Seannn Posted November 28, 2013 Share Posted November 28, 2013 At the price, I couldn't resist. Picked it up on Tuesday. It complements the Korg MS-20 Mini that I bought a few months ago, after suffering from a bout of GAS as a result of craving an analog monophonic synthesizer. If you have some extra cash lying around and want to add to your synth trove, the MicroBrute is an absolute must. The keys are small, but they don't bother me. They seem a bit bigger than a microKORG's (they certainly feel better), but I could be wrong about the size (I've passionately avoided the microKORG, so I couldn't tell you). The synth is built in a strong metal chasis, and the knobs and slides are big, and feel of good quality. You can read up about the specs. Basically, you have one VCO, as well as a sub-oscillator that, interestingly, you can tune up a fifth. This is an awesome addition to a synth that's already a rascal. The brute factor is ridiculous. This synth sounds HUGE, despite its size! I really couldn't believe my ears. I think I prefer it to the MS-20 Mini for more of the dubstep-sounding bass sounds. There's also a sequencer and mini patch bay that adds to the fun, and could make this synth a great live addition. Haven't tried it with effects yet, but I imagine that some delay and reverb, and even fuzz, would be welcomed. I'll leave you with the review below by Sonic State. Have any of you picked this up? [video:youtube]1feSmaeZ1CY ~ Sean Juno-60, Juno-G, MicroBrute, MS-20 Mini, PX-5S, R3, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Mullins Posted November 28, 2013 Share Posted November 28, 2013 Congrats...looks like fun. One question: on the Solid State video at about 0:56, he mentions that the keyboard transmits velocity over MIDI but doesn't respond to it. So I assume he is talking about USB MIDI since I don't see a MIDI out port on the back. More importantly: is it really true that this doesn't respond to MIDI velocity. Seems very odd to me. Yamaha CK88, Arturia Keylab 61 MkII, Moog Sub 37, Yamaha U1 Upright, Casio CT-S500, Mac Logic/Mainstage, iPad Camelot, Spacestation V.3, QSC K10.2, JBL EON One Compact www.stickmanor.com There's a thin white line between fear and fury - Stickman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovernorSilver Posted November 28, 2013 Share Posted November 28, 2013 Thinking of picking one up, after hearing it used in a friend's band. I've read positive reports about the sequencer as well. It'd be fun to use for CV-sequencing the Voyager, in addition to what it can do standalone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seannn Posted November 28, 2013 Author Share Posted November 28, 2013 @Sam, that's a great question! I'm not sure, but I'll look into it. You're correct, there's only a MIDI in port, so I'm not entirely sure what he was referring to. Anyone want to share some insight? ~ Sean Juno-60, Juno-G, MicroBrute, MS-20 Mini, PX-5S, R3, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmp Posted November 28, 2013 Share Posted November 28, 2013 Yes. One MIDI in plus one MIDI in/out over USB. Clonk. --wmp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Mullins Posted November 28, 2013 Share Posted November 28, 2013 From the manual: "Velocity corresponds to the dynamics of your playing and can modulate multiple parameters. The MicroBrute will send velocity as a USB controller. It does not have internal velocity routing and does not respond to velocity however." Yamaha CK88, Arturia Keylab 61 MkII, Moog Sub 37, Yamaha U1 Upright, Casio CT-S500, Mac Logic/Mainstage, iPad Camelot, Spacestation V.3, QSC K10.2, JBL EON One Compact www.stickmanor.com There's a thin white line between fear and fury - Stickman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovernorSilver Posted November 29, 2013 Share Posted November 29, 2013 From the manual: "Velocity corresponds to the dynamics of your playing and can modulate multiple parameters. The MicroBrute will send velocity as a USB controller. It does not have internal velocity routing and does not respond to velocity however." The Minibrute is also like that, from what I recall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Mullins Posted November 29, 2013 Share Posted November 29, 2013 From the manual: "Velocity corresponds to the dynamics of your playing and can modulate multiple parameters. The MicroBrute will send velocity as a USB controller. It does not have internal velocity routing and does not respond to velocity however." The Minibrute is also like that, from what I recall. Here is what the minibrute manual says: "Velocity corresponds to the dynamics of your playing, and similarly to aftertouch, can modulate multiple parameters." and later... "The LEDs brightness depends both on the envelope signal amplitude and on the Velocity signal sent by the keyboard (when the Velocity function has been enabled over USB by the MiniBrute Connection software; see the Software section of this manual)." and later they talk about velocity curves. So it seems like it is more capable in this area. I find the original description on the MicroBrute confusing...they seem to say that velocity "can modulate multiple parameters." and then