Matrix-12 V2

No matter what music genre you’re trying to produce, it’s always important that you never stop experimenting in order to keep your sound fresh. Sometimes, this means just trying out new plugins and deciding if they can help you enhance your music or just bring something new to the mix.

While every producer has a go-to synth, adding new instruments to your arsenal may yield some unexpected spectacular results. If you’re already familiar with some of the instruments from Arturia’s V Collection, then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t also give the Matrix-12 V2 a try.

The original Oberheim Matrix-12 was released in 1984; basically, this analog synth came a bit late into the game, since digital synths and samplers were already taking over in the 1980s. Nevertheless, it's still viewed as a classic.

This emulation keeps the original features but modifies the interface to provide a more intuitive workflow. The sound is generated by two oscillators, each being able to produce three types of waveforms: pulse, saw, and triangle. Moreover, the second oscillator also comes with a noise generator.

Modulation is easily achieved via five envelopes, five oscillators, and a section called the Modulation Page, which makes the process very straightforward. You can also add two effects to your sound, or use the advanced modulation matrix for more detailed routing.

The virtual synth comes with over 500 presets which showcase its capabilities. Explore them, tweak them, add them do your mix. One of the most important features is that each of the synth’s voices is editable, and you can even use multi-mode to combine different voices from different presets to create vast soundscapes.

While the Matrix-12 V2 is best used for creating pads, basslines, and textures, it’s still an extremely versatile instrument that can surely enrich your sound.