These Are the Synths on Our Wishlist for Arturia’s V Collection 12
Arturia’s V Collection 11 just landed, and it’s a strong reminder of why their suite is so beloved. With instruments like JUP-8000 V and Pure LoFi, they’re not just revisiting the past—they’re expanding the ways producers can work today. But if you’re like me, a new V Collection release doesn’t just make you excited about what’s in it—it gets you dreaming about what could be next. Because as deep as V Collection is, there’s still a whole world of classic synths, overlooked gems, and untapped genres waiting for the Arturia treatment. Some are long-lost machines that deserve a second life in plugin form. Others are modern collabs or brand-new concepts just begging to be emulated in a top-notch VST. Here’s my wishlist for where Arturia could go next—and why it would be more exciting than just another round of reissues.
Want the full breakdown of V Collection 11? Read my review here.
Arturia's V Collection 11 Just Dropped, Here’s What We Hope They Release Next
Dream VST Emulations
Where Are the Drum Machines?
Dream Collaborations with Modern Gear Companies
More Instruments Tailored to Today's Genres
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Yamaha AN1x
The Yamaha AN1x has always been one of the quiet legends of the virtual analog era. Released in the late '90s, it didn’t explode in popularity like the JP-8000 or the Nord Lead—but those who got their hands on one know how special it is. The AN1x blends thick analog modeling with a hidden depth of FM-like modulation tricks, giving it a sound that can be silky and lush or biting and aggressive, depending on how you push it. Its pads are especially gorgeous: wide, glassy, and somehow still warmer than you'd expect from a virtual analog synth of that era.
A VST version could do more than just revive the AN1x—it could finally unlock it. The hardware’s menu-diving made deep sound design tedious, but with a plugin, you could bring all those modulation possibilities to the surface. Add full MPE support, deeper modulation routing, and a more intuitive interface, and you’d have a modern synth that could easily rival today’s hybrid beasts without losing that unmistakable Yamaha tone.
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Clavia Nord Lead
Few synths have shaped the sound of the late '90s and early 2000s quite like the Clavia Nord Lead. It wasn’t just the bright red casing that made it iconic—it was the sound. Sharp, immediate, and unmistakably alive, the Nord Lead introduced many producers to virtual analog synthesis without pretending to be a clone of anything. Its leads could cut through any mix, its basses could thump with surprising warmth, and its FM and unison modes hinted at wilder sonic territory without losing that classic VA punch. The simplicity of its layout—one knob per function—made it addictive to program and a staple in studios from techno to pop to experimental ambient.
A plugin version could preserve that directness while adding some welcome 21st-century upgrades: per-voice modulation, expanded unison options, and maybe a deeper effects section without cluttering the interface. Arturia has proven they know how to honor the original spirit of an instrument while giving it just enough extra firepower—and the Nord Lead would be a perfect playground for that approach.
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Roland MC-303 & MC-505
Before DAWs ruled the world, grooveboxes like the Roland MC-303 and MC-505 gave producers a way to sketch, jam, and perform electronic music with nothing but a box full of buttons. The MC-303, launched in 1996, packed classic Roland sounds—TR drums, 303 basslines, rave-ready stabs—into an affordable, all-in-one sequencer. The MC-505 took it further with more real-time control, a bigger soundset, and performance features like the D-Beam controller. They weren't “pure” synths by any means, but for techno, trance, and electroclash, these machines offered a raw, spontaneous energy that shaped an entire underground sound.
A VST version could resurrect that immediacy for the DAW era. Imagine the full MC-505 workflow rebuilt with modern sequencing, tighter swing control, expanded sample loading, and multi-out capabilities for serious production flexibility. Throw in deeper synth editing (something the originals only hinted at) and better FX, and you'd have the ultimate nostalgia-soaked yet totally usable groovebox plugin for today’s rave revivalists.
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Alesis Andromeda A6
The Alesis Andromeda A6 is one of those synths that feels more like a myth than a machine. Released in the early 2000s, it was a true analog polysynth at a time when the world had largely moved on to virtual analog and ROMplers. Two analog oscillators per voice, complex modulation options, ribbon control, a multi-mode analog filter section—it was a modular dream packed into a performance synth body. But for all its power, the Andromeda was notoriously temperamental, with hardware quirks and calibration issues that kept it from achieving mainstream dominance. Still, for those who braved its learning curve, the payoff was massive: sounds that could shift from impossibly smooth pads to screaming sci-fi mayhem in an instant.
