KVR Audio

3ptguitarist · Post by **3ptguitarist** » Mon Jan 03, 2022 6:54 am

Which is the better VST and why? Pigments 3.5 or Dune 3.5?

I'm thinking about getting pigments 3.5 because it's $69 for me, but something about Dune 3.5 attracts me. I think it's because Dune is supposed to be good for pads, and I like pads. Some say Dune is the best sounding synth. Is it much better than Pigments when it comes to pads and overall sound?

LeVzi · Post by **LeVzi** » Mon Jan 03, 2022 6:55 am

They are really different animals tbh. I wouldn't really compare them. Get both, your GAS will be your ally

AnX · Post by **AnX** » Mon Jan 03, 2022 6:56 am

They both have demo versions, try them.

AdvancedFollower · Post by **AdvancedFollower** » Mon Jan 03, 2022 8:38 am

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.

EnGee · Post by **EnGee** » Mon Jan 03, 2022 9:38 am

Yes both are great! I have the two, so if I were you, I would take Pigments 3.5 first then get Dune 3.5 when it is discounted (usually about $99 but I have no idea when!). I've got them also for the discounted prices

They are very usable and the first synths to load together with Predator 3. Those three synths my main bread and butter and they are actually can do 90% and up from the sounds for me.

briefcasemanx · Post by **briefcasemanx** » Mon Jan 03, 2022 9:46 am

Dune is definitely not the best sounding synth IMO. I do think it's good for pads. The analog section in dune sounds better in Pigments. Pigments is maybe more flexible and definitely easier and more intuitive to program (not that Dune is crazy complicated).

If you can get pigments $100 cheaper I'd do that and think about Dune when it goes on sale.

LoveEnigma18 · Post by **LoveEnigma18** » Mon Jan 03, 2022 9:54 am

As others have mentioned, get both. Pigments 3.5 first, as $69 is a great deal to pass on if you like it.

Dune 3.5 has a different sound and workflow. Get it the next time it goes on sale, but guess the wait will be longer (Summer 2022). I think it goes on sale for $129 a couple of times and only once a year for $99 (in November).

chagzuki · Post by **chagzuki** » Mon Jan 03, 2022 9:55 am

Never tried Dune but they keep stuffing more features in Pigments, and realistically there's no much it can't do, and too many options for anyone to really exhaust. I'm actually not such a fan of the UI modulation system, though it's fine, I just prefer the speed of something like Phaseplant, so I don't use Pigments that much. But if I were starting out it would be a great option, since it covers almost everything.

Dencheg · Post by **Dencheg** » Mon Jan 03, 2022 10:00 am

Perhaps it's easier to compare Pigments 1 to Dune 1
(yes, I learned math and apply it where it can make life easier)

Ok, Pigments is more inviting to play, but I'd use Dune to make a movie score or EDM (I do neither).
Per Mr nachenko, both are nice for Synthwave

Bartone · Post by **Bartone** » Mon Jan 03, 2022 10:23 am

Some say Pigments 3 is quite heavy on CPU but Dune 3 is light… That might be something to consider also. But try both of the demo versions and see how they work for your setup.

THE INTRANCER · Post by **THE INTRANCER** » Mon Jan 03, 2022 10:35 am

Look at freeware poly synths before deciding. https://u-he.com/products/zebralette/

DJ Warmonger · Post by **DJ Warmonger** » Mon Jan 03, 2022 10:36 am

Bartone wrote: Mon Jan 03, 2022 10:23 am Some say Pigments 3 is quite heavy on CPU but Dune 3 is light… That might be something to consider also. But try both of the demo versions and see how they work for your setup.

I can confirm this. Never bothered about Dune CPU or RAM usage, but with Pigments 3 it became an issue. And my gear is still pretty powerful.

Dencheg · Post by **Dencheg** » Mon Jan 03, 2022 10:42 am

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

chagzuki · Post by **chagzuki** » Mon Jan 03, 2022 10:42 am

I've found Pigments fine for CPU use if one creates one's own patches. A lot of presets have every module switched on.

Introspective · Post by **Introspective** » Mon Jan 03, 2022 12:36 pm

They are two of the most popular and powerful synths on the market right now, so you are not going to make a mistake buying either. Pigments is the better overall synth, and is far more flexible. Dune has a smaller sweet spot, but that sweet spot is ... sweeter?

Pigments has one of the (if not the) best interfaces out there, and it's a lot of fun to use. You can effectively "see" everything going on, nicely.

Many people love the Dune UI. I am not one of those people. I find it infuriatingly tab-heavy. It is quite hard to "see" what is going on.

Pigments is great for more experimental sounds. It's great for the more ambient side of things, as it is somewhat "thinner" and more surgical in tonality. Dune, while it has some very nice ambient pads and plucks, definitely seems to lean more toward the "produced" end of the spectrum. If you're producing trance or EDM or other "heavier" genres, Dune is the no-brainer and you may end up disappointed with Pigments.

...My two cents, anyway, to be taken with a large grain of salt. It should be said that I don't use either of these synths very often.

(But I am ... atypical.) I prefer Spire to Dune, and I prefer ... a mix of things to Pigments, but let's say "VPS Avenger" to keep it in the ballpark.

...That said, I own both, I have both installed, and I have used Pigments, at least, on a few tracks (I think it's probably the best granular synth you can use these days, so if you need that sound, get it). I haven't found a place for Dune yet, but I do like to keep it around, because the sound quality is pretty top-notch (plus people talk about it here on KvR all the time, so I like to have it handy to do comparisons).

Pigments 3.5 vs Dune 3.5