Arturia MatrixBrute

eXode

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Arturia MatrixBrute
« on: January 21, 2016, 05:16:02 AM »


Analog synth lovers, Arturia has something new for you. After the succesful Minibrute and Microbrute, the Sonic Joy awarded Beatstep Pro, the French company has unveiled the new MatrixBrute Analog Synthesizer.

At a glance:

    3 ‘Brute’ oscillators
    superb-sounding Steiner-Parker and ladder filters,
    3 ultra-fast envelope generators,
    analogue effects
    modulation matrix
    64 step sequencer
    factory and user presets
    Audio IN, MIDI, CV, USB connections

Modular… without the painful patching practice of going modular, in other words!

In Arturia’s words “Matrix by name, matrix by nature, that namesake modulation matrix is at the heart of MatrixBrute, making the most of each ‘module’ through a matrix that offers thousands of potential modulation routings. Assign any of 16 modulation sources to any of 16 modulation destinations (in MOD mode) and set the amounts of each modulation routing using the dedicated data encoder; four such destinations are user programmable and can clearly be seen in the eye-catching E Ink (Electronic Ink) display. Don’t be afraid to invent a sound palette of your own and make your musical mark!

That multifaceted matrix also allows presets to be recalled quite literally at the touch of a (dedicated) button (in PRESET mode). Go grab one of the 256 pioneering, pre-programmed professional presets or recall one of your own original sound creations… instantly! Indeed, MatrixBrute packs the power of a modular synth system with an all-important ability to save each patch. No need to worry about recording a sound straight away for fear of losing it forever!

Furthermore, the matrix can also be pressed into action as an awesome 64-step sequencer with separate STEP, ACCENT, SLIDE, and MODULATION options (in SEQ mode). Make musical moves directly on your analogue synthesizer. Sounds can evolve in melody and texture… exactly the way you want them to!

To help maintain a 100% analogue signal path, MatrixBrute also adds true ANALOG EFFECTS to its stereo output — choose from chorus, delay, and flanger with five operational modes… and, yes, any ANALOG EFFECTS controls can be set as modulation destinations in the matrix! When was the last time you worked with analogue effects and a great arpeggiator? Ask no more. MatrixBrute has got you well and truly covered. Multiple modes of both the Arpeggiator and Sequencer allow almost unlimited musical ideas to quickly and easily flow forth for instant inspiration!

It’s a given that any analogue synthesizer only sounds as good as its VCFs (Voltage-Controlled Filters) and VCOs (Voltage-Controlled Oscillators). The MatrixBrute Analog Synthesizer sounds superb, markedly making the most of its four-mode STEINER FILTER (upgraded to support both 12dB/oct and 24dB/oct slopes alongside a dedicated Drive control for creating thicker sounds) and three-mode LADDER FILTER (known for creating punchy bass and fat lead sounds with 12dB/oct and 24dB/oct slopes alongside another dedicated Drive control).

The three VCOs are each equipped with a sub-oscillator as well as Saw, Pulse, and Triangle waveforms with the unique wave-shapers that are the trademark of the beloved ‘Brute’ sound of the MatrixBrute Analog Synthesizer’s smaller siblings, the award-winning and amazingly compact and bijou MiniBrute and MicroBrute monosynths (both boasting MIDI, USB, and CV connectivity together with a host of unique features).

But by pairing a 49-note (full-size) keyboard (featuring both velocity-sensitivity and aftertouch for a musical feel with plenty of expression) with a beautifully-designed, solid chassis (featuring a helpfully-hinged, hands-on capacious control panel), the road-ready MatrixBrute Analog Synthesizer is both bigger and better, boasting more connections than an airport… well, almost!”