A plugin version could finally strip away the instability while keeping the magic. Imagine the A6’s wild modulation architecture made intuitive, or stacking multiple instances for layered analog textures without fear of a tuning meltdown. With modern CPU power and Arturia’s modeling skills, the Andromeda could become the centerpiece of a digital studio in a way the hardware never quite managed to in its lifetime.
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Korg MS2000 / MicroKORG
The Korg MS2000 and its younger sibling, the MicroKORG, weren’t just synths—they were cultural milestones. In the early 2000s, when analog was still expensive and software was clunky, these affordable, rugged VA synths gave an entire generation access to real-time sound design. The MS2000 brought semi-modular patching, a killer vocoder, and that instantly recognizable plasticky crunch. The MicroKORG, with its toy-like form factor and iconic mini keys, somehow became the synth you spotted in every indie band’s live setup. Their character wasn't about pristine emulation—it was about attitude: punchy basses, buzzy leads, and an endearing rawness that still cuts through today’s hyper-polished mixes.
A plugin version could keep that unmistakable tone but massively expand the possibilities. Imagine deeper modulation routing, a fully editable matrix (without digging through tiny menus), and multi-layer patch creation to fatten up those classic single-oscillator sounds. Done right, it could become the perfect tool for Crystal Castles nostalgia, electroclash revival, and even quirky techno without losing the playful, chaotic spirit that made the originals so beloved.
I wouldn’t sneeze at a Mono/Poly V or a PolySIX V. Those are almost certainly coming soon.
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Find Korg’s official VSTs here
Access Virus
When the Access Virus series first appeared in the late '90s, it immediately became the synth for producers who wanted the best of both worlds: analog-style warmth and digital aggression. The Virus wasn’t chasing the past—it was building the future. Its sound could be lush and cinematic or razor-sharp and brutal, making it a staple in trance, techno, industrial, pop, and beyond. Later versions, like the Virus C and Virus TI, added deeper effects, complex modulation matrices, and advanced wavetable oscillators, turning it into one of the most complete all-in-one synths ever built.
A plugin version could finally make the Virus accessible to a wider audience. Full recall inside DAWs, better polyphony scaling, and deeper modulation visualization would push it into a modern workflow without losing that dark, powerful, unmistakably Virus tone. It's surprising no one's nailed it yet—and if Arturia brought their analog modeling chops to this synth’s hybrid heart, it could be a game-changer.
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Roland D-50
The Roland D-50 is one of the most important synths of the late '80s—not because it tried to sound purely analog, but because it embraced digital weirdness. Its "LA Synthesis" approach layered short sampled attacks with digitally synthesized sustain waves, creating lush pads, sparkling bells, glassy keys, and surreal textures that no analog synth could touch. Tracks like "Orinoco Flow" by Enya and countless film scores owe their dreamy, otherworldly atmosphere to the D-50. It wasn't a direct competitor to the DX7—it carved its own lane, somewhere between pop sheen and futuristic fantasy.
A plugin version could do wonders by opening up the D-50’s architecture without sacrificing its magic. Editable partials, expanded sample import options, a cleaner effects section, and MPE support could push the D-50’s shimmering, hybrid sound even further into modern ambient, synthpop, and cinematic territory. There’s already a Roland Cloud version, but a true Arturia-style reimagining could give it the warmth and depth it deserves without the clunky menu-diving of the original.
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PPG Wave
The PPG Wave wasn’t just ahead of its time—it practically invented a whole new sound. Released in the early 1980s, it fused digital wavetable oscillators with analog filters, creating textures that were metallic, rich, haunting, and constantly evolving. You can hear its fingerprints all over synth-pop, early industrial, and experimental electronic music. It wasn’t warm and cozy like analog polysynths—it was cold, alien, and emotionally complex, and that’s exactly why it became legendary among adventurous producers.
A VST version could make the PPG Wave’s brilliance more accessible than ever. Real-time wavetable scanning, expanded modulation destinations, stereo spread options, and a smoother interface could unlock its full potential without sacrificing the unpredictable beauty of its original design. Arturia has proven they can tame complex architectures while keeping the soul intact—this could be one of their most powerful synth recreations yet if they ever take it on.
If you can’t wait for a Wave V plugin, you might enjoy Behringer newly released take on the ground-breaking hardware instrument.
