pads and electric-piano model keys.

The addition of a “classic” knob can be fairly welcome right here. Whereas I really like issues being ever-so-slightly out of tune and for there to be a mild whisper of white noise within the background, others may need a extra buttoned up sound.

It’s additionally value stating that Arturia didn’t go too overboard with the options right here. There’s no modulation matrix or sequencer or movement recording. There’s a handful of helpful results, an arpeggiator and MPE controls, and never a lot else past what you’d discover on the unique.

Wurli V3

Just like the Mini V, Arturia took its Wurlitzer plugin and determined to start out over agin. The outcomes are glorious, if a contact much less dramatic than with the Moog emulation. The overall tone is brighter and it sings a bit extra within the decrease registers. There additionally appears to be a wider stereo area than earlier than as effectively. The cumulative impact is one thing a bit extra inviting.

The brand new mic and amp simulations assist it really feel extra alive and such as you’re truly in a room with a Wurli as a substitute of simply taking part in one by way of your laptop. And the age parameter provides instability to the sound, permitting you to get that “simply discovered this keyboard in my uncle’s basement the place it’s been sitting untouched for 30 years” sound. To not point out it completely nails the sound of Supertramp’s “The Logical Track.”

The Wurli isn’t a plugin I attain for extraordinarily usually, however I appreciated the improved tone that ought to assist it minimize by way of a mixture a bit higher. It’s additionally way more versatile than the CP-70 V, although even with the enhancements I’m way more prone to attain for a Rhodes.

Arturia V Assortment X is on the market now and current Arturia prospects will get a reduction, relying on what software program they already personal. For those who’re new, the complete value of $599 could be a bit robust to swallow, but it surely nonetheless represents one of many higher offers in tender syths.

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