Arturia Pigments 6: The Most Versatile Synth Plugin Yet? [REVIEW]

Pigment 6 by Arturia marks the brand’s latest software synth. Listed as a Polychromatic solution, the plugin blends advanced capabilities via 2 separate sound engines with a well-constructed user interface.

The latest update to the Pigment range is built to compete in the current software synthesizer market and will likely grow rapidly in popularity. Trusted by Nicky Romero, Andrew Huang, Alex Lustig, and several other world-renowned music producers, Pigment 6 is accessible to both beginners and professionals in the world of sound design.

Pigments 6 introduces several powerful updates, building on the foundation of Pigments 5. The standout addition is the Modal Engine, which generates physically inspired sounds like chimes, metallic timbres, and resonant textures. The Enhanced Filters include the analog-infused Multimode V2, the swirling Cluster filter, and a crunchy LoFi mode for added sound shaping. A Vocoder Effect brings robotic and layered vocal textures, inspired by Arturia’s MicroFreak. Modulation gets an upgrade with new tools like per-voice modulation, audio-driven envelope followers, and Function V2 for curve shaping. Granular Synthesis now allows real-time sample scanning and randomized grain playback. Lastly, the refined UI & UX introduce Quick Edit V2, a better file browser, and a new light theme for improved workflow.

Arturia Pigments 6 User Interface & Workflow

Workflow and ease of use make Pigment 6 stand out from other software synthesizers on the market, as its emphasis on the visual representation of the sound allows producers of all experience levels to work freely. Arturia designed the interface so that it flows with the implementation of drag-and-drop functionality when controlling parameters, adjustments via hovering, and advanced color coding systems.

The design is well thought out, making this incredibly powerful synthesizer easier to comprehend. Producers often use color-coding in their projects to simplify organization and streamline changes. To our knowledge, no other synth plugin offers this functionality. It’s especially useful when modifying complex patches for future use. Another key addition is Pigments’ real-time animated feedback, which visually demonstrates how each parameter affects the waveform.

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Sound Engines & Synthesis Capabilities

Pigment 6 uses dual-engine architecture for greater creative control. The inclusion of several oscillator options like wavetables, modal physical modeling, virtual analog (including 3 oscillators per voice), and harmonics (Additive synthesis capabilities) in addition to both granular and sample-based synthesis opens a world of possibilities for users. This is probably the biggest addition to Pigments 6 as it allows for different types of sound design possibilities while keeping things simple and not too overwhelming for users.

Over the past few years, I’ve explored granular synthesis extensively, and it was surprising to see how many mainstream synth plugins lacked these capabilities. Pigments 6’s granular engine changes that, allowing you to use either stock sounds or import your own. The range of features for sound modification is astonishing—you can scan through in and out points, adjust grain density and size, and manipulate start times, pitch, direction, and more. Additionally, you can blend up to six different samples, enabling truly unique and creative sound design.

Moving on to the newly added Modal Engine, you can now create physically modeled sounds. It functions similarly to a resonator but with added motion capabilities. If you’re into experimental sound design involving friction-based textures, this is a gold mine. You can control decay, timbre, and even morph sounds for added depth. The real-time visual feedback makes the process both intuitive and visually engaging. Using this module, I was able to create fork-like sounds and rich plucks with a uniquely time-stretched texture—effortlessly.

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Filters & Modulation Capabilities

Pigments 6 stands out with its ability to cross-modulate between engines, enabling intricate sound layering. A defining feature of this plugin is its external audio input, which lets users integrate live audio sources seamlessly. This addition expands creative possibilities, making it easier to blend synthesized and real-world sounds. By offering both advanced modulation and external audio routing (allowing the user to leverage the built-in FX section on any audio signals they can think of) and 4 assignable macro controls capable of controlling multiple parameters at once, Pigments 6 provides a versatile tool for dynamic sound design.

This update enhances the filter section by improving navigation and introducing both Cluster and LoFi filter variations, as well as an analogue-inspired multimode V2 option. I found it quite intuitive to explore and apply different filtering options with the redesigned interface. Additionally, a new voice modulation generator expands the range of modulation possibilities. These improvements provide greater creative flexibility for sound design and audio manipulation.

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Effects

The FX section now features 19 different algorithms, ranging from reverb and multi-band compression to the newly added vocoder effect. It also incorporates some of the best-selling effects from Arturia’s FX Collection, such as the Flanger BL-20 and Chorus JUN-6, which add a subtle analog warmth to the sound. Here’s the complete list of included effects:

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Updated Preset Browser

For those looking to dive right in, Pigments 6 includes 1,500 presets crafted by artists like Mord Fustang, Jeremy Savage, Starcadian, Cubic Spline, and Jörg Hüttner. It also features a machine-learning algorithm that suggests presets based on your selections. For those wanting to expand their library, Arturia offers additional preset packs for purchase, ensuring long-term value. The new algorithm helps find similar sounds to those you like, and with well-organized labels and tags, discovering the right preset is quick and effortless.

In addition, Arturia built a polyrhythmic step sequencer and arpeggiator to add further depth and creativity to the software output.

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Final Thoughts

Pigment 6’s versatility and ease of use make it a no-brainer when choosing which new software synth to try out. Arturia has included in-depth tutorials to learn what the plugin is capable of directly from the user interface. At the time of writing this article, Arturia lists the plugin for USD 199. For those undecided, a free demo version is available. The combination of affordability and seemingly endless capabilities make Pigment 6 hard to overlook.

To purchase Pigment 6, visit Arturia’s official website here.

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Tech Specs

• Platform: Mac, PC
• Download/Boxed: Download
• Bit Depth:/Format: 64-bit – Standalone, AAX, VST, AU
• Requirements – Mac: Intel Core 2 Duo or higher, 4GB RAM minimum – macOS 11 or later
• Requirements – PC: Intel Core 2 Duo / AMD Athlon 64 X2 or higher, 4GB RAM minimum – Windows 10 or later

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