Arturia’s Matrixbrute synthesizer is a very special instrument. It is unlike many other synths you’ll find on the market due to the way in which it was programmed, making it one of the most unique keyboards on the market. The thing that really sets it apart on the initial reaction and what caught our attention was the impeccable build quality. We don’t get the chance to review many analog synths but when we do, we make sure to analyze it in as much depth as possible. This unit really takes you back and makes you think about the craftsmanship of other similar devices (and how they don’t match this one).
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User Interface/Style
You might be fooled into thinking that this is a synthesizer with a basic or simple interface. In fact, it can actually be quite complex if you don’t have any experience with synths of its kind. In terms of the actual layout though, it is definitely quite clean and crisp-looking. Everything is clearly outlined and once you become accustomed to using it, differentiating between functions and things of that nature will be a breeze. The keys are semi-weighted giving it that classic piano feel. It might even be easier and/or more natural to migrate from a piano to this synth as opposed to a digital synthesizer.
The style is nice, but not really anything special. If you’ve used anything by Arturia before, you’ll quickly see the similarities in button placements, curves, weight, and handling of this unit. Overall the interface and style of the instrument is quite great and one should have little trouble learning the in’s and out’s of the device. When comparing it to something like the Kawai MP11SE for example, it may look far more complex. With that being said, being able to raise and lower the control panel is brilliant. It can also be considered a synth that leans on the heavy side, so keep that in mind as well.
Sounds
The MatrixBrute has three analog oscillators and a noise generator. VCO 1 and VCO 2 are identical, generating sawtooth, pulse, and triangle waveforms you can mix using the waveform level knobs. Its noise generator produces more colors than you might initially expect. In addition to the usual white and pink, it generates red noise, which uses extreme high-cut filtering to suppress high frequencies entirely, and blue noise, which uses low-cut filtering to suppress lower frequencies. Generally speaking, there just aren’t many sounds you can’t get out of this keyboard, and that’s precisely what makes it so special to begin with.
The Arturia Matrixbrute has gained much notoriety since its release for being able to bridge the gap between new and old. If you’re someone who has worked primarily with the classics or older style analog synthesizers but want to try something more modern and updated, this would be the perfect synth to do it with. It has many of the same elements you’d become accustomed to but at the same time, it introduces a boatload of new functionalities, sounds, and features. Overall, this makes it one of the best transition synthesizers of the decade.
Features
This category is where the Matrixbrute really shines. It is able to do so many things in such a seamless fashion that it almost becomes impossible to compare with other instruments. Is it as loaded as the Montage 8? Probably not, but it is definitely more loaded with features than a lot of synthesizers we have reviewed. These are some notable things to take into account:
- 49 note keyboard with both velocity and aftertouch 100% analog signal path with analog effects Multiple keyboard modes for mono, paraphonic and duo-split modes Unique matrix–create your own routings Built-in arpeggio and sequencer
- MatrixBrute is perhaps the most powerful analog monophonic synthesizer ever
- As flexible as a modular system but offering presets, MatrixBrute is a dream machine for everyone interested in creating a sound palette of their own
- MatrixBrute is an outstanding analog synthesizer
- Offering three Brute oscillators, a Steiner-Parker filter and a ladder filter, five analog effects, and the incredible modulation matrix
Overall – Is The Arturia Matrixbrute Worth It?
In general, I’d have to say that this synth is worth the money. Not only is it an amazing option because of its ability to combine the old and the new into one single instrument, but also because of the fact that it can just do so much. Now, reading our list of the best synths you’ll find that there are quite a few options that are significantly less expensive. It’s important to keep in mind however that while this is a great instrument, it is very niche. Depending on what you primarily make music for, this may not be the product for you. However, it’s hard to say that this product can’t do something because again – it has so many different capabilities.