Arturia Microbrute Demo

[williamh]

I got mine just a few days ago, and I'm loving it. I didn't fall in love with the Minibrute, the the Microbrute is different.

The suboscillator options really fill out the sound, the semi-semi-modular options are great, and it's $200 less.

I just made this song, 100% Microbrute with some FX.

https://soundcloud.com/inside-synthesis ... microbrute

[FreqStatus]

But, the sound is miles above the thin oscillators of the Mini. A real MS20 is still not that beefy, either.

So that's why music by Der Dritte Raum, Shpongle, Mr. Oizo, Koxbox etc., where an MS-20 is used abundantly, sounds so thin.

Witty remark, but it doesn't really make sense. All of those guys are known for their processing (at least Shpongle and Oizo with whom I'm more familiar), not using raw analog tones. Play a vintage MS20 next to a Moog (not even a vintage one!). Then come back and let us know what you think!

[FreqStatus]

I got mine just a few days ago, and I'm loving it. I didn't fall in love with the Minibrute, the the Microbrute is different.

The suboscillator options really fill out the sound, the semi-semi-modular options are great, and it's $200 less.

I just made this song, 100% Microbrute with some FX.

https://soundcloud.com/inside-synthesis ... microbrute

Cool! I agree on the suboscillator. As I think I've said before, I really wish the Mini had that. But, I prefer the size, layout, and keys of the Mini over the Micro for my personal use. I would have both, but not just a Micro.

FWIW, you can get a used Minibrute for the same as a new Microbrute if you hunt for it.

Fortunately, I like arps better than 101-style sequencers, so that part isn't an issue for me.

With all that said, I think that it really comes down to this decision for everyone: small keys, less knobs/faders/etc but more functionality or
a more serious keyboard w/ a little less functionality.

Both are excellent synths. Arturia and the designer, Yves Usson, deserve some respect for bringing this to the table. Hopefully this is just the beginning of their analog hardware product line!

[Kriminal]

I got mine just a few days ago, and I'm loving it. I didn't fall in love with the Minibrute, the the Microbrute is different.

The suboscillator options really fill out the sound, the semi-semi-modular options are great, and it's $200 less.

I just made this song, 100% Microbrute with some FX.

https://soundcloud.com/inside-synthesis ... microbrute

Cool! I agree on the suboscillator. As I think I've said before, I really wish the Mini had that. But, I prefer the size, layout, and keys of the Mini over the Micro for my personal use. I would have both, but not just a Micro.

FWIW, you can get a used Minibrute for the same as a new Microbrute if you hunt for it.

Fortunately, I like arps better than 101-style sequencers, so that part isn't an issue for me.

With all that said, I think that it really comes down to this decision for everyone: small keys, less knobs/faders/etc but more functionality or
a more serious keyboard w/ a little less functionality.

Both are excellent synths. Arturia and the designer, Yves Usson, deserve some respect for bringing this to the table. Hopefully this is just the beginning of their analog hardware product line!

I would say the Mini has far from 'less functionality'

I would say the Micro lost some great parts from the Mini, while gaining some cool features...

[Kriminal]

I got mine just a few days ago, and I'm loving it. I didn't fall in love with the Minibrute, the the Microbrute is different.

The suboscillator options really fill out the sound, the semi-semi-modular options are great, and it's $200 less.

I just made this song, 100% Microbrute with some FX.

https://soundcloud.com/inside-synthesis ... microbrute

Cool! I agree on the suboscillator. As I think I've said before, I really wish the Mini had that. But, I prefer the size, layout, and keys of the Mini over the Micro for my personal use. I would have both, but not just a Micro.

FWIW, you can get a used Minibrute for the same as a new Microbrute if you hunt for it.

Fortunately, I like arps better than 101-style sequencers, so that part isn't an issue for me.

With all that said, I think that it really comes down to this decision for everyone: small keys, less knobs/faders/etc but more functionality or
a more serious keyboard w/ a little less functionality.

Both are excellent synths. Arturia and the designer, Yves Usson, deserve some respect for bringing this to the table. Hopefully this is just the beginning of their analog hardware product line!

I would say the Mini has far from 'less functionality'

I would say the Micro lost some great parts from the Mini, while gaining some cool features...

[williamh]

I would say the Mini has far from 'less functionality'

I would say the Micro lost some great parts from the Mini, while gaining some cool features...

I agree -- the Mini has more functionality.

But I find that the Micro has its functionality more quickly accessible. They were really clever about what they did and did not include.

When it first arrived, I took pictures of the first few patches because I didn't want to lose them. But I quickly figured out that I really didn't need to. I can go from a 909 kick drum, to a trance sync lead, to a gentle arpeggiation in only 30-60 seconds or so for each switch, and you can get back to those same places once you get a feel for it.

It takes me waaaaaay longer to dial in the right sound on an MS20.

[Shy]

But, the sound is miles above the thin oscillators of the Mini. A real MS20 is still not that beefy, either.

