Arturia V Collection 11: synth bundle now packs an impressive set of 45 virtual instruments, including the new JUP-8000 V and Pure LoFI.
The V Collection is one of the largest Synthesizer and virtual instrument plugin bundles out there. Users can immerse themselves in a vast catalog of vintage-inspired and modern instruments with thousands of ready-to-use sounds.
The anniversary version X (10) from December 2023 brought, among other things, the MiniFreak V, an emulation of its best-selling original hybrid polysynth, and the Acid V, a recreation of the legendary Roland TB-303 bassline synth. The journey continues today with the Arturia V Collection 11, and here’s my review.
Arturia V Collection 11 Review
Traditionally, the V Collection bundle grows with each new version, adding many new virtual instruments. Plus, there are complete overhauls or minor updates for older plugins already included. With the V Collection X in 2023, Arturia released a solid update, but it didn’t have any major highlights for me.
Is this different in the new Arturia V Collection 11 bundle? We’ll see. One thing is already sure. Arturia has once again inflated the bundle with more plugins and content. The 39 plugins from the V Collection X have now grown to 45, meaning six new additions.
The new VC11 bundle, of course, features every plugin from the previous V Collection X, including the ARP 2600 V, Modular V, Synth V, MiniFreak V, ACID V, CP-70 V, the Augmented titles, and many more.
New to the French virtual synth museum are the three previously released plugins: MiniBrute V, Synthx V, and Augmented YANGTZE. Also, it includes three exclusive new plugins to celebrate the release of the V Collection 11: Jup-8000 V, Pure LOFI, and Augmented Mallets.
In addition, it includes a complete overhaul of Arturia’s Oberheim SEM emulation, SEM V, as well as the introduction of the Augmented Series 2. The latter brings redesigns of the Augmented Brass, Woodwinds, and Piano. Part of this upgrade is also new sample content and factory bands for the Augmented Strings and Voices.
Let’s take a closer look at the brand new plugins. Starting with the Jup-8000 V.
Arturia Jup-8000 V
With the Jup-8000 V, Arturia expands its catalog of Roland synthesizer emulations. Following the Jupiter-8, Juno 60, and TB-303, you can now also play the iconic Roland JP 8000 trance Synthesizer as a recreation in your DAW.
The new Jup-8000 V is an authentic emulation and offers all the features of the original hardware. This includes reproducing the various oscillator modes, such as the iconic supersaw and the unique feedback oscillator, as well as the characterful multimode filter. Also onboard are the sync, ring, and Roland classic X-mod functionality to create wild FM sounds.
The Supersaw mode is without a doubt the signature feature of the Jup-8000 V and the original hardware. This function generated sounds that were particularly popular for dance and trance sounds of the late 90s and early 2000s. Even today, the JP-8000 Supersaw can be found in many modern synthesizers and remains a significant component of contemporary sound design.
Although many people will be drawn to the Supersaw sounds of the Jup-8000 V, I like the feedback oscillator mode, which is capable of creating some unique, harsh-sounding sounds.
Expanded JP-8000
I don’t own a Roland JP-8000 or JP-8080, but I’ve occasionally played the synth at a friend’s house. In my opinion, Arturia has managed to achieve a very authentic Supersaw and sound. With high detune, the Jup-8000 V shifts the pitch of each voice beautifully, creating that wide, beloved supersaw sound. I can’t say how accurate it compares to the original, but it sounds big and juicy.
As with the other plugins, Arturia hasn’t left the emulation at the original feature state. The expandable Advanced section contains the same ingredients you expect from other Arturia plugins.
It ships with the inspiring multi-arpeggiator, premiered in SynthX V, an intuitive polyphonic sequencer, a 4-slot multi-FX processor, and tons of modulation options using flexible function generators and randomization.
Neat is the new built-in trance gate effect, with adjustable length and envelope shape, allowing you to quickly and intuitively create classic gated sounds.
I can’t say much about the factory sounds, as the pre-release only contained a teaser of those from the final version. I guess they weren’t finished at the time, but I liked the ones I played and tweaked. Many of them are very classic and trancy. I would have liked a few more crazy ones that would take the JP-8000 sound in new directions.
