Category: Plugin Sale Info

Arturia V Collection X: Introduction and Black Friday Sale (50% Off Until 12/10)

Hello, I’m Jooyoung Kim, an engineer and music producer.

Arturia is currently running their Black Friday sale, and I’ve been provided with licenses for the V Collection X, FX Collection 5, and Synthi V NFR for review purposes by Plugin Boutique and Arturia.

Over the next few posts, I’ll be reviewing these plugins in detail. As always, these reviews are based solely on my own opinions, and I haven’t received any scripts or directives. If you make purchases through the links provided, I’ll receive a small commission.

Let’s dive in!

Purchase V Collection X at Plugin Boutique

The V Collection is Arturia’s flagship virtual instrument bundle, featuring a total of 39 instruments. Here’s a breakdown of some key instruments included:

Analog Synthesizers

Virtual InstrumentReal Instrument ReplicatedDescription
Acid VRoland TB-303A bass synthesizer known as a pioneer in rave music.
Mini V 4Moog Minimoog Model DClassic monophonic synth famous for its warm bass and lead sounds.
KORG MS-20 VKorg MS-20Synth offering intense and aggressive analog sounds.
Jun-6 VRoland Juno-6 / Juno-60Popular DCO-based polyphonic synth.
OP-Xa VOberheim OB-XaIconic ‘Jump’ synth, a powerful 1980s classic.
Prophet-5 VSequential Prophet-5A legendary polyphonic synth known for its warm, creamy sound.
CS-80 VYamaha CS-80A renowned Japanese synth, ideal for cinematic sounds in film scores.
Synthi VEMS Synthi AKSBritish modular synth with a unique pin-patch matrix.
Jup-8 VRoland Jupiter-8Popular 1980s polyphonic synth for pop and synth-pop.
Buchla Easel VBuchla Music EaselModular synth ideal for experimental sound design.
Modular VMoog Modular SystemA massive modular synth that revolutionized electronic music.
Vocoder VRoland VP-330 Vocoder Plus16-band vocoder famously used by Daft Punk.
Matrix-12 VOberheim Matrix-12Polyphonic synth known for its matrix modulation and filters.
SEM VOberheim SEMA polyphonic module loved by sound designers.
ARP 2600 VARP 2600Semi-modular synth providing versatile effects and sound textures.

Digital Synthesizers & Samplers

Virtual InstrumentReal Instrument ReplicatedDescription
MiniFreak VArturia MiniFreak (Hardware-Based)Combines digital synthesis with analog filters.
SQ80 VEnsoniq SQ-80Hybrid ‘Crosswave’ synth offering complex textures.
Emulator II VE-mu Emulator IIMultitimbral sampler popular in the 1980s.
CZ VCasio CZ-101 / CZ-1000Synth with sharp phase distortion sounds.
DX7 VYamaha DX7Revolutionary FM synth of the 1980s.
Synclavier VNew England Digital SynclavierDigital synth used in 1980s hits and film soundtracks.
Prophet-VS VSequential Prophet VSA pioneering vector synth.
CMI VFairlight CMIA trailblazer in sampling and additive synthesis.

Keyboards & Organs

Virtual InstrumentReal Instrument ReplicatedDescription
Mellotron VMellotronEarly orchestral keyboard using tape samples.
B-3 VHammond B-3Electronic organ used in jazz, rock, and more.
Farfisa VFarfisa CompactTransistor organ featured in 1960s hits.
Solina VARP Solina String EnsembleA blend of string synth and organ sounds.
VOX Continental VVOX ContinentalTransistor organ loved during the ‘British Invasion.’
Clavinet VHohner ClavinetElectric keyboard instrument with a funky tone.

Acoustic & Electric Pianos

Virtual InstrumentReal Instrument ReplicatedDescription
CP-70 VYamaha CP-70Electro-acoustic piano popular in the 1970s-80s.
Wurli V 3Wurlitzer 200AElectric piano favored in funk and rock.
Piano VVarious Piano ModelsIncludes everything from German grand pianos to modern designs.
Stage-73 VFender RhodesLegendary electric piano beloved on stage and in studios.

MiniFreak V

MiniFreak V is a virtual instrument based on Arturia’s hardware synthesizer, MiniFreak.

