KVR Audio

filvox · Post by **filvox** » Mon Dec 30, 2019 2:45 pm

Soooo, I know that's kind of oranges vs apples type of comparison, but I'm trying to make up my mind here. I own a couple of softsynths (mainly use IL Harmor) and I'm on the fence with my next purchase. I've been thinking about getting U-he Diva, or a Repro, I know they sound pretty good, both are a very faithful analog emulation of hardware synths and basically I can write a whole album with either.

Now, the Minibrute (I'm talking about the first one, not the Minibrute 2), while I know it's a monosynth, a limited one at that, has all these knobs, the physical experience of creating sounds and stuff, probably couldn't make a whole album on it, but it's tempting because of the whole "tactile experience"...

What do you guys think? VST Analog Modeling, or gritty hardware monosynth?

Forgotten · Post by **Forgotten** » Mon Dec 30, 2019 3:01 pm

filvox wrote: Mon Dec 30, 2019 2:45 pm probably couldn't make a whole album on it

Why not?

filvox · Post by **filvox** » Mon Dec 30, 2019 3:08 pm

Forgotten wrote: Mon Dec 30, 2019 3:01 pm
filvox wrote: Mon Dec 30, 2019 2:45 pm probably couldn't make a whole album on it
Why not?

I mean, I don't know, it's just an assumption, it's a monosynth, a gritty one, probably couldn't getaway with lush pads or whatever. But yeah, I was probably exaggerating a bit, I guess you could make a whole album with the Minibrute.

The original question still stands though.

Forgotten · Post by **Forgotten** » Mon Dec 30, 2019 3:15 pm

Any instrument is only as limited as your imagination. Lots of instruments are monophonic and they can still be used to create complex arrangements.

recursive one · Post by **recursive one** » Mon Dec 30, 2019 3:15 pm

I have Microbrute (not Mini, but i think they sound more or less the same if you don't use the extra features they have). I use it a lot, despite I'm mostly an ITB guy otherwise.

You are probably already aware of that Minibrute can't store presets so you have to dial the patch from the ground up each time when you record it. Other limitations (in Microbrute, but I think it must be the same in Mini) are that nothing in the synth can respond to velocity and you can't automate anything from the DAW except for modwheel which has a couple of pre-defined destinations. So you'll have to twist the knobs in realtime when you want to record automation. Obviously once you have recorded a part you can't edit it so if you don't like how it sounds you'll have to re-record. I spend 3 hours yesterday recording a simple acid part, about 10 takes before I was happy (or rather I said "screw it, lets' assume this one is good") It can really suck you in

Sonically i think Microbrute and Repro-1 are more or less on par in "normal" range (obviously with different character) but there are certain features in the Brute (metallizer, brute factor) which are more suited for agressive sounds... it's hard to describe, they can easilly sound harsh or noisy but in a kinda musical way, unlike plugins where "harsh and noisy" sounds just... harsh and noisy

Bottom line, if you want get things done, get Repro or Diva, if you waht to have fun with the knobs and need these "extra" agressive sounds, get Minibrute.

foosnark · Post by **foosnark** » Mon Dec 30, 2019 3:34 pm

filvox wrote: Mon Dec 30, 2019 2:45 pm Soooo, I know that's kind of oranges vs apples type of comparison

It is

I had a Microbrute, not a Minibrute, I don't think software could easily and convincingly replicate some of the sounds I got out of it, without a lot of effort, to be honest. But more important than that was the feel of it and the inspiration. Frankly, the Microbrute led me on a journey to where I'm now mostly using hardware synths, but still do use software occasionally for its advantages.

The more I played with the "simple" synth the more I got out of it. The Brutes do harsh and aggressive, but they can also do some more subtle and gorgeous things depending on how you dial them in. With reverb, it will do pads of a certain type. It has its own character, and I think being in a hardware format, you feel that a bit more.

I say, go for the hardware but do not abandon software, and that way you have the best of both worlds.

EdSfer · Post by **EdSfer** » Mon Dec 30, 2019 4:04 pm

recursive one wrote: Mon Dec 30, 2019 3:15 pm Bottom line, if you want get things done, get Repro or Diva, if you waht to have fun with the knobs and need these "extra" agressive sounds, get Minibrute.

This. Being an ITB guy too, Minibrute is my first and only - for now - hardware analog synth. I love to have fun with it, use it to jam or experiment. It has a character that I wouldn't be able to recreate with my soft synths (especially the high res+ high brute factor combination, which can lead to a lot of fun things) but in the end, for the tracks I produce - and finish - Diva, Repro are used 90% of the time, vs 10% for the MB. Diva for bread and butter, MB for experimentation. But I guess it would be different with an hardware polysynth. If I stick to the soft world, as much as I love Repro-1, Repro-5 finds a lot more use here.