Since I’m on the same page as you, I’m curious to hear what the final sound will be like. Also, whether Arturia includes the original sounds of the hardware, which would allow for a perfect comparison between the hardware and the plugin.
Overall, a great emulation of the iconic Roland JP-8000. It’s a surprise, especially since many assumed the first two synths (SynthX and MiniBrute V) would be the only new ones in the Arturia V Collection 11. But there is another new Synthesizer.
Arturia Pure LOFI
Yes, you read that right. There’s a fourth new Synthesizer in the Arturia V Collection 11. With Pure Lofi, Arturia is introducing its second 100% original Synthesizer for the bundle, following MiniFreak V. Yes, Pigments 6 is also original, but it’s not part of the VC.
As the name suggests, the plugin focuses on generating lo-fi sounds. But not as an effects processor, but as part of the complete, intuitive Synthesizer plugin concept.
Arturia Pure Lo-Fi features two oscillator slots, each with three distinct Lo-Fi oscillator modes: multi-sampled, realistic instruments, a creative sampler, and a new Lo-Fi oscillator with selectable morphable waveforms. The sampler also offers the ability to load custom samples, set loop points, and use round robin processing.
All three oscillator types share one particular feature. In each, you can load a pre-oscillator engine modeled on vintage hardware samplers, including CMI, EMU, SK1, SP1200, and more. Arturia has also created three original modes with deteriorate, damage, and crush.
Once activated, they infuse the crunch and imperfections of vintage samplers into the oscillators, making them more organic and lo-fi. The impact varies significantly from model to model. Sometimes subtle, sometimes more intense. There’s something for every taste. I would have liked a kind of vintage dry/wet mix where you could precisely regulate the amount.
In a third slot, you can also add a colorful palette of noise textures or transients to the signal. Also, you can import your own samples here, making it very flexible to use. From here, it goes into the multimode filter. Conveniently, you can choose whether all signals go to the filter or just the selected engines.
There are three filters to choose from: analog modeling, a cleaner, and a lo-fi filter that premiered in the Pigments 6 plugin. The Lo-Fi filter mode is exciting because it adds another level of dirt and crunch to the signal. It can be used subtly for filtering or in more unique ways to degrade or, in extreme cases, destroy the signal.
Advanced Sound Design
In the dedicated advanced mode, you can find all the familiar Arturia additions, including rich modulations (envelopes, function generators, random), a multi-FX processor, and other tools. The multi-arpeggiator and sequencer were left out, which is strange.
A highlight of the new Arturia V Collection 11 plugin is embedded at the top of the interface. For that final touch, there’s another LoFi generator with six distinct flavored modes. Nicely visualized as floppy disks. Oh, those were lovely days when you had megabytes, not gigabytes, on your hard drive.
Each of them has its own fully tweakable, pure lo-fi character, and they range from tape flutter and cassette wear to vinyl crackles and more. Arturia Pure LoFi ships with over 250 presets. The pre-release only has around 40, so it’s challenging to get a sense of those. However, it’s possible to give an impression of the synth as a whole.
The lo-fi theme is nothing new, and we’ve seen countless effect plugins in recent years. However, with the Pure LoFi, Arturia presents a lovely, original synth that builds on this particular sound trend. It’s undoubtedly not the most comprehensive or sound-rich synth plugin available on the market, but in the lo-fi genre, it’s the most exciting one I’ve played so far.
I think it’s a shame they left out the multi-arpeggiator and sequencer of the Pure Lofi synth. They would have been fun here, too. If you are looking for a synth that gives you crunchy, warm, sparkling sounds, this is the plugin for you.
Arturia SYNTHX
In addition to the all-new Jup-8000 V and Pure Lofi, it also adds two plugins that have been on the market for a while. One is the Arturia SYNTHX, a
In addition to the Jup-8000 V and Pure Lofi, two plugins have been on the market for a while. One is the Arturia Synthx V, an authentic emulation of the legendary Italian Elka Synthex Synthesizer.