As such, you can comfortably work with any setup — cue control voltage interfacing in abundance (12 CV inputs and 12 CV outputs to interface with any standard 1V/oct modular gear); AUDIO IN (line and instrument levels allow for adding an external oscillator from a favourite modular synth or processing a guitar or other instrument through the filters, VCA, and analogue effects); GATE In and Out (to trigger external gear or trigger the internal envelopes remotely); SYNC In and Out (to synchronise the internal sequencer and arpeggiator with external devices); standard MIDI In, Out, and Thru (to connect to both modern and vintage gear alike); USB I/O (to interface to a computer-based DAW directly and also use the free editor/librarian software); and PEDALS (Expression 1, Expression 2, and Sustain inputs to provide realtime control) — not forgetting, of course, MASTER OUT (stereo master outputs on 1/4-inch jacks).

The MatrixBrute Analog Synthesizer is expected to ship in Spring 2016 when it will be available to buy directly from Arturia online or through the company’s global network of dealers and retailers.

Re: Arturia MatrixBrute
« Reply #1 on: January 21, 2016, 06:08:05 AM »
When I saw that picture I thought "hoax." But that thing's for real and appears to be the best monosynth yet, at least on paper. I hope it won't cost quite as much as a Voyager, though!
4 full-sized octaves…
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Re: Arturia MatrixBrute
« Reply #2 on: January 21, 2016, 06:17:41 AM »
Price according to YuSynth will be around $1800 USD which, if true, is not bad at all.

Razmo

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Re: Arturia MatrixBrute
« Reply #3 on: January 21, 2016, 06:54:55 AM »
Seems monophonic... guess it's an OK price too... and the fact that someone AT LAST put in analog FX is cool... I'll be following this one, especialy because it has preset memories.... but something tells me, that it might not be specced like I want it to MIDI wise...
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eXode

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Re: Arturia MatrixBrute
« Reply #4 on: January 21, 2016, 07:42:50 AM »


Some highlights/clarifications from Yves Usson on french forum:

2 VCO a'la Micro/Minibrute
1 VCO/LFO with cross mod
1 VCF Steiner multimode. Switching 12/24 db with Brute Factor
1 VCF Transistor (ladder?) witching 12/24 db (with or without brute factor, not sure what he meant).
3 EG's - 2 HADSR, 1 ADSR
2 LFO's
Analogue BBD effects
4 octave keyboard with mono, duophonic och split.
64 step sequencer
16x16 modulation matrix

EST: $1800 USD - Available from September.

Re: Arturia MatrixBrute
« Reply #5 on: January 21, 2016, 08:28:09 AM »
Now that's a real surprise! I thought they'd rather do a poly synth, but this looks really pleasant. Who would have thought that Arturia jumps in when Moog discontinues the Voyager?

Razmo

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Re: Arturia MatrixBrute
« Reply #6 on: January 21, 2016, 08:47:11 AM »
I wonder if they have a lot of those BBD chips because as far as I know, they are not being produced anymore... MOOG often discontinue their delay pedals because they run out of those...
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Re: Arturia MatrixBrute
« Reply #7 on: January 21, 2016, 09:03:40 AM »
Now that's a real surprise! I thought they'd rather do a poly synth, but this looks really pleasant. Who would have thought that Arturia jumps in when Moog discontinues the Voyager?

There's a slap for Moog.  Visually, it's definitely reminiscent of the Minimoog, especially from behind.

Sacred Synthesis

Re: Arturia MatrixBrute
« Reply #8 on: January 21, 2016, 09:45:50 AM »

Re: Arturia MatrixBrute
« Reply #9 on: January 21, 2016, 10:23:20 AM »
but something tells me, that it might not be specced like I want it to MIDI wise...

What makes you say that? Isn't full digital storage of the whole modulation matrix along with every other parameter kind of its selling point? If so, a full MIDI implementation is basically a given, unless they want you to use their editor software only.
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Re: Arturia MatrixBrute
« Reply #10 on: January 21, 2016, 10:33:15 AM »

Re: Arturia MatrixBrute
« Reply #11 on: January 21, 2016, 11:01:00 AM »
Just read elsewhere that this should be priced at £600 in the UK.