So that's why music by Der Dritte Raum, Shpongle, Mr. Oizo, Koxbox etc., where an MS-20 is used abundantly, sounds so thin.

Witty remark, but it doesn't really make sense. All of those guys are known for their processing (at least Shpongle and Oizo with whom I'm more familiar), not using raw analog tones. Play a vintage MS20 next to a Moog (not even a vintage one!). Then come back and let us know what you think!

I did, and a vintage MS-20 is a freaking amazing sounding synth in every way, the amps, envelopes, oscillators, filters. I was really upset that I didn't get it for myself (but I'm fine now with my modular synth with Threeler VCF). Its oscillators are not "thinner" than a Moog's or any other synth's, they're even pretty much identical to my modular oscillators (as can clearly be seen/analyzed as well as heard), it's the filtering and the envelopes that are very different from anything else. Nothing else can sound quite like this (try these with your synths). It's a signature sound that can't be "masked" no matter what delay-based effects you add, and it's a main reason the artists I mentioned as well as countless big names who could have used much more expensive synths (including Moogs) have used it extensively instead, because it suits their musical style perfectly and they couldn't (and neither could I) get the types of patches that are essential for the music from other synths like Microbrute or Sub Phatty (and I've used recent Moogs extensively) which are great in their own ways but don't enable the needed patches with enough quality or at all.

[faun2500]

Anyway - I hit the button and ordered it - Thomann had a "b-stock" one which they assured me had just be opened and returned. £228 quid, against £259 retail.

Cool, Mine is on the way too. Bought from Juno Records with free next day delivery. Better come tomorrow!

[Plyphon]

Got mine yesterday, played with the raw tone for a while)

Didn't give it a massive amount of time as I wanted to crack on with a track i'm making now - looking forward to getting back on it tonight.

First thoughts:

It's very quick to get dirty and rough. (in both a good and bad way!)

Creates some good subbass and low/dark bass tones

The filter and patch bay on the top right is fun!

Sequencer feels like you're running a bit blind without any visual feedback - probably will get used to this.

Really easy to get some classic tones from it.

You can get some really interesting noises from it all.

It's really thick and full, but you can tone it back to crate thinner sounds.



I'm hoping tonight I can tame the brute and get some more subtle tones from it. The oscillators are quick to overdrive on the pot (just over 50%!) and volume suffers at any value below 50% which is a bit odd - so tonight I'm going to hook it into my DAW and run it through some saturation and compression etc - basically get more creative with it and hopefully get some grooving sounds to pair alongside the ripping bass I made last night.

Can't say if I'm pleased with it yet or not - it's my "first" hardware synth so not sure what I'm looking out for unlike the guys who are more experienced and can use a thing for 5 seconds and tell if its the shit or not.

I'm excited, though.

[faun2500]

Spent all day yesterday with it. So what can I say...



WOW! Just WOW! lol

This has an incredible tone! I love the metalizer. My first thoughts are:


The filter just sounds amazing. Yes really, Amazing! Adding resonance brightens the sound without losing any volume and using the Brute Factor really thickens it.

The sound is edgy and cutting/upfront. I place it right in the middle of my Moog Slim Phatty and DSI Tetra because the SP is smooth and warmly rounded, the Tetra is brassy & fizzy and the Microbrute while upfront and confident, has a more FM type sound when driving it.

The distortion sounds very, very musical and can alter sounds from subtle saturation to an extreme punch-in-the-face.

The build quality feels very solid. Actually quite surprised with its sturdiness.

Mixing of waveforms give a good breadth of sounds. Very snappy and responsive envelope. The mod matrix is great too.

The little keys feel cheap and small. Probably because they are cheap and small.

Overall the sound, features and 'fun factor' for £250 really is very good.
Now lets see how it lasts over the next couple of years.

[faun2500]

https://soundcloud.com/100mg/synth-demo ... mg-arturia


18 minutes of hell.

[FreqStatus]

I got mine just a few days ago, and I'm loving it. I didn't fall in love with the Minibrute, the the Microbrute is different.

The suboscillator options really fill out the sound, the semi-semi-modular options are great, and it's $200 less.

I just made this song, 100% Microbrute with some FX.

https://soundcloud.com/inside-synthesis ... microbrute

Cool! I agree on the suboscillator. As I think I've said before, I really wish the Mini had that. But, I prefer the size, layout, and keys of the Mini over the Micro for my personal use. I would have both, but not just a Micro.

FWIW, you can get a used Minibrute for the same as a new Microbrute if you hunt for it.

Fortunately, I like arps better than 101-style sequencers, so that part isn't an issue for me.

With all that said, I think that it really comes down to this decision for everyone: small keys, less knobs/faders/etc but more functionality or
a more serious keyboard w/ a little less functionality.

Both are excellent synths. Arturia and the designer, Yves Usson, deserve some respect for bringing this to the table. Hopefully this is just the beginning of their analog hardware product line!