The Synthx V features all the original features, including two oscillator configurations with its legendary sync sound and a distinct chorus. Here, too, the developers have taken the original instrument to a new level by giving the sound new possibilities. One highlight is the bi-timbrality, giving you two independent Elka Synthex emulations in one virtual instrument.
It also features a multi-arpeggiator and sequencer, a multi-FX processor, and numerous modulation options. The creative sauce that you know from other Arturia V Collection 11 plugins. A full review of the SynthX V plugin is available here.
In short, it’s another high-quality Synthesizer plugin for the V Collection. It sounds big, very pristine and beautiful. For me, it’s very Synthex-like. I cannot judge, however, how close the plugin is to the Elka Synthex because I don’t have the vintage synth, and YouTube demos only give an inaccurate picture of it. Only the in-person comparison is essential here.
A downer, also months after the official release, is the relatively high CPU usage
Arturia MiniBrute V
The second synth plugin for the V Collection that we already know is the MiniBrute V, an emulation of Arturia’s first analog synth. I have a special connection to it.
Firstly, it was one of the first analog synths I bought – I started late, oh yeah – and secondly, it’s an instrument that has accompanied me for the last 12 years. I haven’t sold it, even though it has sticky knobs and side panels as hell. Spoiler alert: a lengthy interview with the creator, Yves Usson, is coming soon.
When Arturia released the MiniBrute shortly after the Superbooth 24 and their big PolyBrute 12 celebration, I was a bit surprised. Sure, one release after another so quickly, but the fact that the MiniBrute is already that vintage to be ready to be emulated. It seems so; otherwise, we wouldn’t have it as a plugin now.
The MiniBrute V plugin has all the features of the original hardware, including those that made the synth a MiniBrute. These include the Metalizer wavefolder and the Steiner Parker filter with its Brute Factor knob, which is nothing other than a feedback circuit. On top of that, the Minibrute V is a polyphonic synth, so a pseudo Polybrute.
Hardware Vs Software + Extras
I’ve been waiting for this moment. Yes, I can finally say from my own experience how the plugin compares to the original hardware. Amazingly good and close. If you turn up the Metalizer, the extra-bright harmonics flow into the oscillator core. The Steiner Parker filter and the Brute Factor also remind me of the characterful, aggressive pair from the hardware.
The latter screams or roars a bit more dominantly in the hardware, but the software comes very close. And the hardware remains the hardware, mainly thanks to the analog technology that reacts directly to the movements of the pots. If you don’t have a Minibrute for direct comparison, you won’t hear any difference to sound demos on the net. It’s that close.
But I wouldn’t trade my 12-year-old Minibrute for the software V version. It’s still such an amazing analog Synthesizer full of character.
Extra Creative Bits
Just like the other V Collection 11 plugins, Arturia has enhanced the MiniBrute with additional features. It has a vintage knob, but a modern one would be better since the synth is only 10+ years old. Plus, there’s a 4-slot multi-FX processor with the well-known algorithms of recent years.
The hardware arpeggiator has also been incorporated into the software. What’s missing is a sequencer. The sequencer of the MiniBrute S, which can be added via a firmware hack thanks to Yves Usson, would have been a cool feature.
Not to be forgotten is the hidden panel that allows you to adjust the tuning of the oscillators, filters, and envelopes. So, you can create a brand-new one right out of the box or an aging and wonky Minibrute emulation.
The factory sounds didn’t really appeal to me. But that’s mainly because many of them are combined with a lot of effects. This makes the MiniBrute lose some of its aggressive character. I had fun with the MiniBrute V without effects, and it sounds very on point, ok, let’s say 95%.
The MiniBrute V is a great analog modeling Synthesizer plugin that replicates the original very authentically. However, I never expected to see the MiniBrute bundled as a plugin so soon.
Arturia SEM V3
The new Synthesizer category in the Arturia V Collection 11 is closed by the SEM V. With the SEM V3, the developers present a complete revision of their Oberheim SEM Synthesizer emulation. According to the official press info, the entire engine has been redeveloped from the ground up.
A significant improvement is the up to 8-time polyphony, which makes the synth a pseudo Oberheim EightVoice synth, but without the original’s feature set. This new function unlocks a wide range of polyphonic sounds, including lush chords, evolving textures, and more.
