Pigments 3.5 vs Dune 3.5

[pdxindy]

Pigments has more oscillator types, where Dune has basic waveforms, wavetable and a simplified FM module.

Pigments has samples, granular, additive, extra noise samples, wavetables. That is significantly more than Dune offers.

Dune has dual filters and effects that can be placed pre or post filter, Pigments just has effects tacked on at the end.

Pigments has dual filters too.

Dune has wavetable import and editing, Pigments doesn’t.

Pigments has wavetable import

Dune has oscillators as mod slot choices, Pigments does not.

Pigments has cross mod between Osc's.

Pigments also has a far better modulation system.

[psynical]

>Which is the better VST?

Why do so many people not understand that there's never a right answer for this question? For some people Pigments is better and for others, Dune is better.

It always DEPENDS.

[3ptguitarist]

Both can certainly be used to create pad sounds. A pad is just a sound with a slow attack and long release. There's nothing inherently special about Dune that makes it more suitable for pads than Pigments. Both are great synths though, best as mentioned would be to try the demo versions.

I think it's because Dune has a layer system which can help create complex pads. Can pigments that?

[3ptguitarist]

In defense of Pigments, a lot of visual stuff is going on real-time (no visual stuff is happening in case of Dune).
Both approaches have proponents. I'd say if OP has any inclination for (to?) the constant visual feedback, get Pigments while it's on sale

I do like the interface, but is there a way to turn off the feedback?

[3ptguitarist]

What really amazes me about pigments is the bass presets. Almost all of them sound like lead presets instead, and the bottom end is completely lacking, never experienced it with ANY other synth I've tried or own.

The new (from pigments 3 upgrade) sub-osc somehow helps with it, but it's very hard to get a solid bass sound which can be achieved very fast with other synths.

Other thing which bother me with pigments is that it has a glassy or belly sound which is first cool, but after a while makes the synth being perceived as a one trick pony, although there are so many synthesis methods, somehow it's quite difficult to add weight to the sound, and to get rid of this hollow, glassy attribute of the sounds.

I'd prefer a punchy thick sound like Diva which I have. Does Dune give a thick sound?

[AnX]

Pigments has more oscillator types, where Dune has basic waveforms, wavetable and a simplified FM module.

Pigments has samples, granular, additive, extra noise samples, wavetables. That is significantly more than Dune offers.

Thats not really significantly more...seems granular and additive are the only difference (unless pigments has fm, I've never tried it)

I did ask for a granular osc before, but Rich didn't seem impressed

Doesn't matter really, these threads are usually quite pointless and end up being fanboi shit fests

[AnX]

What really amazes me about pigments is the bass presets. Almost all of them sound like lead presets instead, and the bottom end is completely lacking, never experienced it with ANY other synth I've tried or own.

The new (from pigments 3 upgrade) sub-osc somehow helps with it, but it's very hard to get a solid bass sound which can be achieved very fast with other synths.

Other thing which bother me with pigments is that it has a glassy or belly sound which is first cool, but after a while makes the synth being perceived as a one trick pony, although there are so many synthesis methods, somehow it's quite difficult to add weight to the sound, and to get rid of this hollow, glassy attribute of the sounds.

I'd prefer a punchy thick sound like Diva which I have. Does Dune give a thick sound?

Try it and see

[AnX]

Both can certainly be used to create pad sounds. A pad is just a sound with a slow attack and long release. There's nothing inherently special about Dune that makes it more suitable for pads than Pigments. Both are great synths though, best as mentioned would be to try the demo versions.

I think it's because Dune has a layer system which can help create complex pads. Can pigments that?

Yes, just load multiple instances

The layers in DUNE are completely separate and do not interact

[rezoneight]

I think you should get Spire

[zvenx]

Since this is mostly all opinion anyway, here is mine.

If you want to choose a synth based on all the things it can do and how easy it is to do it and work with it? Pigments for sure over Dune 3.

If you want to choose a synth mostly on how great it sounds.. And sounding great whilst using a not unreasonable about of cpu power, Dune by far...

my biased two cents.
rsp

[chk071]

The issue with threads like these: The OP will walk out more confused than he was when he walked in.

[zvenx]

lol.. of course.
rsp

[Introspective]

FWIW, I think zvenx summed it up elegantly and well.

I'll start a poll to see what others think.

[Dencheg]

In defense of Pigments, a lot of visual stuff is going on real-time (no visual stuff is happening in case of Dune).
Both approaches have proponents. I'd say if OP has any inclination for (to?) the constant visual feedback, get Pigments while it's on sale

I do like the interface, but is there a way to turn off the feedback?

Actually the visual show is one of the selling points of Pigments.
I'm not aware of the option to turn it off, but wouldn't state that I'm absolutely sure

[Ah_Dziz]

There is a bit more visual feedback in the Pigments mod section than I would like. It can throw you off your flow by making it less than clear what modulation you're assigning sometimes. I'd like the row that shows all the destinations to be permanently in a row beneath the animated modulators. It would take up more space but simplify programming. That's just a thing that bugs me a bit and I've screwed up a couple sounds due to accidentally assigning the wrong modulation to a set of destinations. Meh. Both of these synths are quite different. Both are very useful tools for making sounds.