Hello everyone, this is Jooyoung Kim, an audio engineer and music producer.
Today, I’d like to introduce you to one of Arturia’s flagship bundles: FX Collection 5.
This product was provided to me as an NFR (Not for Resale) through Plugin Boutique and Arturia. If you make a purchase through the links in this post, I’ll receive a small commission, which greatly supports my blog. Let’s dive in!
I remember using Arturia’s early audio interface, Audiofuse, back in the day. At the time, there wasn’t an FX Collection bundle—just a handful of hardware emulation plugins. Now that FX Collection has reached version 5, time really flies!
This bundle introduces 4 new plugins, bringing the total to 34 plugins. Let’s take a closer look at some of them.
Here’s one of my favorites: Arturia Chorus Dimension-D
Table of Features and Emulations
| Name | Emulated Hardware | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Efx REFRACT | None | Adds distortion and harmonics for rich textures and tonal transformation. |
| Efx MOTIONS | None | Introduces dynamic movement and rhythmic variations, adding vibrancy to the mix. |
| Efx FRAGMENTS | None | Granular processing for rhythmic stutter effects and spatial soundscapes. |
| Bus EXCITER-104 | Aphex Aural Exciter Model 104 | Enhances brightness without noise; deepens vocals and kick drums. |
| Bus PEAK | None | Optimizes mix loudness, boosts low-end power, and controls drum energy. |
| Bus FORCE | None | A parallel processor combining filter, EQ, compression, and saturation. |
| Dist COLDFIRE | None | Dual-engine distortion ranging from warm tube saturation to aggressive clipping. |
| Dist TUBE-CULTURE | Thermionic Culture – THE CULTURE VULTURE | Adds analog warmth and natural distortion in a digital environment. |
| Dist OPAMP-21 | Tech 21 SansAmp Guitar Pedal | Digital recreation of a guitar pedal, offering treble distortion and amp texture. |
| Tape MELLO-FI | Mellotron | Instantly adds vintage vibes and analog warmth. |
| EQ SITRAL-295 | Siemens Sitral w295b | Smooth, musical curves with warm transistor character in a stereo EQ. |
| Pre 1973 | Neve 1073 | Modern recreation of the iconic ’70s British sound. |
| Pre TRIDA | Trident Audio A-Range Dual Channel Strip | Rare channel strip with musical EQ for unique tonal shaping. |
| Pre V76 | Telefunken V76 | Renowned for its ’60s pop sound, famously used in the “White Album.” |
| Rev LX-24 | Lexicon 224 | Realistic spatial depth with subtle shimmer textures. |
| Rev PLATE-140 | EMT 140 | Smooth and clear plate reverb, blending retro and modern elements. |
| Rev INTENSITY | None | Combines cinematic ambience with deep modulation for a fresh reverb type. |
| Rev SPRING-636 | Hammond Spring Reverb | Captures the dynamic texture of real spring reverb. |
| Comp DIODE-609 | Neve 33609 | A crunchy compressor, perfect for drums. |
| Comp VCA-65 | SSL G Series VCA Compressor | A powerful VCA compressor tailored for rhythm sections. |
| Comp TUBE-STA | Retro STA-Level | Vintage compressor ideal for bass and vocals. |
| Comp FET-76 | Universal Audio 1176LN | Versatile studio compressor for all sound sources. |
| Filter MS-20 | Korg MS-20 | Adds dynamic filter sweeps and distinctive distortion. |
| Filter MINI | Moog MiniMoog | Features a 24dB/octave low-pass filter with modern enhancements. |
| Filter SEM | Oberheim SEM | Multi-purpose filter suitable for a variety of synth applications. |
| Filter M12 | Oberheim Matrix-12 | Offers advanced modulation and programmable control. |
| Rotary CLS-222 | Dynacord CLS-222 | Smooth stereo swirl with patterned spin effects. |
| Chorus DIMENSION-D | Roland Dimension D SDD-320 | Simple 4-mode operation for warm stereo chorus. |
| Phaser BI-TRON | Mu-Tron Bi-Phase II | Complex routing with boutique phaser sounds. |
| Flanger BL-20 | B.E.L Electronic BF-20 Stereo Flanger | Provides wide stereo imaging and intricate modulation. |
| Chorus JUN-6 | Built-in Chorus from Roland Juno-6 | Delivers rich stereo presence and analog warmth. |
| Delay TAPE-201 | Roland RE-201 Space Echo | Combines tape saturation with metallic spring reverb. |
| Delay BRIGADE | Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man | Ambient delay with dark tones and enhanced feedback. |
| Delay ETERNITY | None | Rich modulation and texturing capabilities in a versatile delay unit. |
The hardware replicas were identified by me, while the descriptions are from Arturia’s website. 😊
Among them, I frequently use the Pre 1973 (modeled after the Neve 1073), Comp Diode-609 (modeled after the Neve 33609/N), and Chorus Dimension-D (modeled after the Roland SDD-320). Other notable mentions include:
- Comp VCA-65 (modeled after the dbx 165)
- Chorus JUN-6 (from the Juno synthesizer)
- Filter M12 (inspired by the Oberheim Matrix-12)
While I’d love to introduce every single plugin, covering all 34 of them in one post would be too much. Instead, I’ll share links to my previous reviews of FX Collection 2:
https://jooyoungmusic.com/2024/06/04/arturia-fx-collection-2-plug-in-review-part-1-bus-force/
This post will focus on the new additions: Bus PEAK, Bus EXCITER-104, Efx MOTIONS, and Efx REFRACT. Among these, Bus PEAK and Bus EXCITER-104 caught my attention as an engineer.