Forgotten wrote: Mon Dec 30, 2019 3:15 pm Any instrument is only as limited as your imagination. Lots of instruments are monophonic and they can still be used to create complex arrangements.

Still, it will be a pain to work with only a Minibrute, you won't have better sonic results than with Diva (you will have something else, to your taste or not), and most of all it will take a looooot more time to do the same thing you would have done in one take with Diva.

But some guys do it very well. Here's a song made with a Minibrute only. This guy convinced me to buy a Minibrute

Anyway, not having much experience with other hardware, I find interesting to compare cheap hardware synths to high end VST ones. Always wondered of they really compete soundwise.

Whywhy · Post by **Whywhy** » Mon Dec 30, 2019 8:08 pm

What is your sound card?
AD are important if you want to capture all the analog goodness!

Distorted Horizon · Post by **Distorted Horizon** » Mon Dec 30, 2019 10:05 pm

If you don't have any hw synth yet, I'd buy that brute. If it's used and you don't like it, you can sell it with the same price you bought it.

grandmasterbird · Post by **grandmasterbird** » Mon Dec 30, 2019 10:48 pm

Distorted Horizon wrote: Mon Dec 30, 2019 10:05 pm If you don't have any hw synth yet, I'd buy that brute. If it's used and you don't like it, you can sell it with the same price you bought it.

Absolutely. You wouldn't have a problem selling it on.

I love my minibrute, I think it has lots of character and an aggressive tone that sits well with me. It also does softer sounds as long as you keep the OSC faders around halfway.

With a minibrute and a bit of knowledge of how to use a Sampler there's nothing you couldn't do.

On the other hand software is massively convenient and the soft synths you mentioned sound fantastic too.

One thing to bare in mind is the change in working methods if you incorporate hardware into what was previously a software setup. It can take some getting used to, but it's a process I have personally enjoyed, so would recommend it.

Good luck deciding

mxbf · Post by **mxbf** » Tue Dec 31, 2019 12:28 am

I used to obsess over hardwear synths when I was poor, planning on buying a Pulse 2 for years.

Then when I finally got it, I like it but I don't really use it. I actually 99% of the time just stay ITB because it's more convenient than setting up the Pulse.

Of course, when I do set it up I generally am glad I did because it's objectively better sounding. I think ultimately if I had a dedicated studio with a dedicated recording setup, it would be much better to buy hardware.

Since I do everything in my own tiny apartment, it's kind of impractical to constantly move stuff around and plug and unplug. If it was always ready to go any second, I'd use it more.

I guess that will be a new goal since I've basically spent 1000s upon 1000s on computer equipment and VSTs over the past year or so. I have ALMOST everything I want, but of course that never stops. I might want to start saving up for a more serious studio environment to work in, including treatment and more hardware.

I'd say definitely get the Minibrute and have fun with it.

mxbf · Post by **mxbf** » Tue Dec 31, 2019 12:33 am

EdSfer wrote: Mon Dec 30, 2019 4:04 pm

There is definitely a certain fetishism with hardware synthesizers. Just knowing this was made entirely with a piece of hardware makes it seem more appealing to just listen to and admire the sound of it. Reminds of of AFX's Analord series.

If I was told someone made a track entirely with Diva, I would just kind of be like, "don't care."

It's not that important in the scheme of things.

toine6 · Post by **toine6** » Tue Dec 31, 2019 2:00 am

The filter on the Brute's are unique, and it's well built. I like my micro and mini but don't use them often. Softsynths are fine, even good freebies, but the Brute's are a fine piece of kit. I probably prefer the sound of my Korg Monologue more though, it blows me away soundwise. It's really your call and what speaks to you more, I think softsynths shouldn't hold you back but maybe the hands on aspect inspires you, and the hardware does have a smidge of special sound to it, but it's not a necessity.

JoeCat · Post by **JoeCat** » Tue Dec 31, 2019 2:10 am

Anyone play with a Microfreak yet? I thought it looked gimmicky at first, but it's got some awesome features and the demos I've heard show it to be pretty versatile. Looks like a fun "coffee table" synth. It's digital of course, but then again has the advantage of patch memory.

filvox · Post by **filvox** » Tue Dec 31, 2019 10:51 am

Whywhy wrote: Mon Dec 30, 2019 8:08 pm What is your sound card?
AD are important if you want to capture all the analog goodness!

I use the Audient iD14. What are AD? Is it one of those things that allow you to omit the digital signal path, when connecting an analog device into a digital audio interface? How to connect a completely analog synth to a computer/audio interface without making the analogness kind of digital?

Arturia MiniBrute (the first one) vs. VST (Diva, Repro)