This synthesizer features a straightforward setup with two oscillators, a filter, and built-in effects.

Of course, it comes equipped with essential synthesizer functions like LFOs, macros, and envelopes.

Though it may not be a common tool for songwriting, MiniFreak V also includes a built-in sequencer, allowing for versatile performances using just this one instrument.

Since the original MiniFreak hardware is already a digital emulation, the sound difference between this virtual instrument and its hardware counterpart isn’t particularly dramatic.
(There are differences, but they’re minor enough to be compensated for with other effects.)

Personally, I find MiniFreak V excels in producing bass and lead sounds. While it’s versatile enough for various uses, it offers a more modern and refined sound compared to the vintage warmth of something like the Mini Moog.

Acid V

Acid V is a virtual recreation of the iconic Roland TB-303.

The Roland TB-303, released in 1981, was initially designed as a bass synthesizer to replace bass guitars. However, its artificial sound failed to satisfy early users, leading to its discontinuation.

The discontinued model found new life in the hands of the Chicago-based electronic music group Phuture, who repurposed it for a groundbreaking musical direction. Their track “Acid Tracks,” released in 1987, became the cornerstone of the acid genre, eventually sparking the global acid house movement.

In recent years, Behringer has released its own clone, and Roland followed up with the TB-03, a modern take on the original.

Using Acid V is incredibly straightforward:

  1. Select the waveform (saw or square).
  2. Adjust the filter.
  3. Tweak the envelope.
  4. Set the sub-oscillator.
  5. Modify the vibrato.
  6. Control the distortion.
  7. Configure the sequence and pattern.

That’s all there is to it.

This instrument is perfect for creating bass lines with a pattern-focused approach, staying true to the TB-303’s legacy.

With 14 types of distortion available, Acid V is also well-suited for sound design, offering plenty of flexibility for crafting unique tones.

CP-70 V

CP-70 V is a virtual instrument that faithfully recreates Yamaha’s electric piano, the CP-70.

Unlike digital pianos, electric pianos amplify the sound of real acoustic strings through an electrical circuit.

The CP-70 works by striking strings, much like a traditional piano, but it uses piezo pickups (similar to those on acoustic guitars) to amplify the sound.
Because of this, it needs regular tuning like an acoustic piano, and it offers a unique tonal character.

In its original form, electric pianos like the CP-70 were typically connected to amplifiers, and effects pedals were often used alongside them.
As a result, the sound output was mono.

However, by applying effects like chorus, phaser, flanger, or auto-pan, you can achieve a stereo sound that adds more depth and character to your tracks.
Personally, when I use electric pianos, I frequently apply modulation effects or auto-pan to enhance the sound.

Compared to electric pianos like the Fender Rhodes or Wurlitzer, the CP-70 delivers a slightly brighter, more percussive tone.
It’s a versatile instrument suitable for various musical styles.

Augmented Series

The word Augment means “to increase.”

As the name and UI suggest, the Augmented series by Arturia is a collection of original virtual instruments that layer multiple sound sources.

If I recall correctly, they previously offered the String instrument for free, and now there are six instruments in the series!
The latest additions include Brass, Woodwinds, and Grand Piano.

The UI across these instruments is similar, so I’ll cover them all in one go.

Each instrument features two samplers and two synthesizers, which can be freely assigned to Layers A and B.
The synthesizer section offers five synthesis types: Analog, Granular, Harmonic, Simplified, and Wavetable.
The sampler section also provides a wide variety of sounds, allowing for rich sound design through layering and synthesis.

These instruments are especially useful when you want the sound of a particular instrument but find that a fully recorded virtual instrument doesn’t quite fit your track.

Even if you’re not deeply versed in synthesis techniques, the straightforward UI lets you craft diverse tones with just a few knob adjustments.
It’s a well-designed virtual instrument that caters to both beginners and advanced users.

Purchase V Collection X at Plugin Boutique

Arturia is one of the most prominent companies in the field of synthesizer recreations.

If you’re considering studying synthesis or purchasing a bundle of synths this Black Friday, Arturia’s offerings are an easy recommendation.

This month, if you purchase from Plugin Boutique, you’ll also get:

  1. Iconic Analog Mono Synth, a recreation of Monark’s Mini Moog.
  2. Access to a professional mastering course.

Make sure to claim these perks if you’re buying from Plugin Boutique!

