The Sound Board

Mellotron V
LEGENDARY TAPE KEYBOARD
This original instrument redefined what keyboard players could do, unlocking the doors to orchestral and choral sounds at the touch of a key.

CZ V
PHASE DISTORTION CULT CLASSIC
The budget synth that became a legend in its own right. The instrument that brought the digital synth revolution to the masses is now at your command.

Synthi V
BRITISH SILVER MACHINE
The quirky British “silver machine” that put a new spin on modular synthesis, reborn in software with exciting new tricks up its sleeve.

Analog Lab 4
KEYBOARD ANTHOLOGY
Personalize your own perfect keyboard, with thousands of amazing presets, perfect integration, effects, and a built-in live mode. Your go-to choice for inspiration.

B-3 V 2
THE MOST POPULAR ORGAN REBORN
Our recreation of Hammond’s legendary organ has received a total sound engine overhaul, making it the most authentic, vibrant electric organ virtual instrument ever.

Synthopedia
CUTTING EDGE PRESETS
800 brand new, modern sounds created for legacy V Collection instruments. The hottest synths and chart-topping keys are yours to explore.

Note - I have V Collection 5, and Analog Lab 4 has been included in this, along with the updated Hammond B-3. About to check out the new goodies.

Intro Price - 399 euros, 199 euros for existing owners (at least for V Collection 5 and 6).

https://www.arturia.com/products/analog ... verview#en

AL4 and B-3 V2 are very nice for free (and there's quite a lot of free preset packs to download too).

I habitually turn to NI's Vintage Organs for pretty much all old organs, but have to say the new Hammond is top drawer(bars). Really excellent emulation, some great graunchy presets too.

didn't see the free part, but a quick perusal of the main page did not get me in the least bit interested. The upgrade price (again) seems awfully steep for what one gets. And they sort of spoiled things with the sale on upgrades some time after the V6 announcement.

For now I suspect I'll stick with V6, and check out the freebies.

See what you make of that B3 v2, Bill - I read on VI-C that you don't care for their organs, but I'd be surprised if the B3 didn't turn out to be an exception. Honestly I think it could be the star of this particular bunch, which is ironic as its free for existing owners.

In general its pretty difficult to know where Arturia go from here. There's no gaping holes in their very comprehensive line up. What is everyone waiting for exactly? I'd guess the most popular decision would be more updates to older synths with better modelling.

In general I do find I tend to forget about the whole lot, despite there being a ton of good stuff, and their patch browser works great - far better than NI's Komplete Kontrol for example, which I don't use at all. I'm getting pretty locked into my groove of Repros / Vengenace / Omnisphere / Nexus, and finding between those 4 pretty much everything I could wish for. If I really need an FM sound I might grumpily open something else...

On your recommendation alone I did download the new B3 - didn't have time to play yet, but hopefully this weekend.

My first call synth plugins are not from the Arturia collection I'm afraid, like you I use u-He Zebra, Diva, and Repro, Omnisphere, TimewARP 2600, all the gForce synths, Tassman (how's that for a throwback?), and the Korg MS-20. I just picked up the Brainworx OB - it's fantastic! And I'm still learning to use the Softube Modular, but so far I really like it. So much so that I've put off purchasing a Pittsburgh Modular or something similar... for now!

This is a ton of firepower, and really, if I can't find or create the sound I need I should give up!

And yet I just added several of the Arturia synths into my synth template so that I'd remember to use them. I bought the collection for the Synclavier and the Fairlight - two synths I've always wanted. I was thrilled with the Roland Jupiter and the OB Matrix12. I mean really thrilled, they are very close to what I remember (I own an MKS-80, and owned an Xpander - which I should have never sold!). That's part of the key I think, I have no real idea how a Synclav or CMI works/sounds, so I'm just happy to have something that makes cool noises.

The release of V7 had one major benefit for me - I finally cleaned up my synth collection! I haven't deleted the rest, and I may go back and add a couple others, the Korg Wavestation for example.

I started my electronic music exploration on an ARP 2600, which I did not own then, but now have one, and later the MS-20, which I do own. I also have an Avatar which I drive from the 2600, and a 360 Systems Spectre which is an SEM, also driven from the 2600. So that is the type of synth/sound that drives me, and it probably explains my penchant for software synthesizers in general.

And I really do appreciate the earlier comment on the B3, I probably would have skipped over that! This place does come in handy!!

Well I have my own fake MS20 now at least! It's probably mostly an ornament, but it's lovely firing it up once in a while to work with the soft version or Omni.

Really looking forward to hearing what you think of the shiny new B3, hope I didn't oversell it...