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| PolyBrute | |
|---|---|
 PolyBrute (right hand side) | |
| Manufacturer | Arturia |
| Technical specifications | |
| Polyphony | 6 |
| Timbrality | morphing possibilities |
| Synthesis type | Subtractive Synthesis |
| Aftertouch expression | Monophonic Aftertouch |
| Velocity expression | Yes |
| Input/output | |
| Keyboard | 61 keys |
| Left-hand control | Pitch and Mod wheels, morphée controller |
PolyBrute is a 6-voice polyphonic analog synthesizer released by Arturia in 2020. It features two Brute-style analog oscillators, a pair of different filters, a grid-style modulation matrix, expression controls with a multidimensional touch pad, a touch strip, a digital effect section and a preset blend option. PolyBrute layout is quite similar to its monophonic counterpart by the same brand, the MatrixBrute.
Background information
[edit]As of 2023, this synthesizer is Arturia's latest addition to its Brute range, which has been developing since the MiniBrute was introduced in 2012. PolyBrute can also be considered as Arturia's flagship synthesizer as it is the French synthesizer company's priciest and most featured-packed instrument.
Arturia's Brute range has a few characteristics defining its sound.
The Brute oscillators often consist of a bendable amount of sawtooth triangle or pulse wave, with the possibility to fold the triangle wave and change the width of the pulse wave.
The Brute range filter is a 12db Steiner Parker style with a Brute Factor feedback circuit that adds distortion to the sound.
Sound architecture
[edit]Like many other subtractive analog synthesizers, PolyBrute follows a fixed architecture of several VCOs going into a VCF module, a VCA, and then digital effects.
Oscillator section
[edit]PolyBrute offers two fully featured Brute oscillators. Both oscillators provide tuning control, a blend between saw and triangle, and then with a pulse wave. Oscillator 1 allows its user to fold the triangle wave with Arturia's Metalizer circuit, and to receive sync from oscillator 2 (soft or hard sync). On the other hand, Oscillator 2 provides an option to add a sub octave square wave under the pulse wave, and a frequency modulation amount to Oscillator 1.
PolyBrute's filter section is very similar to its monophonic counterpart. Providing two filters, influenced by the Steiner Parker and ladder filter designs, and can be routed in series or parallel. A master cutoff knob is located in the middle of the VCF module for adjusting both filters at the same time. PolyBrute Steiner Parker 12db/oct filter continuously blends between low pass, high pass, and band pass, and provides control over its base frequency, resonance, VCF envelope modulation level, and Brute factor. The 24db/octave low pass ladder filter also provides control over its base frequency, resonance, level and VCF envelope amount and a distortion knob which overdrives the filter.
Effect Section
[edit]PolyBrute's effect section is fully digital and provides three customizable effects: A modulation section which features effects like chorus and flanger; A delay section which can emulate BBD and ping pong-style delays with level, time, and regeneration controls; and a reverb section with algorithms ranging from plate to shimmer.
Modulation sources
[edit]PolyBrute has a few modulation sources, including two ADSR envelopes and a DADSR envelope, with three LFOs featuring different controls. LFO 1 allows control over phase, waveform selection, and rate, while LFO 2 lets the user set a fade in time instead of setting the phase. Finally LFO 3 lets the user blend between a selection of waves, and adjust the symmetry and the rate.
PolyBrute also features motion recorder which lets the user record a certain motion by hand and use it poly-phonically as a modulation source. Finally, aftertouch, velocity, xyz controls from Morphée, and the touch-strip can also be set as modulation sources within PolyBrute's mod matrix.
Notable features
[edit]Thanks to its Morph knob, PolyBrute can continuously blend between two states within a single preset; this can also be automated. Mapping this Morph knob to note value can give PolyBrute a form of pseudo dual-timbrality.
To the left of the keyboard, PolyBrute has a multidimensional touch pad called Morphée, a controller that detects touch on its surface and vertical travel. Finally, PolyBrute can interface with a computer through accompanying software, PolyBrute Connect, for patch management and editing.