Arturia Pigments 6: Bass Explorations Pack Dissected – A Deep Dive into Dubstep Architecture

The video opens with Lena introducing Joe Sheldrick’s dubstep track, built entirely around the Bass Explorations pack for Pigments 6. After a full playthrough, the focus shifts to the architecture of the arrangement, centering on the bass section as the structural core. This isn’t just a preset parade; the breakdown promises a look at how each sound is woven into the track’s dynamic fabric.

We learn that the track’s foundation is a set of over five distinct bass tracks, each carefully layered to create movement and surprise. Short, alternating patterns keep the listener engaged, with the arrangement designed to balance contrast and cohesion. The editorial emphasis is on how these digital layers interact, rather than simply stacking for volume or density.

The first featured sound, Dusty Sub, leverages Pigments’ analog engine to deliver a warm, tactile sub bass. The patch is sculpted with two modulated cluster filters, shaping peaks and stereo spread for a dynamic, rhythmic pulse. Subtle modulation is used to inject movement, anchoring the low end with analog-inspired depth.

Heavy Sub contrasts sharply, combining the wavetable and sample engines for a more modern, aggressive character. Here, wavetable position modulation introduces harmonic complexity, while the sample engine adds grit. A classic filter tightens the sound, resulting in a bass patch that feels both weighty and precise. This section demonstrates Pigments’ ability to blend synthesis methods for nuanced, performance-ready bass.

The arrangement comes alive through the interplay of patches like Elastic Wobbs and Sub-funk. Elastic Wobbs fuses the modal and wavetable engines, producing short, rhythmic bursts that slot neatly between the foundational basses. The classic filter ensures clarity, while multi-band compression and distortion add saturation and punch.

Sub-funk stands out for its precise envelopes and rhythmic drive, cutting through the mix with robust harmonic presence. Its role is to fill the spaces between Dusty Sub and Heavy Sub, providing both rhythmic variety and tonal depth. These patches highlight how Pigments 6’s engine architecture supports intricate layering and movement, rather than static, monolithic basslines.

In the breakdown section, the video spotlights patches like Jumped Up, FM Womp, and Granular Gun. Jumped Up uses FM synthesis for biting, percussive effects, with rapid modulations in both frequency and volume. This brings an electrified, almost aggressive edge to the track’s texture.

FM Womp leans into exaggerated frequency sweeps, while Granular Gun deploys Pigments’ granular engine to scatter sonic fragments, generating unpredictable, tension-building textures. These sounds are not just for show—they demonstrate Pigments’ capacity for dynamic, evolving detail, giving producers tools for both subtlety and drama in their arrangements.