Bus PEAK
Bus PEAK combines a Clipper, Limiter, and Tilt EQ into one plugin, designed for mastering.
It offers convenient features like True Peak and LUFS metering. One standout feature is Equal Loudness, which allows you to compare the sound before and after applying effects at the same perceived loudness.
Another noteworthy parameter is Character: increasing it enhances attack, while lowering it softens attack.
I’ve tested it on a project, and it’s fantastic. It’s transparent yet effective, thanks to its built-in clipper. You won’t need to add a separate clipper plugin anymore.
You can even adjust the Clipper Knee, shaping how hard or soft the clipping sounds.
Previously, I relied on Fabfilter Pro-L2 for loudness boosting, but now I’m seriously considering using Bus PEAK for all my future projects. It’s that good.
For users of FX Collection 4, the upgrade decision might be tough, but if you have version 3 or older, I’d say the new additions make it worth it. Even as standalone plugins, I highly recommend them.
Bus Exciter-104
Bus Exciter-104 is a faithful recreation of the Aphex Aural Exciter Model 104, a type of saturator designed to enhance audio clarity and presence.
Recently, I’ve been exploring various saturators and enhancers, and this plugin has effectively addressed many of my concerns.
The plugin operates in two distinct sections: Big Bass, which handles low frequencies, and Exciter, which focuses on higher frequencies.
In the above image, the settings show some Drive applied in the Big Bass section and Mix in the Exciter section, though these aren’t the default values.
- Big Bass adjusts the low-end frequencies by controlling both volume and drive.
- Exciter generates additional harmonics slightly below the high-frequency range, enriching the sound with artificial overtones.
By carefully tweaking these parameters, you can achieve a well-balanced mix without overwhelming either the bass or high-frequency regions.
The results are immediately noticeable, and I imagine this would be particularly effective for producers working with drum loops or aiming for a more pronounced, textured sound.
Efx REFRACT
Efx REFRACT allows you to clone the original source up to eight times, expanding the stereo image through modulation.
The cloned signals are then passed through five different effects: Band Pass, Comb Filter, Bit Crusher, Distortion, and Harmonizer, enabling you to craft unique and experimental soundscapes.
This plugin is more suited for creative uses in the composition phase than traditional mixing. It works well not only on vocals but also on lead instruments and even background elements.
For genres like instrumental or experimental music, Efx REFRACT can truly shine.
Efx MOTIONS
Efx MOTIONS is a multi-effects plugin centered around Filter, Noise, Volume, Pan, and Drive.
Its design reminded me of Cableguys’ ShaperBox, suggesting a direct competition between the two.
The plugin offers a variety of control options, including Envelope Sequencers, Euclidean patterns, Transient detection, and MIDI triggers. It even includes advanced features like macros, sequencers, and an envelope follower, making it highly versatile for both sound design and mixing.
With additional functionalities like Repeat/FX for loop-based effects, reverse playback, and pitch modulation, it feels like a hybrid between a sampler and a virtual synth.
For someone like me who frequently uses ShaperBox in mixes, Efx MOTIONS feels even more flexible. I’m excited to explore its full potential in upcoming projects.
Arturia FX plugins can be resource-intensive, but their unique sound often makes them indispensable in my mixing workflow. With modern hardware, especially on Macs, these plugins run smoothly.
If you’ve been curious about Arturia’s mixing and mastering tools, this sale is a great opportunity. Even if you own previous bundles, the new Bus PEAK alone might justify the upgrade.
See you in the next post!
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