Arturia Microbrute Demo

[FreqStatus]

Another demo from Perfect Circuit Audio. This time we're showing you the Arturia Microbrute... one hell of a tiny synth!

The Minibrute is one of our favorites here so, naturally, the Microbrute is up there too. It has a few new tricks up it's sleeve, like the ability to turn the sub oscillator into a 5th (or mix both!). Quite the deal at $300!



I'll field any questions in this thread as well.

[Shy]

Fine sound, good envelopes, oscillators not my taste but usable, too bad that the filter is 2-pole max.

[FreqStatus]

The Brute can actually cover a lot of ground with it's oscillators. The mixer section can be overdriven to give a harsher sound... the less you crank the waveform in the mix, the softer it is.

This video just shows a few bits I cut out of a larger session, without specifically trying to show every aspect of the Brute's sound. So, there still may be something in there that you like. Just judging by what I remember from editing the video, this mostly shows halfway between overdriven and soft.

I think it's a great synth with a lot of uses... the only thing it doesn't do well is gooey-acid-stuff because the filter is more solid than liquid.

I didn't even realize the filter was only 2-poles because it sounds great... it's also $300, whereas that amount of money usually equals no poles.

[Shy]

Sure, I have a few great sounding 2-pole filters, it's just that 2 with any filter is too limited for many of the types of sounds I like, while 3 is the minimum (and usually ideal, I find). Of course, lots of great stuff can be done with a good 2-pole filter as well, and for a price that's lower than a single high quality 5U filter module, that synth is quite a bargain if it covers what you need. Some people would get it just for the sequencer (seriously). Hopefully the build quality is OK.

[FreqStatus]

Build quality is quite good on both these and the Minibrute. There were some QA issues with the Minis, but the Micros have not had any reoccurring issues that I've heard about yet. The knobs feel great and the pots themselves are pretty solid. The CV matrix is the cheapest/flimsiest part on the Micro, which is unfortunate. The keys aren't the best thing ever but they don't feel super cheap.

I get what you're saying on the filter, but that stuff never occurs to me personally... I know what design I want (Steiner, 303, Roland, MS20, whatever) but I don't care about poles or dB/oct specs... just whether or not it sounds right for the job. So, I just don't really relate to conceptualizing the amount of poles.

I use my Mini as a modular controller and a MIDI to CV converter, too. The Micro not only does that, but has the extra CV Ins/Outs which is sweet for modular or vintage synth users. It's an important part of my rig for sure.

[Shy]

Because most synths (including those you mentioned) don't even allow to switch between 2 to 3 or 4 poles, people never think about why a certain amount of poles is better for a certain task, only Synth A is better than Synth B. Since in the modular world you become familiar with filters that have designs similar to well known synths' but with switchable poles, you suddenly realize what a huge difference there is between 2 to 3 or 3 to 4 poles in real-world usage. I've seen people complain that they can't get MiniBrutes and even the awesome System-100 to do certain filter sweep tricks, and no wonder, because it just doesn't work with -12dB/octave filters. Another example is that 2-pole works so much better for some "pad" sounds than 3 or 4 poles. And various other sounds.

[FreqStatus]

Makes sense. For me, though, with modules especially, I know which filter I want for the sound and not necessarily WHY it does the tricks it does. It's obviously poles and dB/oct depth, so I guess I'm on the same page. I do know that vactrol filters aren't good for much unless they're more of a low-pass gate that takes well to pings. Same idea, I suppose. I guess I also do know that I like the Moog 4-pole for midrange leads, so maybe I do pay more attention to it than I think.

Mmmmm Roland 100m. I would not be complaining at all if I had one. I'm actually in the market for a full system.

[werp]

First lot has sold out prior to release near me...2nd allotment isn't due until February.

[Kriminal]

Fine sound, good envelopes, oscillators not my taste but usable, too bad that the filter is 2-pole max.

Thats my biggest gripe with the mini....its crying out for a 24dB filter

Still, feature wise, you wont get better for that price...so many knobs and sliders!!!

[FreqStatus]

They're available at Perfect Circuit! Free U.S. Shipping and good International shipping (not sure where you're at)...

http://www.perfectcircuitaudio.com/micr ... sizer.html

I like the filter on the Minibrute... I have 24 dB/oct elsewhere. The filter is such a vital part of a signature sound, that I find it hard to wish a synth (that I like) had a different filter... then it wouldn't be the synth that I like!

Basically, if I want a Moog, I play a Moog. If I want an MS20, I play an MS20! If I want a Minibrute, I play a Minibrute!

[zerocrossing]

They're available at Perfect Circuit! Free U.S. Shipping and good International shipping (not sure where you're at)...

http://www.perfectcircuitaudio.com/micr ... sizer.html

I like the filter on the Minibrute... I have 24 dB/oct elsewhere. The filter is such a vital part of a signature sound, that I find it hard to wish a synth (that I like) had a different filter... then it wouldn't be the synth that I like!

Basically, if I want a Moog, I play a Moog. If I want an MS20, I play an MS20! If I want a Minibrute, I play a Minibrute!

That's the way I feel about my Mini. I always scratch my head a bit when people complain about what something isn't when they haven't really evaluated it is.

On the other hand, I could see the 'brute line not being everyone's cup'o tea. I don't think getting the Micro, considering I have the Mini, is for me, but I'm glad I have the Mini. I don't reach for it when I want a smooth "Moogy" style of bass line... because I have other synths that take care of that perfectly. Oddly the Sub Phatty that's right next to it isn't one of them. The Studio Electronics ATC-X is where I usually go.

I guess one could go, "I only want a single mono synth and I love X sound." I think if I was forced into a single mono synth the Minibrute wouldn't be it. I'd probably put together a Mono C.O.D.E. OD and load it up with all available filters or go modular but not really treat it like a modular. (There's something I hate about repatching stuff... probably from my years playing guitars with tons of stomp boxes. ) But, the Mono C.O.D.E. would set me back about $3500 spec'd the way I want which is considerably more than all my mono synths put together... actually more than all my hardware synths put together. Who knows how much the "perfect" modular system would cost... a lot. Anyway, I'm more than happy with my rag-tag band of inexpensive monos.

[FreqStatus]

^^^ Right on. If I could only have one monosynth, it would be my modular without a doubt.

[C+C+]

what does it have that the minibrute dont ? I can see that there is more cv stuff and a toy sequencer but why the minibrute is more expensive if it does less then this one ????

[Plyphon]

There is a quick rundown here on the differences:

http://www.musictech.net/2013/11/arturi ... te-review/

[Wormhelmet]

Microbute is pretty cool. It's that sequencer section I love. The 2 pole filter is outstanding. I too wish it had a 4 pole, but for what you can do driving the filter, its got a lot of character. I just have the mini now, but my local guitar center let me play with the micro for little while. I can see the possibilities of owning both. Just another nice analog offering in a market that has really turned affordable the last few years. Keep em comin.