Arturia Intros 303-Inspired Acid V, ‘A Mutated Classic’

Arturia today introduced Acid V, a virtual instrument that offers their take on the classic Roland TB-303 sound.

Why another virtual 303, especially when Behringer offers a hardware 303 knockoff for around $130?

Acid V offers an ‘evolved sequencer’ that’s designed to be easy to use and to integrate intelligently with your DAW.

Arturia says that Acid V is designed to bring the classic acid sound into the modern production era. They say that they’ve combined component-level modeling to accurately capture the originals sound, and married that to upgraded features & effects, to deliver ‘a mutated classic’.

Features:

  • Evolved sequencer & arpeggiator
  • Advanced Modulation system for evolving sounds
  • Built-in Distortion
  • Sub Oscillator and vibrato
  • Scales and Transmutation
  • 17x High grade effects

Other features include vibrato that lets you get into FM territory, 14 distortion algorithms, an easy-to-use step sequencer, and the ability to drag and drop your sequences into your DAW.

Here’s an in-depth look at Acid V and it’s capabilities:

Pricing and Availability:

Acid V is available now, with an intro price of $99 USD through Sept 14 (normally $199). V Collection 9 discounts are also available.

29 thoughts on “Arturia Intros 303-Inspired Acid V, ‘A Mutated Classic’”

  2. im all over synthtopia today –

    was wondering why rebirth is not allowed to exist when this is. nothing agains arturia I just don’t get the legal reasoning (no pun) to why rebirth can’t be continued to be worked on

    1. Honestly, there are several hypotheses.
      One, Arturia made a deal with Roland that “Propellerhead” wasn’t able to make at the time.
      Two, Rebirth stepped on other toes than this does.
      Three, things have changed and the fight isn’t what it was now that we notice what comes out of these different releases.
      Four, Arturia released this without any approval and might get in trouble later. (After all, Rebirth was available for a while before it was banned. In fact, we still have it on our devices, which demonstrates that these actions aren’t going that far, retroactively.)
      Five, there are other incentives behind actions at Reason Studios. (They haven’t worked much on Reason Compact, for instance.)

    1. Wrong, ReBirth’s TB-303 were good in 2000 but if you compare to original hardware or today’s clones (both hardware/software) ReBirth is not a great 303 emulator.

    2. Trz303, I gotta say you are wrong at the time it was released it was well done but if redid today with all the new tools and better computers would rock. I have four original hardware units. This is not comparing to the original nor do I care about being purest. Rebirth was fun, quirky and unstable just like the real hardware.

  5. Save your money and just do a proper video showcasing the possibilities and functionality of the product. I find myself hitting play then after 3 seconds, going to youtube to find other videos without the slow pan across 3D virtual knobs. I really wonder if these videos still work, well, got me to go look it up so maybe?

  6. I have a hardware emulation (TB-03), but sometimes you want to work on a track on just your laptop, without hooking up other gear, and it’s useful to have a plugin to use as a temp track. Then you can go back and replace with hardware, for more natural knob tweaking.

  7. I agree with the author, you can buy the real thing for about the same price. Considering they basically just made an Abl3 clone, ethics wouldn’t really be a concern either

    1. It’s not just another clone. It has plenty of features that no other 303 emulation has. The sequencer is powerful with scales, transmutation, per-row randomization, polymetry, multiple playback modes, etc. 
      It has 3 modulators, almost all parameters can be modulated thanks to the function/lfo/env editors. The FX stage sounds great (FXs can also be modulated).
      It’s definitively worth a try 🙂

      1. Apples and oranges. To get similar timbres and sequences out of a TD-3 or even MO, you would have to pair it with a more powerful sequencer, a whole bunch of effects, and do some serious modding.

        1. Honestly, considering the medium, nowhere close to apples and oranges. Any of the mentioned devices can be (most necessarily) routed into your daw and paired with much better quality sequencing and/or effects. I don’t want some afterthought cruddy delay or reverb when there are plenty of better options out there, most free. I’m not sure who actually uses vst sequencers (obviously excluding HY and SB style vsts that were meant to add sequence ncing functionality). Companies add mid tier sequencing and effects to these to make them look like a value add, but I for one have never touched them and they probably cost pennies to add when compared to the end cost.

          1. I use built in VST sequencers all the time. Especially if they have a randomize function. Its just so easy, and less clutter, switching of apps etc. If its all housed within one app, it just makes things that much easier. Reverbs and delays have gotten so good in the recent years, even the afterthought ones sound great. For me, im drawn to the simplicity of workflow for these types of tools. If i need to replace an effect, i will, but i love being able to get an idea up quickly.

      2. Features that you couldn’t easily replicate in the native Ableton or Bitwig environment? There is nothing special about a 303 sequencer, it is an urban myth that it has a special way of doing things when compared to dialing in the correct portamento and glissando settings on ANY synth+sequencer with the settings. The 303 sound comes from the limitations of the envelope and decay, the filter, and in the DF, the rudimentary fixes to those limitations.

    2. You can’t get “the real thing” for the same price. It’s showing as $69 in my Arturia account and will almost certainly get bundled into the next V Collection release, so it’s cheaper than hardware.

      1. Used TD-3s go for that price quite often, even on sites like Reverb and Ebay. Love them or hate them, used Behringer gear is about the same price as a vst these days. You can get a brand spanking new one on Amazon for about $40 more

  8. Definitely a solid response to d16’s Phoscyon 2, which is arguably the best quality 303 VST since forever. Pretty much all the same features, excepting Arturia have included a Polymetric mode which I’m keen to play around with. Ultimately, can’t complain about MORE ACID.

  9. Well damn. Well played Arturia for doing this synth although for a few more bucks I get the hardware version. What Arturia need to ass to their collection is proper SH-101 VST…. Although if that happens Arturia might become the Behringer of the VSTs against d16 trololol

    1. Softubes Sh-101 sounds pretty darned good. Check that one out. I love the simple sequencer like the Endless sequencer on the Op-1. What made me but it in the first place.

  10. Little weird that the performer in the video is using a keyboard and mouse when the Minilab they are sitting in front of has knobs and faders that are easily assigned …

    1. Laptop musicians are real. I sit in front of a polybrute but use my keyboard to enter notes into bitwig. I agree, its dumb.

  11. The sequencer and modulation on this one are amazing. I wish it could output MIDI to external synths like Phoscyon 2 does; I would use it to sequence my RE-303. Overall a great plugin.

    1. I agree, and with it’s functionality you can basically make any sound contained within the V collection. Arturia makes some great stuff, but there are def some duds. That said, Pigments, Coldfire, and Fragments are phenomenal products. Believe they’re still running the $100 Pigments sale, which is the best value out there for softsynths

    1. Hooray, it does! It works with the VST3 in Live, I just tried the AU before. That’s rad, I will try to play my Re-303 with it.

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