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Casio SK-1
The Casio SK-1 is pure lo-fi magic in a plastic shell. Released in the mid-1980s as a toy sampler, it gave kids—and later a surprising number of professional musicians—a way to record their own sounds and play them back across tiny, gritty keys. In a way, this was the OP-1 of its time.
The SK-1 sound quality is subpar by today’s standards, and that’s exactly why it’s beloved: crunchy, noisy, unpredictable, and filled with a kind of imperfect charm that no modern sampler has truly captured. It became a cult tool for experimental music, early hip-hop, and later lo-fi and vaporwave artists looking for authentic texture.
A VST version could preserve everything weird and wonderful about the SK-1 while adding modern flexibility. Think real-time sampling directly from your DAW, extended sampling time, creative degradation controls, and maybe a few built-in FX to push the crusty textures even further. Done right, it wouldn’t just be a nostalgia trip—it would be a genuinely fresh instrument for anyone chasing imperfect beauty.
In other words, this could be the Mellotron V of the lofi age… I mean, what are we waiting for!?
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Where Are the Drum Machines?
As much as V Collection 11 pushed forward with new synths and hybrid concepts, there’s still a big, obvious hole in the lineup: drum machines. It’s wild when you think about it. Arturia’s original Spark plugin aimed to be a creative drum machine workstation years ago, but since it quietly faded away, nothing has replaced it—not in the V Collection, not anywhere else in their catalog. And with Arturia's track record for capturing both the character and quirks of vintage gear, the absence feels even bigger.
Imagine what they could do: an all-in-one drum machine plugin that blends the best of classic analog units (like the TR-808, 909, and CR-78) with sampling legends like the MPC60 and SP-1200. Or even better, revivals of underappreciated beasts like the Roland R8 or Alesis HR-16. Tight sequencing, hands-on FX mangling, customizable kits—there’s so much potential. With the rise of sample-based house, techno, and retro-driven hip-hop, an Arturia drum machine plugin wouldn’t just fill a gap in their catalog—it could dominate an entire corner of the modern production world.
In the meantime, companies like D16 Group and Cherry Audio are doing an excellent job at modernizing classic boxes!
Dream Collaborations with Modern Gear Companies
One of the most exciting signs in V Collection 11 isn’t just the new vintage emulations—it’s the hint that Arturia might be thinking beyond the past. The Augmented Series showed they could invent entirely new hybrid instruments, blending samples and synthesis in ways tailored to modern production. Pure LoFi pushed that idea even further: an instrument clearly aimed at the aesthetics of lo-fi beats, ambient textures, and retro-inspired production. It feels like a glimpse into a future where Arturia isn’t just recreating history—they’re helping shape what’s next.
Which gets you dreaming: what if Arturia teamed up with modern hardware makers to create software versions of today’s most exciting gear? Imagine collaborations with Teenage Engineering to reimagine the OP-1 Field’s quirky brilliance in plugin form. Or a softsynth version of Elektron’s Digitone, with its deep FM architecture made fast and playful. Picture a plugin capturing Make Noise’s wild modular vibes, or an Erica Synths collab that brings brutal analog darkness into the box. I don’t know if the licensing would ever allow it—but creatively, it feels like the next logical step.
Arturia has the modeling chops—and they’ve already proven they can capture modern instruments with their own MiniBrute and MiniFreak emulations. They have the workflow design experience. All they need now is the willingness to jump into the future.
More Instruments Tailored to Today's Genres
If there's one thing that Pure LoFi hints at, it's that Arturia could start designing instruments that don't just honor the past—they could be custom-built for the sounds people are making right now. While most of V Collection is rooted in the classics, Pure LoFi shows what happens when they target a specific aesthetic: genre-focused, mood-driven, and ready to slot into modern workflows. It's easy to imagine this approach expanded into full families of instruments tailored to left-field and underground genres.
Imagine a plugin designed specifically for retro house and rave, blending ready-to-use Korg M1 pianos, chunky FM basses, and early 90s drum samples into one intuitive package. Or an instrument aimed at bedroom pop, built around washed-out guitars, dreamy pad textures, and simple sequencing that feels more like a cassette four-track than a DAW grid.
Even niche sounds like UK garage, hyperpop, or hard bass could inspire focused, genre-native instruments. Instead of just selling history, Arturia could start creating the future—one carefully crafted genre tool at a time.
Ready to dive into V Collection 11?
The classics are here—and the future might be starting too. Click here to check it out.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.