Stay tuned for the next post, where I’ll dive into Arturia’s FX Bundle~ 😊

Baby Audio Transit 2 Sale (~12/31)

Hello! I’m Jooyoung Kim, an audio engineer and music producer.

Today, I’ll introduce “Transit 2,” a plugin developed in collaboration between Canadian musician Andrew Huang, known widely on YouTube, and Baby Audio.

This is Andrew Huang!

As always, I received this plugin from Plugin Boutique in an NFR (Not For Resale) format. The views in this post are entirely my own.

Let’s dive in!

Purchase Transit 2 at Plugin Boutique

(If you purchase the Transit 2 plugin through the link above or below, a small commission will help support my blog!)

Transit 2 is an all-in-one plugin offering 28 effects.

Typically, plugins like this are less about mixing and more useful for adding dynamics during composition with tools like LFO and macros. Think of it as a way to add energy to your track.

Transit 2 features six modulation options: Macro, LFO, Audio Follower, Sidechain, Gate, and Sequencer, allowing you to alter effect parameters based on your chosen setting.

Rather than going through each of the 28 effects, let’s explore how you might best use Transit 2 in your workflow.

Clicking the dice icon in the top right corner…

…changes only the parameters for the top three effects, while the bottom four effects are fully randomized, including the effect type itself.

The dot in the center acts as a switch to toggle modulation on and off for parameters like Macro. Blue indicates a positive direction, red a negative direction, and yellow is a fixed, non-modulated value.

There are also numerous presets.

So, how should you use it? There are two main approaches:

  1. If you’re familiar with each effect and know the exact sound you want, you can create a setup from scratch. It’s a bit time-consuming but allows for precise customization.
  2. If you’re looking for something fresh, start by exploring presets. Once you find a tone you like, place the core effects in the top row and let the randomization feature introduce a bit of unpredictability, like a modular synth. This approach takes some time too.

Personally, I find that applying modulation effects and using the Follow or Sidechain functions creates a groove that blends well with other sounds.

Without any effects applied, there’s some basic saturation, and the volume decreases.

Interestingly, bypassing the plugin creates a unique harmonic distortion.

The plugin is well-optimized, with low latency considering the effects it offers. Testing a few presets, I noticed almost no channel latency, with the highest around 1.4 ms.

With a plugin like this, you can achieve various effects, making it a versatile addition.

I tried it with different instruments like piano, bass, guitar, and vocals. Personally, it worked exceptionally well with recorded electric bass.

Additionally, you can create interesting sounds by experimenting with samples from places like Splice.

Find out Solina and Orange Vocoder at Plugin Boutique

This month, if you purchase a plugin from Plugin Boutique, you can get AIR Music Technology’s Solina virtual instrument or Zynaptiq’s ORANGE VOCODER NANO for free.

With Black Friday approaching and Transit 2 on sale until the end of the year, it might be worth keeping an eye on it and grabbing it during the sale.

See you in the next post!

Sonnox Drum Gate & Envolution Plugin Sale (~10/27)

Hello, I’m Jooyoung Kim, an audio engineer and music producer.

Today, I’d like to introduce a few Sonnox plugins that are currently on sale. The products were provided by Plugin Boutique as NFR (Not for Resale) versions.

Let’s dive right in!

Sonnox Drum Gate

Click Image to buy Sonnox Drum Gate plug-in at Plugin Boutique

(Purchasing through the link above and below will earn me a small commission, which greatly helps support this blog!)

Sonnox Drum Gate is a gate plugin specifically designed for drums. On the left side, you can set the threshold like a typical gate using the Open Threshold. For kicks, snares, and toms, the Match Transients feature on the right allows for more precise separation.

When working with real drum recordings, it’s often better to avoid using a gate due to various issues. However, if you plan to use one, I can confidently recommend this plugin as it’s very well-made.

This plugin isn’t just a simple gate. Instead of a traditional release control, it offers a frequency-based delay adjustment, and you can boost the transient levels using the Leveller. The Leveller feature also allows you to set a Loud Target and Soft Target, enabling you to manage dynamic ranges effectively.