Also part of the remodeling is the new advanced panel that includes Arturia’s best-known sound design ingredients. Multi-arpeggiator with up four tracks, 4-slot multi-FX rack, deep modulation engine, and more.
Just like with the MiniBrute V, the sequencer has been left out. It’s a bit odd to bundle a different advanced feature set for each plugin.
Yes, the sound difference between version 2 and 3 is noticeable. It sounds rounder, more voluminous, and more analogish. The filter also has a closer behavior to the original unit. It sounds very buttery, creamy, and lovely.
In direct comparison to the GForce software version, I like the one from the UK a bit better. It has a somewhat more refined sound, in my opinion. Opinions will certainly differ, but I prefer it. However, this is criticism at the highest level. The new Arturia SEM V3 is a vast improvement and performs at an excellent level.
Arturia Augmented Series 2
Now comes a hybrid Synthesizer break. For several years now, the V Collection has also included the Augmented Series—the new Arturia V Collection 11 debuts the Augmented Series 2. As a reminder, the Augmented plugins are hybrid virtual instrument that combines high-quality multi-sampled instruments with stripped-down Pigments-like synthesis options (granular…).
The Augmented Series 2 harmonizes the experience, bringing many new features and improvements. Visually, you can now see the correct instrument with the selected patch, creating a stronger connection with it. It also changes dynamically, depending on the engine configuration you choose.
Unfortunately, the white GUI-only option is still available. I hope a dark option will be added at some point.
Then, the user can swap between all available engines. You can access the engine browser, toggle engines (ON/OFF), and alternatively roll the device to get a random engine preset. There is also now a pre-layer filter bypass option for more precise sound design, as well as an improved comb filter. The effects also got slight improvements, including better send routing modes for the delay and reverb.
Augmented Series 2 also introduced an overhauled modulation engine with drag-and-drop support. Furthermore, they come with an updated arpeggiator featuring more inspiring options, including chance lane, auto-regen, and cycle function.
A big feature of the Augmented instruments is their ability to morph from one state to another, giving you unique layer blends. The V2 series also brings here improvements with new morph curves (crossover, additive, and custom) for smoother transitions. I can confirm that the morphing has become more beautiful. It’s welcome that they’ve made the engine a bit more flexible.
Arturia Augmented Mallets & Yangtze
Alongside the updated Augmented engine, the highlight of the V Collection 11 is two new instruments. The full version of the Augments Mallets plugin, which was teased as a free Mallets Intro for Christmas. Plus, it includes the Augments Yangtze, released back in 2024.
The new Augmented Mallets brings percussive and harmonic charm of the marimba, vibraphone, celeste and tubular bells into the hybrid synthesis-packed engine. I was able to preview the instrument. Unfortunately, it was only a demo version, as Arturia forgot to give me a license. Mistakes happen.
The free Mallets Intro plugin from Christmas 2024 already showed where things are headed. This one gets the full blast of mallets sounds and synthesis. In my opinion, it’s the most beautiful Augmented Series instrument to date. Okay, I’m a fan of those sounds too and less of orchestral stuff.
I like the option to combine different sound source freely and morph them. It’s fun and enables colorful-timbred hybrid instruments.
Augmented Yangtze, on the other hand, takes you to the distant instrumental world of China and Asia. From the rich earthy tones of the Yangqin and Erhu to the soulful plucked strings of the Pipa and Guqin. There is something for everyone.
Both instruments are highly recommended for any musician who wants classic sounds that doesn’t sound like another 1:1 multi-sampled instrument. The hybrid mix let these classic instruments shine in a unique, morphing light.
Augmented Strings & Voices Updates
That’s not all. Finally, Arturia V Collection 11 updates the sound content of two existing Augmented Series virtual instruments. Augmented Strings introduces 22 new articulations
of beautifully recorded chamber strings, from Sul Tasto to Tremolos, bridging the gap between solo and orchestral strings. Plus, you can explore 200 new presets.
On the other side, Augmented Voices ships with 18 new articulations of a 22-piece choir, ranging from swells to fortissimos, adding a whole new sound range to the plugin. Also here, you can dive into 200 new presets.
