Staff Picks: Arturia V Collection

Written By Zack Johnson

Get started with 5 of our favorite instruments (and some of our favorite presets) from Arturia’s expansive collection of plugins.

The image displays a digital representation of a synthesizer interface, specifically the "CS-80 V" model by Arturia, which is a software emulation of the classic Yamaha CS-80 synthesizer. The branding "ARTURIA" and the model "CS-80 V" are featured.

CS-80 V

A recreation of the legendary Yamaha CS-80, known for its rich and expressive sound. It's often associated with Vangelis and the "Blade Runner" soundtrack.

Why we love it: Expressive, unique instrument. Bright, saturated sounds with a lot of movement. Great for any electronic genre!

“It looks a little intimating at first glance but with start some of the bass presets! They will not disappoint!” -Zack

The image is a screenshot of the virtual instrument interface for Arturia's "Prophet-5 V," a software emulation of the classic Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 synthesizer. This digital recreation replicates the look and feel of the original.

Prophet V

This combines both the Prophet 5 and Prophet VS synthesizers, allowing users to harness the unique sounds of these two Sequential Circuits classics in one software instrument.

Why we love it: Warm, colorful sounds. Great for bass, pads, and keys! Complements any musical genre.

“The closest you’ll get to that real prophet sound! My go to for anytime my track is missing something warm!”- Zack

The image displays the user interface of Arturia's "Mellotron V" software, a virtual instrument designed to replicate the sounds and experience of playing a Mellotron, an iconic keyboard instrument famous for its use in classic rock and pop music.

Mellotron V

A digital emulation of the iconic Mellotron – which used actual tape recordings of real instruments – this unique instrument was famously used by The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and countless others. The tape-based sample sources combined with more familiar synthesizer style controls put it in a world of its own.

Why we love it: Simple design, awesome sounds. Great for Lo-Fi, Hip Hop and RnB genres!

“Love love love the vintage dusty sounding samples this thing offers! The textures and movement sound like the real thing! And yes, I’ve used the real thing (Mellotron)!” -Zack

he image is a screenshot of Arturia's "Matrix-12 V" software interface, a virtual synthesizer that emulates the Oberheim Matrix-12 analog synth. The interface, replete with a digital recreation of knobs, sliders, and buttons.

Matrix-12 V

A faithful emulation of the Oberheim Matrix-12, renowned for its vast modulation possibilities and unique sound. It's a favorite among many electronic music producers.

Why we love it: So many cool presets (including drums)! Great for leads/melodies on your house and techno tracks but could easily be used to write an entire track.

“If you’re looking for something a little more experimental, check out the effect presets!” -Zack

The image shows a software interface for Arturia's "OP-Xa V," which is a virtual synthesizer plugin designed to emulate the sound and functionality of a classic analog synthesizer. The interface is modeled with a photorealistic design, featuring wood

OB-Xa V

Arturia's authentic recreation of the iconic Oberheim OB-Xa, known for its rich analog tones, with modern enhancements for today's producers.

Why we love it: Clean, intuitive design. Amazing sounds! The built-in Arpeggiator is an awesome feature to help create rhythmic ideas. Built for any genre!

“Head to the sequence preset section for amazing bass and lead ideas. So much fun!” -Zack

Arturia's V Collection is the definitive toolkit for producers who value the timeless sound of classic synths and keyboards, but also demand the flexibility of modern music production. With its unmatched array of authentic presets and instruments, it wraps up the essential soundscape for any genre. The V Collection is not just a nod to musical history; it's a bridge to your most creative work, solidifying its place as a top choice in your arsenal of music-making tools.

Zack Johnson
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