says "It does not have internal velocity routing". Am I being dense, or are those statements conflicting? In any case, it seems pretty clear that the MicroBrute does not respond to external MIDI(USB or not) velocity. Yamaha CK88, Arturia Keylab 61 MkII, Moog Sub 37, Yamaha U1 Upright, Casio CT-S500, Mac Logic/Mainstage, iPad Camelot, Spacestation V.3, QSC K10.2, JBL EON One Compact www.stickmanor.com There's a thin white line between fear and fury - Stickman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovernorSilver Posted November 29, 2013 Share Posted November 29, 2013 Must have been a recent software update. The Minibrute users were still claiming no velocity sensitivity to the internal synth this past April: http://www.arturia.com/evolution/smf/index.php?topic=12867.0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DulceLabs.com Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 Sean (or anyone else who has one).. any updates to this now that you've had it a while? I have never had an analog synth... this looks like a cheap and fun way to give analog a try. Also thinking would be a good for my 9-year old son to learn sound synthesis with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seannn Posted March 15, 2014 Author Share Posted March 15, 2014 Hey Scott, sorry for the delayed reply! I think this synth would be awesome for your son! It's really hands-on as far as synthesizers go. I get a lot more use out of my Korg MS-20 Mini for leads, but the MicroBrute does bass sounds very well, and is quite versatile. In a word, it's fun. I've been having some tuning issues with mine, but that could just be an issue of letting the oscillators warm up. The micro-keys are a downer, but if you have a MIDI controller lying around with bigger keys, you/your son will be able to use the MicroBrute to its full potential. Keep me posted! ~ Sean Juno-60, Juno-G, MicroBrute, MS-20 Mini, PX-5S, R3, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenElevenShadows Posted March 15, 2014 Share Posted March 15, 2014 I messed around with the 'Brute at NAMM and was impressed. A lot of fun. I've got a few analog synths already, including an MS-20, so I don't feel the need to get one, but the price is really good and it sounds really cool. Ken Lee Photography - photos and books Eleven Shadows ambient music The Mercury Seven-cool spacey music Linktree to various sites Instagram Nightaxians Video Podcast Eleven Shadows website Ken Lee Photography Pinterest Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DulceLabs.com Posted March 15, 2014 Share Posted March 15, 2014 Thanks for the update, gents. I am a little disappointed learning the Microbrute can't be powered by batteries or USB, although I 100% understand the reasoning behind it (needs a lot of juice to light up the rails). Going to make the music store circuit this weekend.. hopefully one of them has one in-stock so I can get my hands and ears on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovernorSilver Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 I did end up picking one up as well. My buddy at Guitar Center waited until he finally had one in stock he could set aside for me. What sold me on it was being able to play around with it at GC. I've got several hardware synths with sophisticated preset programming capabilities and such, but man it's so much fun to just fire up this little guy and play with the controls - no menu-diving, what you see is what you get... This guy did a great series of patch demos - note the use of (Belkin, I think) headphone splitter to increase the patching options - I recognize some pop hits from my youth and maybe someone else will recognize the techno/dance tunes he references: [video:youtube] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEB Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 That sounds cool. Is the Micro the same synth as the Mini but with bigger keys? I like the look of the new Mini with the sequencer. It has inspired me to get out my old SH-101. "It doesn't have to be difficult to be cool" - Mitch Towne "A great musician can bring tears to your eyes!!! So can a auto Mechanic." - Stokes Hunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DulceLabs.com Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 That sounds cool. Is the Micro the same synth as the Mini but with bigger keys? The synth on the Mini is more powerful.. compare the specs of the two here: MICRO: http://www.arturia.com/evolution/en/products/microbrute/specs.html MINI: http://www.arturia.com/evolution/en/products/minibrute/specs.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovernorSilver Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 As Scott says, not they're not exactly the same but have a certain "in the family" kind of sound. The most obvious differences are the physical size and the little patch bay in the Micro version. The next obvious difference is the Micro has a step sequencer but no arpeggiator while the Mini has an arp but no sequencer, unless you get this new limited edition Mini w/ the wood sides (it has a sequencer). