Arturia
Arturia is a French electronics company founded in 1999 and based in Grenoble, France. The company designs and manufactures audio interfaces and electronic musical instruments, including software synthesizers, drum machines, analog synthesizers, digital synthesizers, MIDI controllers, sequencers, and mobile apps.[1]
Type | Privately Held Corporation |
---|---|
Industry | Software and hardware for musical performance and production |
Founded | 1999 in Grenoble |
Founders | Frédéric Brun, Gilles Pommereuil |
Headquarters | Grenoble |
Products |
|
Number of employees | 100-199 |
Website | arturia |
History
Arturia was founded in 1999 in Grenoble by INPG engineers Frédéric Brun and Gilles Pommereuil to create affordable software synthesizers. Their first product was Storm, a virtual instrument workstation.[2] The close emulation of classic analog synthesizers helped the company gain popularity in its market.[3] Brun and Pommereuil developed new software algorithms that create sounds with minimal digital artifacts.[4]
Arturia worked with Robert Moog in 2003 to create the Modular V softsynth, which uses Arturia's True Analog Emulation (TAE) to faithfully reproduce the oscillators, filters, and other modules from the Moog 3C and Moog 55.[4][5] Following these releases, Arturia developed software emulations of well-known synthesizers, including the ARP 2600, Roland Jupiter-8, Minimoog, and Sequential Circuits Prophet-5. Arturia continues to develop software synthesizers and effects, bundled respectively in the V Collection and FX Collection, which are updated every year.
In 2007, Arturia combined sounds from several of their softsynth titles into Analog Factory, which offered 2000 preset synthesizer patches,[6] offering this the following year as Analog Experience, a hybrid system which combined the software with a MIDI keyboard controller specifically designed to play and control it.[7]
Arturia entered the hardware synthesizer market in 2009 with the Arturia Origin and followed up in 2012 with the MiniBrute, a vintage-style 25-key monophonic analog synthesizer with one voltage controlled oscillator, two low-frequency oscillators, and a multi-mode Steiner-Parker filter.[8] The synthesizer was introduced at the 2012 NAMM Show.[9] Despite pre-production uncertainty about sales, the MiniBrute sold well due to its low price point and expressive sound.[10] In the following year, Arturia announced their next hardware synthesizer, the MicroBrute, a smaller and less expensive version of the MiniBrute with minikeys, a patch bank, and a sequencer.[11] Both synthesizers received critical acclaim.[10]
In 2015, Arturia launched the AudioFuse.[12] A compact 2-input audio interface with dense connectivity. This was the start of a new line of products which now includes bigger-scale audio interfaces such as the AudioFuse studio, the AudioFuse 8pre and the updated version of the AudioFuse. In 2021, Arturia announced a more affordable line of audio interfaces called MiniFuse, with different number of inputs and colour formats.[13]
In 2016, Arturia released the KeyStep. An entry level 32-note keyboard, acclaimed for its sequencing capabilities and its all round connectivity. This led Arturia to further this line now including the KeyStep pro released on Namm 2020,[14] the BeatStep Pro and the KeyStep 37.
Released in 2016 as a part of the Brute family, the Drum Brute is an analog drum machine with a dedicated sequencer. With 17 drum engines, the DrumBrute is known to have a very distinctive sound. Two years later Arturia released the DrumBrute Impact, a shrunk down and reworked version of the DrumBrute with a possibility to add accent to sounds which changes the timbre of each engine.[15]
In January, 2018, they introduced MiniBrute 2. This semi-modular analog synth includes its own tiny patch bay that connects to Eurorack modular gear.[16] They also introduced the MiniBrute 2S which swaps a traditional keyboard for performance pads and a sequencer, more powerful than the MiniBrute 2, that can be recorded in real time.[17]
Released in 2019, MicroFreak is an unusual-looking synthesizer based on a digital oscillator, an analog filter and a touch capacitive keyboard.[18] The digital oscillator allows for different algorithms to be loaded onto the unit, such as physical modelling from mutable instruments or frequency modulation from noise engineering.
In 2020, Arturia released the PolyBrute, its flagship 6-voice-polyphonic analog synthesiser. Its layout is reminiscent of its monophonic counterpart, the MatrixBrute, and shares the same analog architecture as other analog synthesisers from Arturia's Brute range. In addition it features a touchstrip over the keyboard and a multidimensional touchpad called “morphée” which allows more control over the sound.[19]
In 2022, Arturia released the MiniFreak, a polyphonic version of the MicroFreak with a couple more functionalities and a mini key keyboard.[20]
Products
The company's product line includes software synthesizers, software bundles, hardware synthesizers, MIDI keyboards and sequencers, mobile apps, and other audio equipment and controllers.
Software synths
In December 2018, Arturia released their first original software synthesizer called Arturia Pigments. It has similarities to the popular VST plug-ins Serum and Vital, which is visualising real-time time signatures of envelopes, filter, LFOs and wavetables. A notable feature is the visual indication of modulation routings.
