Arturia Pigments 6: Modal Engine Dissected – A Track Breakdown in Digital Detail

The video opens with Brendan Void introducing a drum & bass track constructed entirely from the Modal Explorations sound bank within Pigments 6. Right from the outset, the focus is on how the modal engine underpins the arrangement, providing not just a palette of sounds but a foundation for the track’s energy and movement. The initial excerpt reveals a dense layering of breakbeats, deep bass, and sparkling arpeggios, all shaped by Pigments’ digital architecture.

Brendan sets the stage for a section-by-section breakdown, promising to explore how each sonic element is crafted and manipulated. This approach highlights the modal engine’s versatility, as it’s not just about static presets but about how those sounds are animated and transformed within a composition. The workflow here is methodical: bass first, then melodies, then transitional elements—mirroring the way many producers might approach building a track from the ground up.

A key theme throughout the breakdown is the use of filter automation and macro controls to morph sounds in real time. The Surrender Bass preset, for example, leverages Macro 1 to control both tone and filter movement, allowing the same patch to function as a subdued intro bass and a brighter, rhythmic motif. This flexibility is emblematic of Pigments’ digital design philosophy, where a single preset can be a chameleon within an arrangement.

Layering is also a highlight: the Strange Timpani and Machinima presets are stacked with identical note programming, yet their distinct timbres and macro-driven evolutions create a richer, more complex bass section. The video makes it clear that Pigments’ engine isn’t just about sound quality—it’s about how those sounds can be shaped, automated, and repurposed to serve multiple compositional needs without ever leaving the preset browser.

The melodic exploration begins with a trio of sounds: Divided Motion (an arpeggiated patch with dual modal engines and analog-style warmth), Grain Spine (stereo-panned, with a reverse switch for sample playback and mod wheel-controlled stereo narrowing), and Take A Break (a resonant, evolving pad with macro-driven motion and randomized pitch modulation). Each is chosen for its ability to add momentum and depth, with macro and mod wheel assignments providing hands-on performance control.

Atmospheric and filler elements are also dissected. Perpetual brings in a haunting, metallic pad that evolves unpredictably, while Beam On Beams and Glidelock offer bright, percussive arpeggios and key sounds that punctuate transitions and breakdowns. The Aniseed preset stands out for its clever macro setup, allowing the user to shift emphasis between two engines and morph the tone in real time, especially when paired with riser presets for tension-building.

What emerges is a workflow where melodic and atmospheric layers are not just stacked, but interact dynamically through modulation and macro assignments. The result is a cohesive, evolving soundscape that demonstrates both the depth of Pigments’ modal engine and the thoughtfulness of its preset design. The video closes by crediting Victor Morello’s composition and reiterating the creative potential unlocked by modal synthesis in a digital context.