Arturia MatrixBrute Analog Synthesizer
The Arturia MatrixBrute is simply a synth powerhouse..features 3x Osc, 2x LFO, 3x EG, 2x filter, effects, sequencer and that programming matrix. The hardware quality is really impressive and the Arturia MatrixBrute Analog Synthesizer is an imposing and unique looking machine, designed by industrial design guru Axel Hartmann.
The 4-octave velocity and aftertouch enabled semi-weighted keybed has a high-quality feel with a positive action that beds out softly, yet can be played fast. The aftertouch response is also spot on. The MatrixBrute features three modes; Preset lets you use the 256 buttons as patch select buttons for the 256 writable preset slots and Mod mode lets you set modulation routings – simply pick from the 16 sources on the left and select a destination at the top; set up to 16 destinations per source. There are also four user modulation slots that can be set by holding any user mod-slot button and moving a front panel control to assign. Seq mode turns the MatrixBrute into a 64-step sequencer – add steps manually or record on the fly. You can then add accents, glides and modulation per-step. The sequencer sends/receives CV/Gate and MIDI. Sequencer modes include swing, variable gate, forwards, backwards, forwards/ backwards and random. Filter 1 is a diode-base Steiner filter which has LP/HP/BP and notch modes and 2/4-pole slopes. Filter 2 retains low-end at high resonance settings and it also has LP/HP/BP modes and 2/4-pole slopes.
Besides the matrix, Legato, Glide, Legato-Glide, Mono, Duo/Split and 3-note Paraphonic modes are also available and you can play standard leads but also 3-note chords with envelope articulation. Plus in Duo/Split mode you can run the arpeggiator to the left of the user-definable split-point and a lead to the right. On modulation, VCO1 can be modulated by VCO2, VCO3 can modulate 1 or 2, VCO3 can modulate VCF1 or 2 and noise can modulate VCO1 or VCF1. There are three envelopes;- Env1 goes to the filter(s), 2 to the VCA and 3 is freely assignable via the matrix. The three LFOs go nicely fast into audio range/overdrive and are all MIDI-syncable. To top it all, the five unique modulatable bucket-brigade delay-based analogue effects sound wonderful when blended with the VCOs; – mono/stereo delays, chorus, flanger and reverb.
Arturia have really made something special here. The Arturia MatrixBrute is most well-featured analog monosynth. It is rock-solid, capable of a genuinely mind-blowing array of sounds and it is very versatile.
Arturia Matrix Brute Analog Monophonic Synth
