With the MiniBrute we wrap up the series of 4 Arturia units that came through the lab this month: the MicroBrute, KeyStep and BeatStep Pro. Today we take a closer look at the MicroBrute's "big brother," which costs a mere €55 more and offers more synthesis power and more comfortable keys. Let's get to it.
We're looking at an old-school instrument: analog synthesis and a well-defined personality. A synthesizer with an aluminum finish (sturdy, durable) and a 25-key keyboard with aftertouch. Among its main features we find a voltage-controlled oscillator with sub-osc, an oscillator mixer (Sub, Sawtooth, Square, Triangle, White Noise, Audio In), an arpeggiator with 4 modes, 4 octaves, six time divisions and swing control, an external analog audio input, LFO 1 with 6 waveforms, LFO 2 with three vibrato modes, and much more (more details in the spec sheet).
Manageable and compact, its weight of 4 kilos makes it an ideal companion for moving quickly from the studio to a live performance. The video we've included hints at this.
The taste of the real thing
Without losing sight of innovation, this taste for analog audio processing, moving away from the digital environment that has overrun us for so long, has been taking root lately in every area of production. Guitarists know the power of a good tube amp versus (increasingly advanced) plug-ins and modeling; engineers in the studio savor the tubes in their preamps and warm processors, even while relying on digital technology; "one doesn't rule out the other." I think the same goes for keyboardists and producers looking for their own sounds, dense and powerful, in the world of synthesizers.
The MiniBrute takes us out of the world of small LCD screens, with a practical, hands-on approach to synthesis. It was developed in collaboration with guru Yves Usson and comes equipped with tools such as the Metalizer, Brute Factor and Ultrasaw, plus USB, MIDI and CV connectivity for seamless integration into setups of almost any kind.
Control layout
Four kilos and barely 40 cm long make the Arturia MiniBrute a manageable tank, 100% analog and backed by a well-known brand in the fields of synthesis and electronic devices.
The front panel is laid out in a compact but well-organized format, offering at a glance all the tools we'll need to control the unit (apart from a few small things you can configure at the outset by connecting the device to your computer via USB).
- 1. Oscillator and Sub
- 2. Steiner-Parker multimode filters
- 3. Brute Factor
- 4. 2 x 4-stage envelopes
- 5. Arpeggiator section
- 6. Two LFOs
- 7. Performance controls
- 8. Keyboard with aftertouch
- 9. Oscillator mixer
Connectivity and rear panel
- 10. CV in and out
- 11. Audio outputs
- 12. MIDI IN/OUT
- 13. USB, power and on/off switch
Conclusions
We like its compact yet sturdy size and good finish. A machine we can really push in the studio and live. Quite reasonably priced compared with its competitors, currently around €355. The concept of its 100% analog signal path gives it an exceptional character, to which you can add the personality of the aggressive sounds produced by the Steiner-Parker filter and the Brute Factor.
If you want to work on your own quality sounds with personal designs, this is an attractive option, since it has filters that outperform even those of more expensive models. Just as with tubes in amps or preamps, the texture of analog tends to produce denser, fatter palettes than digital.
In short, good value for money, vintage meat and potatoes equipped with USB connectivity and able to handle various peripherals with ease.
- Download the user manual to learn every detail here
- Listen to a few demos of the MINIBRUTE's possibilities and sounds here
SPEC SHEET
- Voltage-controlled oscillator with sub-osc
Oscillator mixer (Sub, Sawtooth, Square, Triangle, White Noise, Audio In)
Arpeggiator function with 4 different modes, 4 octaves, 6 time divisions and swing control
LFO 1 with 6 waveforms and bipolar modulation destinations
LFO 2 with 3 vibrato modes
Brute Factor, which delivers saturation and rich harmonics
Ultrasaw generator
Metalizer, which provides extreme harmonic triangles
Two ADSR envelope generators
25-note keyboard with aftertouch
Rugged aluminum finish
External analog audio input
CV input and output controls: pitch, gate, filter, amp
MIDI in and out with 5-pin DIN connector
MIDI in and out via USB
Audio output on 1/4" jack and headphone output on 1/4" jack
Gate source selection: Audio In, Hold and Keyboard
Dimensions: 25 x 390 x 70 mm
Weight: 4 kg
Approximate price: €355
Distributed in Spain by: Zentralmedia
Manufacturer: Arturia
