review title:
Subject
New Arturia Fan!
By: Daniel Casselberry
Submitted: 7/9/2015
1 person found this review helpful.
Product Rating
Product Review
The Minibrute is my first hardware synth from Arturia, and I'm impressed! Very easy to set up, and solid construction made me happy from the get-go. Best little synth I've found for the money, and I'm betting this won't be the last Arturia product I acquire.
review title:
Subject
Aggressive and nasty
By: William H from Berkeley, CA
Submitted: 7/8/2013
1 person found this review helpful.
Product Review
I was really happy when I found out that Arturia were creating a new, fully analog keyboard at an affordable price.
However, there are now plenty of other options out there -- the MS20 mini, Novation Bass Station II, and the Sub Phatty, so look carefully.
The sound quality of the synth and filters is only okay. It sounds a bit like a project synth. But the signal is very clean, with no noise or hiss.
The synth tones that the Minibrute excels at are aggressive, nasty, dub steppy tones. You're not going to get nice smooth Moog bass out of this thing.
While there are some great programming options, particularly on the oscillator waves and the filter options, there are a lot of missing routings that are necessary -- like envelope to oscillator pitch.
I expected as much with the price -- I was surprised at the build quality and the aftertouch. However, the aftertouch is really only useful as a controller -- when you use it internally, it's crazy strong.
Cheap and nasty, but loud with no noise or hiss.
Keys are the best I've seen at this price.
I would go for the MS20 mini or the Novation Bass Station II if you want smoother sounds or more programming options.
Go for the Minibrute if you want pure, unadulterated nasty.
review title:
Subject
Arturia Minibrute is amazing.
By: Stone from Charlotte, NC
Submitted: 4/5/2013
I have owned several vintage synthesizers so I have a solid frame of reference. This little guy is amazing. I agree with what others have said about it being like a modern Yamaha CS-5 with improvements. The Minibrute is extremely modern sounding with an aggressive and fizzy filter. If you want something for Dubstep and rip your head off sounds this is where it is at. I actually prefer it over several of the Vintage synthesizers that I have owned. However, if you want to make trumpet sounds look elsewhere.
The notch filter and after touch on this little guy are amazing! Also the keyboard action is better than any of the dedicated midi controllers that you find for under 400 dollars.
Extremely easy to get going.
The tone is modern. It is aggressive, quirky and fun.
Your general opinion of this product.
An excellent buy!
Superb.
Superb value.
review title:
Subject
Just Try To Buy A Vintage Analog At This Price
By: Big Joe from Chicago, IL, US
Submitted: 1/13/2013
Solid metal case and rubberized side panels appear to be solid enough to take on tour.
It'd probably be tough to gig with this as there's no patch storage as each slider and knob directly controls the sound with no digital control. Of course this also means that programming it is immediate, with no menu diving or computer program needed. If I were still gigging, I'd sample it for stage use instead of trying to take it on the road.
Plug it in; turn it on; make music. If you know a little about subtractive synthesis, you'll learn a lot more quickly.
Because of it's unique wave-shaping oscillator, you can get sounds out of this that would be almost impossible out of any other analog or virtual analog without spending a lot more money.
Your general opinion of this product.
Screaming leads, deep basses, creamy pads— all with an immediacy of programming that make this a very fun instrument.
Take out of box.
Plug into gear.
Make Music.
For a modern synthesizer, it doesn't get any simpler.
With the sounds this instrument is capable of making, this is an unbelievable bargain.
review title:
Subject
Amazing Mono synth
By: That Guy from over there
Submitted: 1/3/2013
The unit is of an exceptionally well build quality. There is no flex in the body if you try to twist either end. Knobs, sliders, and switches feel good with good resistance. Wouldn't want to tweak it with "filter face" or start throwing faders like dj superstar.
One of my favorite things about it is the attack envelop is very fast. Can do 16th note Italio style basslines very well. The amount of control available on this for only being one oscillator is insane!
This is one of the easiest synths I've used that is a modern analog. There is one to one function of every parameter except for, midi send/receive CH, legato, and note priority. Controls are laid out as logical as it gets.
The tone is way great! Very easy to program a sound that fills lows, mids, and highs all at once. It does get aggressive fairly easy. If you set the oscillator mixer levels low it can pull out much more mellow sounds though. Some people say it doesn't hit the low end very well. They are wrong or can't program, compared next to my mopho it holds it own very well. Also this synth sounds every bit of a 100% analog synth from 25+ years ago.
Your general opinion of this product.
This is a straight up win! Arturia hit the nail right on the head for their first time analog synth and probably best analog of the last 10 years considering price and features. Instant classic.
One grip I do have is I wish it was an octave larger and the keys do feel a little flimsy compared to my mopho keyboard, they are a little springy.
I can't think of a better modern analog keyboard to get that has such great sound and features for so cheap. Excellent value!
review title:
Subject
Wow, this thing's incredible!
By: Powderfinger from Belmont, Ca USA
Submitted: 12/31/2012
It's small but heavy (13lbs). Knobs & Sliders are smooth w/ the resistance you'd expect from a well made piece of equipment.
IT's ANALOG! The size of this is perfect for a monosynth (you can't play chords). It's got a huge arsenal of old-school synth sound possibilities. Many knobs & sliders to get familiar w/ but that's what's great about it - very hands on & did I mention it's ANALOG?! It also has several jacks for gates, filters, headphones, output & midi.
Unless you're a seasoned synth-wiz, it'll take a little while to learn what everything does, but that's half the fun - just exploring the possibilities of this thing will keep you busy for hours (in a fun way!). The manual is very step-by-step - it's more like a tutorial. It's very in-depth & helpful. Also, it comes w/ a pack of overlay sheets for you to mark the settings of any set-ups you'd like to remember.
IT's ANALOG! I've never owned a moog, but this little baby sounds just as authentic as those old synths you used to hear in the 70's & 80's. No cheesy digital imitations, here. The arpeggiator is a ton of fun & the oscillators seem limitless. The bass tones are as fat as can be (w/ a subwoofer, they'll cure anyone's constipation). Plus they've added a few new bells & whistles like the Brutalizer knob which adds a heavy sort of industrial/metal effect.
Your general opinion of this product.
I love this thing. It's the funnest toy I've ever owned. Super-authentic analog synth sounds! I can't wait to record w/ it. Moog must be shaking in their boots over the Minibrute. Check out some of the demos on youtube & you'll be convinced. I use it w/ a delay pedal, which really gives it a little more depth & sweetens it up. I imagine a looper would come in handy w/ this as well.
Knobs & sliders seem durable. Keys are unweighted, cheap plastic like a Casio, but just what I expected for the price. You can fine-tune the attack & decay & release.
Yes, get it.