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DulceLabs.com Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 LMAO.. my wife is reading this over my shoulder... Her: "Seriously? You want ANOTHER keyboard?" Me: "But I've never had an analog synth!!!" Her: She was very understanding and supportive until I spilled out into the kitchen and living room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluzeyone Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 That sounds cool. Is the Micro the same synth as the Mini but with bigger keys? I like the look of the new Mini with the sequencer. It has inspired me to get out my old SH-101. +1 in that footage the sequencer sounds bad to the bone! * thinking about how some jazz chords would sound on top of it* I gave up 'normal' a long time ago! "A good mix is subjective to one's cilia." http://hitnmiss.yolasite.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAD Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 I've had really bad GAS for the MiniBrute for a awhile now. I was hoping it would pass, but it just keeps coming back. I'm quite confident I'll give in to temptation soon. "Jazz is the only music in which the same note can be played night after night but differently each time." Ornette Coleman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAD Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 ...and I gave in. There's a MiniBrute sitting on my desk right now. "Jazz is the only music in which the same note can be played night after night but differently each time." Ornette Coleman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElmerJFudd Posted June 17, 2016 Share Posted June 17, 2016 http://ww2.sonicftp.com/news/images/27172_303.jpg Yamaha CP88, Casio PX-560 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brenner13 Posted June 17, 2016 Share Posted June 17, 2016 Ooooh, CANDY! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marczellm Posted June 17, 2016 Share Posted June 17, 2016 I played a Minibrute at a jam session once. I don't know about velocity but it did have aftertouch. It applied an insanely big vibrato. During my solo I explored that synth, and as I progressed from simple melodies through filter sweeps and vibrato and pitch bend and finally going nuts on the octave switch buttons, it gave my solo a good "narrative arc". Life is subtractive.Genres: Jazz, funk, pop, Christian worship, BebHop Wishlist: 80s-ish (synth)pop, symph pop, prog rock, fusion, musical theatre Gear: NS2 + JUNO-G. KingKORG. SP6 at church. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newkeys Posted June 18, 2016 Share Posted June 18, 2016 I've been having some tuning issues with mine Minibrute owner here. On a Mini, you need to calibrate the oscillator tuning, using two recessed screws on the back. From the manual, tt looks like MAYBE the Micro has two similar screws near the fine tune knob. If the tuning is too loose for you, I would suggest contactng Arturia and asking if there is a PDF on oscillator calibration for the Micro -- there was for the Mini, but the info is not in the manual; Arturia had to email the doc to me. I did NOT find the process obvious, so I'd suggest getting instructions rather than just flailing around with the tuning screws on your own. Used to be Youtubes on calbrating a Mini -- I didn't find them just now, might still be there. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GDP Posted June 18, 2016 Share Posted June 18, 2016 If anyone needs the technote for tuning the mini (same for micro) PM me with email and I can forward the attachment to you. Tuning is an easy procedure and something you should be able to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piano39 Posted June 18, 2016 Share Posted June 18, 2016 I said it before on this forum (ad nauseum). The Microbrute is the best bargain there is in analog synth land. It's a blast. Yamaha Motif XF6, Yamaha AN200, Logic Pro X, Arturia Microbrute, Behringer Model D, Yamaha UX-3 Acoustic Piano, assorted homemade synth modules Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DulceLabs.com Posted June 18, 2016 Share Posted June 18, 2016 I said it before on this forum (ad nauseum). The Microbrute is the best bargain there is in analog synth land. It's a blast. I agree. It gets some flack for only being a one oscillator synth, but it does have some tricks that really fatten up the sound, like being able to mix all 3 waveforms and the sub osc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
analogman1 Posted July 31, 2017 Share Posted July 31, 2017 Has anyone tried the updated MicroBrute with the step sequnecer in it? Tom Nord Electro 5D, Modal Cobalt 8, Yamaha upright piano, numerous plug-ins... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthoid Posted July 31, 2017 Share Posted July 31, 2017 LMAO.. my wife is reading this over my shoulder... Her: "Seriously? You want ANOTHER keyboard?" Me: "But I've never had an analog synth!!!" Her: This suddenly came to mind... http://memeshappen.com/media/created/i-bought-a-new-synth-and-she-says-are-you-gonna-sell-the-old-one-meme-40850.jpg When an eel hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a Moray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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