Arturia's previous software synths are emulations of other synthesizers, organs, and pianos, and are available to buy individually or altogether in the V Collection. Arturia's Analog Lab is a collection of presets of these synths with limited sound modeling available and comes bundled with many of their Keyboard Midi controllers, including the KeyLab MkII and KeyLab Essential series.
In 2022, Arturia released, as part of their V Collection 9, a new line of "Augmented" virtual instruments, which brought new approaches to already known sounds. These Augmented versions now include Voice, Piano, Brass and Strings.
Arturia includes original effects in the FX Collection, including rev intensity, delay eternity, buss force, efx fragments, and coldfire.
Subtractive synthesis
- MS-20 V, a recreation of the MS-20 from Korg
- ARP2600 V3, a recreation of the Arp2600 from ARP instruments[21]
- CS-80 V4, a recreation of the CS80, made by Yamaha[22]
- Mini V3, a recreation of the Minimoog, made by Moog[23][24]
- Modular V3, a recreation of the Moog modular synthesizer, made by Moog
- SEM V2, a recreation of the SEM, made by Oberheim[25]
- Jup-8 V4, a recreation of the Jupiter 8, made by Roland
- Matrix-12 V2, a recreation of the Matrix 12, made by Oberheim[26]
- Synthi V, a recreation of the VCS 3, made by EMS
- Jun-6 V, a recreation of the Juno-60, made by Roland
- OP-Xa V, a recreation of the OB-X by Oberheim
- Prophet V, a recreation of the Prophet-5 by Sequential[27][28]
- Acid V, a recreation of TB-303, made by Roland
Digital synths
Keyboard emulations
- VOX Continental V2, a recreation of the Vox Continental organ by Vox[29]
- Farfisa V, a recreation of a Farfisa Organ
- Wurli V2, a recreation of the Wurlitzer electronic piano by Wurlitzer[30]
- Solina V2, a recreation of the ARP String Ensemble, made by ARP Instruments
- Stage-73 V2, a recreation of the range of Rhodes electronic pianos, made by Rhodes
- Clavinet V, a recreation of the Clavinet by Hohner
- B-3 V2, an organ recreation
- Piano V3, recreates the sound of a piano via physical modelling
Samplers
- Emulator II V, a recreation of the E-mu Emulator, made by E-mu
- Synclavier V, a recreation of the Synclavier by New England Digital
- CMI V, a recreation of the Fairlight CMI, made by Fairlight
- Mellotron V, a recreation of the Mellotron
Miscellaneous plug-ins
- Analog Lab V
- Pigments, original VSTi with wavetable, virtual analog, sample and harmonic engines.
- Buchla Easel V, a recreation of the Music Easel by Buchla
- Vocoder V, a vocoder emulation.
- Prophet-5V, a vector synthesis plug-in based on the Prophet VS, made by Sequential Circuits
- Augmented Strings
- Augmented Voices
- Augmented Grand Piano
- Augmented Brass
Software effects
Filters
- Mini-Filter, a filter emulation of Moog's ladder filter with sequencing and modulation sources added
- M12-Filter, a filter emulation of Oberheim Matrix-12 filter, based on the CEM 3372 with sequencing and modulation sources added
- SEM-Filter, a filter emulation of Oberheim SEM filter with sequencing and modulation sources added
- EQ SITRAL-295, an emulation of the Siemens Sitral equalisers
Dynamics
- Comp VCA-65, a VCA-style compressor emulating the DBX 165A
- Comp FET-76, an emulation of the 1176LN made originally by Universal Audio[31]
- Comp TUBE-STA, a tube-style compressor
- Bus force, a bus effects unit made by Arturia combining an equaliser a compressor and a distortion unit
Time-based effects
- Chorus JUN-6, an emulation of the chorus unit of the Juno-60 originally made by Roland
- Chorus DIMENSION-D, an emulation of Dimension-D, a chorus unit Originally made by Roland
- Phaser BI-TRON, a recreation of the Bi-Phase originally made by Mu-tron
- Flanger BL-20, a recreation of the BF-20 Flanger originally made by Bel
Reverbs and delays
- Delay TAPE-201, a tape-style delay emulating the Roland's RE-201
- Delay MEMORY-BRIGADE, a bucket brigade style delay based on Electro-Harmonix's Deluxe Memory Man
- Delay ETERNITY, a digital delay designed by Arturia
- Rev PLATE-140, a plate-style reverb, emulating the EMT 140 by EMT
- Rev INTENSITY, a digital reverb designed by Arturia
- Rev SPRING-636, a spring-style reverb emulating Grampian's reverberation unit type 636
- Rev LX-24, a digital reverb emulating Lexicon's 224 digital reverb
- Efx Fragments, a granular effect designed by Arturia
Preamplifiers
- Pre 1973, a recreation of the AMS Neve preamp with a pair of parametric equalizers.