I tested it on some live-recorded drum tracks, and it did a great job isolating them. It seems particularly useful for handling tracks with heavy bleed.

Moreover, the MIDI Out feature allows you to extract MIDI from drum tracks with great grooves. This could be quite helpful for those learning to program drum MIDI.

Sonnox Envolution

Click Image to buy Sonnox Envolution plug-in at Plugin Boutique

There are many plugins that adjust envelopes, but Sonnox’s Envolution, even after nearly 10 years since its release, remains one of the most powerful and highly recommended plugins.

It’s intuitive and easy to use. The oscilloscope shows what adjustments you’ve made, and it produces exactly the sound you’re expecting. It’s one of the best transient-focused plugins out there.

As for the parameters, the upper section controls the transients, while the lower section manages the sustain. Additionally, if you click on FREQ on the left:

You’ll see options for Tilt EQ or Parametric EQ, allowing you to EQ the sound precisely.

The Warmth knob on the right is simply a harmonic generator… haha.

This month, if you make a purchase from Plugin Boutique, you’ll receive either Air Music Technology’s Solina virtual instrument or Zynaptiq’s Orange Vocoder Nano for free. Both plugins are excellent, so if you’re considering any plugin purchase this month, I recommend checking out Plugin Boutique.

See you in the next post~:)

Sonnox Vocal Production Bundle Sale (~10/20, $64.9)

Hello, I’m Jooyoung Kim, an audio engineer and music producer.

Sonnox is currently offering a great deal on a bundle of vocal processing plugins, so I thought I’d share this with you.

Buy Sonnox Vocal Production Bundle at Plugin Boutique

(If you purchase through the link above or any of the other links below, I receive a small commission, which greatly supports the maintenance of this blog!)

This bundle includes three plugins designed specifically for vocal processing:

  • Claro: EQ and stereo width control
  • Vox Doubler (Widen, Thicken): Vocal doubler
  • Voca: A processor combining compression, saturation, and de-essing

Let’s take a closer look at each, starting with Claro.

Claro

Click image to buy Claro

Sonnox’s Claro is a clean and highly functional EQ and stereo width enhancer. You can use it in a simple “Produce” UI, as shown above, or in a more detailed “Tweak” UI that includes a spectral analyzer.

Each frequency band features labels below for negative terms and above for positive ones, making it intuitive even for beginners to use.

Additionally, you can view frequencies in a keyboard format, which can be very familiar and useful for composers.

What impressed me the most about Claro is that you can view the EQ settings applied to other tracks simultaneously!

Moreover, you can adjust the EQ for those other tracks directly within this interface. This is an incredibly innovative feature.

For tracks that experience masking issues and don’t cut through the mix, you can quickly locate the interfering frequencies and make adjustments, significantly streamlining your workflow and saving time.

Claro’s competitor is clearly FabFilter’s Pro-Q3, but considering that you get two additional plugins for just $64.9, it’s a fantastic deal.

Although it’s not a dynamic EQ, it’s the first EQ I’ve seen that also allows width adjustment, making it a plugin I’m seriously considering as my main EQ from now on.

Vox Doubler

The Vox Doubler includes two plugins: Thicken and Widen. The difference is that Widen creates two separate mono tracks, one for each side, while Thicken produces a single stereo track.

While the difference is subtle, it’s perfect for background vocal doubling to emphasize the chorus parts.

Voca

Click image to buy Voca

Voca is essentially an all-in-one channel strip. In the compression section, the left/right parameters labeled as “Squish” work like a ratio, and the “Stable” parameter functions similarly to a threshold.

In the saturation section, “Saturate” controls the amount of coloration, while “Focus” adjusts the EQ curve (higher settings boost lows and highs, while lower settings emphasize the midrange).

The “Soften” parameter acts as a de-esser, specifically targeting the area around 5kHz. You can think of this as a versatile all-in-one effect.

Additionally, if you purchase plugins from Plugin Boutique this month, you’ll receive either a “Solina” synthesizer, which focuses on string sounds, or Zynaptiq’s Orange Vocoder Nano.

Exploring This Month’s Free Plugins on Plugin Boutique

Both are incredibly useful plugins, so be sure to claim them if you make a purchase.

That’s it for today’s post. See you next time~!