I would say the Mini has far from 'less functionality'

I would say the Micro lost some great parts from the Mini, while gaining some cool features...

How does the Mini have more functionality? It has more controls, no switching between mod destinations and more playability, but less *functions*. The suboscillator doesn't turn to a 5th, which is the only actual functional difference between the two (besides the switch between arp and sequencer). So, I think you guys misunderstood my statement. I'm interested to hear why it's more functional if you did understand me correctly.

Or maybe I'm forgetting something? As far as I can remember, the Micro had all the same abilities, it just took a different approach to get there.

[FreqStatus]

But, the sound is miles above the thin oscillators of the Mini. A real MS20 is still not that beefy, either.

So that's why music by Der Dritte Raum, Shpongle, Mr. Oizo, Koxbox etc., where an MS-20 is used abundantly, sounds so thin.

Witty remark, but it doesn't really make sense. All of those guys are known for their processing (at least Shpongle and Oizo with whom I'm more familiar), not using raw analog tones. Play a vintage MS20 next to a Moog (not even a vintage one!). Then come back and let us know what you think!

I did, and a vintage MS-20 is a freaking amazing sounding synth in every way, the amps, envelopes, oscillators, filters. I was really upset that I didn't get it for myself (but I'm fine now with my modular synth with Threeler VCF). Its oscillators are not "thinner" than a Moog's or any other synth's, they're even pretty much identical to my modular oscillators (as can clearly be seen/analyzed as well as heard), it's the filtering and the envelopes that are very different from anything else. Nothing else can sound quite like this (try these with your synths). It's a signature sound that can't be "masked" no matter what delay-based effects you add, and it's a main reason the artists I mentioned as well as countless big names who could have used much more expensive synths (including Moogs) have used it extensively instead, because it suits their musical style perfectly and they couldn't (and neither could I) get the types of patches that are essential for the music from other synths like Microbrute or Sub Phatty (and I've used recent Moogs extensively) which are great in their own ways but don't enable the needed patches with enough quality or at all.

I have an MS20 Mini and had a vintage one. I also have 30U of modular, 10+ other analogs, and plenty of digital synths as well. My job is to play with vintage and brand new synths and make patches for them, sample them, etc. I also do gear demos for customers and Youtube videos for a vintage/new synth store (including the one that this thread was started for). I've extensively played nearly every synth that you could name (and some most people couldn't), besides a few of the completely obscure ones. I'm not saying this to brag, just qualifying my experience and rebuttal.

MS20 is not as beefy as it could be. I didn't say it sounds bad or it sounds thin. I said it's "not that beefy", which is still out of context. I never said anything about a vintage MS20's oscillators either. I said the MS20 *Mini* has thin oscillators, which it does. I have one and I have compared it to multiple vintage ones.

I agree that the filter and envelopes are a gigantic part of a synth's sound, but that's not what I was talking about at all. There is also a sound to the oscillators, no matter what a waveform looks like.

No matter what, the MS20 Mini sounds thin to me. I can't explain it nor do I care to. That's with the filter and VCA wide open. The thing is, I still love it. I like it and the vintage ones for different things.

So, with all that said, I think you just like to argue.

[Kriminal]

How does the Mini have more functionality? It has more controls, no switching between mod destinations and more playability, but less *functions*. The suboscillator doesn't turn to a 5th, which is the only actual functional difference between the two (besides the switch between arp and sequencer). So, I think you guys misunderstood my statement. I'm interested to hear why it's more functional if you did understand me correctly.

i didnt say 'functions', but some stuff thats missing...

ADSR for Vol/Filter seperately
Notch Filter
Switchable Sub Osc
UltraSaw Rate
More LFO Shapes
Noise Osc
Aftertouch
Bend Range

etc....

seperate ADSR is a must for me personally...i want to get the Micro, my mate just got one so im going to take my Mini round to compare the two first

[FreqStatus]

How does the Mini have more functionality? It has more controls, no switching between mod destinations and more playability, but less *functions*. The suboscillator doesn't turn to a 5th, which is the only actual functional difference between the two (besides the switch between arp and sequencer). So, I think you guys misunderstood my statement. I'm interested to hear why it's more functional if you did understand me correctly.

i didnt say 'functions', but some stuff thats missing...

ADSR for Vol/Filter seperately
Notch Filter
Switchable Sub Osc
UltraSaw Rate
More LFO Shapes
Noise Osc
Aftertouch
Bend Range

etc....

seperate ADSR is a must for me personally...i want to get the Micro, my mate just got one so im going to take my Mini round to compare the two first

Ah, I see. But, I think you can change some of those things still, just not on the panel, no? I definitely didn't catch some of those, though. I, unforunately, only spent a few minutes with the Micro (to do that demo video, which was rushed).

I stand corrected. I feel better now too. I was a bit envious of the Micro because of the sub-to-5th osc ability. I was under the impression that was the only major functional difference. Looks like I'll need to have both!