- Pre TridA, a recreation of the preamps and the equalizers found in the Trident's A range consol
- Pre V76, a recreation of Telefunken's equalizers and preamplifiers
- Tape MELLO-FI, a tape style preamp/saturation module emulating characteristics of Mellotron V
Audio interfaces
- MiniFuse 1/2/4
- AudioFuse /AudioFuse 8PRE /AudioFuse Studio[32]
MIDI controllers
Hardware synths
While Arturia is mostly known for their software synths, Arturia is also making hardware synthesizers, including their analog Brute series and digital Freak series.
- Origin[36]
- MicroFreak
References
- ”Arturia”, Music Trades Magazine, December 2014, p. 92
- Courdavault, Adrien (19 January 2015). "Meet the programmers: Arturia" (Interview). MusicRadar. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
- "Arturia - Musical Instruments Herstellerprofil" (in German). Bonedo. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
- Pommereuil, Gilles (2 January 2005). "Gilles Pommereuil" (Interview). Interviewed by Cyril Colom. Mixound. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
- "Arturia Moog Modular V". Vintage Synth Explorer. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
- Walden, John (January 2007). "Arturia Analog Factory". Sound on Sound. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
- Reid, Simon (July 2008). "Arturia Analog Factory Experience". Sound on Sound. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
- "Arturia MiniBrute". Vintage Synth Explorer. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
- Rogerson, Ben (19 January 2012). "NAMM 2012: Arturia Minibrute analogue synth announced". MusicRadar. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
- Reid, Gordon (February 2014). "Arturia MicroBrute". Sound on Sound. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
- Rogerson, Ben (21 October 2013). "Arturia teases new analogue synth; MicroBrute images leaked". MusicRadar. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
- Staff, M. P. V. "macProVideo.com". macProVideo.com. Retrieved 2022-12-02.
- "Arturia MiniFuse Audio Interfaces Announced". Production Expert. 28 September 2021. Retrieved 2022-12-02.
- Kane (14 January 2020). "NAMM 2020: Arturia Announces KeyStep Pro". Magnetic Magazine. Retrieved 2022-12-02.
- "Arturia DrumBrute Impact". www.soundonsound.com. Retrieved 2022-12-02.
- "Arturia reveal MiniBrute 2 |". www.soundonsound.com. Retrieved 2018-01-17.
- "Arturia's MiniBrute 2S synth replaces keys with pads and a sequencer". FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music. 2018-01-16. Retrieved 2018-01-17.
- Anatomy, Synth (2019-01-29). "Arturia MicroFreak Synthesizer First Look: Unusual But Exciting!". SYNTH ANATOMY. Retrieved 2022-12-02.
- "The Big Review: Arturia PolyBrute". MusicTech. Retrieved 2022-12-02.
- Arturia MiniFreak Review // vs MicroFreak // Playing 250+ presets // Pros, cons & full tutorial, retrieved 2022-12-02
- "Arturia 2600V". Sound On Sound. June 2005. Archived from the original on 18 July 2015.
- "Arturia CS80V". Sound On Sound. April 2005. Archived from the original on 15 March 2016.
- "Arturia Minimoog V". Sound On Sound. March 2005. Archived from the original on 18 July 2015.
- "Arturia Minimoog V". Sound On Sound. July 2005. Archived from the original on 9 April 2015.
- "Arturia Oberheim SEM V". Sound On Sound. July 2012. Archived from the original on 7 June 2015.
- "Arturia Jupiter 8V". Sound On Sound. July 2007. Archived from the original on 6 June 2015.
- "Prophet V by Arturia". Future Music. No. 175. Future Publishing. June 2006. p. 34. ISSN 0967-0378. OCLC 1032779031.
- "Arturia Prophet V". Sound On Sound. September 2006. Archived from the original on 23 January 2015.
- "Arturia Vox Continental V". Sound On Sound. October 2014. Archived from the original on 24 March 2015.
- "Arturia Wurlitzer V". Sound On Sound. December 2012. Archived from the original on 6 June 2015.
- Arthur. "What Is A FET Compressor & How Does It Work?". My New Microphone. Retrieved 2022-05-24.
- "Arturia AudioFuse Studio". Sound On Sound. February 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
- johnson, herley. "Arturia - Details". www.arturia.com. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
- "Arturia KeyStep 37". arturia.com. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
- synthhead (2020-04-14). "Arturia KeyStep Pro Control Keyboard & Sequencer Now Available". Synthtopia. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
- "Arturia Origin". Sound On Sound. June 2009. Archived from the original on 7 June 2015.
- "Arturia - New products just announced". www.soundonsound.com. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
- "Arturia MicroBrute". Sound On Sound. February 2014. Archived from the original on 23 March 2015.
- "Arturia DrumBrute". Sound On Sound. December 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
- "Arturia Spark". Sound On Sound. September 2011. Archived from the original on 9 June 2015.
- "Arturia SparkLE". Sound On Sound. August 2013. Archived from the original on 9 June 2015.
External links
- Media related to Arturia at Wikimedia Commons
- Official website
- Frederic Brun Interview at NAMM Oral History Collection (2021)