Re: Arturia MatrixBrute
« Reply #12 on: January 21, 2016, 11:06:12 AM »
Just read elsewhere that this should be priced at £600 in the UK.

Sweetwater just said $1,999.

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Re: Arturia MatrixBrute
« Reply #13 on: January 21, 2016, 11:21:34 AM »
Official info up on Arturia web now:

https://www.arturia.com/matrixbrute/overview

Update: Sweetwater says $1999 USD

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MatrixBrute
« Last Edit: January 21, 2016, 11:24:24 AM by eXode »

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Re: Arturia MatrixBrute
« Reply #14 on: January 21, 2016, 11:30:41 AM »
This is pretty brilliant, as a product. More exciting, I'd say, than the Korg. The ladder filter is a great touch, as the Steiner-Parker filter is decent, but not enough to carry... you know what? I'm not even going to finish that sentence, as I've never heard a 24dB Steiner-Parker filter. But definitely a good call to have a couple options.

That matrix pad on the panel makes me just want to reach out and start pushing buttons.
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Re: Arturia MatrixBrute
« Reply #15 on: January 21, 2016, 11:36:23 AM »
That matrix pad on the panel makes me just want to reach out and start pushing buttons.

That matrix panel looks great. I am not in the target audience for this new instrument but one reservation I have is finding my way around that large array of buttons. I love the concept but honestly my eyes would not like to have to use it. Matrix allergy, maybe? ;)
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Re: Arturia MatrixBrute
« Reply #16 on: January 21, 2016, 11:36:40 AM »
Just read elsewhere that this should be priced at £600 in the UK.

Sweetwater just said $1,999.

Looks like they were wrong then.

I might have paid 600 but not that much more. I already gave an Origin that is falling apart.

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Re: Arturia MatrixBrute
« Reply #17 on: January 21, 2016, 01:02:36 PM »
but something tells me, that it might not be specced like I want it to MIDI wise...

What makes you say that? Isn't full digital storage of the whole modulation matrix along with every other parameter kind of its selling point? If so, a full MIDI implementation is basically a given, unless they want you to use their editor software only.

Full MIDI specs includes full external control, so that I can make my own editor for it... and the specs do not tell anything about that yet... ;)
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Re: Arturia MatrixBrute
« Reply #18 on: January 21, 2016, 02:07:24 PM »
Full MIDI specs includes full external control, so that I can make my own editor for it... and the specs do not tell anything about that yet... ;)
That's what I meant by full MIDI spec ;) Anyway I just wanted to say I'm very optimistic in that regard and was wondering what led you to be cautious here. I guess we just have to wait and see!
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Re: Arturia MatrixBrute
« Reply #19 on: January 21, 2016, 03:11:18 PM »
Full MIDI specs includes full external control, so that I can make my own editor for it... and the specs do not tell anything about that yet... ;)
That's what I meant by full MIDI spec ;) Anyway I just wanted to say I'm very optimistic in that regard and was wondering what led you to be cautious here. I guess we just have to wait and see!

That's easy to explain why I'm causious.... because it's a company with which I'm not familiar, and different companies has very different ways of handling their SysEx messages.... I still rely on the old SoundDiver program for making my editors, and one thing that can totaly ruin that, is if it's using an unknown checksum for example, or if it uses the same bytes in the structure for different values depending on other parameters (say, you have built in FX, and one byte holds the type of effect, and the next ten bytes hold the values for it... thus changing depending on what FX you've chosen)... SoundDiver cannot cope well with that... then there is the question about request messages... does it have them, or do you have to initiate dumps from the front panel of the synth? ... will it recieve the dumps back "on the fly", or do you have to enter some specific screen or mode to have the synth accept a dump?

Loads of things can actualy ruin my usage of it, if the MIDI specs are not pretty standard... but my needs are quite demanding... I know that ;) ... I simply do not buy a synth until I've studied it's MIDI specs in depth and beyond first...
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