Arturia MatrixBrute 4-stars Reviews

When I decided upon an analogue hardware synth for my studio rig, the features and flexibility of the Arturia MatrixBrute blew the competitors straight out of the water. It is a sturdy, big instrument with a quality built that will last for years of intensive use without any foreseeable issues. The central matrix is a hybrid delight, enabling you to store your patches, route your vast modulation options, compose your sequences, all with an ease that promotes the workflow. Upload and download patches to and from Arturia's MIDI Control Center, and you are off to build your own library of sounds.

Not the most punchy paraphonic monosynth on the planet, but its three VCO's still deliver tremendous dynamics and color, while the Steiner-Parker and ladder filters can be driven hard if needed, especially with the Brute Factor knob at play. Three LFO's with plenty of modulation options, three envelopes, one hard-wired to VCF and another to VCA, user-defineable macro knobs, bucket-brigade analogue effects, arpeggiator, different voice and play modes, audio input to process your external signal...this machine is so complete that you will need time and dedication to fully appreciate its possibilities. Connectivity with the modular world is also fully covered, although I haven't gone there yet. Weaker points? Since it is digitally controlled analogue, the knob positions do not correspond when loading a stored patch. only when manipulating them they "jump" to the corresponding setting. This requires a bit of handiness and experience. there is a multitude of instructive videos on the web, and the manual will get you going initially. It has been quite an investment, but one that has proven worth it...this ain't no toy.

Amazing synth with poor quality effects

Arturia MatrixBrute is one of those synths you need to try yourself in the studio to fully realise the potential of the instrument which in a way is limitless. It's very solid synth with amazing design and sound but unfortunately I can't say the same when it comes to its effects section. All the effects sound very cheap and pure as for my taste and sometimes they even tend to spoil the initial sound you've got. It's of course not that big problem if you like using external effects but for musicians who like to have all-in instrument it might be an issue. Nevertheless for its price I think it's one of the best synths on the market right now.