Arturia V Collection 11 Review
The Arturia V Collection 11 is an impressive upgrade to the well-known synth plugin bundle. If you remember, I wasn’t completely satisfied with the anniversary V Collection X, as some highlights were missing. With the Jup-8000 V, Synthex, MiniBrute V, etc., there are numerous highlights here.
I’d go so far as to say: compared to V8, V9, and V10, this is, in my opinion, the best upgrade for the V Collection in a long time. Additionally, the Augmented series has been expanded, making it more prominent in the bundle. I hope the V12 and V13 bundle doesn’t dilute the content density and quality again. We don’t know what Arturia has planned.
There is one bigger downside to the V Collection 11, though. There are still no drum machines, something that is sorely lacking in this bundle.
Arturia V Collection 11 is now available in two versions: the Intro version, with fewer instruments, for 199€, and the Pro version for 699€. Upgrades are available for existing customers in their user accounts.
More information here: Arturia
Available at my partner
Half price in Black Friday.
I’ll wait.
The current upgrade price is too high
and yeah, why don’t they add an option of dark skin for plugins? It’s so easy to do considering the design. Those bright light colors are painful to use. I was making a feature request about dark skin for some of too-bright fx plugins and it seems they don’t care at all.
upgrade price is way too high
You want the customer experience to be like a sexy relationship with a very good girl/boyfriend, constant love and attention, little presents all the time, you feel that someone wants you to be happy. With Arturia it is more like the relationship to your governments revenue service, they are constantly milking you and you get only the minimum wage back just to keep you not revolting.
So many companies understand very good that the relationship to your customers must be constantly fed with love and give you little presents all the time and tease you into their new products with special opportunities so that you always feel privileged. Of course this is just a playbook and in the end they still get your money, but it is much more fun. Arturia gives you very little, but keeps on asking for that little bit, like an old grumpy relative. I own a lot of soft- and hardware by that company and I always feel tricked or disappointed. Other companies really try much harder to make me happy. I get the impression that nobody at Arturia is a customer to any other audio software company at all in private and that they simply don’t know how much engagement other companies bring to this aspect of their business. They could get a lot better in coordination of their release strategy with a customer satisfaction roadmap.
price is way too expensive for long term customers and I also find it disrespectful when, (another music software company as an example, the prices for new customers are even cheaper than the upgrade prices for the people who have supported the company for years with their money. Plug in alliance in (in the past) did it differently and more lovingly for the people who had already bought many plug ins
Agreed; I own a bunch of stuff from them plus a polybrute 12 and no special discounts (that said, their upgrade path for Pigments is *extremely* fair, like free for each release so far)
Too expensive for the long term users, I agree.
I decide to not be too mad about it, I have too many plugins already so I can wait, and the update is quite interesting, I can´t deny that they have been working on it.
I like the ‘trading card’ presentation of the new synths, and all the ‘old’ ones. 45 cards, all with the same Arturia ‘logo’ on the back. If GForce, Korg, UVI, and other companies would offer similar style cards, personal digital synthesizer, or plugin collections could be represented as card collections. New ways of representation of and interaction with (your) collection could be made possible, in the digital or (my preference) physical domain. What do you think of this idea?
I got a decent price offer this time and upgraded.No regrets, certainly the best update since V8. Suggestions for VC12: Spark V3 (I just don’t get it why Spark gets the cold shoulder); minibrute 2S V.
Maxed out consumerism, absolutely not what we should do. You should not brag about your synths, this is so distasteful.
Also, I see a trend of de-bloating music workstations, it was only the first wave of internet users who are just simply not prepared for that medium and just buy everything they see on a screen.
Nowadays many people are just plain wondering “What will you do with 45 synthesizers” and ask “Why not just get two really god ones and focus on the music instead.”
These big collections get old-fashioned as people unerstand that they will just rot on your storage. Instead buy Serum, MassiveX, Spire or Diva and finish your production instead of distracting yourself with too many plugins.
Cool stuff, they still support VST2 and I can load their latest plugins with Native Instruments Kore, Maschine 2 / Komplete Kontrol (NKS)!
I like the update, but I am not going to update, because the price is too high.